Rare Beauty Vs Rhode: Which Celebrity Beauty Brand Is More Sustainable

Do you remember in the early 2000s, celebrity fragrances by Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé used to be a thing? Well, it seems to have been replaced by celebrity makeup lines. Nowadays, launching a beauty brand has become the ultimate symbol of success for celebrities. It shows they are not just famous but also powerful in business. 

Two celebrity brands are making big waves in this multi-billion-dollar makeup industry – Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez and Rhode by Hailey Bieber. But these two are not just about beauty products; they are also trying to be more eco-friendly. In the big question of Rare Beauty vs Rhode, which brand is doing more for the planet? Which is more sustainable? Let us take a closer look and find out who leads in the race for a greener future.

Brand Overviews

Rare Beauty and Rhode Skin, both brands are more than makeup; they care about people and the planet too. Let’s quickly get to know both brands.

Rare Beauty:

The reason why Selena wanted to create Rare Beauty is, she wanted to challenge the makeup space and create a whole lane in the makeup world that was centered around mental health, and also equally just shared the compassion they have for people who just wanna have fun with makeup.  

In her words:

“I wanted to create a thoughtfully made brand, inside and out. From the products to the packaging, and even the suppliers we partner with, we are constantly learning and improving to make everything better for you and the environment.”

Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty quickly became a favorite, not just for its inclusive products but also for its heart and values.

Rhode Skin:

Two years ago, if I told you that you looked like a glazed donut, you would have thought I was being rude or just weird. But in 2024, millions of people are aiming to get glazed donut skin and strawberry girl makeup because Haley Bieber has made it cool. Rhode has grown insanely fast in just 2 years. 

Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Skin was inspired by her personal journey toward healthier skin. Her aim was to offer skincare that feels luxurious, works well, and remains accessible for everyone.

In her words:

“My journey towards healthier skin inspired me to develop products that really work in a way that is accessible to everyone.” Rhode Skin is not just another celebrity brand. It brings a refreshing focus on simplicity, mindful skincare, with eco-friendly choices.

Here’s a comparison to help you quickly see how Rare Beauty and Rhode are different and where they overlap – 

Packaging And Materials

Rare Beauty and Rhode Skin both work toward planet-friendly packaging through different approaches. The brands have implemented their own distinct methods to achieve this goal.

Rare Beauty’s approach to packaging:

Rare Beauty has done a really good job when it comes to using eco-friendly packaging. Their shipping boxes, tissue paper, and welcome cards are all made from recycled materials. These materials have a special FSC certificate, which means they come from forests.

The best part is, everything they use for packaging can be recycled, and instead of using regular ink, they use water-based ink, which is much better for the environment. Another cool thing they do is use a special foam made from corn to protect their products. This foam breaks down naturally in water or soil in about two months, again, good for the planet.

But there is one small problem. Some of their special edition products do not always use this eco-friendly packaging. Rare Beauty has not explained why, even though it seems like they could.

Rhode Skin’s sustainable packaging efforts:

Rhode Skin also cares about how they package their products. They send their products in something called Boox boxes instead of using regular shipping boxes that people throw away after one use. These special boxes can be used up to 12 times before they need to be replaced. 

They also avoid using bubble wrap or a lot of extra packaging. When they do add something inside the box, it is made from recycled paper that comes from forests.

Rhode makes it super easy for customers to help out too. Each Boox box has a QR code inside. You just scan it with your phone and follow a few simple steps to return the box so it can be used again. Amazing right? This smart and easy system shows that Rhode is serious about taking care of the planet.

Ingredients And Formulations

Ingredients matter a lot when it comes to being eco-friendly and taking care of our skin. Now, let’s take a closer look at what these brands are actually putting into their products.

Rare Beauty’s ingredient story:

Rare Beauty is proud to say they are cruelty-free and vegan. They even have a special certification from PETA that shows they don’t use animal ingredients and never test on animals. So, if you are thinking, “Does Rare Beauty test on animals?” the simple answer is no, they do not.

Here’s what they claim:

“Made with love for animals. We are free of animal-derived ingredients or animal byproducts and never test on animals.”

Rare Beauty also works with suppliers who follow very strict rules to make sure everything is made safely and responsibly. Most of Rare Beauty’s products are made with clean and safe ingredients. However, there are a few things to watch out for. Some products have synthetic fragrances that are not clearly listed, which can be a little confusing for people who want to know exactly what they are putting on their skin.

Another concern is about an ingredient called mica. Mica is used to make products shiny but it is often mined in poor conditions and sometimes by children in countries like India and Madagascar. 

Rare Beauty’s famous Soft Pinch Liquid Blush has mica in it. Since 2019, the brand has not shared exactly where its mica comes from. Here, customers have a little doubt whether it is sourced in a safe and ethical way.

Rhode Skin’s ingredient journey:

If you are asking, “Is Rhode Skin cruelty-free?” Yes, it is proudly cruelty-free. Rhode Skin makes vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free skincare products that are good for all skin types, even if you have sensitive skin. Their formulas are simple but really effective. They use ingredients like peptides, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide, which help your skin stay healthy while also being kind to the environment.

The squalane they use comes from plants instead of animals, which is again better for the planet. They also use Cupuaçu butter (It’s a special ingredient from the Amazon) that is collected in a way that does not hurt the rainforest. It also helps local farmers earn a good living.

Even though Rhode Skin does a great job choosing eco-friendly ingredients, they could still do better by being more open about exactly where everything comes from. If they shared more details, people would trust them even more.

Environmental Initiatives And Brand Mission

Rare Beauty and Rhode Skin are making real moves to help the planet. Here’s how:

Rare Beauty’s green moves:

As I said earlier, Rare Beauty is not just focused on making great makeup. They also work hard to be kind to the planet. They use FSC-certified paper for their packaging, water-based inks for printing, and special corn foam that can break down naturally. These steps show they are thinking carefully about their impact on the environment.

Still, Rare Beauty has some areas where they can do better. They have not clearly explained where they get their mica from, and sometimes their special edition products do not use the same eco-friendly packaging. It shows they are trying, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Rhode Skin’s commitment to the planet:

Rhode Skin also cares a lot about being responsible with what they create. Instead of making tons of products all the time, they release only a few carefully chosen items. This helps avoid wasting resources and keeps things simple.

They also ship their products in reusable Boox boxes and use paper inserts that come from forests. Also, they make it super easy for customers to return the Boox boxes by scanning a QR code inside. It is a smart and friendly way to get everyone involved in protecting the environment.

Social Responsibility And Impact

There are so many celebrity beauty brands around today, but what really makes a difference is how much they care about people and how they treat the environment.

Rare Beauty’s bigger purpose:

Rare Beauty goes beyond beauty and sustainability. Through the Rare Impact Fund, they have promised to raise 100 million dollars over the next ten years to help provide mental health services to people who really need them. That’s a huge amount of money, and it shows that Rare Beauty has a big heart. They are trying to make a real difference in the world, not just sell makeup.

Rhode Skin’s community focus:

Rhode Skin, on the other hand also helping people. Their main focus is making high-quality skincare products that are affordable and easy for more people to buy. They want everyone to enjoy luxury skincare without giving up their strong values.

Even though Rhode Skin does not talk about their social programs as much as Rare Beauty does, they still show they care by promoting smart shopping and keeping their products and practices kind to the planet.

Final Verdict: Which Brand Wins In Sustainability?

When we look at Rare Beauty vs Rhode, both brands deserve a big round of applause for trying to make the beauty world more thoughtful and better for the planet.

Rare Beauty does a great job with recyclable packaging and supporting mental health causes. But there are still a few issues, like not sharing enough details about some ingredients and where their mica comes from.

Rhode Skin pulls a little ahead by using smart ideas like the reusable Boox box, choosing plant-based ingredients, and getting customers involved in recycling. Their products are made with sustainability in mind right from the start. Even though Rhode Skin could also do a better job of being more open about where their ingredients come from, they are clearly working hard to be kind to the planet.

If you are curious about which one is more successful, Rare Beauty has a bigger global fan base right now, mostly because of Selena Gomez’s huge popularity. But Rhode Skin is growing super fast and has become really popular with Gen Z, so it is definitely catching up quickly. So, at the end of the day, while both brands are doing a lot of good, Rhode Skin wins the sustainability race by just a little bit.

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