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dayspamagazine.com | APRIL 2014 49 Elina Organics, headquartered in Kalama- zoo, Michigan, plucks core ingredients from organic suppliers that span the globe: Sea buckthorn oil is wild-crafted from a virtually untouched ecological environment in Siberia; lavender hails from French farms; roses and rose oils are sourced from Bulgaria; and ca- lendula is gathered Stateside. Even soybean phospholipids are certifi ed organic to ensure zero genetic modifi cation. "I'm very particular about ingredients, and I prefer wild-crafted botanicals," says owner Elina Fedotova (pic- tured below). "But if an ingredient is rare or protected, I obtain it through organic farms." Fedotova admits to the challenges of cre- ating a truly organic product line. Natural in- gredients aren't always consistent, resulting in slightly different aromas or textures from one season to the next, and ingredient prices can fl uctuate according to weather conditions. However, she focuses on training her spa practitioner partners to educate customers on variations in product, and works with estab- lished sources to minimize availability issues. "Sixteen years ago when I started, people asked why I chose to go the organic route—it can lead to consistency issues, it's hard to mar- ket or preserve the products, and it's expen- sive," notes Fedotova. "But now, more and more people are seeking out organic lines." Elina Organics elinaorganics.com Pure Fiji purefi ji.com Pure Fiji makes every attempt to stay true to its name. In an effort to deliver the pur- est of ingredients and reduce its carbon footprint, the company has researched and implemented programs that refl ect its eco-friendly philosophy. Raw ingredients are wild-crafted, which is the practice of harvesting plants from their natural, or wild habitat: The term applies to uncultivated plants, wher- ever they grow—in the rainforest or along coral beaches, for example. Generally, only the fruit, fl owers or branches from plants are taken, leaving the living plant to fl ourish in its natural habitat. This type of sourcing also reduces the need for artifi cial irrigation, fertilization and pesticides, thus decreasing the impact on the ecosystem. "By-products from the processing of our raw ingredients are recycled as fertil- izer and mulch for factory gardens —and a massive vegetable plot supplies factory staff with a constant stream of organic produce," says Andree Austin, direc- tor and co-founder of Pure Fiji, which is based on its namesake island. The company has also partnered with True Pacifi c, an initiative created by the New Zealand government to recognize the Pacifi c Island companies that source ingredients responsibly for the production of high-quality products. Companies are approved by True Pacifi c after a strict eval- uation process that includes commitment to empowering staff, raw material pro- ducers and environmental responsibility. Ilike szepelet.com Ilike Organic Skin Care's signature or- ganic ingredients are a result of multi- faceted sourcing efforts and are certi- fi ed by the International Organic and Natural Cosmetic Corporation and the International Organization for Stan- dardization (ISO). The company's farm- ing operation, which takes places in Hungary, prohibits the use of machin- ery, requiring instead the handpick- ing of all fruits, vegetables and herbs (so as not to damage delicate plant structures). "In Hungary, there's a long history of organic farming," explains Szilvia Hickman, founder of Szep Elet, exclusive distributor of Ilike. "It's a very common practice." Botanicals are con- verted into pulps—not extracts—to re- tain their full concentration and power. Cold pressing also helps maintain the effectiveness of the ingredients. GMOs, petroleum-based ingredi- ents and petrochemicals are black- listed from the manufacturing process, resulting in certifi ed organic (and veg- etarian) products. Hickman explains, "No one wants to eat synthetic ingredients, and they cer- tainly don't want to put them on their skin either!" S t a r t a t t h e S o u r c e 4 1 4 . i n d d 4 9 Start at the Source 414.indd 49 3 / 7 / 1 4 9 : 5 2 A M 3/7/14 9:52 AM