The Good List: Meet the Clean + Conscious Awards Winners of 2026

Drumroll, please! After weeks of testing, assessing, scrutinising and putting a whole lot of good stuff through its paces, the results of the 2026 Clean + Conscious Awards are officially in.

Now in their eight year, the Clean + Conscious Awards celebrate products from Australia and New Zealand that pair excellent performance with thoughtful practices. And this year, rather than unveiling every winner all at once, the winner announcements are being staggered across the categories of Beauty + Body, Food + Nutrition, Baby + Kids, Home + Style, giving each category its own well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

And these aren’t awards handed out for a pretty package and a nice promise. Before a finalist even reaches the judges’ hands, it undergoes a comprehensive assessment covering ingredients or materials, sustainability, ethics and social impact. From there, a 90-strong expert panel spends four weeks testing for quality, performance, innovation, sustainability and overall impact.

With the full 2026 winners’ list now revealed, we’re taking a closer look at four of the clever, considered products that landed in Peppermint editor and publisher Kelley Sheenan’s judging pile, and what she thought after putting them through their paces.

AOTEA: Aotea Harakeke Night Cream

Gold + Editor’s Choice: Over 50s Skincare 

So much to love! Aotea is a Māori-founded and led business, built on tikanga Māori – “values that treat ethical practice as the operating logic of the business. Every decision, from how the land is farmed to how the community is supported, flows from that foundation.” Incredibly impressive that all the native flora used in these products are grown, harvested and extracted locally on Aotea (Great Barrier Island, NZ), with no outsourced manufacturing. The farm uses circular and regenerative techniques, and production facilities are solar-powered, moving toward complete carbon neutrality, with many more sustainable practices across the board. The small batch formulations originate from rongoā Māori – Māori plant knowledge developed over generations. Despite (or because of) all of their remarkable initiatives, the Harakeke Night Cream is outstanding in its own right as a deeply effective moisturiser. Super hydrating (a little goes a very long way), the small but mighty ingredient list harnesses native flora rich in nourishing plant actives. Aroha nui (big love).

NATUREVA: Stone Bath Mat

Bronze: Natural Bathroom Product 

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did, to be honest. I liked my old bath mat, but I disliked our damp bathroom (that was recently renovated due to mold issues) even more. This bath mat dries super fast and is a gamechanger for moisture-ridden bathrooms. The diatomite and recycled paper mix work magically to absorb and eliminate water quickly. Consider me a convert.

SEED & SPROUT: Ultimate Pantry Bundle

Gold: Zero Waste Kitchen 

This really is the ultimate pantry and kitchen bundle for a plastic-free kitchen upgrade! Every element feels intentionally considered, with a stunning product that’s designed for longevity rather than replacement. The functionality and quality are easily apparent in these gorgeous glass and silicon containers that you can prep, store, bake, reheat, cool or serve from. They perfectly demonstrate a sustainable choice that’s responsible, beautiful and built to last. Beautiful, mindful products from an exceptional brand.

SANS CEUTICALS: Perpetual Activator 7

Gold + Editor’s Choice: Zero Waste Beauty 

It took me about 30 minutes to go from doubter to devotee. I thought it was a gimmick: I was wrong. I thought it would be oily: it’s not. Opening the packaging itself was an experience unto itself; as a designer I very much appreciated the stunning minimalist packaging made from discarded sugarcane leaves, while the slick, durable refillable canister that houses the waterless, solid oil formulation is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. Sans says this is the future of multi-use beauty – and I don’t disagree. I love that you can use this product as a facial serum, body oil, massage tool, cleanser, hair serum, lip treatment and more. Beyond the theatre of this product (which I am here for) and their exemplary responsible production ethics, Perpetual is a dream to use. A standout example of skincare with integrity, purpose and efficacy.

These four are just a tiny taste of the clever products being celebrated in this year’s Clean + Conscious Awards. With each finalist assessed for what it does as well as how it’s made, the Awards are designed to make navigating the occasionally murky waters of conscious consumption a little easier. Want to keep browsing? Head to the Clean + Conscious Awards’ new Category Hubs, where you can explore the full lists of 2026 winners, discover the stories and sustainability credentials behind the brands and read honest, hands-on reviews from the expert judging panel.

♡ Peppermint is proud to be the official media partner for our good friends at the Clean + Conscious Awards.