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Ethique
New Zealand
The Story
Ethique makes solid, plastic-free beauty and personal care products (shampoo bars, conditioners, skincare) from New Zealand. Their products are palm oil-free, vegan, and Leaping Bunny certified, with sustainable packaging focused on zero waste.
Oras Index
· 79/100Good to Know
Ethique excels in cruelty-free integrity (Leaping Bunny) and B Corp credibility, but lacks third-party ingredient certification (COSMOS Organic, MADE SAFE) despite 'natural' positioning—a critical gap under U.S. regulatory laxity. INCI disclosure is present but active concentrations (e.g., key botanical actives in shampoo bars) are not quantified, limiting efficacy verification. Solid-bar format is a genuine sustainability win, but take-back program appears generic (TerraCycle mention only, not verified closed-loop partnership with named recycler). Supply-chain transparency for botanicals and mica is underdisclosed—Fair Trade certification is claimed at brand level but individual ingredient traceability (especially mica sourcing, Responsible Mica Initiative status) is not publicly documented. Formulation pedigree and independent endorsement (dermatologist or cosmetic chemist co-sign) remain anonymous. Packaging uses recycled cardboard but primary containers (solid bars in cardboard sleeves) lack documented PCR plastic or take-back detail. Brand is young (~15 years) with stable core SKUs but not yet 20+ year aesthetic permanence.
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Every brand on Oras is independently researched across five pillars: material quality, construction and craftsmanship, longevity and repairability, sustainability and ethics, and design philosophy. We use a consistent framework so you can compare brands meaningfully.
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