Ilia
Ilia
brand rating & evaluation
overall rating:
Average
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
4.9 out of 10
7 out of 10
6.2 out of 10
about
Ilia is a clean beauty brand blending skincare and makeup with responsibly sourced ingredients and recyclable packaging.
highlights
Recyclable packaging (Pact Collective partner)
Cruelty-free and vegan options
Certified clean ingredients
sustainability
score:
4.9 out of 10
details:
Packaging
While most components are recyclable, most are neither compostable nor refillable. ILIA currently does not offer refill pods or reusable containers for its cosmetics. However, the brand addresses end-of-life through a partnership with PACT Collective, a specialized beauty recycling program.
The brand incorporates recycled aluminum, newly introduced glass components, and responsibly sourced paper in its product packaging, though it still relies heavily on single-use plastics.
Ingredient Sustainability
ILIA’s ingredient sustainability is mixed. Positives include a heavy use of natural, renewable ingredients (oils, waxes, plant extracts), avoidance of environmentally persistent toxins (no PFAS coatings, no microbeads, etc.), and some organic content. Negatives include a reliance on some petrochemical synthetics and palm-derived compounds without clear sustainable sourcing.
Energy Use and Footprint
ILIA Beauty has not released detailed data on its energy use or carbon footprint, and there are no public claims of carbon neutrality or offsets. ILIA’s parent company, Clarins, is a larger cosmetics group that may have corporate sustainability initiatives, but ILIA itself does not publish an annual sustainability or emissions report.
Waste Management
ILIA partners with Pact Collective to offer a free mail-in recycling program for beauty empties. ILIA also strives to make its packaging components recyclable or reusable.
ILIA does not publicly detail its manufacturing waste.
Business Model
ILIA’s business model shows a balance between encouraging mindful consumption and operating as a growing commercial brand. They encourage a simplified beauty routine with multi-use, clean products (a pro-sustainability approach), yet also participate in typical retail practices (loyalty rewards, product expansions).
non-toxic
score:
7 out of 10
details:
ILIA is regarded as a leading “clean beauty” brand, and its products are formulated to be safe for human health. LIA has a strict “No Compromise” ingredients policy. All ILIA products are free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates (SLS/SLES), and talc, among other controversial ingredients. ILIA uses relatively safe preservatives. Notably, phenoxyethanol, a synthetic preservative that some clean consumers watch out for, is present in only 2 out of ILIA’s products. Most formulas rely on gentler alternatives: the Mascara uses a fermented radish filtrate, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate as natural preservatives.
social responsibility
score:
6.2 out of 10
details:
ILIA is a relatively small brand under the ownership of Clarins (since 2022), and it has not released standalone ethical sourcing or labor reports. ILIA publicly shares where its products are made, which is a form of transparency. Their production spans the US, Canada, Italy, China, and Korea, depending on the product category.
ILIA is 100% cruelty-free. The brand is certified by Leaping Bunny.
The brand’s model inherently encourages customers to participate in an eco-minded community by using neighborhood refill stations and sharing in waste-reduction efforts. While the company does not advertise any formal charitable donation programs or large-scale philanthropy, it does occasionally partner with sustainable living influencers and appears in guides that support eco-conscious consumer choices.
ILIA’s marquee program is its partnership with 1% for the Planet. The brand donates 1% of the Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40’s sales to environmental causes.
