Desesh
brand rating & evaluation
overall rating:
Top Choice
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:
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overview
sustainability
non-toxic
social responsibility
7.8 out of 10
10 out of 10
6.2 out of 10
about
Desesh is a clean personal care brand focused on plastic waste reduction and non-toxic formulations.
highlights
Sustainable ingredient sourcing
Plastic-free packaging
Non-toxic formulations
5% of proceeds donated
sustainability
score:
7.8 out of 10
details:
Packaging
All product packaging is plastic-free and designed to either biodegrade or be easily recycled/repurposed. For example, the natural lip balms are packaged in push-up tubes made of cardboard, which are fully compostable. Similarly, solid shampoo and conditioner bars come in paper-based boxes with no plastic lining. Many items (soaps, shampoos, cleansers) are offered as solid bars or powders instead of liquids, allowing the brand to completely avoid plastic bottles. Orders are shipped in plain cardboard boxes sealed with paper tape and padded with kraft paper, all of which are recyclable.
The company has set explicit packaging requirements for its warehouse to ensure no plastic sneaks into orders. In the rare event an order is mistakenly shipped with any plastic packaging, Desesh pledges to purchase plastic-offset credits (e.g. funding ocean clean-up) to counteract that usage.
Notably, some products come with refillable or reusable packaging. For instance, Desesh’s toothpaste tablets are initially sold in a glass jar, and refills are provided in certified biodegradable pouches to top up that jar.
Ingredient Sustainability
All products are palm oil-free. For fragrances and colors, Desesh exclusively uses natural sources (such as essential oils for scent and mineral or plant-based colorants). The brand also chooses sustainable material alternatives for accessory-type products. Many of the non-consumable items are made from bamboo or other renewable resources. The brand relies on more sustainable plant-based alternatives like coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and other sustainable oils and waxes where moisturizing or cleansing ingredients are needed.
Likewise, almost all other ingredients are sourced from low-impact crops. When sourcing botanical ingredients, Desesh prefers organic options when feasible, and they note organic ingredients in the product descriptions when applicable.
Energy Use and Footprint
Desesh has taken initial steps to address its carbon footprint, especially regarding distribution. The company provides carbon-neutral shipping for all orders as a standard practice. Beyond shipping, Desesh is actively looking at its overall carbon footprint. In the FAQ, they mention plans to get the entire company certified as Climate Neutral.
In terms of energy use in production or offices, Desesh has not publicly disclosed details such as use of renewable energy at their facilities or their manufacturers’ facilities. There’s no information on whether their partner factories use solar or wind power, for example, or if Desesh’s offices are run on green energy.
Waste Management
There isn’t explicit detail on how Desesh handles waste at the manufacturing stage (e.g., factory waste or scrap). Still, Desesh has integrated waste minimization into the full lifecycle of its products – from design (choosing solid formats and compostable materials) to post-use (providing refills and disposal guidance).
Business Model
Desesh has a generally evergreen collection with minimal seasonal or trend-driven product churn.
non-toxic
score:
10 out of 10
details:
The brand takes a comprehensive “clean ingredients” approach, avoiding a wide array of controversial or harmful substances in its formulations. All Desesh products are free from parabens (preservatives linked to health concerns) and phthalates (often found in synthetic fragrances and linked to endocrine disruption). For fragrance, as mentioned, only essential oils or natural extracts are used – no artificial perfume oils. And when preservation is needed, Desesh opts for natural preservatives. In fact, many of their products are anhydrous (contain no water) or are dry, which greatly reduces the need for preservatives at all.
When it comes to cleansing agents, Desesh uses mild, proven-safe surfactants. For example, the solid shampoos use ingredients like Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (a coconut-derived gentle cleanser) and are SLS-free. They provide transparency by linking to EWG’s information and educating consumers on why decisions were made.
social responsibility
score:
6.2 out of 10
details:
The hallmark of their social impact program is the donation of 5% of all sales revenue to environmental non-profit organizations. Currently, Desesh splits these donations between two beneficiaries: the American Prairie Foundation and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii.
When it comes to their supply chain and labor practices, Desesh has not publicly detailed aspects like fair labor conditions, supplier audits, or community impact for workers. The majority of their manufacturing is U.S.-based, which means those products are made under U.S. labor laws (and likely in small companies that they closely collaborate with). For the few items produced overseas (mostly accessories such as perhaps bamboo items or metal safety razors), the brand hasn’t provided information on the working conditions or certifications (like Fair Trade) for those manufacturers. There is no indication that they have third-party social compliance certifications for their supply chain at this time.
