I love Whole Foods. I love them for taking a stern stand on quality products and they only sell products that meet their rigorous standards: “From basic ingredients to farm animal welfare, seafood sustainability, body care, cleaning products and more, trust us to do the research so you can shop with peace of mind.” No hydrogenated fats or artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or even sweeteners will ever be found in any aisle, and that includes the body care section. There are currently 50 ingredients that are common in body care products that are not even allowed in the body care products they sell at Whole Foods.
Despite our country having no mandatory government standards for the “organic” label, Whole Foods sets its own high standards and any body care product claiming organic must have the USDA certification to back it up. What could make you feel even better about Whole Foods and their attention to what they sell? Well, for starters they carefully evaluate each and every product and also encourage their vendors to use plant-based and naturally derived ingredients and they refuse to sell products that have been tested on animals.
I love all of that about them but what I love even more is their celebration of small businesses and their dedication to local brands. They scour the market for locally owned brands everywhere they plant a store and how amazing is that? Nothing wrong with products from all over the planet being sold in stores, but sometimes locally owned businesses (especially small businesses”> can get overlooked, as competing with national brands can be challenging. To be on an even playing field on the shelves of a hugely popular and well-respected retailer like Whole Foods allows locally owned businesses to thrive.
I was eager to learn which locally owned beauty brands were in my Denver Whole Foods, only expecting to see one or even two brands. I was pleasantly surprised to find six between two stores. That was just the beauty brands! I was so excited about my find that I had to dig a little deeper to find out more about these amazing brands.
Amber Bath (Lakewood, CO”>
Elizabeth White is the owner and product-creator for Amber Bath, which makes natural soaps, body scrubs, and body moisturizers form 100% all natural ingredients. They are all made from scratch right down the street from me in Lakewood, CO. They pride themselves on using local ingredients when they can. Elizabeth’s passion for personal well-being and quality-care products drives her to formulate new and unique soaps, lotions, and salves.
Follow Amber Bath on Facebook.
Leaf People Skin Care (Grand Junction, CO”>
Leaf People Skin Care was founded by herbalist Julie Levin in 2004. They use raw, organic ingredients for their products, which are for your face, body and bath. “All ingredients come from farms that practice one or more of the following: organic and/or biodynamic farming, ethical wild harvesting and supporting the fair trade federation.” From cleansers to sunscreens for your face and room and pillow sprays to help lull you to sleep, Leaf People utilizes the Julie’s 10 years of education and experience in herbal medicine.
Follow Leaf People Skin Care on Facebook.
Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care (Henderson, CO”>
Lily Farm Fresh was Colorado’s very first organic skin care company. The owner Lily not only bottles the organic skin care line but actually grows every herb and essential plant for her products on her organic farm in Colorado. The line carries cleansers, moisturizers, toners, masks, lip treatments, and even anti-aging skin care products. Organic skin care is big business, but Lily is in it to help maintain a sustainable healthy planet.’
Follow Lily People Skin Care on Facebook.
Mineral Fusion (Denver, CO”>
This Denver-based company first started out as a mineral cosmetics brand in 2007 but has grown and now also offers shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, body washes, and a full skin care line. They have four simple goals:
- Bring their customers the revitalizing and protecting benefits of minerals like magnesium and copper.
- Leave your skin in better condition than when they found it.
- Creating a product that will contribute a level of social wellbeing
- They are committed to sustainability and utilizing wind power, soy inks, and packaging from recycled materials.
Oh, and if you were wondering, they do have a shampoo and conditioner for curlies!
Follow Mineral Fusion on Facebook.
MyChelle Dermaceuticals (Louisville, CO”>
MyChelle Dermaceuticals started in 2000 and has been obsessed with creating the most effective, nontoxic skin care products ever since. “MyChelle’s progressive 360-degree approach to beauty is to provide clean, conscious and comprehensive skin care products that are bioactive, ethically sourced and formulated with high performance ingredients for superior results and a lifetime of natural, healthy skin.” They create skin care products along with makeup and their scientifically advanced formulas are based on clean, natural bioactives.
Follow MyChelle on Facebook and Instagram.
Tilvee Eco Ethical Skincare (Golden, CO”>
Kristie McNamara is the founder and president of Tilvee, and studied Botany and Organic Chemistry. Her passion about science and therapeutic uses of plants is what keeps her at the forefront of ingredient research to create healthier products for her customer’s bodies and the environment. She creates facial and body care products for adults, children, and babies.
Follow Tilvee on Facebook.
Do you buy local brands at your Whole Foods?
