Who's behind it?
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Joshua Onysko started out in the beauty business making soaps as gifts for family and friends. He officially founded Pangea Organics in 2000, focusing on holistic, natural skincare, sourcing from organic plants and using fair trade practices. A favourite of celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Eva Mendes, the products are still hand-blended.
What's the spin?
Perhaps one of the most innovative packages around, the soap box is made from biodegradable material infused with the seeds of organic plants such as sweet basil and amaranth. Just soak the packaging in water and place in the ground and watch the plants sprout. The soaps are also made at cooler temperatures to maintain herbal medicinal properties. Pangea Organics products do not contain petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, synthetic preservatives, artificial colours or fragrances or genetically modified ingredients, and they smell divine.
Future plans?
Onysko is developing colour cosmetics, sun- and hair-care lines.