KL's Guide To Eco-Friendlier Products That Won't Break The Bank/Sold At Mainsteam Sto

[Princess Kae-Leah]

Kae-Leah's Green Shopping Guide: A Guide To Eco-Friendlier Products That Don't Break The Bank And Are Available At Mainstream Stores
*Means Not Tested On Animals

Academic Planner:
(1) Environotes

All-Purpose Cleaner:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) BioKleen*
(3) Dr. Bonner's*
(4) Nature Clean(Canada)*

Baby Bottles:
(1) Honest*

Baby Powder:
(1) Burt's Bees*
(2) Honest*

Baby Wipes:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Burt's Bees*
(3) Honest*

Bar Soap:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day*
(3) Honest*
(4) Desert Essence*
(5) Dr. Bonner's*
(6) Juice Beauty*
(7) Nature Clean(Canada)

Bleach:
(1) Seventh Generation*

Blush:
(1) Pur Minerals*
(2) Mineral Fusion*
(3) Juice Beauty*

Body Lotion:
(1) Tom's of Maine*
(2) Jason*
(3) Honest*
(4) Avalon Organics*
(5) Mineral Fusion*
(6) Desert Essence*

Composition Book:
(1) Environotes

Body Wash:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Tom's of Maine*
(3) Burt's Bees*
(4) Jason*
(5) Alba Botanica*
(6) Desert Essence*

Bottled Water:
(1) Boxed Water Is Better

Bronzer:
(1) Pur Minerals*
(2) Mineral Fusion*

Bubble Bath:
(1) Honest*

Concealer:
(1) Pur Minerals*
(2) Mineral Fusion*
(3) Juice Beauty*

Conditioner:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Burt's Bees*
(3) Jason*
(4) Alba Botanica*
(5) Honest*
(6) Giovanni*
(7) Avalon Organics*
(8) Mineral Fusion*
(9) Desert Essence*
(10) Juice Beauty*
(11) Nature Clean(Canada)*

Dental Floss:
(1) Desert Essence*

Deodorant:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Tom's of Maine*
(3) Jason*
(4) Alba Botanica*
(5) Honest*
(6) Naturally Fresh*
(7) Desert Essence*

Diaper Cream:
(1) Burt's Bees*
(2) Tom's of Maine*
(3) Honest*
(4) Desert Essence*

Dish Liquid:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) BioKleen*
(3) Nature Clean(Canada)*

Dishwasher Detergent:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Nature Clean(Canada)*

Disposable Diapers:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Honest*

Engineering Pad:
(1) Environotes

Examination Book:
(1) Green Book

Eyeliner:
(1) Pur Minerals*
(2) Mineral Fusion*
(3) Juice Beauty*

Eye Shadow:
(1) Pur Minerals*
(2) Mineral Fusion*

Fabric Softener:
(1) Seventh Generation*

Facial Cleanser:
(1) Burt's Bees*
(2) Pur Minerals*
(3) Mineral Fusion*
(4) Desert Essence*
(5) Juice Beauty*

Facial Exfoliants and Toners:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Burt's Bees*
(3) Alba Botanica*
(4) Avalon Organics*
(5) Mineral Fusion*
(6) Juice Beauty*

Facial Moisturizer:
(1) Burt's Bees*
(2) Jason*
(3) Alba Botanica*
(4) Avalon Organics*
(5) Pur Minerals*
(6) Mineral Fusion*
(7) Desert Essence*
(8) Juice Beauty*

Facial Tissues:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Green Forest*
(3) 365(Whole Foods)*
(4) Marcall Small Steps*

Facial Towelettes:
(1) Burt's Bees*
(2) Alba Botanica*
(3) Honest*

Feminine Hygiene:
(1) Natracare*
(2) Seventh Generation*
(3) Honest*

Foot Cream:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Burt's Bees*
(3) Desert Essence*

Foundation:
(1) Pur Minerals*
(2) Mineral Fusion*
(3) Juice Beauty*

Furniture Spray:
(1) Endust Free
(2) Pledge Dust & Allergen

Glass Cleaner:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Honest*
(3) BioKleen*
(4) Nature Clean(Canada)*

Hairspray:
(1) Giovanni*

Hand Cream:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Burt's Bees*
(3) Tom's of Maine*
(4) Desert Essence*
(5) Juice Beauty*

Hand Sanitizer:
(1) Honest*
(2) Dr. Bonner's*

Hand Soap:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Seventh Generation*
(3) Jason*
(4) Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day*
(5) Honest*
(6) Avalon Organics*
(7) Desert Essence*
(8) Dr. Bonner's*
(9) Nature Clean(Canada)*

Index Cards:
(1) Environotes

Insect Repellant:
(1) Jason*
(2) Honest*

Laundry Detergent:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Honest*
(3) BioKleen*
(4) Nature Clean(Canada)*
(5) Tide Free & Gentle

Legal Pad:
(1) Enviroshades
(2) Environotes

Lip Balm:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Tom's of Maine*
(3) Burt's Bees*
(4) Alba Botanica*
(5) Honest*
(6) Avalon Organics*
(7) Dr. Bonner's*
(8) Desert Essence*
(9) Juice Beauty*

Lip Gloss:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Tom's of Maine*
(3) Burt's Bees*
(4) Alba Botanica*
(5) Pur Minerals*
(6) Mineral Fusion*
(7) Juice Beauty*

Lip Liner:
(1) Pur Minerals*

Lipstick:
(1) Burt's Bees*
(2) Pur Minerals*
(3) Mineral Fusion*
(4) Juice Beauty*

Makeup Brushes:
(1) EcoTools*

Makeup Remover:
(1) Jason*

Mascara:
(1) Pur Minerals*
(2) Mineral Fusion*
(3) Juice Beauty*

Mouthwash:
(1) Tom's of Maine*
(2) Jason*
(3) Desert Essence*

Nail Polish:
(1) Mineral Fusion*

Paper Napkins:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Green Forest*
(3) 365(Whole Foods)*
(4) CVS Earth Essentials
(5) Marcal Small Steps*

Paper Towels:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Green Forest*
(3) White Cloud Green Earth
(4) 365(Whole Foods)*
(5) CVS Earth Essentials
(6) Marcal Small Steps*

Pocket Folders:
(1) Earthtone/Environotes

Self-Tanner:
(1) Alba Botanica*

Shampoo:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Burt's Bees*
(3) Jason*
(4) Alba Botanica*
(5) Honest*
(6) Giovanni*
(7) Avalon Organics*
(8) Mineral Fusion*
(9) Desert Essence*
(10) Juice Beauty*
(11) Nature Clean(Canada)*

Shower Gel:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Alba Botanica*
(3) Avalon Organics*

Spiral Notebook:
(1) Environotes Recycled Notebook

Steno Notebook:
(1) Environotes Steno Notebook With Recycled Paper

Styling Gel:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Jason*
(3) Alba Botanica*
(4) Giovanni*

Styling Mousse:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Giovanni*

Sunscreen:
(1) Burt's Bees*
(2) Kiss My Face*
(3) Jason*
(4) Alba Botanica*
(5) Honest(NOTE: There have been reports of this product not working)*
(6) Juice Beauty*

Toilet Paper:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Green Forest*
(3) White Cloud Green Earth
(4) 365(Whole Foods)*
(5) Marcal Small Steps*
(6) CVS Earth Essentials

Toothbrush:
(1) Preserve*
(2) Tom's of Maine*

Toothpaste:
(1) Kiss My Face*
(2) Tom's of Maine*
(3) Jason*
(4) Honest*
(5) Desert Essence*
(6) Dr. Bonner's*

Toothpicks:
(1) Preserve*

Training Pants:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Honest*

Trash Bags:
(1) Seventh Generation*
(2) Hefty Renew

[Princess Kae-Leah]

Protip to my Seattle-area mer-peeps: shop at Bartell Drugs, a local drugstore chain here in Washington state. I swear like 25% of the store's stock is eco-friendly. They carry just about the entire Burt's Bees and Seventh Generation lines, as well as Natracare's line of greener feminine hygiene products, a couple of Green Toys products, and a couple cool lines of eco school supplies. I bought today a spiral notebook with PURPLE recycled paper and a Burt's Bees lipstick.

[Ashe]

I have Burt's Bees everything. One of the things I love most about the more natural beauty products is that you don't feel heavy or slimy or too dried out after using them.

[Princess Kae-Leah]

I added some brands I saw today at Bartell's:
*Jason personal care products
*Alba Botanica personal care products
*Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products
*Environotes notebooks and planners

I'll try to update this guide every time I see eco stuff at mainstream stores that isn't super-expensive :)

[Princess Kae-Leah]

Just added:
*Jessica Alba's Honest Company baby care, personal care, and cleaning products, which are all-natural and not tested on animals and available at stores including Target and Whole Foods
*Giovanni hair care products, which are available at Bartell Drugs and are not tested on animals, paraben-free, SLS-free, and phthalate-free
*A more sustainable alternative to conventional plastic-bottled water, Boxed Water Is Better, which is sold at Target

This guide is also saved in a note on my mer-page, in case anyone wants to print it out and bring it shopping with you :)

[Princess Pearl]

Be careful with the Honest Company sunscreen- there have been a lot of reports of people burning horribly after using it.

[Princess Kae-Leah]

Thanks for the heads up, Pearl! I'll put a disclaimer by that product!

I'm also gonna add asterisks by all the products that haven't been tested on animals, which is 99% of these luckily

I'm gonna add a few more brands, my goal is for this to be a pretty comprehensive guide to greener products sold at mainstream stores to make it as easy and convenient as possible for people to shop for eco-friendlier products.
*Nature Clean-Raina mentioned using this Canadian brand in one of her videos. I'd like to have a Canadian brand in this guide since my guides tend to be very USA-centric
*Dr. Bonner's-never used this brand, but they don't test on animals and are supposed to be natural and is sold at mainstream drugstores
*Juice Beauty-all-natural, cruelty free personal care and makeup line sold at Whole Foods and beauty supply storees
*Desert Essence-popular natural brand sold mainly at health food stores

[Princess Kae-Leah]

I'll copy/paste here this guide from my mer-page to products that do and don't test on animals
POPULAR BRANDS THAT DO TEST ON ANIMALS:


3M
Acuvue
Almay
Always
Aquafresh
Arm & Hammer
Armor All
Arrid
Aussie
Aveda
Aveeno
Avon
Axe
Band-Aid
Bath & Body Works
Bengay
Bic Corporation
Bobbi Brown
Boscia
Bounce
Bounty
Braun
Breathe Right
Bumble and Bumble
Carefree
Caress
Caudalie
Chapstick
Cheer
Church & Dwight
Citre Shine
Clairol
Clean & Clear
Clear
Clearasil
Clinique
Clorox
Comet
Coppertone
Crest
Dawn
Degree
Dial
Dove
Downy
Dr. Scholl's
Drano
Dry Idea
Durex
Easy-Off
Elizabeth Arben
Eos
Era
Escada Fragrances
Estee Lauder
Ever Clean
Fantastik
Febreze
Finish
Fixodent
Formula 409
Fresh Step
Gain
Garnier
Gillette
Giorgio Armani
Glade
Green Works
Gucci Fragrances
H2O
Head & Shoulders
Herbal Essences
Hugo Boss
Iams
Ivory
Jergens
John Frieda
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson's
K.Y.
Korres
L'Oreal
Lacoste Fragrances
Lancome
Liquid Plumr
Listerine
Lubriderm
Lysol
MAC
Mark Cosmetics
Mary Kay
Max Factor
Maybelline
Mead
Mentadent
Michael Kors
Mitchum
Mr. Clean
Nair
Neutrogena
Nexcare
Nexxus
Nice 'n Easy
Nioxin
Noxzema
Off
Olay
Old Spice
OPI
Orange Glo
Origins
Orly
Oust
OxiClean
Pampers
Pantene
Pine-Sol
Pledge
Post-It
Proctor & Gamble
Pronamel
Puffs
Purex
Raid
Ralph Lauren Fragrances
Reach
Redken
Rembrandt
Resolve
Revlon
Rid-X
Right Guard
Rogaine
S.C. Johnson
S.O.S.
Safeguard
Savlon
Scoop Away
Scope
Scotch
Scotch-Brite
Scotchgard
Scrub Free
Scrubbing Bubbles
Sebastian Professional
Secret
Sensodyne
Sephora
Shiseido Cosmetics
Shout
Signal
Sinful Colors
Skin ID
Soft Scrub
SoftSheen
Spray 'N Wash
St. Ives
Stayfree
Stila Cosmetics
Suave
Sunsilk
Swiffer
Thermacare
Tide
Tilex
Tommy Hilfiger
Tone
Tresemme
Trojan
Unilever
Vaseline
Venus
Vicks
Victoria's Secret
Vidal Sasson
Visine
Walgreens
Windex
Woolite


POPULAR BRANDS THAT DO NOT TEST ON ANIMALS(*means the brand is eco-friendly too):


100% Pure*
Abra Therapeutics
Afterglow Cosmetics*
Alba Botanica*
Alima Pure*
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Aubrey Organics*
Avalon Organics*
Biokleen*
Bon Ami*
Bonne Bell
Burt's Bees*
Conair
Desert Essence*
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps*
E.L.F. Cosmetics
Ecco Bella Botanicals*
Eco Tools Cosmetic Brushes*
Everyday Minerals*
Giovanni*
Green Forest*
Hard Candy
Jane Iredale
Jason*
Juice Beauty*
Kenra
Kiss My Face*
Lily Lolo Mineral Cosmetics*
Lime Crime
LUSH
Manic Panic
Marc Jacobs Beauty
Marcal Paper Mills*
Method
Milani Cosmetics
Mineral Fusion*
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day*
Natracare*
Naturally Fresh Crystal Deodorant*
Nature Clean*
Newman's Own Organics*
NYX Cosmetics
Pacificia
Pangea Organics*
Paula's Choice
Paul Mitchell Systems
Physician's Formula
Preserve Products*
Proactiv
Pur Minerals*
Safeway
The Honest Company*
Tom's of Maine*
Trader Joe's*
Tressa
Urban Decay
Wet 'N Wild
Whole Foods Market, 365*
Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics*
Seventh Generation*

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

A quick question, and I apologise if this has been addressed elsewhere (as in where these lists originated); why is Lush not Eco-friendly? From what I know, they do a lot of campaigning against animal testing, use no palm oil or microbeads, only source their oils from sustainable sources and do a lot of work with local communities. Thanks :)
It is sad how many products are tested on animals, I actively only buy cruelty free makeup and other products where I can, but here in Australia it can be quite hard to get non-animal tested products.

[Princess Kae-Leah]

And for your convenience, some kinder alternatives to some of the brands that test on animals:
Almay-Alternative: Pur Minerals, Mineral Fusion, or Juice Beauty cosmetics
Always-Alternative: Natracare, Seventh Generation, or Honest feminine hygiene products
Aussie-Alternative: Kiss My Face, Burt's Bees, Jason, or Avalon Organic hair care products
Aveda-Alternative: Giovanni hair care products
Avon-Alternative: Pur Minerals, Mineral Fusion, or Juice Beauty cosmetics
Axe-Alternative: Tom's of Maine, Jason, Naturally Fresh, or Honest products
Bounty-Alternative: Seventh Generation, Green Forest, or White Cloud Green Earth paper towels
Carefree-Alternative: Natracare, Seventh Generation, or Honest feminine hygiene products
Chapstick-Alternative: Burt's Bees, Tom's of Maine, Honest, or Kiss My Face lip balm
Clean & Clear-Alternative: Kiss My Face, Burt's Bees, Avalon Organics, or Juice Beauty skin care products
Clorox-Alternative: Seventh Generation cleaning products
Coppertone-Alternative: Burt's Bees, Kiss My Face, Jason, or Alba Botanica sunscreen
Crest-Alternative: Tom's of Maine or Jason toothpaste
Degree-Alternative: Tom's of Maine, Jason, Honest, or Naturally Fresh deodorant
Dial-Alternative: Kiss My Face, Seventh Generation, Jason, or Honest soap
Dove-Alternative: Kiss My Face, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day, Honest, or Dr. Bonner's soap
Downy-Alternative: Seventh Generation fabric softener
Head & Shoulders-Alternative: Jason, Honest, or Giovanni shampoo
Herbal Essences-Alternative: Alba Botanica, Avalon Organics, or Desert Essence hair care products
John Frieda-Alternative: Giovanni or Juice Beauty hair care products
L'Oreal-Alternative: Pur Minerals or Mineral Fusion cosmetics
Listerine-Alternative: Tom's of Maine or Jason mouthwash
Lysol-Alternative: Seventh Generation, BioKleen, or Honest cleaning products
MAC-Alternative: Pur Minerals, Mineral Fusion, or Juice Beauty cosmetics
Mary Kay-Alternative: Pur Minerals, Mineral Fusion, or Juice Beauty cosmetics
Max Factor-Alternative: Pur Minerals, Mineral Fusion, or Juice Beauty cosmetics
Maybelline-Alternative: Pur Minerals, Mineral Fusion, or Juice Beauty cosmetics
Neutrogena-Alternative: Burt's Bees, Kiss My Face, or Juice Beauty skin care products
Old Spice-Alternative: Tom's of Maine, Jason, Honest, or Naturally Fresh deodorant
Pampers-Alternative: Seventh Generation or Honest disposable diapers
Pantene-Alternative: Alba Botanica, Giovanni, or Juice Beauty hair care products
Pine-Sol-Alternative: Seventh Generation cleaning products
Puffs-Alternative: Seventh Generation or Green Forest tissues
Redken-Alternative: Giovanni, Jason, or Alba Botanica hair care products
Revlon-Alternative: Burt's Bees, Pur Minerals, Mineral Fusion, or Juice Beauty cosmetics
Secret-Alternative: Kiss My Face, Tom's of Maine, Jason, or Alba Botanica deodorant
Sephora-Alternative: Pur Minerals, Mineral Fusion, or Juice Beauty cosmetics
Stayfree-Alternative: Natracare, Seventh Generation, or Honest feminine hygiene products
Suave-Alternative: Jason, Alba Botanica, Giovanni, or Juice Beauty hair care products

[Princess Kae-Leah]

A quick question, and I apologise if this has been addressed elsewhere (as in where these lists originated); why is Lush not Eco-friendly? From what I know, they do a lot of campaigning against animal testing, use no palm oil or microbeads, only source their oils from sustainable sources and do a lot of work with local communities. Thanks :)
It is sad how many products are tested on animals, I actively only buy cruelty free makeup and other products where I can, but here in Australia it can be quite hard to get non-animal tested products.

I hear ya girl that it can be hard to find cruelty-free products! As you can see, the list of brands that do test is waaay longer than the brands that don't, and sadly most of the big household names do test. Even here in the US, you have to do some pretty serious research to find cruelty-free makeup, as most of the non-tested cosmetics are sold mainly at health food stores, beauty supply stores, and maybe some well-stocked drug stores, you're highly unlikely to find them at a grocery store or Wal-Mart/Target-type big box store. Also well let's face it when you find products you really like/work well, it can feel like a sacrifice to give them up. If you live in an area where not many alternative products are available, I guess all you can do is your best.

Lush isn't the least eco-friendly company in the world by any means, like you said, but as someone who is very sensitive to synthetic fragrances, I have a hard time in good conscience labeling them, and Method as well, as completely eco-friendly. Lush and Method products can trigger headaches, dizziness, and other reactions in people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Raina claimed on Tumblr that though Lush likes to advertise itself as eco-friendly, their products still contain toxins. Also from an animal welfare perspective, even if a product with synthetic fragrances isn't tested on animals, one of the ingredients it contains might be. Many of the products I labeled as eco-friendly are unscented, and the ones that are scented contain no synthetic fragrances, only essential oils and other natural scents.

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

A great blog for cruelty free makeup and skincare is Phyrra.net , she has lots of resources everything, including on non animal tested brands for dying your hair fabulous colours and looking after it once it's that colour (so useful for when I had super bright hair)! She reviews lots of indie brand products too, I finally found foundation that matches me because of her from an awesome company that has eighty something different shades, great if you have a skin tone that doesn't match the norm!
I hadn't thought about synthetic fragrances, thank you for pointing that out. I tend to buy the products from Lush that use essential oils or fruit juices anyway (helps control my oily skin), but for me I also like shopping there because know that they're against animal testing and I've never had a reaction to any of their products (a rarity for me)!

[stellar lee]

There are also some ways to reduce one's footprint, they aren't for everyone, but reusable menstrual cups are very ecofriendly and budget friendly. You're making a purchase for under $50.00 that can last 6 months ( or longer).