You may have found it difficult to find products that you both like and that support ethical companies. Luckily, in recent years, companies have begun to showcase their community-minded and cruelty-free business practices. Finding items manufactured in a kinder, gentler way is getting easier every day.

Trusted Companies

The best way to find products that are sold by a company that does business in a way that you approve of is to stick with a company that you already know and trust. For example, if you love the mint lip balm from a particular cosmetics company, then why not branch out and try their body lotion? You are already familiar with their quality product and ethical business model, so reward them by continuing to give them your business.

Specialty Stores

If you’re ready to branch out and add other cruelty-free or fair-trade sourced items to your shopping list, the easiest place to start is probably a specialty grocery store that makes this type of product available on their shelves as the norm rather than the exception. Whole Foods, for example, lists supporting the community and environment as part of their core values. Chances are, most of the products in their store have already been vetted to adhere to this standard.

Big Box Stores

Believe it or not, big box stores are also getting into the game with special sections in almost every department set aside for natural ingredient focused products. There is a growing purchasing trend for organic or green cosmetics and household items. The selection at these types of stores might be smaller or limited, but that will likely change as more people purchase these items.

Subscription Services

The subscription services market is booming especially in the home cleaning arena. There are a number of companies promising zero waste, cruelty free, biodegradable and all-natural dish soap, laundry soap, multi-surface cleanser and glass cleaner. Some boxes arrive with tiny pods or tubes that you mix yourself in the glass spray bottles also provided, thus cutting down on plastic waste. You can get a monthly box of organic toothpaste with a new bamboo toothbrush or organic baby products. There is a service that delivers a box of variety non-GMO foods every month for you to sample. One innovative company even offers fair trade household items like pottery, baskets, and woven goods, supporting artisans around the world.

Farmer’s Markets

If you like to shop as locally as possible, keep your eye out for a farmer’s market in your area. Because of the nature of the event, you’re practically guaranteed to support small local businesses like backyard beekeepers or small-scale coffee roasters. Most of the vendors have a passion for growing or creating products that promote a healthier lifestyle and cleaner environment.

Make Your Own

If you really want to control the ingredients that go into your beauty or household products, consider making your own. Handmade soap is relatively easy to make and it enables you to choose exactly what to put in or leave out depending on your allergies or other criteria. For household cleaning products, many people will swear by good old-fashioned vinegar and baking soda to clean almost anything. No fancy bottles or pods needed. If you don’t have the time, there are websites like Etsy that connect you with small home-based businesses around the country. You can search just about any product from all-natural mosquito spray to paper towel alternatives, and someone out there has created it and would like to sell it to you.

Finding environmentally friendly and natural substitutions for everyday products is getting easier and easier. It may take a little work upfront to know the best place to shop, but once you find a good source for what you want, you can begin to save the world purchase by purchase.