SUPPLIER
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Stated attributes
Publicly stated commitments — not necessarily independently verified.
Aveda
Beauty/Personal CarePart of Estée Lauder Companies Inc. · Headquartered in United States
Aveda is a large beauty brand (owned by Estée Lauder since 1997) with genuine third-party verified environmental credentials, including B Corp certification and Leaping Bunny approval. The brand uses 95% post-consumer recycled plastic in bottles, manufactures with 100% wind power, and has committed to 100% vegan formulations since 2020. However, supplier code of conduct lacks depth on living wages and grievance mechanisms; some product formulations still contain high-hazard chemicals; and parent company Estée Lauder operates in markets where animal testing is mandated, creating tension with brand-level cruelty-free positioning.
- Leaping Bunny ↗
- USDA Organic ↗
- B Corp ↗
- Renewable energy
- Sustainable packaging
- Waste reduction
- No forced labor
- No child labor
- Animal welfare
How Aveda scores
Three pillars, scored independently. Higher is better.
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Environmental86.9Likely excellent
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Labor53.8Likely good
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Compliance73.5Likely great
What Aveda does well
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Commitment to Post-Consumer Recycled Packaging
Aveda has publicly reported that its primary plastic packaging uses post-consumer recycled materials, with some product lines achieving 100% PCR plastic bottles, as documented in the company's published sustainability commitments.
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Leaping Bunny Certification
Aveda has been certified by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny program, confirming that the brand does not conduct or commission animal testing on its products or ingredients.
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Renewable Energy Use at Manufacturing Facility
Aveda has reported that its primary manufacturing facility in Blaine, Minnesota operates using 100% wind power sourced through renewable energy certificates, as stated in company sustainability materials.
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UN Global Compact Participation via Parent Company
The Estée Lauder Companies, Aveda's parent, is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to principles covering human rights, labor standards, environmental responsibility, and anti-corruption across its brand portfolio including Aveda.
Reported concerns and allegations
Reports and allegations from named sources, linked so you can read them yourself. Being listed here doesn’t mean a claim is proven.
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Parent company operates in mandated animal testing markets
Estée Lauder, Aveda's parent since 1997, sells products in countries where animal testing is legally required, contradicting Aveda's cruelty-free positioning at brand level.
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Aveda Institute wage and wage theft allegations
Investigation launched in 2018 into Aveda Institute for deceptive marketing to cosmetology students and failure to pay student employees for labor performed in salons. Investigation closed without resolution in 2019.
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Palm oil supply chain labor concerns
Aveda uses palm oil derivatives in products. Industry-wide concern: workers in palm supply chains endure poor wages ($2/day reported), exposure to harmful chemicals without protective gear, and health issues including miscarriages.
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Some formulations contain high-hazard ingredients
Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database rated Aveda Control Paste Finishing Paste 8/8 hazard level, citing allergies, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and occupational hazards.
The detail
Environment
Aveda has publicly committed to using high percentages of naturally derived ingredients and post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in its packaging, with the company reporting that many of its product bottles contain 100% PCR plastic. According to Aveda's published materials, the brand's primary manufacturing facility in Blaine, Minnesota has operated on 100% wind power through renewable energy certificates. Aveda participates in Earth Month fundraising campaigns for clean water initiatives in partnership with organizations such as the Global Greengrants Fund. As a subsidiary, Aveda's broader environmental reporting is also captured within The Estée Lauder Companies' annual sustainability reports, which include emissions and water usage data across the portfolio.
Labor
Aveda's labor practices are governed in part by The Estée Lauder Companies' supplier code of conduct and global ethics policies, which address prohibitions on child labor, forced labor, and unsafe working conditions. The Estée Lauder Companies publishes a Modern Slavery Act transparency statement covering its subsidiaries including Aveda. Specific supplier audit data or wage disclosures specific to Aveda's supply chain are not separately published; labor-related disclosures are aggregated at the parent company level. The Estée Lauder Companies has reported diversity and inclusion metrics at the corporate level, though Aveda-specific workforce data is limited in public filings.
Aveda products on Amazon
9 products from Aveda, sold on Amazon (US). Leif earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Leif's rating reflects an independent sustainability assessment of the brand — drawing on
disclosures, third-party certifications, and public information on its practices — not customer reviews.
Ratings are directional, not precise scores.
Read how we rate.
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and what each certification actually proves.