Costa Brazil - the secrets of firm and younger looking skin from the heart of the Amazon
Costa Brazil is a sustainable beauty line created by former Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa and built on the simple belief that the spirit of beauty is inseparable from the health of the earth.
The importance of protecting the environment is deeply ingrained in Francisco Costa, who was born and raised in Brazil. Throughout his expansive career in international fashion houses, he continually proved that beautiful design can be created in a smart, sustainable way.
In 2016, he returned to his homeland to explore the natural wonders of the Amazon rainforest. There, he discovered local healing rituals and the untapped wealth of curative native ingredients, and saw first-hand the urgent need for conservation. The result is Costa Brazil, which combines the raw power of the natural world with Costa’s unparalleled eye for beauty in a concerted effort to nourish the body, as well as the earth.
The rainforest welcomes you. There is a force there that navigates you. I call it clarity.
Words by Francisco Costa
I had actually never been to the Amazon before. It was something I always wanted to do, but at the same time the idea intimidated me. I thought I'd feel like an intrusive tourist in a land so sacred. But the truth is, the rainforest welcomes you. There is a force there that navigates you. I call it clarity.
I landed in Acre, an isolated Brazilian state which borders Peru on the northwest coast of the Amazon. It’s a very spiritual area with hieroglyphics everywhere. From there, I drove five hours and then embarked on a six-and-half-hour boat ride along the Gregório River. I was overwhelmed by a mixture of exhaustion, wonder and excitement, as I headed to finally meet the members of Yawanawá tribe. Once there, the first thing I experienced was the thick fragrant smoke of Breu resin, which is considered sacred by the Yawanawá for its abilities to calm the mind and spirit. It was magical.
BEAUTY THAT GIVES BACK
Conscious sustainability is the foundation upon which Costa Brazil is built. We are devoted to changing the fundamental tenets of the beauty industry by creating clean, sustainable products that encourage and assist people to become more proactive in the fight against climate change. Our line is produced through a thoughtful, and selective process that promotes restoration and preservation.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Costa Brazil is a committed partner to Conservation International, working closely with the organization to follow best production practices. Conservation International helps us to identify and utilize existing farm lands and offer empowering alternative opportunities to comunidades ribeirinhas (river-side agricultural communities) previously burdened with growing conflict crops. It isn’t enough to simply benefit from the earth’s nourishing natural ingredients. Costa Brazil has a deep responsibility to positively impact the environment and strives to employ sustainable strategies in all aspects, where possible from procurement to production to packaging.
METHODS
With every step in our production method we remain committed to sustainability and naturality. Whenever possible our ingredients are wild-harvested. Our suppliers are chosen based on their sustainability credentials, fair trade practices, and how they work with local communities to harvest ingredients in a manner that benefits both nature and people.
PACKAGING
Costa Brazil strives to use sustainable, recycled, and biodegradable materials whenever possible. Our boxes are made from FSC-certified paper, which has been sourced in an environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible manner.
