Salt & Stone
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About Salt & Stone
Salt & Stone represents a distinctive position in the premium bodycare segment, combining minimalist aesthetics with marine-inspired formulations targeted at active lifestyle consumers. The brand's sustainability approach demonstrates selective strengths in ingredient innovation and packaging materials, incorporating upcycled ocean plastics and seaweed-derived actives that align with its coastal identity. Performance across environmental and social dimensions reveals a pattern of nascent initiatives lacking comprehensive verification systems typical of more established sustainable beauty leaders.
Operating as an independent entity since 2017, Salt & Stone's sustainability trajectory reflects common challenges facing emerging premium brands—strong conceptual alignment with sustainable practices but limited public disclosure of measurable impact. The brand's renewable energy claims for manufacturing and third-party cruelty-free certification indicate foundational commitments, though the absence of comprehensive labor audits, emissions targets, and biodiversity programs suggests opportunity for systematic sustainability integration across operations.
The Good Stuff
Where Salt & Stone appears to be making meaningful progress. We cross-referenced these findings with multiple independent sources.
Certified Cruelty-Free Standards
Leaping Bunny certification verifies comprehensive no-testing policies across all product development stages, demonstrating verified commitment to animal welfare standards
Ocean Plastic Innovation
Packaging incorporates upcycled ocean plastics alongside post-consumer recycled materials, contributing to marine waste reduction while maintaining premium aesthetics
Marine-Derived Clean Formulations
Product formulations feature seaweed and algae-based actives while avoiding select petrochemicals, with independent safety verification showing low hazard ratings
The Reality Check
Areas where the publicly available data gets murky, incomplete, or concerning. We're transparent about the limitations of our analysis.
Supply Chain Opacity
Absence of publicly available labor audits, supplier codes of conduct, or supply chain mapping limits visibility into working conditions and ethical sourcing practices
Climate Strategy Vacuum
Despite renewable energy claims, no published emissions data, reduction targets, or science-based climate commitments provide measurable accountability
Incomplete Vegan Commitment
Products contain animal-derived ingredients despite cruelty-free certification, with no disclosed sustainable sourcing standards for these materials
Salt & Stone's
Impact Aura
A visual representation of Salt & Stone'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 Salt & Stone's sustainability performance across People, Planet & Animals impact.
Positive Impact on People
Research Highlights
- Ingredient safety demonstrates third-party verification with low hazard ratings across formulations
- Product formulations incorporate sea-derived actives including algae and seaweed extracts while avoiding select petrochemicals
- Labor practices and supplier audits show absence of publicly available worker rights documentation
- Supply chain transparency lacks detailed mapping or traceability disclosures beyond manufacturing energy claims
- Marketing integrity supported by recognized cruelty-free certification though broader sustainability claims lack full external verification
Evidence Strength
Strong documentation for ingredient safety through independent databases, significant gaps in labor and supply chain verification
Positive Impact on Planet
Research Highlights
- Manufacturing operations claim renewable energy use through solar and hydroelectric power
- Packaging innovation features upcycled ocean plastics and post-consumer recycled content integration
- Climate action lacks published emissions data or science-based targets despite renewable energy claims
- Water stewardship shows no disclosed reduction strategies or wastewater treatment protocols
- Chemical responsibility incorporates kelp-derived ingredients while avoiding select harmful substances
Evidence Strength
Moderate verification for packaging innovation and chemical choices, limited documentation for climate and water impact strategies
Positive Impact on Animals
Research Highlights
- Cruelty-free standards verified through Leaping Bunny certification demonstrating no animal testing at any stage
- Vegan formulations incomplete with presence of animal-derived ingredients in some products
- Wildlife conservation lacks identifiable programs or habitat restoration initiatives
- Sustainable sourcing protocols for animal-derived ingredients show no certification or transparency
- Conservation support demonstrates no publicly disclosed funding or partnerships for species protection
Evidence Strength
Excellent third-party verification for cruelty-free status, notable gaps in vegan commitment and conservation initiatives
See the Receipts
We don't just make claims—here are the official certifications that prove Salt & Stone's sustainability commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salt & Stone sustainable?
Salt & Stone demonstrates selective sustainability strengths, particularly in cruelty-free practices and packaging innovation using upcycled ocean plastics. Live By's assessment methodology reveals strong performance in ingredient safety and animal testing policies, though the brand shows areas for improvement in supply chain transparency, climate action, and comprehensive environmental programs. The brand's sustainability approach reflects emerging commitment with opportunities for systematic expansion.
Is Salt & Stone cruelty-free?
Salt & Stone maintains verified cruelty-free status through Leaping Bunny certification, ensuring no animal testing occurs at any stage of product development. Live By's evaluation confirms this represents one of the brand's strongest sustainability attributes, with comprehensive third-party verification supporting their animal welfare commitments.
Does Salt & Stone use clean ingredients?
Salt & Stone formulations incorporate marine-derived actives including seaweed and algae extracts while avoiding select petrochemicals. Independent safety databases show low hazard ratings for their products, though the brand lacks comprehensive clean beauty certifications. Live By's analysis indicates moderate strength in ingredient safety with room for enhanced transparency.
What makes Salt & Stone a packaging innovator?
Salt & Stone's packaging innovation centers on incorporating upcycled ocean plastics and post-consumer recycled content into their containers. Live By's research identifies this as a leading sustainability practice for the brand, though opportunities exist for implementing refill systems and achieving fuller circularity in packaging design.
Is Salt & Stone vegan?
Salt & Stone products are not entirely vegan, with some formulations containing animal-derived ingredients despite the brand's cruelty-free certification. Live By's assessment reveals this gap in animal welfare commitments, along with absence of sustainable sourcing standards for animal-based inputs.
How does Salt & Stone address climate change?
Salt & Stone claims manufacturing operations powered by renewable solar and hydroelectric energy, though Live By's evaluation finds no published emissions data, reduction targets, or science-based climate commitments. This represents a significant opportunity for the brand to develop measurable climate action strategies.
Does Salt & Stone have labor certifications?
Live By's research indicates Salt & Stone lacks publicly available labor audits, worker rights documentation, or recognized social compliance certifications. The absence of supply chain transparency regarding working conditions represents a notable gap in the brand's sustainability framework.
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The Bottom Line
Salt & Stone demonstrates selective sustainability excellence in cruelty-free standards and packaging innovation, though significant gaps in labor transparency, climate strategy, and conservation initiatives limit overall impact. The brand's marine-inspired ethos and emerging sustainable practices suggest potential for comprehensive sustainability integration with strategic investment in verification and disclosure systems.
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