The B in Badger might as well have stood for B Corp, as this personal care company exudes eco consciousness and social responsibility. Oh yeah, and they've got incredible natural beauty products, too. W.S. Badger Co. continues to be one to watch, setting the pace and trends as our NEXTY Editors' Choice winner for Natural Living. Way to grow! 

Winner | Natural Living

When defining what’s next, we often look at what’s new. But W.S. Badger Co. is not a new brand; it was founded back in 1995 and, like so many other natural brands, was created out of a small home kitchen. However, what the company is doing for the increasingly important mineral sun care industry is revolutionary, and that is the reason it earned our NEXTY Editors’ Choice award.

Originally known for its healing balms, the company has maintained a certain subtle, modest branding that reflects its New Hampshire roots. But behind the scenes, cutting-edge science and ingredient innovations are shaping Badger’s sun care product development. For all products, the company is focused on safety, efficacy and organic ingredients, establishing strong partnerships with certifiers to substantiate its commitment to natural and organic. Various Badger products have obtained USDA Organic, NPA Natural, and NSF/ANSI 305 “contains organic ingredients” certifications. Even its sunscreens boast the NPA and NSF seals.

Badger also is leading the way in nanoparticle testing. The company outlines the advanced testing process that backs its non-nano claims on its website (along with ingredient glossaries, ingredient-growing partners, safety-testing info and more) and has been testing for UVA protection long before regulations would require it.

Through its commitment to education and transparency, Badger has become a model company for the sun care industry, particularly in the kids’ space where safety is a top priority. A registered B Corporation, Badger also recently became a prestigious “B Corp Best for the World Honoree,” proving its dedication to impactful sustainable business practices, such as manufacturing products in a LEED-certified facility and supporting local farmers and social initiatives.

Perhaps most importantly, Badger works closely with its retailers to ensure they’re armed with the important, digestible information about the sun care category that is necessary to educate customers not just on Badger products but also on the benefits of mineral sunscreen and overall lifestyle approaches to sun care.

Finally, the company is focusing on further improving its products—such as accomplishing sheer application of sun care without the use of nanoparticles—as well as introducing new products outside of the sun care category that feature hot beauty ingredients, such as hair oils with sea buckthorn and argan. Pay attention to Badger if you want to know what’s next in natural personal care products.
 

Check out our other Editors' Choice award winners