But before we get to the shopping of it all, it should come as no surprise that so many women thrive in the sustainability sphere. After all, women are statistically more likely to make green decisions than men. “Research suggests that women have higher levels of socialization to care about others and be socially responsible, which then leads them to care about environmental problems and be willing to adopt environmental behaviors,” Rachel Howell, a sustainable development lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, told The Guardian. In honor of Earth Month, check out 17 of our favorite sustainable businesses owned by women. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you purchase an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
17 Sustainable, Women-Owned Businesses
1. Wild Nettle & Niacinamide Firming Serum, $58 at Alypn Beauty
Think wild formula meets clinical skincare! Alpyn Beauty—available at Sephora, Credo Beauty, and Blue Mercury—focuses on wildcrafted skincare (the process of harvesting plants from their natural habitat) from ingredients in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Women-owned (duh!), clean, vegan, and sustainable, purchases from Alpyn also support 1 Percent for the planet—so that you can feel good about what’s going on your body and where your money is going, too. Buy this Alpyn Beauty firming serum for $58.
2. Scalp Revival MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo Charcoal + AHA/BHA with Salicylic Acid 3%, $42 at Briogeo
Finding a sustainable product that works for your hair can be a challenge (to say the least). But Briogeo makes it much easier with their cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, phthalate-free, and DEA-free haircare products (which are also sans artificial dyes). Their healthy-for-you (and-the-planet) hair products run the gamut of everything from scalp detoxes to hair kits based on your unique hair type. Furthering the women-owned brand’s commitment to sustainability, Briogeo also manufactures its products without microplastics or aerosols. Plus, Briogeo’s product bottles, tubes, jars, and caps are 100 percent recyclable. You can buy its top-rated dandruff-busting shampoo for $42.
3. Recycled Sling Bag, $178 at Cuyana
Buying luxury doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with an eco-friendly lifestyle, but we love how Cuyana changes the game! According to the Cuyana brand page, this premium women’s essentials company is “inspired by a philosophy of fewer, better things.” That’s something we can all get behind! Featuring luxury products like clothing, bags, and accessories—all of which are made of high-quality materials meant to last a lifetime of trends and wear-and-tear—you’ll find everything from handbags, clothing, small leather goods, and accessories to face masks. Cuyana also offers a Recycled Bag Collection featuring the chicest sling bags you’ve ever seen for $178. Each bag is made of 100 percent recycled plastic and is washable to boot.
4. Forever Eye Mask, $25 at Dieux Skin
Dieux Skin is disrupting the beauty community with its cool, sustainable take on eye patches. Disposable no more, Dieux Skin’s Forever Eye Mask, $25, is quite literally the last eye mask you’ll ever need! It’s a reusable eye patch that’s compatible with the gels, serums, and creams of your choice, keeping your product close to the skin to benefit from the most absorption possible. It is an amazing product to add to your repertoire, but it’s a great way to incorporate more planet-friendly practices into your daily skincare routine as well. But the Forever Eye Mask isn’t Dieux Skin’s only must-buy. Always vegan and cruelty-free, Dieux Skin also offers sustainable, luxury skincare products—from face cream and serum to eucalyptus hand sanitizer.
5. Wellness Trio, $60 at Diaspora Co.
Founded by third-generation Mumbai native Sana Javeri Kadri, the goal of Diaspora Co. has always been to build a more equitable, delicious spice trade that focuses on sustainably- and ethically-sourced ingredients. At Diaspora Co., South Asia’s freshest, heirloom, single-origin spices—from roots and barks, seeds and arils, fruits, chilies, herbs and flowers. Try the brand’s wellness trio for $60.
6. Patti Straight High Rise Vintage 31", $209 at DL1961
A woman- and family-owned premium denim brand, sustainability has been at the core of DL1961’s mission statement since 2008. Here’s how it works: DL1961 shreds old denim and miscellaneous other post-consumer waste into smaller bits, woven into the eco-friendly fibers that will become a recycled-yet-totally-new pair of jeans. But while other brands are also upcycling post-consumer recycled waste, DL1961 goes a sustainable step further by using waterless technology compliant with International Social & Environmental Quality Standards. Snag the brand’s high-rise vintage jeans for $209.
7. Live More Organic Tee, $48 at Edify
Edify is a woman-owned, online store where shoppers can find ethically-made clothing at a reasonable price. While Edify is always one of our fave places to shop, its Spring Capsule Collection—entitled “Live More”—is catching some buzz. The capsule features a curated four-piece outfit made in small batches by local artisans and makers in Southern California. You’ll also find more eco-friendly items like this organic cotton tee for $48. And it’s freakin’ cute!
8. Saddle ReSlides, $58 at Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective is becoming a fan favorite in the sustainable, ethical clothing space. Their activewear is always made sustainably, ethically (and is super cute to boot) and is also size-inclusive as it’s available from XXS to 6XL. From sustainable, compressive sports bras and leggings to one-pieces, shorts, and socks (with adorable sayings like “Please Recycle” and “Inhale, Exhale”), GC weaves its fabric from recycled water bottles. And we’d be remiss not to spotlight GC’s ReSlides, $58—closed-loop slides that aren’t just made from recycled materials. They can also be completely recycled at the end of their own life, too!
9. The Starter Set, $80 at Knickey
Climate Neutral Certified and made completely from GOTS Organic cotton, Knickey makes sustainable undies for all! Made exclusively at Fair Trade Factories, Knickey makes elevated, organic cotton basics that fit well and don’t compromise your personal, sustainable ethos. Knickey is also changing the sustainable undergarment game with their launch of the world’s first intimates recycling program, which has already recycled over 500,000 items. Here’s how it works: Simply send your “ready-to-retire intimates”—as Knickey calls them—to their very own Recycling Program, where Knickey will turn them into useful, upcycled items like insulation, carpet padding, and furniture batting. They accept everything from underwear and bras to socks and tights (in women’s, men’s, and even kids’!). As a thank you for using their Recycling Program, Knickey then adds a free pair of underwear to your next order. You can buy the starter set for $80.
10. Advanced Protection Cream, $108 at Osea Malibu
When it comes to sustainable, high-luxury skincare products, Osea Malibu is one of the premier brands in the biz and it’s even available on Grove Collaborative (a real stamp of sustainable approval in today’s day and age!). A Southern California company that was inspired by founder Jenefer Palmer’s grandmother’s vision, Osea Malibu has become the go-to in clean beauty with fans loving their bestselling body oils, facial serums, cleansers, scrubs, and more. Stay moisturized from head to toe with Osea’s Advanced Protection Cream, $108.
11. Milo Utility Overalls, $198 at Reformation
If you’re into fashion but hate when “fast” comes before it, Reformation is where it’s at. A premiere brand in the sustainable-yet-still-luxury clothing space, Reformation first began in 2009 by selling vintage clothing in Los Angeles. Nowadays, Reformation has certainly grown into a big, beloved clothing brand, but it has still maintained the sustainability practices that it started with over a decade ago. They’re certified Climate Neutral and are on track to become Climate Positive by 2025. You’ll find everything from dresses, jeans, tops, shoes, sweaters, and activewear to wedding wear–yes, you can get your wedding dress at Reformation. Buy these chic overalls for $198.
12. Illuminating and Plumping Complexion Duo, $59 at Rose Inc
A high-performance color and skincare company, Rose Inc is a clean beauty and skincare brand from model Rose Huntington-Whiteley. Rose Inc. leaves out as much as 2,000 nasty ingredients, instead of relying on clean, active ingredients—which are always 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free—that perfectly match each person’s individual shade and deliver visibly gorgeous skin. We also have to give Rose Inc. a shoutout for their packaging. Their sustainable packaging includes FSC-certified paper cartons made with 30 percent hemp and rinse-off labels manufactured with a 90 percent post-consumer recycled liner. Buy this complexion duo for $59.
13. Chase Footie Socks, $22 at Silver Spun Goods
Founded by 65-year-old Laurie Gonyea, Silver Spun Goods is an innovative sock company that’s approaching sustainability in a cool, new way. These fine-quality socks are infused with pure silver, reaping this unique fiber’s odor-fighting, germ-killing benefits. In fact, Silver Spun Goods claims that you can wear these socks for up to a week before needing a wash! The first-ever USA-made socks to contain silver-infused yarn, you’ll also love just how buttery-soft and comfortable they are—whether you’re a fan of the footie, crew, $22, or the boot sock styles—thanks to other upcycled fabrics like American-grown cotton. Silver Spun Goods also practices hand-dyeing using all-natural ingredients for their socks—like avocado skins and pits!
14. Party Pajama Set With Feathers, $ 290 at Sleeper
An ethically-crafted clothing brand, Sleeper was founded by two former fashion editors—Kate Zubarieva and Asya Varetsa—in 2014. It’s been recognized as a Vogue brand of the month and every garment is handmade, zero-waste, and made with natural materials like silk, linen and viscose. But they’re not stopping there; Sleeper also aims to use 100 percent biodegradable materials by 2030! Each garment comes in eco-packaging—a reusable linen bag—and Sleeper always uses responsible suppliers and provides safe, fair working conditions. Buy the coveted pajama set for $290.
15. Three Skincare Minis, $25 at Summer Fridays
Summer Fridays is a clean, vegan, cruelty-free skincare company that comes in recyclable (and also beautiful) packaging. Founders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland first introduced the brand with the launch of their Jet Lag Mask—an award-winning hydrating cream face mask that also moonlights as a moisturizer, eye cream, and hand cream. Now, Summer Fridays has a trio of sustainable skincare products, $25, that are perfect for anyone who’s on the go and you can find the women-owned brand at SummerFridays.com, Sephora, MECCA, Cult Beauty, Revolve, Space NK, Net-a-Porter, and Selfridges. Owned by Louise “Lou” Knight, WashBar is a natural, safe, and sustainable pet care company that puts the pets and the planet first. Made without synthetics, their fan-favorite product is the Original WashBar, $16.99—a curved shampoo bar made with natural ingredients like manuka oil, neem leaf, and more. Dogs love it, too! WashBar has also expanded its line to include other ethical and sustainable pet prods like the Manuka WashBar, Paw Balm, Horse and Hound Shampoo Bar (made with livestock in mind!), and more.
17. Porter 8-Piece Fridge Bundle, $130 at W&P
As organization—specifically refrigerator organization—becomes more and more popular, the organizational space has been flooded with lots and lots of plastic products. And sure, they work just great in terms of sorting your fridge, but there’s not exactly a sustainable angle there. Enter: W&P. Led by President Kate Lubenesky, W&P provides sustainable fridge organization solutions (as well as other cool, modern kitchen products) that are timeless, gorgeous to look at, and eco-friendly. Each product reduces the need for single-use plastics and elevates your kitchen into an Instagram-worthy space. Buy this eight-piece fridge bundle for $130.
18. Zen Top, $44 at Dippin Daisy’s
Founded by Elaine Tran, Dippin’ Daisy’s is a female- and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned sustainable swimwear brand that’s one of the fastest-growing swim brands there is. Ninety-five percent of their bathing suits are sustainably made in Los Angeles (from recycled nylon, lead-free and non-toxic metal, recycled foam, and organic and natural rubber trees. Plus, the patterns (and styles) are trendy AF! Next up, The 23 Best Sustainable Gifts.
