The Honest Company
brand rating & evaluation
overall rating:
Conscious
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The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. Below are a few factors influencing this brand's score:
certifications:
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overview
sustainability
non-toxic
social responsibility
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about
Founded in 2012 by Jessica Alba, The Honest Company aims to provide eco-friendly, non-toxic household, personal care, and baby products.
highlights
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sustainability
score:
coming
details:
The Honest Company's commitment to using recyclable and reusable packaging is evident in its beauty line, where products are housed in cartons made from upcycled sugarcane by-products. Additionally, the company offers refillable formats for select items, which reduces packaging waste.
The company publishes sustainability reports aligned with frameworks such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). These reports outline its environmental impact, carbon footprint, and progress toward its stated goals. Despite these efforts, Honest lacks concrete targets for reducing emissions or transitioning to renewable energy sources.
The Honest Company’s products claim to be formulated without over 2,500 harmful chemicals; however, some of its materials, like plastic diapers, contribute to environmental waste. Efforts to improve product circularity and expand compostable or biodegradable options are currently limited.
non-toxic
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coming
details:
The Honest Company markets itself as a pioneer in clean and non-toxic formulations. It claims to avoid harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde in its products. Many items are certified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which verifies transparency and the absence of harmful chemicals.
However, past controversies undermine these claims. In 2016, investigations revealed that the company’s laundry detergent contained sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a chemical the brand explicitly pledged to avoid. Similarly, certain beauty products were found to include synthetic ingredients like linalool and limonene, which can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. These incidents highlight gaps in quality control and transparency and raise questions about the brand’s commitment to its non-toxic promises.
social responsibility
score:
coming
details:
The Honest Company engages in initiatives that reflect a commitment to social impact. Its ethical sourcing policies ensure that raw materials, particularly plant-derived ingredients, are responsibly obtained. The company supports fair labor practices within its supply chain and frequently collaborates with non-profits to donate products to underserved communities.
Despite these efforts, Honest has faced criticism for its reliance on large-scale manufacturing, which limits visibility into labor conditions across its supply chain. While the company has outlined ethical guidelines for its suppliers, the lack of third-party certifications, such as Fair Trade or B Corporation, limits the verifiability of these claims.
