…Look no further than International Orange Organic Body Products. Based out of a San Francisco spa by the same name, the company is completely devoted to the production of quality, completely pure products. According to the company’s informational pamphlet, “Each product is made with certified organic, wild-crafted or biodynamically grown ingredients of the highest integrity and are sourced from the finest available growers. All vegetable oils and butters are fair trade.” Although I do not exclusively use all-natural beauty products, these are certainly effective products for anyone who wants only the finest and purest ingredients.
What is the advantage to organic fair-trade products?
Advocates of organic, fair-trade products often cite the following reasons:
- Organic farming has been demonstrated to be more environmentally friendly than mass-production chemical farming practices. According to the company’s brochure, organic farming relies instead on “crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, and mechanical cultivation” rather than “synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetic modifications via plant regulators, and without ionizing radiation or additives.”
- Fair trade offers higher compensation to workers from countries with lower economic status. Though it is not without criticism, proponents like the advantages it grants to impoverished workers over time.
At any rate, if you are a fan of organic, fair-trade beauty products, International Orange Organic Body Products are among the best. There is, however, no proven scientific or anti-allergic basis for the use of all-natural products.
My favorite: International Orange Body Oil
International Orange Body Oil ($45.00, Internationalorange.com) contains an infusion of antioxidants from organic sources; namely, green tea and grapeseed. Green tea is an excellent ingredient for the skin that exhibits many beneficial effects for the skin, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, photoprotective, matrix metalloproteinase-inhibiting and redness-relieving properties. Although I have read reports that the non-organic Topix Replenix is the only cream with enough polyphenols from green tea to demonstrate the full effects of green tea, if you are looking for an organic source of green tea, International Orange Body Oil is as good as any other organic source I have read about.
Products are richly scented, light, and softening
All of the International Orange products I have tried are richly scented. According to the company brochure, the scents are a blend of “exotic ceremonial flowers, uplifting citruses, and healing herbs.” In my opinion, they cannot be worn with other perfume, so they might be best used alone. All of the products, whether for hair or skin, are richly scented, light, drink in quickly, and leave hair feeling smooth and soft, while the skin feels cool and soft.  A full list of products is available here.
Overall opinions…
If you like organic beauty products and enjoy rich natural scents, then you should love International Orange products. All ingredients are organic, vegetable sources are free-trade, and all farming practices are biodynamic (organically farmed, using an ecological and sustainable system).
For more information about International Orange, including the spa and 10-day wellness practice, please visit the International Orange site here.