Salt + Blue

Packaging

The brand uses an aluminum tube paired with a reusable stainless-steel key to dispense the sunscreen, eliminating plastic components entirely (the steel “tube key” even doubles as a puncture tool to open the sealed tube). The aluminum tube is infinitely recyclable, and the included metal key helps squeeze out every last drop to prevent product waste. The use of non-toxic inks (claimed by the brand) and likely FSC-certified paper for shipping also boost sustainability. Salt+Blue does not report using post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in the tube, but the packaging is already 100% recyclable and plastic-free.

Ingredient Sustainability

Salt+Blue currently offers only one product (a mineral SPF 30 Body Sunscreen)(February, 2026), so our ingredient sustainability analysis focuses on this flagship formula. Key ingredients include non-nano zinc oxide as the physical UV filter, a blend of cold-pressed botanical oils (sunflower, apricot kernel, avocado, olive, raspberry seed), botanical butters (shea and cocoa), wildcrafted extracts like aloe ferox, and natural waxes (beeswax) and resins, with absolutely no petroleum-derived compounds or environmentally persistent chemicals.  

Instead, Salt+Blue opts for ingredients that can be renewably sourced and biodegrade readily. For example, raspberry seed oil and sea buckthorn oil are derived from fruit byproducts or resilient crops, and karanja oil comes from a drought-tolerant tree, all of which have relatively low ecological footprints. Many of the plant oils used (sunflower, olive, etc.) are organically farmed, meaning no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

Beeswax is biodegradable and natural, but sustainable harvesting depends on ethical beekeeping practices. Salt+Blue does indicate that its Cera alba (beeswax) is organic, implying more responsible beekeeping, but the brand does not elaborate on bee welfare or colony impacts. Other plant-based ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter are not noted as fair trade; while they are organic, the lack of fair trade certification means we have limited insight into whether those farming communities are supported or if agroforestry methods are used to mitigate deforestation (cocoa, for instance, can be linked to deforestation if not sustainably farmed).

Energy & Footprint

Salt+Blue has not published detailed information about its manufacturing energy use, carbon emissions, or climate initiatives, so our evaluation here relies on parent-company practices and what can be inferred. The company demonstrates some climate-conscious decisions indirectly through packaging and operations. For example, all Salt+Blue product boxes and printed inserts are produced by wind power under Annmarie Skin Care’s sustainability program. The brand also uses plastic-free shipping boxes made with certified sustainable paper (SFI-certified), which indicates attention to reducing fossil-fuel plastics and using renewable materials in logistics. Additionally, the formula being anhydrous (no water) means it’s more concentrated; this can lower the product’s weight and volume, potentially reducing transportation emissions.

However, Salt+Blue has not yet made any carbon-neutral claims or public emissions reports. There is no evidence of carbon offset purchases, renewable energy use at their facility, or a third-party climate certification like Climate Neutral. The brand is still very new (launched in 2026).

Waste Management

Firstly, the product design encourages minimal waste: the aluminum tube and accompanying key ensure that nearly all of the sunscreen can be used up by the customer, leaving little product residue to be discarded. In terms of production, Salt+Blue’s waterless formulation means that their manufacturing likely involves no wastewater from product mixing (since there is no water phase to heat or later clean out of mixers with detergents). This can significantly reduce water waste and chemical effluent compared to traditional cosmetic manufacturing.

Business Model

Salt+Blue’s business model reflects a slow, mindful consumption philosophy rather than a trend-driven, high-turnover approach. The brand launched with a single core product (a sunscreen) and emphasizes its multi-functional use (it’s a body sunscreen that is gentle enough for facial use as well, so consumers don’t need to buy multiple separate sunscreens). This simplicity and focus suggest Salt+Blue is not interested in pumping out dozens of new products each season or chasing short-lived fads. Instead, they are investing in a few well-considered items designed for everyday use and longevity.

Using Salt+Blue’s mineral sunscreen as the reference, the brand achieves excellent ingredient safety standards, with an entirely non-toxic, naturally derived formula. The full ingredients list (provided in the appendix) contains no synthetic preservatives, no chemical UV filters, no parabens, phthalates, or any known harmful synthetics.

In fact, Salt+Blue’s formulation has been certified by MADE SAFE, a third-party standard that screens for carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxins, and other health hazards. Instead of petrochemical sunscreen agents (which are linked to hormone disruption and reef damage), it uses non-nano zinc oxide as the sole active, which sits on the skin without absorbing systemically. Zinc oxide is regarded as one of the safest and most broad-spectrum UV filters available, with no evidence of hormone activity or significant human toxicity when non-nano.

Fair Labor

As an offshoot of Annmarie Skin Care, the brand likely inherits certain standards. Annmarie Skin Care has a reputation for working with small farmers and wildcrafters, which often involves fair compensation and respectful relationships. On Salt+Blue’s “Who We Are” page, they state that they “partner with global suppliers who uphold ethical practices”. This implies that Salt+Blue is vetting its ingredient suppliers for responsible conduct, which presumably includes fair labor conditions alongside environmental ethics (the same line emphasizes respect for animals and habitats). However, no specific fair trade certifications or audits are mentioned for any ingredient or manufacturing facility.

Animal Welfare

Salt+Blue strongly positions itself as an animal-friendly brand. All its claims and practices indicate that it does no animal testing and ensures its products are safe for animal life. On the cruelty-free front, Salt+Blue benefits from Annmarie Skin Care’s Leaping Bunny certification. In terms of animal-derived ingredients, Salt+Blue is not 100% vegan due to the use of organic beeswax in its sunscreen. Beeswax is the only non-vegan ingredient in the formula

Community Engagement

Community engagement appears to be the weakest area of Salt+Blue’s sustainability and social responsibility profile, primarily due to the brand’s newness and lack of announced initiatives. So far, there are no public programs or charitable partnerships tied to Salt+Blue. The brand narrative is heavily focused on environmental stewardship (sun, skin, and sea), but it does not mention donating a portion of profits.

It’s worth noting that Salt+Blue was literally just launched (the founding story is being shared in early 2026), so the absence of community programs is likely because they are establishing their business first.