The 9 Best Natural Moisturizers for All Skin Types

Just the Goods is one of the most dedicated eco-friendly companies around and has been in the business of making non-toxic, sustainable personal care products since 2009. I’m so impressed with their commitment to sourcing sustainable packaging and ingredients that balance eco-friendliness and affordability. The founder of the company is so clearly invested in environmental stewardship and has done her research to figure out appropriate and affordable packaging solutions that work even in the depths of a Winnipeg winter.

Just the Goods vegan hand + body lotion is an unscented, long-lasting, preservative-free moisturizer that is affordable and effective. It nourishes the skin thanks to the grapeseed oil base and has 100% natural ingredients. Available in bottles made with HDPE, recycled aluminum with or without a pump dispenser, and in 8 oz glass bottles with a pump (though not in winter months), Just the Goods lotion is a preservative-free product (like all their products) and so should be stored in a cool, dark place and kept tightly sealed between uses.

Just the Goods vegan body butter is another great product from this eco-friendly company. This all-day moisturizer has a shea butter and grapeseed oil base and is packed with apricot kernel oil that is rich in vitamins A, C, and E. To help with a smooth application, tapioca starch is also included, and together these ingredients create a rich moisturizer to help skin heal and to relieve irritation without blocking pores or feeling greasy. Just the Goods body butter is available in six EWG VERIFIED™ varieties:

Lavender, bergamot, ylang ylang
Lemon & coriander
Pink grapefruit & black pepper
Playful (clove essential oil + vanilla absolute)
Spicy nights (cinnamon, ylang ylang, sweet orange)
Unscented (which is also available nut-free).

Just the Goods also offer sample sizes of this product. Samples are packed in resealable HDPE plastic pods, while full sized products are offered in 65 g/2.29 oz (filled by weight, not volume) in a 125 ml glass jar. The ingredients are whipped to add air, but may melt or settle depending on the time of year you buy the product and where it’s stored. Because these products are made with artificial emulsifying agents to prevent it melting, you might want to let the product rest in your fridge for an hour or so if it’s gotten a little goopy in transit.

Just the Goods is a proud partner of several non-profit organizations committed to holistic consumer health, environmental protection, and kindness to animals. Just the goods is EWG VERIFIED™ and a member of:

The Safe Cosmetics Business Network and is a Champion status member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (the Leaping Bunny program)

Environmental Defence (Just the Goods has taken the Just Beautiful pledge)

Humane Society International (Just the Goods is a #BeCrueltyFree)

While some products, especially sample sizes and smaller bottles, come in high-density polyethlylene (HDPE) – one of the safest and easiest plastics to recycle, and BPA-free – they are looking at going plastic-free wherever possible. So far, they’ve made great strides in switching many products to aluminum containers that are both recycled and recyclable. Some products are packaged in glass, but this adds issues such as shipping weight and breakages.

Shipping lotions and other personal care products in glass containers has its pros and cons and Just for Goods has done a lot of research to figure out the best approach to this quandary, without greenwashing or sacrificing affordability. I really love their nuanced approach to this problem and wish there were more of this in the cosmetics industry as a whole!

All Just the Goods products are made without petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial fragrances, dyes, and flavours. Everything is handcrafted using vegan plant and mineral based ingredients and nothing else. They are also careful to brand their products using simple packaging so as not to alienate anyone based on gender or other personal characteristics (which is why they don’t make ‘antiaging’ products).

Products are available through Just the Goods at public wholesale prices and through retailers. This means products are accessibly priced. None of the products are tested on animals and all products are vegan-friendly. Their packaging is also eco-friendly as they make a point of reusing packaging from their raw ingredients suppliers and gifted from neighboring businesses, including shipping boxes and packing peanuts. When they do have to use new packing materials, these are exceptionally eco-friendly. In more than a decade of being in business, Just the Goods has never purchased new foam peanuts or bubble wrap, and instead use plastic-free mailers stuffed with post-consumer paper, and industrial grade tissue that is made from unbleached recycled content. Cartons are not coated with non-recyclable branding materials.

Just the Goods also operate an eco-friendly office, with everything reused multiple times as much as possible before being recycled. They also offer reusable pumps, spray tops, and flip tops to your order, to help you reuse bottles you already have and keep more things out of landfill.

Ingredients (hand + body lotion): Ingredients: aqua (water/eau), vitis vinifera (grape/pépin de raisin) seed oil, ethoxylated sorbitan ester (vegetable based emulsifying wax/cire émulsifiante végétale), vegetable glycerin/glycérine végétale, tocopherol (vitamin e – non GMO soy/vitamine e – soja sans OGM).

Ingredients (vegan body butter – lavender, bergamot + ylang ylang / beurre corporelle végétalienne – lavande, bergamote + ylang-ylang): butyrospermum parkii (shea butter/beurre de karité), vitis vinifera (grape/pépin de raisin) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot/abricot) kernel oil, manihot esculenta (tapioca) root starch, lavandula angustifolia (lavender/lavande) oil, citrus bergamia (bergamot/ bergamote) fruit oil, canaga odorata (ylang ylang)flower oil, citral*, isoeugenol/isoeugénol*, benzyl salicylate/le salicylate de benzyle*, geraniol/géraniol*, farnesol*, linalool*, benzyl benzoate/benzoate de benzyle*, d-limonene/d-limonène* – *component of essential oil/composant d’huile essentielle

Ingredients (vegan body butter – unscented / beurre corporelle végétalienne – nature): butyrospermum parkii (shea butter/beurre de karité), vitis vinifera (grape/pépin de raisin) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot/abricot) kernel oil, manihot esculenta (tapioca) root starch

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Qēt Botanicals Ultra Garden Serum for Body

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Highlights: Ultra-concentrated serum that is 100% natural, non-toxic, vegan-friendly, EWG Verified, and cruelty-free with minimal packaging in recyclable containers.

Qēt Botanicals use minimal packaging and recyclable containers, never test on animals, use no animal parts or by-products, and create formulas using organic and sustainably wild harvested ingredients certified by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) and recognized by the National Organic Program for the USDA. All ingredients are 100% natural, nontoxic, and always fully disclosed and all products are ranked in the safest category of Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® database. The company has received numerous awards for their products and for their sustainable packaging.

Qēt Botanicals Ultra Garden Serum for Body is a concentrated blend of moisturizing botanical oils including almond, avocado, lavender and jasmine. As an emollient, this body serum can penetrate dry areas and nourish skin for all-day hydration. There’s no water, synthetics, or fillers, and the serum leaves skin feeling soft and fresh.

This product won the Earth Day Beauty Award for Best Body Serum and is perfect for hands, feet, and anywhere else you’d like to use it (topically). There’s no heavy scent, and because the product doesn’t contain water a little goes a very long way. You only need a partial pump added to damp skin or mixed with a little water on your hands to cover a lot of skin. You can also use this serum as a bath oil.

The serum is available in sample sizes as part of a Body Softening Suite kit which includes three body serums and a Blooming Tea Bath. These are great for travel and for gifts!

Because the serum doesn’t contain water, it is eco-friendly in that it reduces shipping weight and associated carbon emissions. And the lack of water also means there’s no need for chemical preservatives. Qēt Botanicals is a member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and strictly adhere to the Red List Chemicals of Concern, as well as avoiding hundreds of other harmful ingredients. The company is also Green American Business Certified

Ingredients: Prunus Dulcis (Almond) Nut Oil*, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Oil*, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Brassica Oleracea (Broccoli) Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil*, Tocopherol (Non-GMO Vitamin E), Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia (Madagascar Vanilla) Bean Oil*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Flower Oil*, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil*, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Seed Oil*. *Organic Ingredient

ATTITUDE Calendula Natural Body Cream baby leaves™ Almond Milk

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Highlights: EWG Verified™, eco-friendly, vegan, cruelty-free, and certified by PETA and ECOLOGO as sustainable and biodegradable, this baby-friendly moisturizer is soothing and regenerative and great for sensitive skin.

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ATTITUDE® is a Canadian company making natural personal care and household products that are EWG Verified™, eco-friendly, vegan, cruelty-free, and certified by PETA and ECOLOGO as sustainable and biodegradable. Attitude’s Natural Body Cream Baby Leaves™ with Almond Milk is calming and regenerative, has antioxidant activity, and can help soothe irritated and sensitive skin. This makes it ideal for babies and adults alike.

This body cream is dermatologically tested (but not on animals), non-irritating, and hypoallergenic, and is specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin, or allergy-prone skin types. It is free of parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and other endocrine disruptors, contains no harmful preservatives, artificial perfume or fragrance and is lightly infused with a soothing almond milk aroma. The formula also features moringa seed extracts purported to limit the adhesion of pollutant particles.

Attitude is a relative newcomer to the industry as it was founded in 2019. The owners set out with a firm stance on single-use plastics (as in, they don’t like them!), and while they do still package some products in recycled and recyclable HDPE #2, they aim to use biodegradable materials where possible and are keen proponents of bulk sizes and refills. I just stocked up on their 2 L shampoo, which I also love! These bulk packs cut down on about 80% plastic compared to smaller bottles. The bulk packaging is also BPA-free and is made with recyclable #7 plastic and FSC certified cardboard.

The company makes a wide range of products, including cleansers, conditioners, lotions, and even sunscreen, which are free from ecotoxic chemicals that can damage coral reefs and other ecosystems and are also free from nanoparticles. ATTITUDE also make a Regenerating Super Leaves Natural Body Cream that’s worth checking out.

Attitude plant a tree for every product sold, with partnerships with two major non-profit organizations specialized in reforestation: Eden Reforestation Projects and One Tree Planted.

Ingredients: Aqua / water / eau, dicaprylyl ether, caprylic / capric triglyceride, coco-caprylate/caprate, cetearyl olivate, glycerin, tapioca starch, sorbitan olivate, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, isoamyl laurate, stearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, levulinic acid, p-anisic acid, sodium levulinate, citric acid, xanthan gum, calendula officinalis flower extract, vaccinium angustifolium (blueberry / bleuet) leaf extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, moringa oleifera seed extract, maltodextrin, linalyl acetate (herbal), vanillin.

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Soap for Goodness Sake Shea Butter Crème

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Highlights: Simple and natural, this super skin-friendly cream consists of just certified organic shea butter and sunflower oil and is packaged in eco-friendly recycled and recyclable materials.

Soap for Goodness Sake is a low-key but highly successful company that keeps things simple with products made of just a few ingredients, all-natural and all super skin-friendly. Their Shea Butter Crème consists of just certified organic shea butter and sunflower oil, for instance, with no added scent or preservatives (so store it in a dark, cool place and use it within six months).

The Shea Butter Crème comes in an 8 oz container and is best used by scooping a small amount out with a bamboo scoop then warming the cream in your hands before applying it to the skin.

Soap for Goodness Sake is a Green America Gold Certified Business and strives to use organic ingredients wherever possible. They only use sustainable organic plantation palm oil in those products that call for it, and they also favor 100% PCW chlorine-free paper that is FSC certified.

Most products are made almost entirely by hand, which reduces energy use and the carbon footprint of the products. They also offer shampoo bars and other products that allow for much less packaging than water-based toiletries. The company reuses packing material wherever possible and also favors USPS packaging with cradle-to-cradle certification as eco-friendly. Some products come wrapped in a cellulose bag made with natural wood fibers from sustainable forestry; these bags are biodegradable and home-compostable and are carbon neutral. These natural soaps and skincare products do not contain synthetic fragrance, dyes, artificial preservatives, parabens, phthalates, Cocamide MEA, Cocamide DEA, TEA, propylene glycol, aminomethyl propanol, petrochemicals, or other undesirable ingredients and are also free from animal fat, Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) and detergents.

Ingredients: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil*.
*Certified Organic

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Everyone Nourishing Face Moisturizer

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Highlights: EWG Verified, lightweight, and great for sensitive skin, from a B Corporation and made in a zero-waste factory.

EWG Verified, lightweight, and great for sensitive skin, the Everyone Nourishing Face Moisturizer is another excellent choice. The formula includes quinoa protein, kombucha, organic argan oil, and replenishing hyaluronic acid as well as an organic herbal blend of aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, and white tea extracts.

Everyone is a certified B Corporation that has been making great skincare products for more than 25 years. The company favors the use of organic and sustainably farmed ingredients and they research, develop, test, blend, bottle, market, and ship all their Products from their family-owned, zero-waste factory. They never use synthetic colors, dyes, or fragrances, are committed to the non-GMO movement, and all of the Everyone products are vegan and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.

Acknowledging that the natural beauty industry is water intensive, Everyone installed new equipment on their Reverse Osmosis filter that allows them to reduce waste water and increase usable water for manufacturing by 37%. They also installed drought tolerant landscaping and drip irrigation around their facility and low-flow toilets in their restrooms. They have a closed loop water system for heating and cooling their manufacturing tanks and have set a water reduction target of 12.5% for one full year after the installation of the water-saving process.

Everyone also donates to local charitable organizations and gives employees paid time off to volunteer.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Orbignya Oleifera (Babassu) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Glycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Cetyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Oat Beta Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, EO® Organic Herbal Blend [Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, and Organic Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract], Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Organic Theobrama Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Essential Oil Blend [Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Oil], Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil , Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Paul Penders Hydrating Control Serum

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Highlights: Vegan, EWG Verified, and packed with healing herbs and nourishing nutrients, in ECOCERT certified packaging.

Vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and EWG Verified, Paul Penders Hydrating Control Serum is another excellent choice for keeping skin feeling soft and looking radiant. This serum is a rich source of vitamins, ceramides, and liposomes, with antioxidants to help quench free radicals. It also features Paul Penders signature formulation LevensESSENTIE Gold® – a mixture of 22 organically grown herbs to support skin health.

I will note that this formula contains St. John’s Wort, albeit in small amounts. This herb makes skin more photosensitive, so be careful if using this skin prior to significant sun exposure.

All Paul Penders products are EWG Verified and they’ve been making cruelty-free products for more than 50 years. They use ECOCERT/COSMOS certified packaging materials that are BPA-free and phthalate-free as well as latex-free and free from heavy metals. Products are also Halal certified.

The Paul Penders story is also pretty interesting! Allegedly, in 1984, the Dutch company got the attention of the Dutch government because they refused to test their products on animals, as required by law. Two of Paul Penders’ aunts, who were nuns, attempted to help him circumvent this requirement by testing the products themselves, at their monastery. But the government wasn’t happy and told the company to test on (non-human) animals or close. Refusing to give in, Paul Penders moved his factory and operations to America, bringing the family with him.

In 1982, after receiving FDA approval to make cosmetics not tested on animals, Paul Penders helped lead to movement for cruelty-free cosmetics in the United States. And in 1985, as reports arose about health concerns over FD&C colors in lipsticks, Paul Penders removed all chemical colors from its color cosmetics, becoming the first big name to do so.

Ingredients: Aqua*, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) extract, Caprylic/Capric triglycerides, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Linum Usitassimun (Linseed) seed oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) oil, L. ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Essential oil of Citrus medica limonum (Lemon), Angelica archangelica (Angelica) powder**, Arnica montana (Arnica) flower powder**, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower powder**, Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) flower powder**, Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) flower powder**, Zingiber officinalis (Ginger) root powder**, Panax quinquefolium (Ginseng) root powder**, Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle) powder**, Humulus lupulus (Hops) powder**, Equisetum hyemale (Horsetail) powder**, Juniperus communis (Juniper) fruit powder**, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) flower powder**, Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) leaf powder**, Urtica dioica (Nettle) powder**, Centella asiatica (Pennywort) powder**, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) leaf powder**, Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary) powder**, Salvia officinalis (Sage) powder**, Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) powder**, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root powder**, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch hazel) powder**, Archillea millefolium (Yarrow) powder**, , Ceramide III, Phyto-tocotrienol (Vitamin E), Carotene extract, Ananas comosus (Bromelain) extract, Carica papaya (Papain) extract, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Caprylhydroxamatic acid (amino acid) (and) Glyceryl caprylate1. *Mnt. Everest water. 1Antioxidants (coconut derived acting as natural preservative). °limonene, °Citral (°occur naturally in essential oils). **LevensESSENTIE Gold ® from 22 organic herbs

Finally Pure Pregnancy Nutrient-Rich Hand & Body Lotion, Soft Lavender Scent

Leaf Score

Highlights: Perfect for stretching skin! This all-natural, eco-friendly moisturizer includes mostly certified organic ingredients and comes in a reusable container from a company with a robust recycling program.

Finally Pure make natural, organic, non-toxic and affordable personal care products and are particular about sourcing ingredients from renewable, fair-trade, and sustainable suppliers. Their Pregnancy Nutrient-Rich Hand & Body Lotion is vegan-friendly and specially formulated to be safe in pregnancy but is also great for everyone looking for a nourishing moisturizer.

Made with organic mango butter and organic sunflower, avocado, pomegranate, and calendula flower oil, this moisturizer soothes and softens itchy and dry skin. It can also be used daily to help support stretching skin.

Every ingredient in Finally Pure products is EWG rated ‘1’ – the best safety rating – in the Skin Deep Database. Their body butters and lotions use mango, cocoa, shea, and kokum butter for all the bases and include wild-crafted and/or organic ingredients whenever possible. Their products are also PETA certified cruelty-free.

Finally Pure also have a recycling program where they package products in easily re-usable containers and have an internal recycling program that uses recycled products for paper and packaging whenever appropriate.

Ingredients: Water, *Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, *Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Anisate (derived from fennel), Sodium Levulinate (derived from NON-GMO corn), *Persea Americana (Avocado) Oil, *Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Oil, *Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), *Calendula Officinalis (Pot Marigold) Flower Oil *CERTIFIED ORGANIC

Dolphin Organics Baby Lotion Fragrance Free

Leaf Score

Highlights: A multipurpose moisturizer perfect for hydrating after a bath or a day in the sun.

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Dolphin Organics Fragrance Free Baby Lotion is a multipurpose moisturizer perfect for hydrating after a bath or a day in the sun, and it’s not just for babies. This moisturizer soothes and heals, has a creamy base, so it spreads well, and it contains organic aloe to calm irritated skin. It’s EWG Verified and contains natural, certified organic ingredients such as calendula flower.

The founders of Dolphin Organics are keen environmentalists who created the company in part to ensure they had non-toxic, eco-friendly products to use with their twin daughters. Sick of big brands making big claims with nothing to back them up, the company set out to make a line of personal care products for babies and young children made only with natural and organic ingredients. Their products contain no artificial preservatives or other ingredients and they offer clear labelling, so you can trust what’s in the bottle.

Dolphin Organics offer a bimonthly subscription to help you save and to make sure you’re never short of moisturizer. Their products are Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free and vegan.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (From Concentrate & Certified Organic), Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Simmondsia Chinensis(Jojoba) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Sterate Se, Capryloyl Glycine, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Yucca Schidigera (Yucca) Root Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Sorbic Acid.

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Organic to Green Moisturizer Arctic Skin & Lip Coco Shea Vanilla

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Highlights: Sustainable, simple, and perfect for chapped lips and skin, and from a company committed to environmental stewardship. Note: Contains beeswax (not vegan).

Organic to Green are on a mission to make the personal care product industry more sustainable. They consider the principles of economic, social, and environmental sustainability (i.e. profit, people, and planet) in all they do and make natural, fair trade, locally sourced, therapeutic grade products accordingly.

The Arctic Skin & Lip Coco Shea Vanilla balm is a moisturizing butter that works for lips and skin, helping to repair dry skin that’s been exposed to the elements (sun, wind, rain, or cold!). It’s packaged in a post consumer resin jar and features coconut oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil as well as beeswax and vanillin, meaning it’s not vegan, alas. This balm is great for deep hydration for hands, elbows, body, feet and face.

Organic to Green are partners with 1% for the Planet and are big into reusing materials wherever possible. This includes the use of post-consumer plastic instead of glass which can have a larger carbon footprint due to weight and processing resource use. They even work with www.ReUseCycle.com to source bottles for reuse. These are thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and then filled with organic products for a second lease on life.

Organic to Green is also a woman-owned company and verified WBENC member. WBENC is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs. The company says that they’re cruelty-free and vegan, but beeswax isn’t vegan, so this is a bit of an oversight. That said, they do donate 10% of their profits to organizations supporting charitable work, such as Stewart House (a children’s charity).

Ingredients: *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Wax) Seed Wax, *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Beeswax, Vanillin (Vanilla Food Grade). *Certified USDA Organic Ingredients