May 7th, 2011 
Eryn 
This contest is now closed! Congrats to Jamie C!
One of our favorite things about this project is the the fact that we get to meet so many amazing, dedicated people who are really and truly committed to making a difference in whatever way they can. And among those people is a woman named Melanie Martin, who, along with her husband Haskell, founded a wonderful company called mōksa organics.
I’ve written before a bit about my personal search for natural personal care products. Years ago, I started having health problems, and that- coupled with the fact that motherhood tends to make you hyper-aware of what you are putting in your body, and your childrens bodies- prompted me to start really looking at what was in the hundreds of products I come in contact with on a daily basis. Of course, replacing everything you have with safer, more natural options is a daunting task, and can be overwhelming to the point that some may just give up, or not even try. To prevent this, I made a deal with myself. I set a goal. Every year, I would replace twelve products that we use with safer, more eco-friendly, natural options. I took my time, and though I am still working on it, I am, little by little, making a difference, and lowering the amount of toxins and chemicals we are exposed to.
Finding products that were truly better was a challenge though. The more I researched, the more I realized how tricky it actually was to figure out what products were actually truly better for you. I discovered that the label of “Natural” turned out to be meaningless, with no regulation behind it. Figuring it out takes some effort, and unfortunately, many companies jumped on the “green” bandwagon and started touting their new, natural products that really weren’t. So, when I discovered mōksa, and started researching them, I was completely, totally blown away by what I discovered.
I reached out to them and the owners generously sent us a lovely package containing the products below so that we could get a feel for their work.
(We’ve added ingredient information courtesy of the mōksa website. Click on the pictures to be taken directly to the product page.)
Lavender Avignon Organic Body Bar
“An aromatic blend of lavender and vanilla, this soap makes an ordinary bath luxurious. It is made without palm oil (which is one of the world’s leading causes of deforestation). You feel relaxed and at ease after every bath!”
Simply Unscented Body Butter
“Perfect for those who want to keep it simple: no smells, no chemicals, no artificial ingredients. just 6oz of pure organic goodness. Made with fair-trade, organic shea butter, organic sweet almond oil, organic jojoba oil, our blend of pure essential oils, and organic arrowroot powder.”
Organic Lavender Bergamot Body Oil
The Good:
All Ingredients are Natural, Organic and Fair Trade
…Wherever possible. The more I learn about mōksa and the people behind it, the more amazed I became. Every aspect of their production from ingredient to packaging has been carefully analyzed and orchestrated to leave the least impact on our planet as possible. They research their raw ingredients exhaustively to be sure that they are truly organic. Many products on the shelves that carry the label organic, as they learned, were still made from raw materials that are refined in a way that leaves their true organic-ness (yes, I made that up just now.) in question. (For more on this, read this.) So they did their research and found a supplier for their oils and raw Shea butter that is unrefined, and have ensured that the people who produce it are actually paid fair wages. They religiously avoid the use of palm oil in all of their products, as the harvesting of such is a major contributor to deforestation and environmental destruction.
They Smell, Work and Feel Amazing
Mōksa’s soap leaves your skin feeling delightfully smooth and clean. The scent is not overpowering and you don’t end up with that chemical residue feeling that some soaps can leave behind. This soap does what soap was intended to do in a pure and luxurious way. After washing with it your skin is left simply feeling clean and natural. And there isn’t that too-tight feeling after, where you are left feeling like your skin has been stretched taut and deprived of all its moisture.
The body oil is a lightweight scented oil that absorbs easily and works wonders on dry and sensitive skin. A very little bit goes a very long way, so a bottle of this will last you awhile. It left my legs feeling smooth, soft and amazing and did wonders for the dry spots on my knees after just one application! I would suggest using it at night before bed, especially if you apply it to the bottom of your feet and happen to um, have tile floors and bad balance. Also, you might want to wipe your hands on a towel after applying, but before trying to turn the bathroom door handle. Not that I locked myself in the bathroom that way or anything.
The body butter we tried was unscented, and when I opened the jar I could tell by the consistency that this was indeed some serious stuff. For people with major dry skin issues who don’t want to mess around, this is exactly what the doctor ordered. With the consistency of, well, butter, as you work this in to the worst dry areas, you can literally see it taking effect. Despite the consistency, I had no issues with clogged pores, and I even used this on my face a few times.
All in all, every product we tried lived up to and even exceeded our expectations.
Giving Back in Incredible Ways
The people behind mōksa truly practice what they preach. The company was created as a way to improve the world by providing a truly natural, wonderful product, and earn money to put towards making the planet a better place. They aren’t out to become millionaires, and they give back most of what they make in order to make the world a better place. Here are just some of the non-profits, charities, causes and mission that they support publicly and financially:
Mōksa recently partnered with a group called Trees for the Future, which means that for every product they sell, a tree is planted in a place like India, or one of several countries in Africa such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda or Zambia. The mission of Trees For The Future is to restore degraded lands to sustainable productivity.
But it doesn’t stop there. The amazing people behind mōksa have made a pledge to support many amazing projects. They search out groups and organizations who truly make a difference in the world. Some of the organizations they support include:
Animal Acres: An L.A. based animal sanctuary and learning center dedicated to dedicated to rescuing and protecting farmed animals through rescue, education, and advocacy efforts
Conservation Initiative for Asian Elephants: The mission of the CIFAE is “Conservation Initiative for the Asian Elephant, Inc. (CIFAE) shall identify the issues of critical importance to the long-term survival and sustainability of the Asian elephant and the indigenous peoples sharing its habitat. We shall assist with the design, implementation and maintenance of projects and programs that resolve these critical issues.” They actually have a bar of soap dedicated to this cause, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Cafe Milan are donated quarterly to CIFAE.
Sierra Club Suwannee St. Johns Group: Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places, and the planet as a whole. They are the largest, most influential, and probably most-well-known grassroots environmental organization in the United States.
Alachua Conservation Trust: The mission of Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around Alachua County, Florida. ACT protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements.
Navdanya: Navdanya’s Mission is to empower the communities belonging to any religion, cast, sex, groups, landless people, small and marginal farmers, deprived women and children or any other needy person to ensure that they have enough to eat, they live in healthy environment and are able to take action independently and effectively to become self-reliant through sustainable use of natural resources and fairness and justice in all relationships.
Sea Shepherd: Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. And mōksa’s soap, Iceland Mint was inspired by this cause.
Algalita: Agalita is a non-Profit independent research foundation. The Algalita Marine Research Foundation is dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its watersheds through research, education, and restoration. They do this by conducting research and collaborative studies on distribution, abundance and fate of marine plastic pollution and the potential harmful effects of plastics in the marine environment, including transference of toxins and their impact on human health.
Rainforest Action Network: Rainforest Action Network envisions a world where each generation sustains increasingly healthy forests, where the rights of all communities are respected, and where corporate profits never come at the expense of people or the planet. Their corporate campaigns seek to push companies to balance profits with principles, to show that it is possible to do well by doing good.
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment: ATREE’s mission is to promote socially just environmental conservation and sustainable development by generating rigorous interdisciplinary knowledge that engages actively with academia, policy makers, practitioners, activists, students and wider public audiences. ATREE envisions a society committed to environmental conservation and sustainable and socially just development, in which ATREE plays the role of a model knowledge-generating organization for catalyzing the transition to such a society.
Friends of the Earth: Friends of the Earth is fighting to defend the environment and create a more healthy and just world. Their current campaigns focus on promoting clean energy and solutions to climate change, keeping toxic and risky technologies out of the food we eat and products we use, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them.
All in all, mōksa is an amazing company, founded by amazing people who truly care about bettering our world. These products are products you can truly feel good about buying.
Want a chance to try some amazing mōksa products yourself?
Win it!
Mōksa Organics has generously offered to send one of our readers a bar of Iceland Mint Soap and jar of Rosemary Mint Body Oil from their online store.
Here’s How to Win:
Mandatory Entry:
To enter this contest, you’ll need to “Like” mōksa organics on Facebook. Then come back here and leave a comment on this page telling us that you’ve liked them.
Extra Entries:
(Leave a separate comment for each.)
Leave a comment telling us what your favorite product from their store is.
Follow mōksa Organics on Twitter
Like Us On Facebook
Follow Us On Twitter
Share this Giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, Blog etc.
(Leave us a link please. This is worth two entries, so leave two comments! Fake blogs that are made solely for the purpose of gaining contest entries do not count. Those entries will not be considered valid and those comments will be deleted.)
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Contest ends Saturday, May 14th at Midnight EST
Giveaway Rules To Remember:
Please leave one comment per entry. Contest open the residents of the U.S. Also, leave us your email so we have a way to contact you if you are a winner. You will have 48 hours from the close of the contest to respond to our email with your mailing address. If you do not, another winner will be chosen. Most items are shipped directly from the company, so Love Hate Reviews is not liable for loss or damage to your items (although we will help you with whatever we can). If there is a mandatory entry and you do not complete it, none of your entries will be valid. Winners are chosen via random.org
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liked on facebook
i like the treehugger tee shirt on their store website
followed moksa on twitter
Moksa’s Organic Mint and Sage Body Oil is my Favorite
I liked Love Hate Reviews
I liked Moksa Organics
I posted a link on my facebook page.
Congrats!
I love their Amazon Lemon Bar. It has a wonderful smell and great exfoliation!
I have been a facebook fan for a few months now.
I am now a twitter twit as well…
I have liked moksa (well LOVED actually) on FB for awhile now. Super fabulous products and Melanie totally rock- what an amazing company (and owners!)
I now “like” you to on FB
Hmmmm, I have to pick ONE favorite from their store? I like them all! Love the body oil, love the soaps, love the body butter, super cute shirts too. Guess I will pick the key lime and vanilla scented line since Im a Florida girl and it smells great and helps support a local environmental group
I like Moksa on FB
Brittney Minor
I LOVE their Abbey Road Organic Body Bar and their Organic Orange Ginger Body Oil!
Follow Moksa on Twitter
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Abbey road soap is awesome
I already like moksa on fb
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I liked it on facebook. Thanks for this chance. The article was so inspiring.
My favorite product would have to be Yasgur’s Farm Organic Body Bar
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Liked Moksa on Facebook!
I like mōksa on facebook.
Like moska organics on Facebook as Sylvia Desnoyers Burke
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I liked moksa on fb!
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I liked you on fb!
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Samantha Anne Scott liked moksa organics on Facebook.
My favorite product in the moksa organics store is Amazon Lemon Exfoliating Body Bar. http://moksaorganics.bigcartel.com/product/amazon-lemon
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i liked mōksa organics on facebook!
i followed mōksa organics on twitter!@laurainthesky
my favourite product from their store is abbey road soap!
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i tweeted about this giveaway on my twitter! @laurainthesky
I like Moksa Organics on fb (heidi byrd maplesden)
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My favorite item is the key lime vanilla bath salts
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I follow Moksa Organics on twitter (hydeeweez)
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I like you on fb 9heidi byrd maplesden)
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I liked Moksa on fb!
My favorite product is the kona athletic body bar, it feels amazing on the skin after a shower <3
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“Like” mōksa organics on Facebook
I “Like” mōksa organics on Facebook as Gaye M.
“Abbey Road” soap (a blend of sweet orange, clove, vanilla and English tea) sounds like it would be my favorite.
liked them on fb ty.
abbey road ty.
Liked on facebook.
I like mōksa organics on FB
I like Moksa Organics on FB. Amy M Carlson
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My favorite thing from their store is the Key Lime Vanilla Body Butter.
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I follow moksa on Twitter. @ambabya
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I follow you on Twitter. @ambabya
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I like you on FB. Amy M CArlson
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I posted about your giveaway.
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i like Key Lime Vanilla Bath Salts
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i like the key lime vanilla body butter – anything with lime and vanilla has to be lovely!
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i follow mōksa Organics on Twitter as jg4462
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I like Moska Organics on facebook Erin Cook
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like you on facebook Erin Cook
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i like moksa on fb(tina wofford page)
i love the “follow your bliss” tee on their site.
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I like Moksa on Facebook. Meaghan F. Miss_slytherin[at]live[dot]com
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I really like the Iceland Mint Organic Body Bar. Miss_slytherin[at]live[dot]com
Liked on FB and left a comment on their wall!
I like mōksa organics on facebook as Wendy R.
Would love to try the Amazon Lemon Exfoliating Body Bar!
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