Veganuary, veganism and ethical consumption

Beans and pulses

Find the most ethical and environmentally friendly beans and pulses. This shopping guide rates 18 brands of dried and cooked beans and pulses, and looks at issues including packaging and growing location. We give recommendations for best buys and brands to avoid.

Butter & Spreads

Find ethical butters, vegan butter and margarine, and organic butter. This guide reviews 51 brands of butter, margarine and spreads including dairy free butter and margarine. 

We investigate palm oil, animal rights, packaging and climate actions being taking by butter brands, shine a spotlight on Kerrygold, and give our recommended buys.

Eggs

Ethical and environmental rankings for 36 brands of eggs and vegan egg alternatives. 

Is it ethical to eat eggs? We investigate the differences between cage, barn, free range, organic and biodynamic eggs. We rate brands on hen welfare, and also look at river pollution from intensive poultry farms. We rate vegan egg substitutes and ask if there can be a no-kill egg? 

Ethical Beer & Lager

In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 70 beer and lager brands.

We look at vegan beers, sustainable brewing, compare the small brewers and the multinationals, how to choose a lower impact beer and give our recommended buys.

Ethical Chocolate

Find ethical, sustainable and fair trade chocolate: ratings for 84 brands of bars of chocolate and chocolate snacks, with recommended brands and ones to avoid.

Is all fair trade chocolate equally fair? What are chocolate brands doing about child labour? We look at the big ethical issues including colonialism in the cocoa sector, palm oil and deforestation, child labour, cocoa certification, as well as who makes vegan chocolate, and how to find ethical and responsibly-sourced chocolate to suit your budget.

Ethical Shampoo

How to find natural, organic, vegan and independent shampoos which are eco friendly.

In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 86 brands of shampoo

We also look at palm oil, chemical free shampoo, solid bars versus liquid, shampoo for different hair types, and give our recommended buys.

Ethical Soap

Find ethical and environmental soap: ratings for 53 brands of soap bars and liquid handwash. 

We look at whether bars or liquids are more environmentally friendly, vegan and cruelty-free soaps, organic soaps, palm oil, plastics, which brands contain toxic chemicals, and give our recommended buys.

Ethical Valentine's Day Chocolate

Ethical, sustainable and fair trade chocolate is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. We rate 84 brands of chocolate, recommend brands and highlight ones to avoid. We help you avoid chocolate associated with child labour or palm oil so your gift is as ethical as possible.

Make-Up

Finding natural and cruelty-free makeup and cosmetics: ratings for 56 makeup brands, with recommended buys and what to avoid. 

We rate the major brands like Bobbi Brown, Elizabeth Arden and Boots No 7, as well as smaller eco brands, and look at which makeup brands are vegan, if there is organic makeup, and how to avoid toxic chemicals in your cosmetics. 

Skincare

Finding natural, organic and vegan skincare: ratings for 88 brands with recommended buys and brands to avoid. 

We also look at toxic chemicals, plastic packaging, if brands are using palm oil, shine a spotlight on the ethics of Avalon Organics and JĀSÖN, and look at which brands are still involved with animal testing.

Sunscreens

We investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 32 sunscreen brands

Chemical versus mineral sunscreen, vegan suncream, eco-friendly and reef-safe sunscreen, non toxic sun lotions, the SPF labelling system, and our recommended buys. 

Toothpaste

Finding natural, organic and vegan toothpaste: ratings for 40 brands of toothpaste, with recommended brands and brands to avoid. 

We rate the big toothpaste brands like Colgate and Sensodyne, how to avoid plastic packaging, and which brands sell vegan toothpaste. 

Vegan and Meat Alternative Foods

We look at vegan brands of burgers, sausages and other meat substitutes, ownership by big meat producers, meat free ingredients, soya and deforestation, and more. With ethical & environmental rankings of 36 meat alternative brands including tofu, plus recommended buys. 

Vegan and plant milks

What is the most ethical and environmentally friendly milk?
We look into the sustainability of vegan milks, including almond, coconut, oat, rice and soya; with ethical & environmental rankings for 20 vegan plant milk brands, and best buy recommendations.

Vegan cheese

Is vegan cheese better for the environment and more ethical? We look at which vegan cheese brands are made by big dairy companies, what vegan cheese is made of, and rate 17 vegan cheese brands, with Best Buys and what to avoid.