Original Source

How ethical is Original Source?

Original Source is a brand of personal cleansing products which has an acceptable score on The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Soap & Shower Gel Ratings Table. This means that Original Source has met our ethical benchmark and is therefore considered an ethical brand.

Find out more about the ethical issues facing the Ethical Soap & Shower Gel sector.

What does Original Source do?

Original Source makes a range of bath and shower products using all natural fragrances. The brand is now owned by PZ Cussons.

In which areas does Original Source perform poorly?

Original Source receives a bottom rating in the Organic category, as it does not appear to have any organic products.

In 2022, PZ Cussons, the parent company of Original Source, was given Ethical Consumer’s worst rating for its use of palm oil. In the same year, PZ Cussons was named as one of the companies sourcing palm oil from producers alleged to have withheld plasma or profits from plasma, from local communities.

As a result of PZ Cussons’ unethical activities, Original Source receives a bottom rating for Public Record Criticisms.

Find out more about how we rate by exploring our ethical criteria.

In which areas does Original Source score well for its ethics?

Original Source receives a top rating in the Environmental Report criterion. This is because its parent company, PZ Cussons, has a Sustainability page containing numerous targets, including on carbon emissions and packaging. It also scores highly for our Vegetarian criteria as it has products certified by The Vegan Society.

We found no criticisms of Original Source relating to; Genetic Modification, Nuclear Power, Fossil Fuels, Political Donations, Armaments or Irresponsible Marketing. The brand therefore receives a top rating in all of these categories.

How can Original Source improve its ethical rating?

The below-benchmark score that Original Source is awarded with on The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Soap & Shower Gel Ratings Table is the result of an evaluation of multiple ethical criteria.

Although Original Source already qualifies for Ethical Accreditation, there is still some room for improvement, including its lack of certification for Organic products. If it applies for Ethical Accreditation, The Good Shopping Guide will be able to give Original Source some guidance to improve on these areas.

Were you aware that your brand could benefit from Ethical Accreditation? Brands accredited by The Good Shopping Guide can display our ethical mark, showcasing to consumers that it is an ethical and sustainable brand. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us or complete a Free Initial Assessment form.