Cleo+Coco
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About Cleo+Coco
Cleo+Coco has positioned itself within the clean bodycare segment through its focus on aluminum-free deodorants and synthetic-free formulations. The brand's sustainability performance demonstrates selective excellence, with particularly strong commitments to animal welfare verified through recognized third-party certification programs, while showing significant gaps in environmental and social impact disclosure.
Operating as an independent brand, Cleo+Coco's approach to sustainability reflects the priorities of contemporary clean beauty consumers—prioritizing ingredient transparency and cruelty-free standards while maintaining limited visibility into supply chain operations and environmental metrics. The brand's retail presence at major retailers like Target suggests market validation for its clean positioning, though comprehensive sustainability leadership would require substantial expansion of disclosure practices across labor standards, climate action, and biodiversity protection.
The Good Stuff
Where Cleo+Coco appears to be making meaningful progress. We cross-referenced these findings with multiple independent sources.
Leaping Bunny Certified Excellence
Verified cruelty-free status through Leaping Bunny certification ensures no animal testing occurs at any stage of product development, including supplier requirements
Complete Vegan Formulation
Achieved 100% vegan status across all products following the transition from beeswax to plant-based candelilla wax
Zero-Waste Packaging Innovation
Pioneering plastic-free deodorant bars packaged in FSC-certified recyclable paper with compostable wrapping demonstrates packaging leadership
The Reality Check
Areas where the publicly available data gets murky, incomplete, or concerning. We're transparent about the limitations of our analysis.
Labor Standards Transparency Void
No disclosed supplier audits, worker condition assessments, or labor rights verification programs across the supply chain
Climate Action Absence
Missing greenhouse gas emissions reporting, science-based targets, and renewable energy commitments for operational footprint
Supply Chain Opacity
Lacks publicly accessible raw material traceability reports or independent factory condition audits
Cleo+Coco's
Impact Aura
A visual representation of Cleo+Coco's positive impact
across People, Planet and Animals
Each colored area represents the brand's performance in that sustainability category. The size and intensity of each blob corresponds to their score—larger, more vibrant areas indicate stronger performance.
Our Research
Key findings from our comprehensive analysis of Cleo+Coco's sustainability performance across People, Planet & Animals impact.
Positive Impact on People
Research Highlights
- Ingredient safety demonstrates commitment to avoiding synthetic fragrances, parabens, and petroleum-based chemicals across all formulations
- Product transparency verified through third-party cruelty-free certification and explicit vegan formulation claims
- Labor practices lack independent verification with no disclosed supplier audits or worker condition assessments
- Supply chain transparency remains limited with no publicly accessible traceability reports or factory condition audits
- Marketing integrity aligns with verifiable third-party certifications and transparent ingredient exclusion policies
Evidence Strength
Strong documentation for ingredient safety and product certifications, significant gaps in labor standards verification and supply chain transparency disclosures
Positive Impact on Planet
Research Highlights
- Packaging innovation includes zero-waste deodorant bars in FSC-certified recyclable paper with compostable wrapping
- Chemical responsibility emphasizes exclusion of aluminum, synthetic fragrances, and petroleum-based ingredients
- Climate action shows no disclosed greenhouse gas emissions data, science-based targets, or renewable energy commitments
- Water stewardship lacks any publicly disclosed efficiency programs or reduction metrics
- Biodiversity protection shows no evidence of habitat restoration initiatives or conservation partnerships
Evidence Strength
Moderate verification for packaging initiatives and chemical exclusions, absence of documentation for climate action, water management, and biodiversity programs
Positive Impact on Animals
Research Highlights
- Cruelty-free status verified through Leaping Bunny certification covering all products and supplier requirements
- Complete vegan transition achieved by replacing beeswax with candelilla wax across all formulations
- Wildlife conservation shows no disclosed funding or partnership initiatives for habitat protection
- Sustainable sourcing limited to FSC-certified packaging materials without broader animal-derived ingredient standards
- Conservation support lacks any publicly available partnerships or funding commitments
Evidence Strength
Comprehensive third-party verification for cruelty-free and vegan claims, minimal documentation for wildlife protection and conservation initiatives
See the Receipts
We don't just make claims—here are the official certifications that prove Cleo+Coco's sustainability commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleo+Coco cruelty-free?
Yes, Cleo+Coco maintains verified cruelty-free status through Leaping Bunny certification, which ensures no animal testing occurs at any stage of product development, including by suppliers. This third-party verification provides strong assurance of the brand's commitment to cruelty-free practices.
Is Cleo+Coco sustainable?
Cleo+Coco demonstrates selective sustainability excellence, particularly in animal welfare and clean ingredient formulations. The brand shows strong performance in cruelty-free certification, vegan formulations, and plastic-free packaging innovations. However, significant gaps exist in climate action, labor transparency, and environmental impact disclosure. Live By's assessment reveals the brand excels in consumer-facing sustainability attributes while lacking comprehensive operational sustainability programs.
Are Cleo+Coco products vegan?
Yes, all Cleo+Coco products are vegan following the brand's transition from beeswax to plant-based candelilla wax. This complete shift to vegan formulations demonstrates the brand's commitment to animal-free ingredients across their entire product range.
Does Cleo+Coco use clean ingredients?
Cleo+Coco emphasizes clean formulations by explicitly avoiding synthetic fragrances, parabens, petroleum-based ingredients, and aluminum across all products. While the brand demonstrates commitment to ingredient exclusions, comprehensive chemical transparency through full ingredient inventories or toxicology assessments remains limited.
Is Cleo+Coco plastic-free?
Cleo+Coco offers plastic-free options, particularly their zero-waste deodorant bars packaged in FSC-certified recyclable paper with compostable wrapping. This packaging innovation demonstrates leadership in plastic reduction, though complete plastic-free status across the entire product range would require further verification.
Does Cleo+Coco have environmental certifications?
Cleo+Coco holds Leaping Bunny certification for cruelty-free practices and uses FSC-certified packaging materials. However, the brand lacks broader environmental certifications for climate action, water management, or comprehensive sustainability standards. Live By's analysis shows opportunities for expanded third-party verification of environmental claims.
How does Cleo+Coco compare to other clean beauty brands?
Cleo+Coco demonstrates strong performance in animal welfare and ingredient transparency, areas where many clean beauty brands excel. The brand's verified cruelty-free and vegan status places it among leaders in these categories. However, gaps in supply chain transparency, climate action, and labor standards disclosure represent areas for improvement relative to sustainability leaders in the beauty industry.
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The Bottom Line
Cleo+Coco exemplifies the modern clean beauty brand's selective approach to sustainability—excelling in consumer-facing attributes like cruelty-free certification and clean ingredients while maintaining limited transparency in operational impacts. The brand's strong animal welfare commitments and packaging innovations demonstrate genuine progress, though comprehensive sustainability leadership requires expanded disclosure across labor practices, climate action, and supply chain transparency.
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