by Humankind
brand rating & evaluation
overall rating:
Conscious
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice). See How We Rate
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:
learn more about these certifications*
overview
sustainability
non-toxic
social responsibility
7 out of 10
10 out of 10
4.5 out of 10
about
By Humankind is a personal care brand that creates sustainably minded haircare, skincare, and oralcare products with a heavy focus on their refill model.
highlights
Sustainable ingredient sourcing
Solid bar shampoos and conditioners
Sustainable packaging initiatives
Refill program
sustainability
score:
7 out of 10
details:
Packaging
By Humankind’s refillable containers are made from plastic. They are designed with reuse in mind, and offer refills in plastic-free packaging. This packaging is made from a few different materials. Oralcare refills come in a compostable pouch made from kraft paper and a sugar based lining, deodorant refills come in compostable paper tubes but include some plastic components, and handsanitizers and hair/body care come in aluminum containers. The brand provides clear disposal instructions for all their products and packaging.
Material Sustainability
By Humankind is very transparent about their ingredients used and even offers a full index for customers. They use several palm oil derivatives but these are RSPO certified (sourced sustainably and ethically). They opt for more sustainable alternatives to common industry ingredients, like plant-based squalane over shark harvested squalene, or preservatives like ethylhexylglycerin over parabens. The vast majority of ingredients are sourced from low-impact crops.
Energy Use and Footprint
By Humankind claims to be a carbon neutral brand, achieved in 2019 through offsetting, though it’s unclear if this is certified by third parties. There is little other information avaiable regarding energy usage and carbon footprint.
Waste Management
There is little information available regarding waste management and mitigation strategies in production.
Business Model
The brand offers a clearly evergreen selection with essentially zero product churn or trend based marketing. They also focus heavily on their refill business model, which aims to cut down on single use waste.
non-toxic
score:
10 out of 10
details:
By Humankind creates formulations that are safe and non-toxic. They follow stricter EU guidelines and list out all the common potentially or known toxic ingredients they exclude, including all parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, chemical sunscreens, and more.
social responsibility
score:
4.5 out of 10
details:
There is little information available regarding the brand’s fair labor practices or standards. They produce products in the UK, US, and China, and claim to only work with those with high standards of sustainability and ethical labor practices, though these claims are both non-specific and unverified. China carries a high risk for fabor labor violations and more information is needed to demonstrate a commitment to ethical labor practices. There is some information regarding community engagement and initiative support, though the details are mostly unclear. The brand is vegan and cruelty-free with the exception of their silk floss, which is not yet certified cruelty-free.
