Ourside

Packaging

Glass production can be energy-intensive, but using recycled glass feedstock significantly lowers its environmental footprint. The bottles are paired with minimalist packaging: each comes in a simple cardboard box that is fully recyclable and produced regionally (in New Jersey).

Ingredient Sustainability

Ourside’s ingredient sustainability is mixed. On one hand, the brand avoids notorious unsustainable ingredients. For example, they do not use animal-derived musks or civet (historically cruel and unsustainable), and they avoid petrochemical polycyclic musks and phthalates. The alcohol bases are plant-derived and even organic in some cases, which is a renewable choice with a potentially lower carbon footprint than petroleum-derived solvents. On the other hand, many natural ingredients in these fragrances (jasmine, frankincense, palo santo, sandalwood, etc.) can pose sustainability challenges if wild-harvested or over-extracted; Ourside provides no transparent sourcing information or certifications to verify that these are sourced in an environmentally sound way. Likewise, the brand has not highlighted using any upcycled ingredients (e.g. perfumes made from repurposed waste from other industries) or biotechnology-derived notes, innovations which some sustainable fragrance brands now employ to reduce pressure on natural resources.

The reliance on safe synthetic ingredients is a double-edged sword: synthetics can ease pressure on rare plants and often have more stable supply chains, but they are typically derived from petrochemicals. Ourside hasn’t indicated that any of their aroma chemicals are bio-based or produced in low-impact ways. The environmental toxicity of the chosen synthetics appears considered (like avoiding persistent musks), yet overall biodegradability of the fragrance compounds isn’t addressed publicly.

Energy Use and Footprint

Ourside provides minimal data on its energy use or carbon footprint, which is common for a small indie brand. The company does not publish any carbon emissions figures or reduction targets, nor does it claim use of renewable energy in its operations. However, certain aspects of Ourside’s model inherently affect its energy and emissions profile. All fragrances are formulated and produced in small batches in the Bronx, New York. Local production in the U.S. means the brand isn’t shipping bulk product from overseas factories, which reduces transportation emissions relative to brands that manufacture abroad.

Ourside benefits from being localized and small-scale, which naturally limits its carbon footprint (no global supply web or massive factory energy use). Yet it lacks any proactive measures or transparency regarding energy sourcing or emissions.

Waste Management

Because the fragrances are made in small batches, the risk of overproduction (which can lead to unsold inventory becoming waste) is lower. The brand likely produces in response to demand, especially as an indie brand not tied to the high-volume, seasonal launch cycle. This approach can reduce the waste of materials, ingredients, and finished product. 

Business Model

Ourside’s business model is rooted in a “slow luxury” approach rather than fast-paced, high-volume sales. The brand has maintained a tightly curated product line and emphasizes longevity and connection over trends. Since its inception (originally as Aspen Apothecary in 2020), the company has released a total of three core fragrances (Moon Dust, Nostalgia, and Dusk/Of Our Own), plus one collaboration room spray in 2025. This is a very limited number of launches over several years, especially compared to mainstream fragrance houses that churn out new collections every season.

Ourside is transparent about formulating without a host of known harmful substances. All their perfumes and sprays are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, mineral oil, and nitromusks, among others. This aligns with common “clean beauty” standards and is verified by the brand’s compliance with the Credo Clean Standard.

The bases of the fragrances are organic ethanol and water, both of which are low-toxicity. Organic ethanol (denatured with safe denaturants) is much preferable to petroleum-derived solvents or unsafe denaturants like phthalates or methanol. Polysorbate 20 in the room spray is generally regarded as a safe cosmetic ingredient.

Ourside’s formulas do contain various fragrance allergens (e.g. citral, eugenol, geraniol, etc.). These are naturally occurring compounds in essential oils that can cause skin sensitization in some individuals. However, their inclusion in the ingredient list is actually a sign of transparency and regulatory compliance. It means Ourside is disclosing allergens. All these allergens are present in small fractions within the perfume (well below safety thresholds as per IFRA standards). Ourside works with an IFRA-compliant lab and perfumer, which ensures that each potential irritant or sensitizer is kept within limits deemed safe for use on skin. For example, IFRA (International Fragrance Association) standards provide maximum dosage levels for compounds like eugenol to avoid irritation.

Fair Labor

Ourside’s products are manufactured in the United States (Bronx, NY). This implies that the workers compounding and bottling the fragrances operate under U.S. labor laws, which include regulations for minimum wage, workplace safety (OSHA standards), etc.

Ourside does not publish a supplier code of conduct or any detailed info on the working conditions under which its raw materials (like essential oils, alcohol, packaging) are produced. This is an area of lack of transparency. For instance, the organic cane alcohol likely comes from overseas (many cosmetic-grade ethanols come from South America or India). Organic certification covers environmental aspects but not necessarily labor conditions. Similarly, essential oils such as vetiver from Haiti or ylang-ylang from the Comoros can have complex supply chains involving small farmers. We have no indication if Ourside ensures fair trade or equitable practices in those sourcing communities.

Animal Welfare

The brand is Leaping Bunny certified, which is the gold standard for cruelty-free assurance. This means that not only does Ourside itself avoid any animal testing, but its ingredient suppliers and any third parties are also verified to be free from animal testing at any stage.

Community Engagement

We found no evidence that Ourside has ongoing charitable donation programs or formal partnerships with non-profits. The brand has not announced donating a portion of proceeds to any cause, nor affiliating with initiatives like 1% for the Planet or other philanthropy. For instance, there’s no mention of supporting environmental justice organizations or contributing to communities that produce their ingredients. The brand is still young and likely focused on establishing itself; formal give-back programs or community projects have not been a part of their story yet (or have not been made public). They excel in inclusive branding and education, but do not yet have a direct social or environmental give-back initiative.