I’m thrilled to tell you about a hair, skin, and body care brand that values people and the planet. Organic Savanna is social enterprise based in Kenya that empowers local women and their families through job creation, education programs, and vocational training. They use locally grown, organic ingredients to produce handmade products that benefit the local community at every stage of production.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, but it features gifted products from Organic Savanna. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kenya, and Africa in general, is rich with natural resources. Often, raw materials are exported from the continent and turned into finished products by Western companies, which means that the jobs, and the profits, go to other countries. But Organic Savanna founder, Luke Kincaid, decided to do things differently. After visiting Kenya on vacation, he fell in love with the country and wanted to find a way support rural communities there. He created Organic Savanna as a way to create jobs and empower Kenyan women.

Organic Savanna’s story resonates with me personally since I worked at a nonprofit women’s health organization in Uganda after graduate school. I saw first-hand how much need exists in the rural areas of East Africa, and I also saw how access to safe, stable jobs for women can impact families and lift up entire communities. Organic Savanna is undoubtedly making a difference in the lives of the women who make their products, and it makes me proud to spread the word about the work they do.

Oh, and did I mention they also have high-quality, beautifully packaged products? Organic Savanna very kindly sent me a few items from their collection to try out. Here’s what I thought of each of them.

Baobab Lip Balm

First of all, this balm has a really cool origin story. You know those massive, upside-down-looking trees, like in The Lion King? These are African Baobab trees, also known as the “tree of life.” The fruit this tree produces are one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world, so Organic Savanna decided to create a lip balm made from Baobab oil, which is similarly rich in vitamins and Omega fatty acids. This lip balm has a smooth, silky texture and feels super nourishing. I used to shy away from lip balms that come in a pot, rather than a tube, so I could avoid using my finger to apply it, but the reusable pot that this balm comes in is so much more sustainable than a plastic tube! Taking into account the packaging, scent, texture, and overall effectiveness, this is genuinely one of the best lip balms I’ve ever used!

Aloe + Avocado Soap

Organic Savanna’s soap bars are made from aloe vera grown on site at their community farm in Kenya. This soap produces a rich creamy lather and smells amazing! I was blown away by the fact that it never dries out my hands, no matter how often I wash them (which is a lot). Since it’s so moisturizing, I also found that it’s great for use in the shower, and even for shaving.

Soy Eucalyptus Candle

Finally, I tried out one of Organic Savanna’s hand-poured soy candles. I love that they are made from soy wax and essential oils, rather than paraffin and artificial fragrance like most candles. The Eucalyptus candle in particular has a relaxing scent that reminds me of summertime. And better still, these candles come in upcycled glass bottles, collected from the streets of Nairobi and nearby landfills. As someone who is constantly striving to reduce waste, I absolutely love this. After burning the candle, you can also repurpose the candleholder as a drinking glass.

There is so much to love about Organic Savanna. They are doing absolutely everything right when it comes to producing high-quality, low-waste, vegan, and cruelty-free products that empower Kenyan women and their families. In addition to the products mentioned above, they also offer shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face cream, and more. I highly recommend checking out their website, whether you’re looking for a unique gift that just about anyone would appreciate, or if you want to treat yourself and be a force for social good at the same time.

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