Beauty products are designed to make us look and feel better, but there are cosmetics companies out there that go one step further when it comes to helping people. Many brands are joining organisations or launching initiatives to give back to the communities or to donate to charities from the sales of their products. A simple beauty purchase from us can go onto contributing to changing someone's life. This is beauty that gives back without asking for anything in return. So, who is doing what? 1% for the Planet Mission: All together for the planet. 1% for the Planet provides businesses with an opportunity in which they can help drive positive change in the way we treat the world we live in. The organisation believes that every commitment can contribute towards building a more sustainable future. Members of 1% for the Planet commit to giving one percent of their total sales each year to an approved non-profit partner or project. They can choose from a number of pre-approved projects, which can be in any area of concern such as protecting our climate, food, land, water, wildlife or preventing the damage caused by pollution; they can choose a cause that is close to their hearts. Caudalie has committed to using their donations to support many projects around the world. This list highlights how important initiatives such as 1% for the Planet are: They partnered with WWF (World Wildlife Federation) in 2012 and so far have helped with the following: To restore 2,000 hectares of the forest ecosystem in Yunnan, China. In 2016, 350,000 new plants will grow to rehabilitate damaged plots of land and soil, with a goal to have 1,500,000 new trees planted by 2018. Combat deforestation in Indonesia. Their contribution to the Tesso Nilo Project, 2012-2015, in Indonesia, helped protect 52,000 hectares of primary forest, create 1,000 hectares of sustainable palm plantations and preserve wildlife corridors necessary to protect endangered elephants, orang-utans and Sumatran tigers. Protect local wildlife in Oaxaca, Mexico. By 2018 they aim to restore 335 hectares of forest plantation by planting approximately 300,000 native trees and plants each year. They also want to help support the farming and ranching practises in the area, and support ten rural communities so they can benefit from the eco-systems provided by the forest. Caudalie not only partner with WWF but they're also involved with other projects around the world: They partnered with Nordesta to support the efforts to plant 300,000 native trees in the northeast of Brazil by the end of 2016. They support 'Pur Projects' in an attempt to plant 2,000,000 plants of diverse species in the Peruvian Amazon by 2020. Since 2015, Caudalie has supported the National Forest Foundation in a vast programme of reforestation in The United States' largest national parks. In 2015 alone they achieved 80,000 trees planted in Chippewa Pine National Forest, Minnesota, USA. Caudalie is not just in the tree-planting business, they support disadvantaged mothers, young adults and children in Hanoi, Vietnam and Bangkok, Thailand, by offering them better access to education and support for the development of economic activity through 1% for the Planet. They're also supporting the Kid's Home Association in Chaing Mai, Thailand, and helping young people in difficulty in France through digital technology and athletic activities. Caudalie's contribution is just a small part of the work and projects supported by 1% for the Planet. They have 100's of brands from around the world as members, and there has been more than $145 million donated since they started their organisation in 2002. Other companies which are part of 1% for the Planet include Alima Pure, who have been giving 1% of their sales since their first year of business to grassroots environmental groups. Pukka also signed up in 2016, and are currently the UK's largest contributing recruit to date. Social Enterprises Some brands will have particular issues or communities they want to help directly, and they do this by providing support to the communities which harvest and source the brand's key ingredients. Two of our brands which do this are Aduna and Kahina. Aduna Mission: Supporting small-scale producers Aduna is not just a health food brand; they are a social business. They want to bring the vitality of Africa's ancient ingredients while creating sustainable livelihoods for small-scale producers. They source their ingredients directly from farmers in rural Africa, creating steady incomes for people living in some of the poorest parts of the continent. Their work ensures fair pricing and treatment is given to the men and women in the communities who harvest their ingredients, notably Baobab, Moringa and Cacao. Through their baobab supply chain, they work with 700 women from 13 communities in Upper East Ghana, who are benefiting from a steady income, which is inevitably life changing. Kahina - Giving Beauty Mission: To provide the highest quality skin and body care products while preserving, protecting and enhancing the resources (natural, human and cultural) behind the brand. Kahina works in close cooperation with cooperatives and local non-government organisations in the south-west of Morocco to support the hardworking Berber women who inhabit the argan forest there. They are responsible for extracting argan oil which is used in the cosmetics industry, which is their only means of financial and social stability. Kahina donates 1% of their annual revenue to organisations that benefit these women and their families. A couple of these bodies are Education For All, which provides safe boarding homes for girls who travel to the city to continue their education. They also work with High Atlas Foundation who raise money for some regional initiatives delivering clean drinking water to remote villages in the High Atlas Mountains. Fairtrade & Fairwild Fairtrade and Fairwild initiatives ensure that farmers are paid and treated fairly for the work they do. Pukka are real advocates in promoting the benefits which can come from Fairtrade and Fairwild partnerships. Some of the key features which are ensured by both standards include: A premium price (which is then invested back into the community to whoever they decide needs the help) Labour rights Fair contractual relationships No child labour or discrimination between gender, caste, or race. Fair and safe working conditions. Pukka expected to use about 105 tonnes of FairWild certified liquorice which comes from projects in Spain and Kazakhstan in 2016 alone. Both of these countries can have harsh, hot working conditions so the workers there wanted to invest some of their premiums into buying caravans they can use to seek shade and have a rest during their break. The work Pukka do with Fairtrade and Fairwild ensure that this kind of request can be acted upon. More beauty that gives back... Juice Beauty - They set aside funds every year to donate to the Breast Cancer Fund and EWG (Environmental Working Group, a non-profit environmental organisation researching toxic chemicals). Both of these organisations provide thorough information and well-thought out research for consumers pointing out the unnecessary inclusion of chemicals in beauty products. Rahua - Founders Fabian Lliguin and Anna Ayres have created a new cosmetic category, known as Symbiotic®. You will find this term on products which contain 100% plant-derived and organic ingredients, harvested from a virgin forest or rainforest by indigenous people using traditional methods. The ingredients are then purchased at a fair price to help build economies and empower the indigenous population. Skin & Tonic - The British brand certainly does some fantastic work when it comes to giving back. 10% of their profits go to Charity Water (a charity committed to bringing clean and safe water to every person on the planet), they support small, local producers in the UK and France and they also support Fairtrade women's co-operatives in Ghana & in Sri-Lanka. These brands are a real inspiration and next time you pick up one of their products, you know it does not only help you, but you will also be contributing to helping others all over the world. Discover more beauty that gives back: Naturisimo
