The Body Shop
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About The Body Shop
The Body Shop operates as a global beauty retailer under the Auréa Group, positioning itself as an ethically-rooted brand across skincare, bodycare, haircare, makeup, and fragrance categories. The UK-based company has built its market presence around animal welfare commitments and ethical sourcing practices, differentiating itself through comprehensive third-party certifications rather than internal sustainability claims.
The brand demonstrates strong performance in animal welfare standards, achieving recognition as the first global beauty company to obtain complete vegan certification for its entire product range through independent verification in December 2023, though some non-vegan ingredients like beeswax and honey were reintroduced as of August 2025. Their cruelty-free commitment extends beyond policy statements to include rigorous third-party audit programs and public registry inclusion, establishing measurable accountability in this category.
Under Auréa Group ownership since September 2024, The Body Shop has shown operational recovery with profitability achieved in the first 100 days post-administration and successful store reopening initiatives. The company maintains its ethical positioning while operating within a portfolio structure that allows for specialized focus on sustainability initiatives. However, our assessment reveals significant gaps in environmental performance documentation and broader social impact verification, suggesting opportunities for enhanced transparency and expanded sustainability programming beyond their established animal welfare leadership.
The Good Stuff
Where The Body Shop appears to be making meaningful progress. We cross-referenced these findings with multiple independent sources.
Internationally Certified Cruelty-Free Standards
Certified cruelty-free through rigorous third-party audit programs with verified no-testing policies across all product development and supply chain operations
Comprehensive Vegan Product Certification Achievement
First global beauty brand to achieve 100% vegan certification for entire product range through independent third-party verification in December 2023, though some non-vegan ingredients were reintroduced as of August 2025
Wildlife Conservation Partnership Programs
Supports wildlife conservation through documented partnership initiatives including retail-based funding programs for environmental protection efforts
The Reality Check
Areas where the publicly available data gets murky, incomplete, or concerning. We're transparent about the limitations of our analysis.
Environmental Performance Documentation Gap
Limited publicly available evidence for climate action initiatives, packaging sustainability programs, or comprehensive environmental impact assessments
Social Impact Program Transparency
Minimal documentation of labor standards, community impact initiatives, or supply chain social responsibility beyond basic certification compliance
Regional Conservation Program Scope
Wildlife conservation support appears limited to select market partnerships rather than comprehensive global conservation strategy
The Body Shop's
Impact Aura
A visual representation of The Body Shop'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 The Body Shop's sustainability performance across People, Planet & Animals impact.
Positive Impact on People
Research Highlights
- Marketing integrity verified through third-party cruelty-free certification under international standards
- Product line achieved 100% vegan certification by independent verification body in December 2023, though some non-vegan ingredients were reintroduced as of August 2025
- Transparency demonstrated through registered certification programs with public verification
- Claims alignment supported by documented certification processes and public registries
- Limited evidence available for broader social impact initiatives beyond certification programs
Evidence Strength
Strong documentation for product integrity and certification compliance, limited broader social impact verification
Positive Impact on Planet
Research Highlights
- Environmental assessment data not available in current research scope
- Climate action initiatives require additional investigation for verification
- Packaging sustainability practices need documentation for performance evaluation
- Supply chain environmental impact assessments not available for review
- Water stewardship and chemical responsibility programs require evidence gathering
Evidence Strength
Insufficient data available for comprehensive environmental performance assessment
Positive Impact on Animals
Research Highlights
- Rigorous cruelty-free certification through internationally recognized third-party standards
- Achieved comprehensive vegan product formulations certification by independent verification organization in December 2023, with partial reintroduction of non-vegan ingredients as of August 2025
- Wildlife conservation support through documented partnership programs in select markets
- Animal welfare commitment demonstrated through comprehensive no-testing policies
- Conservation funding limited to specific regional initiatives rather than global programs
Evidence Strength
Comprehensive third-party verification for cruelty-free and vegan standards, moderate documentation for conservation support
See the Receipts
We don't just make claims—here are the official certifications that prove The Body Shop's sustainability commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Body Shop cruelty-free?
Yes, The Body Shop maintains certified cruelty-free status through internationally recognized third-party audit programs. Their commitment extends beyond policy statements to include rigorous verification processes and public registry inclusion, demonstrating measurable accountability in animal welfare standards.
Are The Body Shop products vegan?
The Body Shop achieved complete vegan certification for their entire product range through independent third-party verification in December 2023. However, as of August 2025, some non-vegan ingredients like beeswax and honey were reintroduced into select formulations, meaning the product line is no longer entirely vegan certified.
Is The Body Shop sustainable?
The Body Shop demonstrates strong performance in animal welfare sustainability with comprehensive third-party certifications for cruelty-free standards and historical vegan certification achievement. However, environmental performance documentation and broader social impact verification show significant gaps, indicating mixed sustainability leadership across different categories.
What certifications does The Body Shop have?
The Body Shop holds verified certifications through internationally recognized third-party organizations including Leaping Bunny for cruelty-free standards and achieved The Vegan Society certification for their entire product line in December 2023. These certifications include rigorous audit requirements and ongoing compliance monitoring rather than self-declared status.
Does The Body Shop support wildlife conservation?
The Body Shop supports wildlife conservation through documented partnership programs in select markets, including retail-based funding initiatives for environmental protection efforts. However, conservation support appears regionally focused rather than comprising a comprehensive global strategy.
Is The Body Shop ethically sourced?
The Body Shop's ethical sourcing demonstrates strong verification in animal welfare categories through third-party certified cruelty-free standards and historical vegan certification achievement. However, broader ethical sourcing documentation including labor standards and environmental supply chain practices shows limited publicly available verification.
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The Bottom Line
The Body Shop excels in animal welfare standards with industry-leading third-party certifications for cruelty-free commitments and historical vegan certification achievement, though recent reintroduction of some non-vegan ingredients affects current vegan status. Significant documentation gaps in environmental performance and social impact initiatives suggest substantial opportunities for enhanced sustainability transparency and programming beyond their established ethical foundation.
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