Supplements with a Conscience: How to Choose Vitamins That Match Your Values

Vitamins are no longer just about what’s in the capsule—they’re about how it got there. From sustainability to ingredient transparency and ethical sourcing, today’s wellness consumers want more from their supplements than just a health boost. At Dandy, we’re digging into what it really means to shop your values in the supplement aisle—and how to choose products that support both your body and your beliefs.

By Dandy / May 13, 2025

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Let’s be honest. The wellness aisle can feel more like a minefield than a health haven.

Rows of colourful bottles, lofty promises, and phrases like “pure”, “clean”, “clinically backed”, and “bioavailable” can leave even the savviest among us squinting at labels, wondering if we’ve just bought the wellness equivalent of snake oil with a recyclable lid.

Supplements can absolutely be part of a vibrant, thriving lifestyle. But the industry isn’t always as transparent as it should be. If you’re looking to support your body without selling out your values, it’s time to start choosing vitamins with a conscience.

Here’s how to decode the bottles and find supplements that do good for you—and the planet.

Step One: Know Your Why

Before you even pick up a product, ask yourself why you’re taking supplements in the first place.

Are you trying to boost energy? Improve sleep? Support your skin, gut, or hormones? Are you looking to top up nutrients because of a dietary restriction, life stage, or simply a busy lifestyle?

When you’re clear on what you actually need, you’re less likely to get swayed by clever marketing or unnecessary ingredients.

Pro tip: Check in with your GP or a qualified nutritionist before starting anything new. Even the most natural-sounding supplements can interact with medications or medical conditions.

Title

SHOP

vitamins + supplements

Iron

£16.00

Skin Hydrator

£36.00

Skin Filter

£38.00

Vitamin B Complex

£16.00

Multi Vitamin Women

£28.00

Title

Step Two: Read Beyond the Buzzwords

Words like “natural”, “clean”, and “non-toxic” might sound lovely, but they’re not regulated. That means anyone can slap them on a label, regardless of what’s actually inside.

Here’s what to actually look for:

Ingredient transparency: Do they list everything, including fillers and binders?

Third-party testing: Reputable brands will have their products tested for purity and potency.

Bioavailability: This just means your body can actually absorb and use the nutrients. For example, methylated B vitamins tend to be more bioavailable for many people.

No nasties: Check for common additives like artificial colours, sweeteners, or synthetic preservatives. If you wouldn’t eat it in food, why take it in a capsule?

Step Three: Check Their Ethics

It’s not just what’s in the product—it’s how the product was made.

Ask:

Is the brand transparent about sourcing? (E.g. sustainably harvested, fair-trade ingredients)

Are the supplements vegan or vegetarian, if that matters to you?

Are they cruelty-free? (Shockingly, some companies still test on animals)

Is the packaging recyclable or compostable?

Does the company support ethical labour practices?

If a brand doesn’t tell you, ask. And if they dodge the question, that’s your answer.

Step Four: Support Local (When You Can)

There’s something lovely about knowing your supplements didn’t clock more air miles than you did last year.

UK-based or locally made brands are not only better for the environment, but often have stricter quality regulations. You’re also more likely to find supplements tailored to local deficiencies—like vitamin D, which many people in the UK are low in, especially in winter.

Plus, supporting smaller, values-driven companies means your money goes towards people who care—rather than a faceless conglomerate headquartered somewhere tax-friendly.

Step Five: Look for Minimalism Over Maximalism

We get it. It’s tempting to go all in and take everything.

But more isn’t always better. Mega-dosing can strain your body, and combining too many supplements can create unwanted effects. The key is to supplement intentionally—not out of fear, but out of support.

Choose products with fewer, high-quality ingredients, rather than endless blends of things you can’t pronounce.

And don’t underestimate the power of food. Supplements are just that—supplements, not replacements. A nutrient-rich diet is always the foundation.

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Step Six: Think About Your Routine

The most ethical, organic, beautifully branded supplement won’t do much if it gathers dust in the back of your cupboard.

Be honest with yourself:

Do you prefer capsules, powders, sprays or gummies?
Do you need a once-daily dose, or can you handle multiple timings?
Will you actually remember to take it?

Choosing a format that fits your life makes the whole thing easier—and more sustainable in every sense.

Step Seven: Don’t Fall for Fear

Marketing in the wellness space can get a bit… dramatic.

Don’t let fear-mongering convince you that your body is broken without ten different pills a day. Your body is resilient. It’s constantly adapting and healing. Supplements should empower, not scare you into submission.

Look for brands that educate rather than intimidate. That celebrate balance over extremes. That acknowledge nuance, rather than promising you the world in a capsule.

Step Seven: Don’t Fall for Fear

Marketing in the wellness space can get a bit… dramatic.

Don’t let fear-mongering convince you that your body is broken without ten different pills a day. Your body is resilient. It’s constantly adapting and healing. Supplements should empower, not scare you into submission.

Look for brands that educate rather than intimidate. That celebrate balance over extremes. That acknowledge nuance, rather than promising you the world in a capsule.

Bonus: Our Favourite Questions to Ask Before Buying

Save this list for your next supplement scroll:

What’s in it—and why?
Is it third-party tested?
Where are the ingredients sourced from?
Is it suitable for my dietary needs?
What does the brand stand for?
Will I actually take this consistently?
Is this something I truly need, or just a shiny object?

The Dandy Takeaway

The wellness world doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When it comes to supplements, start small, stay curious, and shop with your values as well as your body in mind.

Supplements with a conscience don’t just make you feel good physically. They also support a world where health, transparency and ethics go hand in hand.

Because wellness isn’t just personal. It’s collective. It’s environmental. And it starts with informed, intentional choices—even the ones sitting in your bathroom cabinet.