You may have heard there’s a movement this holiday season to give to charities in the names of your family and friends, especially since the election and its aftermath. But what if you have the kind of relatives or friends who would be disappointed not to get an actual, physical gift? Or maybe you don’t want to show up empty-handed, or to look like you didn’t put much thought into gift-giving this year.
Problem solved. You really can have—or give—it all. We tracked down three amazing companies, all of which make gorgeous, healthy, green beauty products that give back generously to their communities. Your relatives and friends will be impressed with your thoughtfulness, your social consciousness, and, best of all, your fabulous taste in presents.
True Moringa
The brand: Founded by two, then-students from Boston, this luxurious brand is involved in every step of the process that gets pure, organic moringa oil from the farm to your skin. Moisturizing, antioxident-rich moringa oil minimizes scars, soothes all complexions, and reduces signs of aging. True Moringa makes scrubs, oils, butters, and toners guaranteed to give you the best skin of your life.
__The mission:__True Moringa works with 2,000 small farming families throughout Ghana to provide nutrition and agricultural training and financing to launch moringa farms, which provide both a healthy food source (the nutrient-rich leaves) and a source of income (the oil-rich seeds that TM turns into moringa oil). They manage the entire supply chain, from farm to skin. To date, True Moringa has planted 250,000 trees and increased the farmers' incomes ten times over. They are currently in the process of planting the largest organic certified moringa farm in Africa. Check out the full line here.
Our recommendations: True Moringa’s Ultra Light Whipped Body Butter will change your life, your skin, and, of course, the world. Suitable for men, women, and children, this is an easy gift for anyone on your list. The Universal Cure Balm is another great unisex option, and these all-purpose body oils work from hair to face to toes and come in several delightful scents.
Maya Chia
The brand: Maya Chia uses a patented process called “supercritical extraction” to procure the purest chia oil. This antioxidant-rich and nutrient-dense oil is known to deeply moisturize skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and leave skin looking radiant. Oh, and every single product in the line smells amazing. The brand is free from harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, and colorants, and is made in the USA.
The mission: Founder Susanne Norwitz recognizes that the chia seed, and the amazing oil it produces, is only one of many amazing contributions from the “Maya people of Central and South America who gave so much to us for thousands of years,” and she is committed to giving back. Maya Chia donates a portion of their net profits to charitable organizations that help build schools and farms for the Maya people.
Our recommendations: The perfect gift from this line is the affordable and incredible-smelling Supercritical Chia Waterless Wonder Balm. From lips to cuticles, this balm is can’t-live-without-it great. The new Super Blend Pressed Serum Brightening Moisture Concentrate is a rich and effective serum that sinks in easily and contains tons of good-for-you ingredients, while the Super Couple is an ultra luxe face oil/serum hybrid that works miracles while you sleep or under makeup.
Find even more holiday gift guides:
- Gift Guide 2016: Best Travel Gifts for the Wanderluster in Your Life
- The Ultimate Under-$50 Beauty Gift Guide
- The Best Beauty Gifts to Give This Year, According to Our Beauty Director
Au Naturale Cosmetics
The brand: Not only are these foundations, blushes, and lipsticks top notch and made of organic materials, but the founder of this Made-in-Wisconsin brand, Ashley Prange, has also been instrumental in lobbying congress to make better laws regarding the use of safe ingredients in cosmetics in the U.S.
The mission: A little background—compared to the EU, where over 1,400 ingredients are banned from cosmetics and personal care products, the United States has banned about 10. Also, there’s no regulation in place to define who can call a product “organic” or “natural,” leading to a lot of misinformation and “green washing.” Au Naturale’s mission is to not only create gorgeous, non-toxic, eco-friendly makeup, but to also help make that the norm for more people in the future.
Our recommendations: I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t look great in Au Naturale’s Lipstick in Spanish Rose. Perfect for winter, it’s a deep, plummy red, and since it’s made with nourishing oils and free of parabens, animal by-products, toxins, and gluten, it’s a good gift for every woman in your office, family, or life. Plus, you’ll feel great knowing you’re supporting a brand that’s making the world a safer place. Get it as part of the Holiday Lipstick Trio or the Naughty or Nice Lip Trio with a matching gloss and pencil.
Honorable MentionsA few more companies doing great things with green beauty:
For any friends or family who are breast cancer survivors: Violets Are Blue Skincare provides skin care for women undergoing treatment at Mount Sinai in New York City. Each woman is given a donated package on her first day of chemo.
For your uncle who is a proud Veteran: SKINCANDO has been making “COMBAT-READY” products and sending Care Kits to the Troops for 15 years.
For your tree-hugger cousins: Eco Diva Beauty donates to a fund of your choice on every purchase you make. Choose between the Global Fund for Women, Nature Conservancy, Sea Shephard Conservation Society, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
For your best friend who loves luxury: Pour Le Monde makes three gorgeous 100 percent natural fragrance, each of which benefits a different charity. The fragrances are named based on the mission of each charity.
Watch the "World's Ugliest Woman" talk about what beauty means to her:
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