Fount Society

rating tier average

brand rating & evaluation

Fount Society

brand rating & evaluation
overall rating: Average
rating tier average

Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice).

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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:

Green Seal
Leaping Bunny
FSC Certified

learn more about these certifications*

overview

sustainability
4.8 out of 10
non-toxic
7.0 out of 10
social responsibility

about

Fount Society is a lifestyle and wellness brand offering “meticulously clean, effective, and safe” skincare and body care products.

sustainability

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Sustainability
score:
4.8 out of 10

details:

Packaging

Products come in recyclable glass or plastic containers with FSC-certified paper cartons. The brand emphasizes “minimal waste packaging.” For example, simple jars and bottles without excess materials, and advises that all cartons and glass components can be recycled. The brand has not yet eliminated plastics or introduced reuse systems. Inks and dyes are not described, so it’s unclear if they use soy-based inks; however, the presence of a Green Seal certification suggests attention to safer printing materials.

Ingredient Sustainability

Across these products, Fount Society shows a strong preference for plant-based, renewable ingredients and safer synthetic alternatives. The formulations avoid environmentally persistent chemicals (e.g. no PFAS, microplastics, or conventional mineral oils) and lean on botanical extracts that are biodegradable. Transparency is high; every ingredient is openly listed and even explained on their site. However, the brand provides few third-party sourcing certifications (e.g., no organic or Fair Trade seals on specific ingredients), so we must largely trust their claims of ethical sourcing. There may be occasional moderate-impact materials (e.g. if any ingredient were linked to overharvesting or high resource use), but these appear minimal. By continuously auditing suppliers and preferring certified sources when available, the brand demonstrates a moderately proactive stance.

Energy Use and Footprint


There is no evidence of a broad emissions reduction strategy. Fount Society does not publish any carbon footprint or emissions data, nor has it announced goals like achieving carbon neutrality. There’s no mention of using renewable energy in manufacturing or corporate offices, and no indication of improving packaging’s carbon profile (e.g. lightweighting or using low-carbon materials) aside from using recycled paper.

Waste Management

Fount Society’s approach to waste is basic, with few circular initiatives to date. As a skincare brand, its primary waste contributions come from product packaging and manufacturing processes. On packaging, Fount has made it a point to use recyclable and minimalist packaging. However, beyond packaging recyclability, the brand has not implemented broader waste-reduction programs. There is no refill or recharge system for their bottles/jars (customers must buy new containers each time). There’s also no take-back program (e.g. a return scheme for empties) or mention of using recycled content in packaging (the site doesn’t indicate use of PCR plastic or glass). Internally, Fount Society hasn’t publicized efforts to minimize manufacturing waste or to upcycle by-products.

Business Model

Fount Society’s business model shows elements of mindful, slow beauty as well as conventional growth tactics. On one hand, the brand focuses on a core collection of evergreen products (cleansers, serums, moisturizers, etc.) that are designed to be staples in a routine rather than fleeting trends. On the other hand, Fount Society does employ marketing and sales tactics that drive consumption. In sum, Fount Society’s business model is a mix of sustainability-minded and traditional retail approaches. It is not a fast-fashion style beauty brand pumping out weekly products, which is good. Yet it’s also not a fully “slow retail” model.

non-toxic

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Non-toxic
score:
7.0 out of 10

details:

The brand has a comprehensive “Never List” of over 50 ingredients it refuses to use, including known or suspected toxins like parabens, phthalates, sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde donors, PEGs, ethanolamines, BHA/BHT, mineral oil, chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone), and even ingredients like phenoxyethanol and silicones. The ingredients Fount does use are generally rated as low hazard. For example, preservatives like potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, benzyl alcohol, and ethylhexylglycerin are used in safe concentrations and are among the gentler preservative options in clean beauty (they meet EcoCert/Green Seal standards). The surfactants in the cleanser are coconut-derived and much less irritating than sodium lauryl sulfate. Many actives are botanical extracts or food-grade compounds (turmeric, cucumber, melon, beta-glucan from oats, etc.) known for skin benefits and mild profiles.

One area to note is the use of essential oils and botanical extracts, which, while natural, can be allergens for some individuals.

social responsibility

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Social responsibility
score:

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Fair Labor


Since the products are manufactured in the USA, the labor at the final production stage is subject to U.S. labor laws (ensuring no child labor, safer working conditions, and at least minimum wage). Despite these commitments, the brand is still young and lacks published transparency on its supply chain. They do not list the specific farms, cooperatives, or factories they source from on their website. There are no third-party fair labor certifications mentioned (such as Fair Trade Certified™, SA8000, or B Corp), nor disclosures of wages or conditions at suppliers.

Animal Welfare

All of its products are not only cruelty-free (no animal testing) but also completely vegan, containing no animal-derived ingredients. The brand’s cruelty-free status is validated by the Leaping Bunny certification.

Community Engagement

The most tangible initiative is their partnership with One Tree Planted, which directly ties customer purchases to a positive environmental action (tree planting). This initiative has a community element in that it aids reforestation in areas of need, potentially benefiting local communities through ecosystem restoration and future resources.