13 Fair-Trade Beauty Buys From Around The Globe
In the beauty world, there’s an undeniable (and long overdue) movement toward vegan and cruelty-free products that protect our fuzzy friends. And, recently, we’re also seeing massive strides in protecting those who produce goods as well — through the implementation of fair trade practices.
“Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade,” explains Michele Loeper, marketing manager of Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit organization that sells exclusively fair trade merchandise. [Fair trade] contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers.“
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In other words, when you make the conscious decision to buy fair trade, you’re supporting people around the world and campaigning for change. "It shows how a successful business can also put people first and is a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change, and economic crisis,” adds Loeper. Interested? Ahead, find 13 fair-trade beauty products we’re loving right now.
A travel-friendly, multitasking product is always a winner in our book. The fact that it also contains fair trade shea butter and a mixture of organic cocoa butter and olive oil means we’re definitely sold. This all-purpose balm can be used anywhere you have dry spots, including your elbows, feet, cuticles, and lips — or even on your hairline to tame flyaways. Plus, it’s scented with cardamom and grapefruit for an instant pick-me-up.
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Etta + Billie Grapefruit Cardamom Skin Balm, $11, available at Rodales.
The Body Shop sells numerous products utilizing fair trade ingredients, including its popular line of Honeymania products — which includes this shower gel, a body mist, and a moisturizing butter. Each product contains Community Fair Trade honey that’s sourced from the nectar of wildflowers. The hives are made from handcrafted bamboo and hung in the forests of Ethiopia. And, yes, the rich, silky formula feels as luxurious as it sounds.
The Body Shop Honeymania Shower Gel, $5.40, available at The Body Shop.
This body care kit is made by two different workshops in India. Artisans from Palam Rural in Tamil Nadu make the soap while the handcrafted palm leaf baskets are woven at the center for Community Action for Social Transformation (CAST), an organization that provides employment and healthcare to women affected by HIV and AIDS. The kit contains two silky soaps and a natural fiber scrubber housed in a basket — and makes for a near-perfect housewarming gift, don’t you think?
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Ten Thousand Villages Beautiful Body Care Kit, $18, Available at Ten Thousand Villages.
A few spritzes of this mist instantly moisturizes, minimizes the appearance of pores, and adds Cate Blanchett level radiance. The formula contains organic aloe vera to soften, willow and Aspen bark to tone, and organic white tea extract to protect the skin from free radicals. Kahina Giving Beauty works with women’s cooperatives in Morocco.
Kahina Giving Beauty Toning Mist, $46, available at Kahina Giving Beauty.
Another great multitasker, this mess-free roller-ball contains organic, fair trade Argan oil and organic rose hip oil. It can be used anywhere on the body that needs a kick of moisture. We especially love using it on our split ends and on the sensitive skin under our eyes.
Emtage Beauty Argan Rose Hip Rollerball, $15, available at Emtage Beauty.
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The blue lotus in this mask (sourced from India) coddles skin with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, while the green and white clays deeply cleanse to wash away impurities. Cool fact: Amala reinvests five% of its profits back into its fair trade farm network.
Amala Purifying Clay Mask, $64, available at Amala Beauty.
This sheer lip color made by Acure Organics (licensees of TransFair USA) contains moisturizing argan oil, echinacea, and flower extracts. Together, they soften lips while imparting a subtle berry tint.
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Acure Organics Lip Lush in Lexie Schmexy, $5.99, available at Acure Organics.
Organic shea butter, the hero ingredient in this super-rich hand cream, penetrates deeply to soften cracked hands. Even better? Out of Africa works closely with women’s cooperatives in Benin, West Africa to provide income, health benefits, and education to the community.
Out of Africa Olive Shea Butter Hand Cream, $13.99, available at Out Of Africa.
This all-natural, rose-scented hair serum is made from organic, cold-pressed argan oil sourced from a Moroccon fair-trade cooperative. It’s free of parabens and synthetics — and the lightweight formula absorbs into hair quickly, making it feel silky without weighing it down.
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Zweena Argan Rose Lustrous Hair Elixer, $48, available at Rodales.
A household favorite, Dr. Bronner’s is a safe bet if you’re looking for a quality body lotion. This one, scented with patchouli and lime, is certified both organic and fair trade. It contains jojoba and coconut oils for intensive moisturizing, as well as organic hemp and avocado oils to keep skin supple.
Dr. Bronner’s Fair Trade Organic Lotion in Patchouli Lime, $10.99, available at Wild Mind Shop.
Nubian Heritage not only uses certified organic and natural ingredients, but the shea butter used in all their goods (like this soap) is ethically sourced from women’s co-ops in Northern Ghana. The bar also contains cocoa butter, vitamin E, soy milk, and an earthy blend of frankincense, myrrh, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper. It’s a headier scent, but we love it for the colder, winter months.
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Nubian Heritage Raw Shea Butter Bar Soap, $4.99, available at NubianHeritage.
Comprised of fair trade and organic white cane sugar and pink Himalayan salt, this body scrub sloughs away dead skin while moisturizing it with organic virgin coconut oil. It also contains energizing grapefruit and peppermint essential oils. Trust us, after using it, you’ll look (and smell) like you just left the spa.
Revival Body Care Grapefruit and Mint Body Scrub, $19.95, available at RevivalBodyCare.com.
Vanillary perfume is a cult favorite and one of Lush’s biggest hits. Compared to other vanilla perfume out there, this one boasts a very authentic vanilla bean smell — thanks to the ethically-sourced vanilla beans, which are blended with tonka and jasmine. We love wearing it alone or to layer multiple scents.
Lush Vanillary, $16.95, available at Lush.
By Wendy Rose Gould
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