Eco-Friendly vs Sustainable Products: What's the Difference?

Eco-Friendly vs Sustainable: Why the Difference Matters

You might have recently overheard a debate about eco-friendly vs sustainable products and thought "aren't those the same thing?" There's more to it than you might think. 

What Does Eco-Friendly Mean?

Eco-friendly products focus on reducing immediate environmental harm. They avoid toxic chemicals, use biodegradable materials, and often have a smaller carbon footprint than conventional alternatives. However, they may not address long-term resource depletion or social equity.

What Does Sustainable Mean?

Sustainability goes beyond being "less bad"—it ensures resources are used responsibly so future generations can thrive. Sustainable products consider the entire lifecycle, from ethical sourcing to disposal, while supporting fair labor practices and regenerative ecosystems.

Side note: How Do Conventional Products Compare?

Conventional products often prioritize cost and convenience over environmental or social responsibility, relying heavily on non-renewable resources, synthetic materials, and energy-intensive manufacturing processes. These products typically generate higher carbon emissions, contribute to pollution through toxic byproducts, and follow a linear "take-make-dispose" model that exacerbates resource depletion and waste.

Unlike eco-friendly alternatives, which mitigate immediate harm, or sustainable designs, which embed resilience into systems, conventional products rarely address ethical labor practices, long-term ecological health, or circularity. Their lifecycle tends to externalize environmental costs, prioritizing short-term efficiency over the regenerative balance required for planetary and societal well-being.

Examples of Eco-Friendly vs Sustainable Products

At Here I Am, we believe that people and the planet are as crucial to our business as our profits. For us, that means doing everything we can to not only reduce environmental harm but also responsibly use resources so they will be available for future generations. 

We holistically measure impact by partnering with brands that put sustainability at the top of their priorities. Prioritizing regenerative ingredients, championing ethical labor practices, and innovating in low-waste packaging are areas we consider when selecting partners. Still, at times, tradeoffs are made. Rather than expecting “perfection,” we strive for continuous improvements and to provide full transparency for our products and processes. 

Eco-Friendly Products

The following products are available from Here I Am. They are examples of products that are eco-friendly, but they have some issues that make them less sustainable. 

1. Dream Bath Bomb

Eco-Friendly Aspects:

• • Uses natural ingredients like Himalayan salt, kaolin clay, and plant oils (avocado, almond, grape seed), which are biodegradable.
  • Incorporates local lavender buds, reducing transport emissions.
  • Avoids synthetic dyes/fragrances, relying on essential oils for scent.

Why It's Not Fully Sustainable:

• • Maltodextrin: Often derived from GMO corn, which relies on pesticide-intensive farming that degrades soil and harms pollinators.
  • Lavender oil production: Even when locally sourced, distillation is water- and energy-intensive.
  • Shea butter: If not designated as "Fairtrade certified," it may contribute to deforestation.
  • Sucrose (sugar): Conventional sugar farming is notorious for soil depletion and water pollution.

Key Issue: While it avoids synthetic chemicals, the product itself does not provide evidence of systemic sustainability, such as non-GMO claims or Fairtrade certifications. NOTE: LA Salt Co makes the Dream Bath Bomb. While some of the ingredients they use in their products are not specifically sustainable, this small business is committed to consciously sourcing its ingredients to ensure premium quality, minimum environmental impact, and fair treatment of everyone involved in the production process. 

2. Goji Nectar Cleansing Balm

Eco-Friendly Aspects:

• • Botanical infusions (comfrey, yarrow, calendula) require minimal water/pesticides.
  • Flaxseed-derived glycerin avoids palm oil deforestation.
  • CO2 extracts (ginger, coriander) use less water than steam distillation.

Why It's Not Fully Sustainable:

• • Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate: A petrochemical-derived emulsifier. Many sustainable cosmetic makers use this synthetic emulsifier because no natural alternative effectively rinses away oils while remaining gentle for sensitive skin. Even so, its petrochemical-derived production conflicts with strict plant-based and sustainability goals.
  • Propanediol (corn-derived): Likely from GMO corn, which promotes monoculture farming.
  • Essential oils (lemon, coriander): Require vast amounts of plant material—1 lb of lemon oil needs ~3,000 lemons.
    

Key Issue: Unsustainable synthetics in the base may offset the benefits of using sustainable herbal ingredients in the formula. NOTE: URB Apothecary handcrafts the Goji Nectar Cleansing Balm. They are a small business whose core ethos is to source locally, organically, and ethically whenever possible. 

 

3. Isla Bonita Macadamia Oil & Sea Salt Body Polish

Eco-Friendly Aspects:

• • Upcycled ingredients (coconut oil, sucrose) reduce food waste.
  • Rose clay is mined with low environmental impact.
  • Floral absolutes (plumeria, gardenia) avoid harsh solvents.

Why It's Not Fully Sustainable:

• • Caprylyl glycol: Typically sourced from uncertified palm or coconut oil (linked to deforestation).
  • Phenoxyethanol: A synthetic preservative derived from petroleum.
  • Macadamia oil: Requires ~1,000 liters of water per kg of nuts—unsustainable in drought-prone regions.
  • Iron oxides: Mining destroys habitats unless synthetic (rarely disclosed).

Key Issue: Luxe ingredients (absolutes, macadamia) have hidden ecological costs due to their high concentration and resource usage requirements.

Sustainable Products

1. MILO Everything Oil

Why It's Sustainable Holistically:

• • 100% plant-based oils: Safflower, sunflower, and sacha inchi are often Fair Trade, ensuring farmers earn living wages.
  • Upcycled grape seed oil: Repurposes waste from the wine industry.
  • No palm derivatives: Avoids deforestation linked to palm oil.
  • Wildcrafted botanicals: Red maple leaf and calendula are harvested without harming ecosystems.

Systems Thinking: Multi-purpose product designed to eliminate overconsumption of beauty products. Minimizes waste at every stage, from sourcing to packaging, with a focus on zero-waste packaging and recyclable vessels.

2. Willow Cleanser

Why It's Sustainable Holistically:

• • Organic castile soap: Made via closed-loop saponification (no chemical byproducts).
  • Wildcrafted white willow and witch hazel: Harvested in ways that promote regrowth.
  • Activated charcoal: Filters water waste during production.
  • Leucidal (radish root ferment): A natural preservative that avoids synthetics.

Systems Thinking: No petroleum or synthetic ingredients. Aligns with "zero waste" principles—every ingredient serves multiple ecological functions.

3. Peaceful Slumber Tea

Why It's Sustainable Holistically:

• • Regenerative herbs: Linden, lemon balm, and lavender are grown without pesticides, supporting pollinators.
  • Loose-leaf format: Avoids plastic tea bags (a major microplastic pollutant).
  • Local sourcing: Alfalfa and hawthorn are likely regionally grown, cutting transport emissions.
  • Compostable packaging: If applicable, completes the lifecycle sustainably.

Systems Thinking: Supports agroecology—farming that works with nature, not against it. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced herbs from community gardens, ethically wildcrafted, and from the brand's own gardens (Wild and Wise). 

How to Shop for Products That Are Truly Both

1. Look for certifications: B Corp, Fairtrade, USDA Organic.
2. Consider the source: Check the list of ingredients for synthetics, but also consider the brand's ethos and commitments. Investigate where and how ingredients are derived (e.g., "wildcrafted" vs. farmed). Also, how far did the product travel to get to you? How was it delivered (overnight or by ground shipping)? 
3. Ask about end-of-life: Is it refillable? Recyclable? Home-compostable? How was it packaged? 

FAQ: Eco-Friendly vs Sustainable Products

Are Eco-Friendly Products Sustainable?

Not necessarily. For example, while praised as a natural skincare ingredient, macadamia oil often comes at a hidden ecological cost, like deforestation in Guatemala that

threatens native cloud forests and endangered species. Just because something is eco-friendly in one way doesn't mean it's truly sustainable.

How Can You Know You're Shopping Sustainably?

• Avoid vague claims: "Natural" can mean many things. Look for specifics like "plant-based" and "Phthalate-free." When possible, certifications also ensure higher levels of sustainability, like "Fairtrade," "Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)," and "Leaping Bunny." 
• Support regenerative brands: Look for brands that rebuild ecosystems (e.g., MILO Multifunctional multi-purpose products).
• Think long-term: Could this product exist in 100 years without harming the planet?

Final Thought:

Being eco-friendly is an essential first step, but true sustainability is our ultimate goal. At Here I Am, we offer products that are significantly better for the environment than conventional options, even if they don’t meet the highest expectations for sustainability. However, all the brands we collaborate with are dedicated to responsible sourcing and finding ways to be more sustainable. We hope our transparency helps you make informed decisions about your self-care needs. 

We measure impact holistically, seeking partners who:

✓ Prioritize regenerative ingredients

✓ Champion ethical labor practices

✓ Innovate in low-waste packaging

No product is perfect, but through intentional selection, we've built a marketplace where every purchase tilts the self-care industry toward transparent accountability.

Got a product you're unsure about? Drop it in the comments—let's decode it together.