Brazilian-born beauty: Costa Brazil
Sustainability is no longer an afterthought in the beauty industry and Francisco Costa’s highly anticipated sustainable skincare range Costa Brazil, is proving that sustainable beauty can be considered and chic
Brazilian born Francisco Costa is something of a disruptor. Having nurtured the brand Calvin Klein through countless runway shows, collections and an incredibly successful re-design, Costa has now welded his hand to an unlikely beauty passion project born out of his native Brazil. And it has quickly made Costa something of a sustainability pioneer.
Featuring a selection of skincare and wellness products including face and body oils, a candle, incense and the latest addition to the range a body cream, Costa Brazil marries rainforest-sourced Amazonian ingredients with beautifully chic biodegradable and sustainable packaging. And the natural ingredients used are also pretty impressive. For Costa, sourcing his ingredients started with a trip to the east coast of the Amazon and an encounter with three very special native raw materials: breu, kaya and cacay.
“We’re very responsible when it comes to sourcing and making sure our profits will go back to support the community that harvests the ingredients
”Francisco Costa
And they do more than just hydrate. This is an intelligent trifecta of ingredients from the exclusive mineral-rich Kaya to the antioxidant-packed Cacay, and the soothing Breu Resin, the fragrant resin from the Almacega tree that has been used by local tribes to repel mosquitoes and heal cuts thanks to its antioxidant properties. This vitamin-rich Jungle Complex helps improve the appearance of skin tone, firmness, and texture while adding skin nourishing lipids. With a holistic approach running throughout the range, Costa Brazil uses elements that not only are beneficial to the body but also the spirit, too. The aroma of breu, according to Costa, opens the sixth chakra or the third eye, the center of intuition.
The sustainable message is not just surface based – it’s roots run deep into the Amazon, supporting the local cooperatives and scientists whom Costa works alongside with. Costa Brazil also partners with Conservation International to ensure best practice for sourcing the precious Amazonian ingredients, while also working hand-in-hand with the communities indigenous to the area. Since the launch of costa Brazil, some 6000 trees have been planted in the rainforest.
Using ingredients that are not only organic but are also harvested at certain times of the year, Costa Brazil works with the natural cycle of the rainforest. “The whole spirit of the brand is eco-responsible. We're very responsible when it comes to sourcing and through our partnerships with local producers and Conservation International we are supporting communities and the ecosystem,” explains Costa.
“Costa Brazil marries rainforest-sourced Amazonian ingredients with beautifully chic biodegradable and sustainable packaging
”
And it’s the quality of the ingredients that make using Costa Brazil a real delight. The two lightweight, silky oils – one for the face (Kaya Anti-Aging Oil), another for the body (Kaya Jungle Firming Jungle Oil) – include a blend of the hero ingredient breu and are both packed full of antioxidant-rich oils and hydrating butters to smooth and firm the body and soften fine lines on the face. And with the new body cream expect beautiful textures and hydrators. The rich aloe leaf juice-based body cream is a potent mix of vitamins, omegas and anti-oxidants and with daily use skin is left brighter, tighter and with the clearest of skin finishes.
For a real sensory moment, Resina De Breu – raw pieces of breu resin housed in a beautiful caddy – is a great alternative to incense or smudging, but still has all of the benefits: the woodsy aroma of the resin purifies and balances a room’s ambience; burning the Jungle Candle, meanwhile, helps to alleviate stress and calm the mind