Brand Rating:

Grown Alchemist

Conscious

8/10

Score 8/10

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

PETA Cruelty-free & Vegan

Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice).
See how we rate.

Rated: October 15, 2025
Category: Beauty care
Subcategory: Haircare

Overview:

Sustainability 5.0/10

Non-toxicity 9.0/10

Grown Alchemist is an Australian luxury skincare brand that makes botanical-based formulations.

Highlights

• High PCR & refill options

• Plant-based formulas

• Toxic-Free® certified

• Cruelty-free certified

• Supports rainforest charity

Sustainability

score : 5.0/10

Packaging

The brand's bottles and tubes are made with high post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and are fully recyclable. For example, Grown Alchemist uses 95% recycled PET (RPET) for plastic bottles, 99% PCR aluminum for tubes, and even glass bottles contain 15% recycled glass, all of which can be recycled in curbside programs. Product cartons are made from recycled, recyclable paperboard.

Grown Alchemist also embraces refillable packaging to promote circularity. They offer “Eco-Refills” for popular hand and body products, reducing single-use plastic by ~80% per refill pouch.

Ingredient Sustainability

Across the sample, ingredients like botanical oils, extracts, and waxes are renewable resources (e.g. rosehip, camellia, jojoba oils) rather than petrochemicals. Grown Alchemist avoids persistent microplastics. Importantly, Grown Alchemist omits environmentally problematic inputs like mineral oils, petrolatum, parabens, and PEGs in its formulations.

Products contain a number of palm derivatives, though Grown Alchemist claims to source these sustainably (little detail is provided). Minor use of synthetics (e.g. an emulsifier like Ceteareth-20 in the day cream) also detracts from the overall ingredient sustainability profile. Use of resource intensive fragrance ingredients and essential oils carries environmental concern.

Energy Use and Footprint

Grown Alchemist provides limited public information about its operational energy use and carbon footprint.

Waste Management

Aside from packaging, Grown Alchemist provides minimal information on waste reduction in its manufacturing and operations.

Business Model

Grown Alchemist's business model shows some alignment with mindful consumption, though as a luxury skincare brand it still relies on continuous product sales. On one hand, the brand does not engage in hyper-frequent product launches or fast-fashion style trends; its product range is relatively curated and staple-focused.

Non-toxicity

score : 9.0/10

All reviewed products are free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, synthetic dyes and fragrances, and other commonly flagged toxins. The formulas carry seals like Australian Certified Toxic-Free® and Made Safe®, indicating they contain no known toxins or carcinogens.

The brand favors natural essential oils for fragrance; while these contain allergens like limonene or linalool, they are present in low concentrations and clearly disclosed. Grown Alchemist also ensures full transparency by publishing complete ingredient lists