December 2

The Story of Marula Oil

Today we show you an example of fair trade in which a globally active corporation adresses all three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, ecological and social. It is the story of Marula Oil from Namibia in Southern Africa, which serves to refine many cosmetic products. The Body Shop purchases the oil from indigenous women at a fair price.

Thanks to the tradition to produce Marula oil today more than 4800 indigenous women have an income. They are organized in the women's cooperative Eudafano, entirely owned by the women and also managed by them. With this income the women can support their children or grand children e.g. with school fees and improve their livelihoods considerably.
>> More on other Fair Trade Engagements of The-Body-Shop

How is Marula oil produced? The fruits of the Marula tree are collected and pressed in a traditional manner. The nuts are dried in the sun and cracked. The kernels are separated from the nutshells and pressed. The result is a top quality oil used in hair or skin cosmetics; it can also be consumed e.g. as salad oil.

The Body Shop was the first international enterprise which used Marula oil. Today it is found in almost all its cosmetics. So a costumer may have a double pleasure when applying a cosmetic product: she uses a high quality product and, at the same time, helps 4800 women to get an income.
>> More on the values of The Body Shop.
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