Welcome to the new and improved “Sustainability Spotlight” series, now called “Farm Fresh”. Just like our Spotlight column, we’ll explore the eco-conscious ingredients used in our Reserve and Avant Garden fragrances, but with a greater focus on the sustainability story surrounding our farmers and how we give back. Our promise stays the same. We’re committed to crafting products with the safest ingredients, avoiding anything that may be potentially linked to health or environmental issues (see our No-To list).
First, it’s important to truly understand what “sustainable” means.
Here’s how we define it:
- Responsibly sourced and doesn’t deplete the planet’s natural resources.
- Gives back to the farmers and their communities.
- Maintains a eco-conscious life cycle, from green manufacturing to recyclable packaging.
Meet Copaiba Oil
Deep, sensual Copaiba Oil is at the heart of our RESERVE Skin fragrance. It comes from the resin of tree trunks belonging to the legume family. We partner with a fragrance house that built a program in Brazil, which directly sources from communities in the Amazon, in collaboration will well-known Brazilian non-profits. This has suppressed the long traditional chain of middlemen that otherwise forced a low and irregular income on the tree tappers.
Since these farmers are now paid a fair price, their fragile communities are becoming more stabilized. Also, allowing forest-dependant people to live off of the forest helps keep them there, and provides protection against illegal logging, or the cutting down and transport of trees. This program also provides these farmers with extensive technical training to support the sustainable sourcing of the oil. Both the financial and technical support has increased the communities' overall income by 50-100%.
5 Fun Facts
- Copaiba Oil forms when the balsam or resin from the Brazilian Copaifera reticulata tree is steam distilled.
- Since the 16th century, the oil-resin form has been used in folk medicine for it’s healing powers by indigenous people in north and northeastern Brazil.
- In Panama, people in the tiny town of Yaviza give newborns a blend of honey and Copaiba resin to make them wise and protect against hexes.
- The woody, aromatic scent has also been known to ease anxiety and provide a sense of calm.
- Recent evidence has shown it can act as an anti-inflammatory and even help relieve pain.
