If you are searching for the best eco-friendly paint for your home, a good starting point is to understand what actually makes a paint environmentally responsible and which products genuinely deliver on those claims.
Pictured: Thimble Lane (pink) by Earthborn Paints.
Modern eco paints are formulated using natural ingredients such as mineral pigments and plant based binders, helping to improve indoor air quality while reducing environmental impact. They are designed to deliver a durable, high quality finish without relying on conventional petrochemical heavy formulations.
What is the Most Eco Friendly Paint?
The most eco-friendly paints are made from natural or mineral based ingredients, contain extremely low levels of VOCs, and allow surfaces to breathe. Which one is “best” will depend entirely on your needs for your project. There’s lots of environmentally sound options.
In practical terms, the most popular options with our customers are typically:
- Clay paints
- Lime and mineral paints
- Natural emulsions made from plant based binders
These systems avoid petrochemical heavy formulations and are better suited to healthier indoor environments. There’s an eco paint for every room and purpose. Some will resist mould and moisture, others have high durability and scrubability, or even actively clean the air in your home.
What Makes a Paint Eco Friendly?
Not all paints labelled “eco” are equal. To choose the right product, it is important to understand the technical differences.
Here’s some of the key characteristics that make a paint kind to the environment:-
Natural & Mineral Ingredients
Conventional paints are usually made with acrylic binders (plastics), synthetic pigments, and chemical additives.
Eco friendly paints replace these with:
- Plant oils such as linseed oil.
- Natural resins.
- Mineral fillers such as chalk, clay, and lime.
This reduces reliance on petrochemicals and results in coatings that are more compatible with breathable building materials.
Low VOC Levels
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals released into the air as paint dries and cures. Natural paints are low in vocs making them ideal for those with paint allergies or respiratory sensitivities.
Typical ranges are:
- Conventional paints - often 30 to 300 g/L VOCs depending on type.
- Standard “low VOC” paints - usually under 30 g/L.
- High quality eco paints - often under 1 g/L, with many having trace VOCs.
You may see some products described as “VOC free paint”, but in practice this is not strictly accurate. Trace emissions are almost always present, even in natural systems.
Very low VOC paints are especially important in bedrooms, living spaces, and homes with children.
Breathability
Breathability refers to how easily water vapour can pass through a paint film. A paints technical performance is measured using Sd values (steam diffusion), which measure vapour permeability.
Here’s what the Sd values mean:-
- Class 1 = Sd under 0.14 m - highly breathable.
- Class 2 = 0.14 to 0.5 m - breathable.
- Class 3 = Above 0.5m - Low breathability.
Breathable paints help:-
- Reduce condensation build up.
- Lower the risk of mould growth.
- Protect substrates such as lime plaster or solid walls through moisture regulation.
Clay and mineral paints are among the most breathable options available, making them particularly useful in older properties or moisture prone areas.
Best Eco Friendly Paint For Interior Walls
Best is a subjective term. Every paint we stock here at Green Shop Paints has been selected by our founder Chris for its eco credentials.
So here’s a few of our favourite eco paints!
Clay based paints such as Earthborn Claypaint are a strong choice where breathability and a soft, ultra matt finish are desired. These paints are known for their extremely low VOC content and are particularly well suited to bedrooms and living spaces.
For a more durable, everyday finish, Grafclean offers a highly practical alternative. It combines very low VOC levels with a washable surface, making it suitable for high traffic areas such as hallways and family spaces.
If you prefer a natural emulsion system with a wider range of finishes, Auro 555 Premium Emulsion provides a well balanced option. It delivers a robust, wipeable surface while maintaining very low emissions and a formulation based on plant and mineral ingredients.
Eco Friendly Exterior Paint
Exterior paint needs to handle weather exposure while still allowing the building to manage moisture correctly.
Mineral based paints are particularly effective here. Graphenstone GCS Exterior is a strong example, offering a breathable finish suitable for masonry and render while maintaining low VOC levels.
Choosing a breathable exterior system is especially important for solid walls or older buildings, where trapping moisture can lead to long term issues.
Exterior paint selection can vary significantly depending on the substrate and existing coatings, so this is an area worth exploring in more detail in a dedicated guide.
Our Favourite Eco Friendly Paint Brands
We have long standing relationships with our paint brands. We rate them for their eco creds and performance meaning you don’t have to compromise on finish and durability when choosing an environmentally kind paint option.
Auro focuses on plant and mineral based formulations, offering a wide range of interior and exterior products with very low VOC levels.
Graphenstone specialises in mineral paints that combine high breathability with modern durability, making them particularly suitable for challenging environments and heritage properties.
Earthborn is best known for its clay based paints, which offer ultra low VOC content and a distinctive, soft matt finish ideal for interior walls.
Each brand takes a slightly different approach, but all prioritise low emissions, natural ingredients, and performance.
Find Eco Friendly Paint at Greenshop Paints
At Greenshop Paints, we specialise in natural, breathable, and low tox paint systems for both interior and exterior use.
Our range includes carefully selected products from Auro, Graphenstone, and Earthborn, allowing you to choose a system that suits your project without compromising on performance or environmental impact.
If you are unsure which paint is right for your space, our team can help you select the most suitable option based on your surface, environment, and finish requirements.
Paint Colour Charts & Swatches
To achieve the best result, it is always worth testing colours in your own space.
Paint charts and reusable swatches allow you to:
- See accurate colour tones
- Test in different lighting conditions
- Compare finishes before committing
