Our relationship with Ayurveda began in 1978, thanks to two renowned Ayurvedic physicians and scholars, Drs. Vinod and Kusum Upadhyay. Globally sought for their expertise in Ayurvedic medicine, pharmacology, botanical research and aromatherapy, they brought 1,000s of years of Vedic and Ayurvedic tradition to bear on Aveda's work. Their guidance first helped us identify botanical actives for our products, allowed us to pioneer “functional aromas”(with our Chakra™ Balancing Blends), and helped us launch innovative, powerful plant derived formulas such as Outer Peace™ Acne Relief skin care.

Ayurveda is an ancient holistic system of healing that strives to create balance in body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda means “the science of life” and it has been central to Aveda since the very beginning, when we partnered with the Ayurvedic Doctors Vinod and Kusum Upadhyay*.

*Maharshi Bhardwaj Clinic and Research Centre in Haridwar, India.

In keeping with Ayurvedic principles—and because of our concern for the Earth—Aveda is committed to using organic ingredients. This has led to another Ayurvedic partnership—between Aveda and the Indian firm, Nisarga.

Nisarga—which means “nature” in Sanskrit—grows Ayurvedic herbs with organic agriculture. We have partnered with them to obtain organic turmeric and amla for use in some of our products.

Nisarga employs an environmentally friendly extraction method using CO₂, which leaves no toxic residues and works at a lower temperature—yielding highly potent extracts.

Because of the company's concern about the dangers of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Nisarga works to encourage farmers to convert to organic agriculture. They have held regular educational seminars for about 35,000 farmers over the years, convincing many to go organic. Nisarga pays the organic certification costs for the farmers they partner with and also provides educational support to help make the conversion successful.

In 1989, we were the first privately held company to sign the CERES Principles (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies). Today, we continue to strive to improve our practices and commit to publicly sharing our results.
2010 Report »
2008 Report »
environmental policy »

We are proud to be the first beauty company with 100% post consumer recycled PET for skin care and hair styling.* With every package we develop, we're mindful of our environmental footprint and work to minimise our packaging and maximise our use of recyclable and post-consumer recycled materials.
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We're proud to be the first beauty company manufacturing with 100% certified wind power.** Our wind energy purchases offset 100% of the energy used by our primary manufacturing facility in Minnesota, our company headquarters and the Aveda Institute Minneapolis.
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Over the past decade, we've partnered with nonprofit organisations whose work supports our commitment to social and environmental improvement.
earth fund »
community care policy »

In support of our mission "to care for the world we live in" Aveda has embraced the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) concept and philosophy as a key element of acting responsibly.
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* Bottles and jars. **Per a review of WWD Beauty Report International Top 100 Cosmetic Manufacturers' Corporate Websites in April 2007.

We get Turmeric—known for its effectiveness in Ayurveda—from the Indian firm Nisarga (which means “nature” in Sanskrit). Our partnership with Nisarga is helping them to convert more farmland to organic—which is better for the earth, the farmers—all of us.
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The Yawanawa people, growers of the beautiful, red-orange Brazilian urukum seeds, work as a community, toward growth and renewal with support from Aveda.
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Aveda has helped the women who collect and process the Brazilian babassu nut develop a sustainable business, preserve ancestral lands and protect the ecosystem.
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Our purchase of wild Australian sandalwood oil from the indigenous harvesters—historically underpaid by others—has resulted in fair pay for their product.
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Aveda's partnership with Enio Bonchev, a Bulgarian rose and lavender oil distillery, ensures the Romi People's fair treatment and compensation.
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Journey with us—to trace Aveda's ingredients back to the farm or harvesting co-op. We call it Soil to Bottle^SM, and we do it to ensure fair compensation throughout the process.

Aveda develops close working partnerships with certain communities and/or suppliers and seeks to use them as our primary source for specific ingredients. We frequently reference these relationships in our promotional materials. However, sometimes due to conditions beyond our control (e.g., drought, pests, and capacity limitations) these communities and/or suppliers are unable to meet our needs for an ingredient, including being unable to supply some or all of it. When such situations occur, Aveda uses additional suppliers to provide high-quality alternative sources until we are able to resume sourcing from the primary supplier.

Spanish cistus extract is essential to Aveda—like the people who harvest this certified organic plant. Our relationships with local Andalucian village inhabitants have helped create an earth-friendly cistus practice.
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Moroccan women are saving the argan tree from the encroaching desert. We help them determine their future, and protect the trees upon which they depend.
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Sacred in ancient Mesopotamia, the acacia tree is a centuries-old source of nourishment and beauty. Our scientists discovered that that gum of the acacia tree is also a natural thickener, perfect for fine hair. Aveda purchases certified organic acacia gum to help thicken and volumize fine hair, and also support organic farming – which is better for the Earth, the farmers and all of us.

Do this for yourself and everyone you love Simple life style changes and routine doctor visits can make all the difference. Early detection saves lives.
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the end of animal testing

We never have, and never will conduct animal testing on our products, and we tirelessly promote alternative methods to end all animal testing in the beauty industry.
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CLEAN WATER
CHANGES LIVES

in honor of earth day, aveda has set aside a whole month to love, celebrate and raise funds to protect the earth and its peoples. We've raised more than $26 million since 1999. Over the last 6 years $20 million of the funds supported clean water projects at home and around the world. Please join us in reaching our goal of $5 million.

Our global Earth Month partner, Global Greengrants Fund has been able to make 1,000 grants in 44 countries thanks to your Light The Way™ candle purchases, which exceeded $6 million. Here is just a sampling of what that makes possible:

• 407 community projects to fight toxic pollution
• 482 projects helping communities to advocate for safe and affordable drinking water
• 700 watersheds, such as lakes, wetlands, and rivers, protected
• 940 communities addressing climate change, which contributes to water shortages and scarcity across the globe
• 20,000 women engaged in working towards clean water for their communities
• 42,000 people benefitting from wells and water infrastructure
• 72,000 acres devoted to sustainable agriculture

clean water changes lives

JOIN OUR WORLD WIDE CUT-A-THON
On April 22 and help us achieve a Guinness World Record for the most money raised for charity by giving hair cuts over a 24 hour period.
Ask your favorite Aveda salon if they're participating.

PURCHASE A LIMITED EDITION
LIGHT THE WAY™ CANDLE

100% of the £16 purchase price protects clean water around the world.
BUY YOURS ONLINE »

There are many simple things you can do to protect clean water. Here are a few of our favourites:

Support Organic Farming
Runoff from conventional farming contains nutrients and pesticides that pollute the fresh water supplies into which they empty. In many places this is the largest source of water pollution. Organic farming is heather for our water supply*.

Conserve Electricity
Every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of traditional electricity that we use takes about 2 gallons of fresh water** to make. Conserving electricity-and opting for renewable energy-saves water, too.

Go Meatless More Often
It takes up to 5,000 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat***. Enjoy a veggie meal and use less water.

*United Nations Environment Programme: "Global Environment Outlook," February 2009,


**River Network: "Clean Energy." www.rivernetwork.org/clean-energy


***Eating well: "6 Reasons to Eat Less Meat."

Interested in learning more about clean water issues in your area? Find your local Earth Month Partner organization and stay involved all year.