7 Women-Led Body-Care Brands With Purpose

In 2014, I co-founded Conscious Company Media, the first multimedia organization in the country that specifically focuses on purpose-driven business. As the publisher of Conscious Company Magazine and host of the World-Changing Women Podcast, I’ve literally interviewed and shared the stories of hundreds of the most prominent leaders in the conscious-business space. In 2017, I created the World-Changing Women’s Summit, an intimate gathering of mission-driven female*** entrepreneurs to talk all-things-conscious-business (we’re talking the good, bad, and the ugly), and had the privilege of choosing which incredible women graced our stage to tell their stories.  

All this to say: I know a thing or two about recognizing incredible female social entrepreneurs whose companies move the needle toward an economy, society, and planet that can better serve us all (not just the one-percenters) — and if you’re looking for some good news these days, let me tell you: there are a lot of inspiring entrepreneurs and leaders out there, and many of them are women and people of color.

In the age of COVID-19, it’s more important now than ever before to support social enterprises, purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and businesses that are founded and led by — as well as serve and support — under-represented and marginalized groups of people. Here are a handful of women-led body-care brands that’ll revitalize your skin and your conscience.

***individuals who identify as women, trans, and gender non-conforming

1. EO Products

In 1991 Susan Griffin-Black co-founded EO Products, a line of ethical and sustainable body care products, and is still the co-CEO of the company to this day. A Certified B Corp, EO Products is driven by Susan’s passion for essential oils and uses safe, natural, organic, and sustainably farmed plant-based ingredients.

2. Shea Yeleen

Rahama Wright is the founder and CEO of Shea Yeleen, a social enterprise that creates living wages for women in small villages in the Tamale region of Ghana. Shea Yeleen partners with some of the millions of African women ⁠— who earn just $2 a day working in supply chains ⁠— and invests in their businesses to produce high-quality organic, fair-trade body-care products.

3. Kreyòl Essence

Yve-Car Momperousse is the founder and CEO of Kreyòl Essence, a social enterprise that makes natural and ethical body-care products and supports female suppliers of castor oil in Haiti. Kreyòl Essence has created work for more than 3,000 farmers and 80 female castor-oil producers.

4. All Good

Caroline Duell is the founder and CEO of All Good, a Certified B Corp that creates cruelty-free, organic, and plant-based body-care products. All Good donates one percent of all sales to organizations that are addressing environmental issues, including The Conservation Alliance, United Plant Savers, and the Surfrider Foundation in Hawaii.

5. Dermalogica

Jane Wurwand founded Dermalogica, the world’s number one professional skin care brand in 1986, and in 2011, her company launched the Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship initiative to help women and girls access education, vocational training, loans, and leadership opportunities. Although Dermalogica was acquired by Unilever in 2015, Jane remains as Chief Visionary after founding the company more than 30 years ago.

6. Goddess Garden 

Nova Covington is the founder and CEO of Goddess Garden Organics, a company that creates sunscreen, skincare, and essential oil products made with benign materials and organic plants to protect coral reefs — animals whose health not only supports nearly a quarter of all marine life but also contributes to combatting the effects of global warming.

7. Badger Balm

Badger Balm is a women-led, family-owned Certified B Corp that makes certified organic and all-natural body-care products. Bill Whyte founded the company in 1995 and ran the business alongside his wife Katie Schwerin and their two daughters Rebecca Hamilton and Emily Schwerin-Whyte before handing over the reins to Rebecca and Emily, who now run the company as co-CEOs (Collaborative Executive Officers).