River Organics
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
8.9 out of 10
10 out of 10
8 out of 10
about
River Organics is a U.S.-based brand producing plastic-free makeup and skincare items such as lip balms, sticks, and concealers.
highlights
Plastic-free
Organic ingredients
Toxin-free
Vegan
sustainability
score:
8.9 out of 10
details:
Packaging
All products are packaged plastic-free, using biodegradable and recyclable materials. The brand uses FSC-certified cardboard tubes and compostable paper for items like lip balms, blush sticks, concealers, and highlighters. Even labels and adhesives are chosen with end-of-life in mind: they use sugarcane-based compostable labels and glues that meet international composting standards. Orders ship in recycled paper envelopes padded with upcycled paper or cornstarch peanuts, with no plastic filler.
Ingredient Sustainability
Across sampled products, the ingredients are overwhelmingly renewable, biodegradable, and responsibly sourced. Over 75% of all ingredients are certified organic by volume. Palm oil and petrochemicals are completely avoided, eliminating deforestation-linked or fossil-derived ingredients.
The brand’s mineral pigments and filters (iron oxides, zinc/titanium oxides) are non-nano and sustainably sourced, meaning they opt for reef-safe forms that don’t accumulate in the environment.
Energy Use and Footprint
As a small-batch brand, River Organics has an inherently modest carbon footprint, though it has room to formalize its climate efforts. All products are hand-poured and manufactured locally in Wilmington, NC by a husband-and-wife team. Local production means the supply chain is shorter (no overseas factories or long-distance freight for final products), reducing transportation emissions.
While the brand is not certified carbon-neutral, it does acknowledge and offset some emissions. Notably, River Organics participates in Shopify’s carbon offset program for e-commerce, which helps neutralize the carbon from shipping.
However, River Organics has not yet transitioned to renewable energy sources or published data on its own operational carbon emissions. There is limited transparency on manufacturing energy use (e.g. whether their workshop uses green power) and no formal public carbon reduction targets beyond the shipping offsets.
Waste Management
River Organics integrates waste reduction and circular practices into many aspects of its business. On the production side, the brand partners with a “zero-waste” manufacturer, meaning the makers prioritize minimizing or repurposing any waste from the manufacturing process.
A standout practice is River Organics’ handling of imperfect products. Instead of throwing away items with minor aesthetic defects, the brand offers them for sale at a discount in an “Imperfects” section.
Water waste is inherently low because the products are oil-based (no rinsing needed in production), and there’s no indication of significant wastewater discharge from manufacturing.
Business Model
River Organics’ business model is deliberately crafted to discourage overconsumption and promote mindful purchasing. Unlike mainstream beauty brands that churn out new collections each season, River Organics keeps a small, evergreen product line of makeup essentials. The brand also practices transparent and educational marketing instead of aggressive sales tactics. In terms of sales and promotions, River Organics shows restraint.
non-toxic
score:
10 out of 10
details:
The brand explicitly avoids well-known toxic or controversial ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petrochemical PEGs, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and synthetic fragrances. Each ingredient list is refreshingly short and composed of substances with strong safety records. For instance, the Tinted Lip Balm’s oils and waxes are all edible-grade natural ingredients (coconut oil, macadamia oil, etc.), making it safe if inadvertently ingested. The mineral pigments (iron oxides, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) used in the makeup are COSMOS/EWG-approved pigments that are considered safe for cosmetic use.
social responsibility
score:
8 out of 10
details:
The brand’s entire product line is handmade in the United States by a very small team, which inherently allows for close oversight of working conditions. In fact, the manufacturing is done by a trusted husband-and-wife duo in North Carolina who also run their own zero-waste brand. The brand’s commitment to fair labor extends indirectly to ingredient sourcing as well. For example, by choosing lab-made mica over natural mica, River Organics avoids supporting mining operations in India or Africa that often rely on child labor or unsafe labor conditions. However, the company does not publish a detailed supplier code of conduct or audits, likely due to its small size.
The brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free across all operations. It is certified vegan by the Vegan Society and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.
River Organics may be a small business, but it makes a meaningful positive impact on communities and the environment through sustained engagement and charitable support. Notably, every month River Organics donates to two conservation organizations: The Sloth Conservation Foundation in Costa Rica and the Coral Restoration Foundation in Florida.
River Organics is also working towards broader coalition-based giving. They have announced plans to join 1% for the Planet, pledging 1% of sales to environmental causes, and to partner with rePurpose Global to go plastic-neutral by funding plastic waste clean-up
