Guess what? October is Fair Trade Month!  It tends to get a little overshadowed by Breast Cancer Awareness month, but is an equally critical issue to be educated about and support.  

You may be familiar with Fair Trade coffee and tea, but did you know you can support Fair Trade through the beauty products you purchase?  There are a growing number of companies that work to source Fair Trade Certified, and if not certified, ethically sourced ingredients.  We’ve put together a cheat sheet of companies from A to Z that make up our favorite ethically made beauty products that support Fair Trade. 

Since 1998, the work of Fair Trade USA and its partners has resulted in Fair Trade farmers earning more than $114 million in community development premiums.  These funds have been use to support community projects in education, health care, environmental preservation, business management, quality improvement and productivity, allowing these communities to move further down the path toward economic stability.

Acure Organics (acureorganics.com) – Acure Organic’s wide range of technologically advanced, organic skin, hair and body care making use of growth factors and stem cell science in conjunction with active oils, and botanical and herbal extracts & vitamins, uses Fair Trade Certified ingredients in each of their products in support of the  Fair Trade movement’s positive impact upon people and the planet.

Image courtesy Alaffia

Alaffia (alaffia.com) – The ultimate in Fair Trade founded beauty, this rich collection, ideal for the driest skin and hair, was founded to empower individuals and communities through the fair trade of indigenous, sustainable resources, far surpassing Fair Trade minimum commitments to provide far reaching support of Togolese communities.

Image courtesy Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s (drbronner.com) – Organic liquid soaps, hair rinse and more use Fair Trade coconut oil from Sri Lanka, olive oil from the Holy Land, and palm oil from Ghana to further their vision of a more sustainable, economically just planet.

Dr. Hauschka (drhauschka.com) – Dr. Hauschka’s goal “to support the healing of humanity and the earth” is alive and creating self-reliant and economically sustainable communities from a shea butter cooperative in Burkino Faso, Africa producing butters used in their lipsticks to a rose cultivation project in Ethiopia that contributes to over 50 Dr. Hauschka products including Rose Day Cream, Rose Body Oil and many of their lip and eye cosmetics.

Image courtesy Emtage

Emtage – (emtagebeauty.com/pure-ingredients/) – Emtage’s ultimate passion is to free people from dry, damaged, dull hair and skin using only the purest, highest-quality natural, organic ingredients that are fairly traded, sustainable & ethically sourced. Signature Fair Trade ingredients in their Silktage line include Argan oil from Morocco and Monoi oil from Tahiti.

Kahina Giving Beauty (kahina-givingbeauty.com) – A high performance, luxury skin care line based on the traditional wisdom and beauty rituals of Moroccan women. Kahina Giving Beauty is dedicated to supporting the social and economic freedoms of the women producing their ethically sourced Argan oil and other key ingredients.

Marula The Leakey Collection (marula.com) – The Leakey Collection’s highly prized Marula Oil enhances skin health and radiance along with people’s lives by creating work opportunities for the Maasai in an environmentally- friendly, sustainable way while supporting cultural and traditional lifestyles.

Primavera (primaveralife.com) – A full range of natural, effective, sustainable skin and bodycare, PRIMAVERA has maintained fair trade relations with its world-wide agricultural partners for over 25 years, supporting famers who cultivate in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly cultivation.

Salve Sister (www.salvesister.com) – A lovely collection of luxury Fair Trade skin care products, they use only raw, unprocessed, and naturally powerful botanicals sourced from small farmers in the U.S. and abroad. Investing in small farmers – especially women –  has a major impact on poverty reduction and economic justice.

Savvy Boheme (savvyboheme.com/) – Certified Fair Trade ingredients make up the foundation of nearly all Savvy Bohème’s face & body moisturizers, treatments and scrubs.  For every product purchased, a portion of the profit goes back into the Fair Trade system, benefiting the hard-working people making their ingredients.

Shea Radiance (shearadiance.com) – A spa quality range of body butters and creams, Shea Radiance works with over 500 shea producers in Northern Nigeria to support economic opportunity of native women, allowing them to generate income to clothe and educate their children.

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Image courtesy Shea Terra

Shea Terra (sheaterraorganics.com) – Indigenous, organic African ingredient based facial, body and hair care grounded in traditional skin care practices,  Shea Terra uses a wide range of exotic ingredniets, all ethically sourced with the goal of aiding the preservation of wildlife habitat and supporting local communities.

S.W. Basics (swbasicsofbk.com) – A  range of simply formulated, clean and effective facials care, all of S.W. Basics’ ingredients are either certified organic, Fair Trade, or sourced from small, family farms. They are committed to creating the most effective products in the most responsible way.

Tay (tayskincare.com) – Tay is about bringing simplicity to skincare products that address signs of dryness and everyday pollution that can lead to aging.  They work to include as many fair trade ingredients as possible.

Weleda (usa.weleda.com) – Passionately committed to fair trade even before there was a popular buzzword for it, Weleda has forged partnerships around the world to spread the word to other farmers about the benefits of organic and biodynamic principles. Today, local Turkish farmers harvest wild rose for their Wild Rose Day Cream and their Sea Buckthorn oil is created on a biodynamic farm in Tuscany, Italy.

Image courtesy Zhena’s Gypsy Tea

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea – (www.gypsytea.com)  It may not be a topical skin care line, but this rich range of aromatherapy & wellness based tea boosts antioxidant activity for skin and overall health and can be used in a variety of DIY beauty treatments.  The first woman owned and operated Certified Fair Trade tea company in the United States, Zhena’s Gyps Tea is dedicated to improving the lives the of the people growing their tea.

Vote for economic justice with your dollars in the beauty aisle, this month and every month, by purchasing ethically made beauty products using Fair Trade ingredients.  You’ll be looking good while doing good – a win-win.

Main image courtesy Malala

Related on Ecosalon: 

New York Fashion Week’s Fair Trade Runway Show

Fair Trade USA Launches New Garment and Textile Certification

The post Celebrate Fair Trade Month with Ethically Made Beauty Products: A to Z appeared first on EcoSalon.

I can usually tell the weather by my skin. Who needs moisturizers when there’s summer humidity to be had? When it is warm and muggy, I’m a sleek as a newborn babe. But the second the temperature drops, my skin looks like old, recycled paper that’s been run through a shredder.

There’s a reason dry, itchy, or cracked skin goes hand-in-hand with autumnal pumpkin lattes and spiced donuts. Aside from the weather, central heating, space heaters and fire places all contribute to displacing the moisture of out of the air— and your skin. Further, the hot showers of cooler nights go far in siphoning out the moisture of your epidermis. One would think that surrounding yourself in steam would be helpful—but as the Mayo Clinic shares, you’re actually breaking down the lipid barriers in your skin with too-hot temperatures.

So what moisturizers can take us through the cooling winds and drying factors of fall and winter? Check out these seven fantastic moisturizers, all of which replace toxic ingredients with high-quality moisturizing agents.

Best for All Skin Types: Farmaesthetics Nourishing Lavender Milk ($34.50)

Herbal skincare powerhouse Farmaesthetics does it again with this fantastic all-around body moisturizer. Formulated for use on both your face and your body, this 100% natural product is made with the simplest, purest ingredients. Containing certified organic soy oil, as well as calendula, witch hazel, and lavender essential oil, it offers up a light, nourishing moisturizer with a delicate lavender scent.

Best for Mature Skin: Weleda Pomegranate Regeneration Body Lotion ($16.50)

This biodynamic body lotion from Weleda is specifically designed with antioxidant-rich ingredients to help combat the signs of aging in mature skin. (Which—aren’t we all?) Containing organic pomegranate seed oil, apricot kernel oil and shea butter derived from fair trade practices, this fruity product keeps your skin extremely well-hydrated.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Erbaviva Baby Lotion ($17.00)

What better for sensitive skin than a moisturizer specifically formulated for babies? From USDA organic line Erbaviva, this lotion uses 100% natural emulsifiers and organic moisturizing oils. Containing sunflower and jojoba oils, it also utilizes shea butter coupled with organic mandarin and chamomile oils. Yes, it smells amazing.

Best Vegan Product: Malibu C Vital-Crème ($40.00)

This light moisturizer, formulated for all parts of the body, is an oil and fragrance-free hydrator. Containing shea butter and sandalwood, it is formulated to prevent redness and flare-ups in problem skin. Great for sensitive types, this 100% vegan product is also free of sulfates, parabens, DEA and gluten.

Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Hauschka Quince Moisturizer ($39.95)

Feeling exceptionally dry? This moisturizer from the old-school skin experts at Dr. Hauschka is made with 100% natural ingredients and free of synthetic preservatives, fragrances, and dyes. It contains quince seed extract, which restores moisture to irritated skin. Containing jojoba and olive oils, it absorbs quickly for an excellent hydration.

Best for Damaged Skin: SpaRitual Body Serum ($59.99)

Made with 80% certified organic ingredients, this intense moisturizing serum is made with ECOCert certified Sunflower Shoots. SpaRitual claims these shoots does no less than “rejuvenate and energize skin cells to stimulate collagen and elastin growth for firmer looking skin.” It also contains organic peppermint oil for a fresh scent.

Best for Hair: Neuma Beauty NeuRepair Argan Treatment ($22.00)

Your skin isn’t the only part of your body susceptible to dryness. Hot showers and blow driers can turn your hair into a brittle mess before the first orange fall leaf hits the sidewalk.

Made with argan oil, rose hips and green tea, this hair treatment is designed to restore your dry hair to its natural moisture balance. Light and virtually scentless, it doesn’t leave your hair feeling heavy or sticky.

This product contains USDA certified organic ingredients. It is also 100% vegan and is made using certified wind power. You can find it at select salons near you.

photo credit: Www.CourtneyCarmody.com/ via photopin cc

For further reading:

A Cleanser for All Skin Types

How Not to Eat Your Moisturizer

The post From Dry to Sensitive to Mature Skin: 7 Best Non-Toxic Moisturizers for Fall appeared first on EcoSalon.

They always have their pick of the latest and not-so-greatest chemically laden skincare and make-up products, which is why we love reading about celebrity’s who favor natural beauty products instead.

The dog-eat-dog-world of the red carpet means only the fittest and those with the most glowing skin survive. No wonder we sit up and take notice when a celebrity recommends a natural beauty product. Hollywood stars–like the rest of us–are choosing cleaner skincare products that are free from toxic parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals, and packed with good-for-you ingredients like natural oils, antioxidants, and vitamins. And when they have the pick of the latest and greatest beauty products, you can rest assured that their favorite natural options are still producing great results.

While the rest of us don’t have to dedicate our lives to our personal grooming habits, celebrities certainly do. Happy to discuss their natural and organic lifestyles in interviews, there are plenty of opportunities to note the products that get mentioned the most. Here are the top 5 most effective natural skincare products, and the celebrities who love them.

1. Living Luminizer up by RMS Beauty

Rose-Marie Swift of New York-based RMS Beauty decided to produce a beauty product line that only used natural products. One of the line’s most popular products is Living Luminizer, which uses raw coconut oil to highlight the skin with an ultra sheer translucent finish. Celebrity fans include Miranda Kerr, Karlie Kloss and Gisele Bundchen.

2. 100% Pure Argan Oil by Josie Maran

The signature product from actress and model Josie Maran’s eponymous eco-friendly beauty line, the lightweight and organic argan oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids that keeps skin glowing and nourished. The line has many celebrity users including Alicia Silverstone, Emma Stone and Julianna Moore.

3. Herbal Recovery Eye Gel by Jurlique

A powerful botanical anti-aging eye treatment, Jurlique’s beloved Herbal Recovery Eye Gel helps fade dark circles, puffiness and smooth delicate skin around the eye area. The potent product is infused with herbs and precious plant oils. Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Pamela Anderson are all said to swear by it.

4. Rose Day Cream by Dr. Hauschka

Thirty rose flowers go into each tube of this cult cream making it an incredibly rich and luxurious moisturizer ideal for dry skin. Containing no synthetic ingredients, it is extremely soothing and gentle for irritated and weather-damaged skin. A long list of celebrities rave about it including Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Nina Garcia, Rachel McAdams and Jennifer Lopez .

5. Skin Food by Weleda

This whole-body cream is ultra rich and deeply hydrating. It’s ideal for dry elbows, hands and feet or any areas of rough skin. In addition to essential fatty acids and vitamin E, the deeply nourishing cream contains extracts of soothing rosemary and organic calendula flowers, which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Victoria Beckham, Adele, Alexa Chung and Rihanna are reported to use the bargain beauty product.

Top Image: JenniferLopez

The post 5 Celebrity Favorite Natural Beauty Products appeared first on EcoSalon.

Just in time for baby…The Box!

Our exclusive EcoSalon shopping must-have, the curated product assortment known as The Box, is back. We’re offering $500 in eco-goodies for the New Year for just $99 and these won’t last. That’s a guarantee.

Whether you’re a new mom, are expecting, or have friends and family with little ones, you’ll love the Mom + Baby Box. There are enough full-sized products and projects here to try out as well as share!

(If you do miss out this time around, our friends at The Green Parent are hosting a giveaway for the last remaining Mom + Baby Box standing. Head on over to their site and register to win!)

Just look at what we have in store for you this time around:

Oliver + S Little Things to Sew

Those “in the sew” love to dress the children in their lives in garments they have hand-crafted. No one understands this better than Liesl Gibson, who is both a mom and the founder of Oliver + S, a sewing pattern company known for its contemporary yet classically sensible kids’ designs, its precise, easy-to-follow instructions, and its charming paper doll–inspired packaging. In Oliver + S Little Things to Sew, you’ll find 20 accessories for children, such as a hat with bear ears, scarf, vest, tutu, art smock, backpack, and quilt – all beautifully photographed by Laurie Frankel. The book includes two full-size pattern sheets and, as an added bonus, two cardstock paper dolls that can be dressed with “clothing” cut from the book’s jacket – a little something extra to keep young ones occupied while grownups stitch new items for their wardrobes!

(Retails for $27.50)

Therawise Natural Baby Diaper Ointment

Most diaper rash ointments are still petroleum-based. Petro-chemical ingredients do not allow your baby’s skin to breath, one of the most important processes required for healthy skin. Petro-chemical ingredients harm natural oils and leave baby’s skin vulnerable.

Natural Baby Diaper Ointment’s plant-based ingredients allows the skin to breathe properly, while providing soothing and regenerative properties to reduce skin irritation in the diaper area. Additional highlights include a quick-drying, non-greasy, plant-based and alcohol-free formulation. It is ideal for both disposable and cloth diapers.

All Théra Wise packaging is BPA- and phthalate-free.

(Retails for $19.99)

Eco-Me Dish Soap

Eco friendly cleaning does not have to be a complicated jump from traditional cleaning methods and with Eco-Me, it’s easy to make subtle changes that’ll keep your home clean while limiting your family’s exposure to chemicals.  Protecting our environment is crucial for our future, and it’s up to us to do our part and support it. Eco-Me Dish Soap is completely non-toxic and smells like sweet tea and comes in a recyclable container. No dyes no parabens and no synthetic fragrances. We love.

(Retails for $4.99)

Desert Essence Oh So Clean 2 in 1 Gentle Foaming Hair & Body Cleanser

Desert Essences’ Oh So Clean 2 in 1 Gentle Foaming Hair and Body Cleanser enriches your baby’s head hair and delicate skin with vitamins A, C, D and E. The cleanser helps to maintain the skin’s natural moisture. Your baby will love bath time even more with this extra-mild, 100% olive castile soap blended with vitamin-rich organic sunflower oil. Pediatrician-tested and minimally formulated with only 8 ingredients. Certified to the USDA Organic Standard.

(Retails for $10.95)

Green Toys Stacking Cups

Keep that baby busy. Six graduated cups offer dozens of possibilities for bath and play time. Scoop and pour water, build towers by turning upside down, or just sort sizes to nest. The My First Green Toys™ Stacking Cups are colorful and fun, and teach basic arithmetic concepts. Each cup is numbered on the bottom from 1 to 6 and is volumetrically accurate. Fill cups 1 and 2, for example, and it will equal the volume of cup 3. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Perfect for home, classroom, outdoors, or the tub. No BPA, PVC, phthalates, or external coatings. Meets FDA food contact standards. Dishwasher safe, too.

(Retails for $10.99)

Discovery’s Amazing Earth

Amazing Earth takes viewers on a visual journey, exploring places never before seen while offering experiences one can only imagine. Travel to the highest peaks on the planet and crawl into caves and terrain that no human has ever tread. Meet the visionaries and pioneers who work to save the planet and shape a better future as they bring to light the extremes the future could hold, from a vanishing rainforest to the devastating effects of a powerful hurricane. This DVD has a total run time of 215 minutes. Street date: February 21, 2012.

(Retails for $14.98)

Mini Organics Nipple Balm

Ouch, breastfeeding. Good for baby, but sometimes hard on Mom. This award-winning Soothing Nipple Balm is a rich emollient blend of the finest certified organic shea and cocoa butters, olive and evening primrose oils. It is enriched with vitamin E and calendula, both known for their anti-inflammatory and healing properties. MiniOrganics Soothing Nipple Balm has an incredibly low melting point so it’s super-easy to apply to tender, dry, or cracked nipples. This product is certified organic to food grade standards, so there is no need to remove it prior to feeding.

(Retails for $32.95)

Mimi the Sardine Blue Dot Pencil Case

Mimi the Sardine’s adorable pencil cases are lined inside to make them extremely practical – go beyond pencils and throw makeup, toiletries, art supplies, electronics, toys, or snacks in them and take them on the go! The organic coated cotton is machine-washable and supple enough to pack flat, roll up, or carry around. All Mimi the Sardine products are made in the San Francisco Bay Area. Size: 5 x 9″

(Retail value: $10)

Mini Organics Pregnancy Essentials Nourishing Body Oil

Condition and support your skin from the fourth month of pregnancy on with this luxurious, award-winning Pregnancy Essentials Nourishing Body Oil.

The unique blend of Certified Organic antioxidant-rich Camellia Tea, Avocado, Jojoba and Rosehip oils combined with a delicious infusion of safe essential oils, all known for their soothing, rejuvenating and restorative properties, will promote elasticity and keeps pregnant skin soft and supple – and can even help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

(Retails for $55.95)

Modern-Twist’s Kidz Box: Monster + 6 Dry-Erase Markers

Collaborating with unique talents from the independent art scene, Modern-twist brings art to even the littlest table. Made from silky food-grade, hand silk-screened silicone, the mats won’t crease or rip. The mats are ideal for travel and mealtime activities. The kid’s placemats feature creative, playful designs that will amuse and inspire little tikes. For parents who live a design-inspired lifestyle, the simple, clean style provides optimal functionality with a minimalist aesthetic. Nurturing the inner artist in every child, the mats are doodle-friendly with the use of washable or dry erase markers – save paper/save trees, just clean off with a damp cloth or rinse. Color again and again.

Kids Box: Includes Storage/gift box + 1 mat + 6 non toxic dry-erase markers. Made from recycled and recyclable packaging.

(Retails for $21.00)

Pink Lotus HankyBook

Think Baby Safe Sunscreen

At thinkbaby, providing safe baby products by identifying consumer product categories with known human health issues is mission #1. Thinkbaby looks at products that contain high levels of hormone disruptors and carcinogens, then work with leading scientists worldwide to create safe alternatives.

Not only are ingredients in conventional sunscreen able to interact with skin, but data shows that some conventional sunscreen chemicals can reach the bloodstream in under 30 seconds. Most folks utilize sunscreen to reduce the chance of getting cancer. Why  apply something that may actually increase this risk? Enter thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen.

(Retails for $15.99)

VivaTerra Woolly Night Owl

This wise, cuddly owl will become your baby’s favorite. Hand-spun and hand-knitted by women in rural Kenya, this plump, huggable owl is dyed with plants grown in the women’s gardens. The money they earn pays for glasses when it was discovered that some women were knitting inches away from their eyes because they couldn’t see correctly. Now they see a prosperous future before them and their children, thanks to the program that enables them to create these adorable wool owls.

(Retails for $79)

Wean Green Carrot Wean Tubs

Wean Green is a Canadian company dedicated to providing parents with safe and environmental baby products that fit into every parent’s diaper bag. They love researching environmentally friendly, modern, and unique baby products and also love it when their diaper bags match their shoes! With this in mind, they created a company devoted to combining eco and chic in all of their products to make it possible for parents to choose environmental products without sacrificing style. With their colourful selection of silicone-sealed lids, these tempered glass containers grow with your baby, too. Their Wean Cubes are designed for many secondary uses, including keeping cereal from spilling all over your purse!

(Retails for $10.99)

Weleda Pomegranate Body Wash

Rick in antioxidants, this Pomegranate Body Wash helps retain moisture and inspires the senses. Tired and faded skin is revitalized by this creamy natural body wash for aging skin. Our Pomegranate Body Wash is an invigorating bath and shower lather that is free from synthetic detergents, and that gently cleanses your skin without stripping it of moisture.

(Retails for $18.00)

Zoe Organics: Baby Massage Oil

Infant massage is a lovely way to bond with your baby. This calming blend of nutrient-rich oils is a perfect way to moisturize baby’s delicate skin and welcome sweet dreams.

Gently massage into baby’s skin. For best results, use after a bath to keep skin soft and hydrated. Also effective as a calming bedtime routine.

Zoe means “life,” and Zoe Organics’ mission is to celebrate and protect the lives of children, family, community and planet by using only the most pure, organic ingredients because they believe in the necessity of eliminating toxins from our bodies and the environment. They also believe that green living doesn’t require that we compromise quality or aesthetics. Zoe Organics practices fair trade and social responsibility, with the goal of enhancing lives in every community.

(Retails for $16.00)

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The post January Mom + Baby Box: I Heart Mom & Mom Hearts Me Edition appeared first on EcoSalon.

It was that time of the year again – dermatologist time – when I head off to UCLA to visit Dr. Joan Wu. I adore Dr. Wu. Seriously, in the history of favorite doctors, she ranks right up there with Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Whatever Dr. Wu tells me to do, I usually run right out and do it. (Good thing she’s not a cult leader, right?) So when Dr. Wu gave me samples of Aquaphor Healing Ointment for super dry skin, I took them. Yes, they weren’t green or eco-friendly, but I knew they would work.

And so they did – within days, dry patches were clearing up. However, my health conscience was not. This product is petroleum-based and filled to the brim with unnatural ingredients. So what’s a green girl with dry, patchy skin to do? I thought about calling Dr. Quinn. Then I decided to consult the green world o’ beauty.

Luckily, I was able to find an extremely hydrating product without quite so many synthetic chemicals. Weleda’s Skin Food provides extreme moisture. It has a light, floral smell and leaves a wee residue on your skin. It gives great hydration, and it worked really well on my driest skin. I’d recommend it for use on hands, feet and elbows.

But how natural is it? It gets a Skin Deep rating of 6, mostly because it contains fragrance and coumarin. But it does boast an abundance of organic essential oils derived from organic pansy, chamomile and biodynamic calendula.

Weleda offers up 2.5-ounces of this product at $17.50. They practice biodynamic farming methods, which means their products are chemical and pesticide-free. And they have a fair trade business policy! You can find Weleda’s Skin Food here.

FTC Compliance

Image: Posh Little

The post Weleda’s Dry Skin Food for Thought appeared first on EcoSalon.