There are a lot of reasons to love Dr. Bronner’s soap.

We love the old-timey apothecary packaging. We love the fact that the company is certified organic, vegan, not animal tested, and fair-trade. We love the fact that we’re not alone in loving it: celebs from Eva Mendes to Lady Gaga are *ahem* gaga over it. We love how adorably weird the late Dr. Bronner himself was, from the way he refers to the world as “spaceship Earth” to his personal philosophical musings that you can discover via his spoken-word album, released in January.

But one of our favorite reasons to love Dr. Bronner’s is the message behind the soap, the philosophy of Dr. Emanuel Bronner himself that you’ll find on every package: “Whatever unites us is greater than whatever divides us.”

It’s no surprise to anyone who reads the philosophical musings that Bronner crammed onto his packaging (what else are you gonna do in the bath?) that he saw himself a philosopher first and soap-maker second. In fact, Bronner only began selling his castile soap – a recipe perfected over the three generations of soap-makers that preceded him in his native Germany – to finance his preaching on a unified mankind. Once he realized that the soap was doing better than the sermons, he began using the company as a way to spread his ideas, writing his “Moral ABC” on the packaging and refusing to allow any retailer to sell the product who didn’t believe in his teachings.

Emanuel Bronner passed away in 1997, but his grandsons, who now run the business, have continued to further and honor their grandfather’s philosophy and vision.

“We have to realize our transcendent unity across religious and ethnic divides, be responsible in our consumption choices and respect the earth,” CEO David Bronner told AdWeek.

This philosophy of equality and unity is exemplified by everything the company does, made even clearer in the company’s third annual All-One report, “This is Why We Make Soap,” which was released earlier this month and documents the company’s commitment to corporate responsibility, social justice, and sustainability.

The report also details the company’s support for charitable and activist causes, from regenerative agriculture to drug policy reform. In 2016, the report shows, Dr. Bronner’s soap gave $7.2 million of its $106 million in revenue to more than 186 activist and charitable causes around the world.

“By making the best product we can, treating our employees and suppliers fairly, honoring the earth in our decisions, and dedicating our profits to causes that enrich this world, we try to live up to my grandfather’s All-One vision every day,” writes Bronner in the introduction to the report.

But the report is far from mere self-congratulation: it really does illustrate the ways in which the company continues to further the unifying philosophy of Emanuel Bronner, including, for example, a south-up oriented map of the world, to signify the company’s global perspective, which also illustrates four important journeys for the company: that of soap as a global product; Bronner’s, from small-town Germany to Los Angeles; the unique company’s global expansion; and the soap’s fair-trade and organic supply chain.

“In a way our activism is our marketing,” David Bronner told Fast Company of this unique and commendable philosophy.

Related on EcoSalon
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Toothpaste? All-One for Healthy Teeth
How to Stay Germ-Free this Flu Season Without Toxic Antibacterial Soaps
4 Fair Trade Clothing Brands We Love for Spring

The post Dr. Bronner’s Soap Company Only Wants Good Things for ‘Spaceship Earth’ appeared first on EcoSalon.

You love your Dr. Bronner’s. Who doesn’t? Now there is more to love! The family-owned company has come out with a brand new toothpaste, safe and fair trade, of course.

Dr. Bronner’s has long been known and loved for its castile soaps. Big bottles of ultra-gentle cleanser in a wide variety of scents with so many uses. Fans have been known to use the soaps on everything from skin to dishes and laundry. Others create their own facial scrub and shampoo.

Some Dr. B fans have even used the soap as toothpaste. Think this is taking the love too far? No worries. The company recently added toothpaste to its popular line-up.

Dr. Bronner’s Toothpaste is low-foaming, synthetic- and fluoride-free, vegan, and comes in three natural flavors – Cinnamon, Anise, and Peppermint.

We know synthetic-free cosmetics are a safer choice. But what is the big deal with fluoride? It is in conventional toothpastes, our drinking water, can even be purchased in bottled water, and dentists promote it. How bad can it be?

Regular use of fluoride is thought to have negative effects on teeth, gums, and overall health, including tooth discoloration, stomach ailments, allergic reaction, and skin irritation. Fluoride consumption is also linked to more serious health issues and diseases, from arthritis to reproductive issues. More than 95 percent of toothpastes sold in the US contain fluoride and the FDA now requires a poison warning on each fluoride-containing tube.

Another cool trick Dr. Bronner’s has utilized in its paste? Organic coconut flour acts as a mild abrasive. A much healthier choice than those plastic microbeads, both for our bodies and earth.

You can pick up a tube of Dr. Bronner’s Toothpaste on the brand website (where they are currently selling for 15% off), Whole Foods Market, and many natural food stores across the country.

Have you tried the new toothpaste? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Related on EcoSalon

How to Make Your Own Natural Toothpaste

Do You Know These 9 Natural Tooth Care Tips?

How to Whiten Teeth Naturally: 3 DIY Sparkling Smile Recipes

Image courtesy Dr. Bronner’s

The post Dr. Bronner’s Magic Toothpaste? All-One for Healthy Teeth appeared first on EcoSalon.