Africa Organics

Africa Organics is a 100% natural bath and body line accredited by EcoCert that uses powerful, natural and organic raw materials from Africa.

The brand is endorsed by Phytotrade Africa, a visionary Fair Trade initiative promoting community projects in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, also by 'Beauty without Cruelty' (PETA) and the 'Vegan Society'.

The line is free from harmful chemicals including parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, silicones, animal raw materials, ethoxylated or PEG raw materials, propylene glycol and other raw materials that are red-flagged according to the Ecocert standard.

During the formulation of Africa Organics, the Ecocert and COSMOS standards were used with which the own ethical values ​​were combined. We looked at data on biodegradability and skin sensitivity and also the production processes of all ingredients.

Of course it would be less fun if Africa Organics did not try to develop something groundbreaking: a 100% natural origin of the raw materials of all products, including hair care. Certified Organic spoke for itself. Furthermore, a minimum of 5% of the raw materials had to come from Fair Trade in order to actually contribute to the communities of Africa. All raw materials that would not be suitable for sensitive skin have cleared the field.

Africa Organics works closely with PhytoTrade Africa. They monitor the sustainability of the wild harvest and ensure that the harvesters are paid fairly and quickly. So every time you buy a product from Africa Organics someone from rural Africa benefits.

Africa Organics Ingredients

This line was created and launched to share the special plants of Africa and their activities with the rest of the world. Almost a quarter of the entire flora on Earth is found in South Africa alone. These plants produce some of the world's most powerful raw materials. The plants and their fruits are harvested wildly, because Africa cannot be tamed! The efficacy of the raw materials of plants and fruits from wild harvest is significantly higher.

When the line was developed we realized we had to think carefully about where the plants came from and how they were harvested. How could we start using Baobab if it takes more than 200 years for the tree to produce fruit in the wild?

Harvesting the fruits of a tree wildly might mean something good for everyone, including the tree. The villagers of the countryside could thus earn a much needed extra income by harvesting and at the same time attach value to the tree and cut the trees less quickly for firewood or bark to weave the bark.

We have discovered that there are really a lot of these trees. Africa is large and there are many open spaces. Currently, only a very small percentage of what would still be sustainable is used.

The surfactants
We have chosen not to use sulfates, although this would significantly lower the cost price. They are very bad for the skin and we saw no benefit whatsoever from switching from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate to Sodium Coco Sulphate. We have chosen glucosides and amino acid based surfactants that are much milder for the skin and quickly biodegradable by the environment.

Conservation
Many options have been investigated that would guarantee our 100% natural composition, but we are convinced of the results of the Human Microbiome Project. The microbes on our skin play an important role in their health, so let's not disturb the natural balance. We chose ethanol as a preservative. It is volatile (so evaporates from the skin), it is natural and it is the perfect choice for sensitive skin. In the past, the perception of ethanol has been that it would be drying and stripping the skin. This could be the case, for example, in a tonic with a 50% concentration but not in the very low doses that Africa Organics uses it in combination with emollient oils to compensate for possible stripping of the skin.

Hair care active ingredients
These were challenging! We tried to match the direct feel of silicone and quaterniums with pure, natural ingredients and the feedback from the test group was not good. After 6 months we stopped and took a moment to distance ourselves from the problem. What do people ultimately want? Healthy hair was our conclusion. The best method to achieve that is by not focusing on the direct effect. The well-known brands strip the hair (with sulfates) and replace the natural oils with synthetic substances. We use mild foaming surfactants that minimally strip your hair's natural oils and then add natural plant oils as a replacement. In short: at least disturb the natural cycle. If you are willing to give the products a chance for two weeks, you will achieve fantastic results if you don't expect to get 'thicker, fuller and smoother' hair immediately.

Emulsifiers
The last 10 years we have our capacity to create stable, low pH emulsions that are quickly degradable by the environment and 100% naturally sharpened and perfected. So our body lotions and conditioners are stabilized at a pH of 5 (the natural pH of the skin) and are ideal for balancing the microbes on our skin and scalp.

Perfume
We only use essential oils and have limited the amount used to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction. 2 to 3 were used per product.

By using Africa Organics, you experience the effectiveness of African natural ingredients without added preservatives, and you help restore the African continent.

All products are quickly and easily degradable by the environment. By using it daily you contribute to a healthy water system that benefits everyone on Earth. Africa Organics is also accredited by Beauty without Cruelty and the South African Vegan Society.

For the purpose of healthier people on a healthier Earth, we do not use synthetic preservatives, synthetic perfumes or synthetic dyes. We are also committed to not using parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, animal raw materials, ethoxylated or PEG raw materials, propylene glycol or other raw materials that have been red-flagged by BDIH and Ecocert standards.

Africa Organics certificates

• Approved by PhytoTrade Africa, a Fair Trade initiative promoting community projects across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Certified organic by Ecocert and classified as 100% natural origin.
• Approved by Beauty Without Cruelty and not tested on animals of course. No raw raw materials are purchased from producers who still test on animals.
• All products are easily biodegradable by the environment and by using these products you contribute to the health of our water system.
• No animal raw materials are used, so all products can be considered 'vegan'. Africa Organics is approved by the Vegan Society of South Africa.