Great news from Ben and Anna
RELABELING “PERSIAN LIME” & “INDIAN MANDARIN” PAPERTUBE
Dear customers, you have surely heard about the chaos in global supply chains. Unfortunately, we have now also been affected, and despite careful planning, the paper tube packaging we ordered for our "Persian Lime" and "Indian Mandarin" deodorant varieties will arrive with significant delays. Therefore, we have tried to find the best possible solution for both you and us: At BEN&ANNA, we are committed to sustainability in order to protect our environment and resources. That's why we came up with the idea of repackaging the affected deodorant favorites in the original overproduction of outer packaging from other varieties and relabeling them accordingly – to get one step closer to our goal of living as sustainably and waste-free as possible. The planned packaging and label changes in detail: The "Persian Lime" variety will be packaged in the "Pink Grapefruit" paper tube. The "Indian Mandarin" variety will be packaged in the "Pure" paper tube. Both varieties will be relabeled accordingly. The outer labels will be supplemented with the following additional information: "Our goal: LESS WASTE Instead of ending up in the trash can, our overproduction of outer packaging will be relabeled!" (front) "Our goal: LESS WASTE Instead of ending up in the trash, our overproduction of outer packaging will be relabeled!" (back) You can get a first visual impression from the following photos: Since the environment and our customers are equally important to us, we hope that we have found a good solution with this relabeling campaign. Alternatively, we can also offer you the deodorant can in the "Persian Lime" variety. Of course, we are happy to answer any questions or receive feedback.
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BEN&ANNA Love Soaps: A feast for your body
Natural care has a new name at BEN&ANNA, and we're introducing it across a whole series. Our new LOVE soaps forgo all unnecessary ingredients and rely exclusively on naturally derived components. We're just as committed to packaging and waste reduction. Love soaps are packaged exclusively in paper – plastics are simply out of the question. This way, you'll get closer to the goal of zero waste in your bathroom and personal care routine, step by step – just like us. For uncompromising natural cosmetics: With the new Love Soap series, we want to prove that personalized body and hair care can be completely plastic-free. What we absolutely refuse to compromise on, however, are care products that not only look natural but also deliver the desired results and are equally pleasant and convenient to use. Our Love Soaps are solid soaps and, like all BEN&ANNA products, are completely vegan and certified natural cosmetics. Designed as a hexagon, each soap fits comfortably in your hand and lasts for an extended period. And they're a colorful eye-catcher in any bathroom, too. A natural fragrance, as individual as you are. Our refreshingly new quartet has been developed or combined for different uses: for a relaxing shower experience, for naturally effective hair care, as a pure shampoo, a shower gel & shampoo combination, or as a conditioner. Easy to use or comb through. You can choose from various ingredients and fragrances according to your natural preferences. Whether Lemongrass, Oriental Magic, Very Berry, or Elms Wood – fruity, berry, enchanting, or spicy. The choice is yours! Natural care begins with love: All you need is LOVE. Sustainability and a "zero waste" philosophy are not a trend for us, but a core principle. Our new Love Soaps combine everything that is especially important to us: on the one hand, avoiding plastics and questionable ingredients; on the other hand, promoting natural care that protects our environment and reflects your individuality. With our solid soap, you have the power – practically every day – to join us on this journey. And you'll feel it, you'll love it: All you need is LOVE. (See products)
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World AIDS Day
Dare to be more mindful: World AIDS Day on December 1st. While the coronavirus pandemic is undoubtedly the dominant medical and social issue of our time, we would like to use World AIDS Day – observed annually on December 1st since 1988 – as an opportunity to extend our awareness to other people as well. Like the coronavirus, HIV is a virus that is also spreading globally. AIDS is the abbreviation for the disease caused by HIV. In Germany, approximately 88.000 people are living with HIV, and worldwide, around 38 million. Globally, there are approximately 1,7 million new cases each year. The African continent is most affected by HIV. While access to therapies and medications has improved overall, roughly one-third of all those infected still lack access to treatment. More awareness, less exclusion. And even though therapies have become increasingly effective over the past decades, people living with HIV still face health and social limitations. People living with HIV or AIDS still face discrimination and exclusion in their daily lives, at work, and in sports. Therefore, we at Ben&Anna want to use this blog post – deliberately deviating from our usual topics – to raise awareness of AIDS for all those affected and those involved. World AIDS Day serves as a reminder and raises awareness. On the one hand, World AIDS Day commemorates all those who have died from the effects of HIV and AIDS. On the other hand, numerous initiatives, campaigns, and projects use this day primarily to increase their public visibility. This year, for example, one initiative advocated for greater recognition and normalization of employment for people living with HIV. It is estimated that approximately two-thirds of people living with AIDS are still employed. Under the hashtag #positivarbeiten (working positively), committed companies, federal ministries, and medical associations pledge to protect people living with HIV from discrimination in the workplace and to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. We expressly welcome this approach!
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For a commitment that inspires: Project Wings
At Ben&Anna, we are always on the lookout for natural alternatives to conventional cosmetics, solutions for reducing plastic waste, and inspiring projects that we can sustainably support. With Ben&Anna, we are giving environmental protection a further boost. With "Project Wings," we will be supporting an initiative that has convinced and inspired us in many ways. Young people with experience from their involvement in various NGOs have now come together in a non-profit organization. This brings together diverse personalities and individual backgrounds. What they all have in common, however, is their ambition, their commitment, and their primary goal: to make the world a better place to live. In light of existing and impending dangers and threats, this requires a great deal of enthusiasm as well as a visionary yet structured approach. Project Wings is a non-profit limited liability company based in Koblenz that invests 100% of private donations in selected projects. These are all approaches and, above all, people that convince us at Ben&Anna. We are happy to be on board with Project Wings to inspire people to engage with issues such as environmental protection, animal and species conservation, as well as plastic reduction and recycling. Transparency and trust play a major role for Project Wings. Equally important to them is their approach of implementing selected projects not just FOR, but above all WITH, the local people. Thus, every project is generally designed to leave behind self-sustaining systems that are then continued by the local population. A prime example of this is the innovative idea of designing and building the world's largest recycling village in Sumatra. In addition to the responsible use of plastic waste, the project aims to specifically promote natural lifestyles, reforestation, and species conservation. Support and ideas are welcome. Thanks to Project Wings, a variety of ideas and projects are emerging that can benefit us and the environment: always based on firm principles and always open to innovative and authentic supporters. Here you can learn more about Project Wings or get involved yourself. We at Ben&Anna would be delighted. https://www.project-wings.de/ Kind regards, Your Ben & Anna Team
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Dental care: “And who invented it?”
Since time immemorial, people have been searching for ways and means to clean and care for their teeth in the best possible way. Dental care and oral hygiene were primarily motivated by health or practical reasons, but in some cases also by religious motives. Even our ancestors, early humans, used small sticks and/or blades of grass to clean their teeth. This procedure left its mark. For example, typical grooves in prehistoric bone finds from the Stone Age indicated a kind of tooth cleaning. Even in the so-called early advanced civilizations – approx. 4000 years before the beginning of our era – researchers found evidence as well as sophisticated recipes for tooth powders and pastes for regular dental care. Mesopotamia and Egypt: Cradle of dental care. The land between the rivers holds a special place in human history – this also applies to the origins of dental hygiene. The oldest toothpick found was part of a cosmetic set, comes from Mesopotamia and dates back to around 3.500 BC. Chr. dated. In the Egypt of the pharaohs, however, it was common to rinse one's mouth with baking soda in the morning. In addition, chew sticks were used, which were coated with a paste made of ground pumice (a soft volcanic rock) and wine vinegar. Even on one of the oldest surviving texts of mankind, the papyrus scrolls, there are references to a special tooth powder that consisted of the resin of the turpentine pistachio, earth pigment and proportions of the semi-precious stone malachite. Its primary purpose should be to strengthen the teeth. However, the surviving text passages were still strongly influenced by magical beliefs. The Babylonians, on the other hand, prepared a mixture of alum (a bitter clay salt), turű aroma and mint for cleaning their teeth. Mint is still one of the most popular flavors for our toothpastes today. Even in ancient times, small wood shavings were used for teeth cleaning in both centers of antiquity – Athens and Rome. But there have also been toothpicks made of bone and metal. Above all, however, numerous "remedies" were used. For example, a mixture of bone, horn, or shells. These substances were pulverized, then burned to ash, and subsequently mixed with baking soda and myrrh for better taste. It was also recommended to use crushed salt to clean the teeth. An approach that is still quite common in natural cosmetics today. Pumice stones and even marble dust, on the other hand, were used as a kind of abrasive. When broken down into powder, they were applied to damp linen cloths, which were then used for polishing teeth. In India, exotic mixtures were used. India, as the land of spices, also relied on pastes with a spicy note for its dental care mixtures. Early tooth powder recipes recommended a special mixture of alkaline ash, Bengal pepper, and ginger. Besides their distinctly exotic taste, these mixtures demonstrably had an antibacterial effect. In one of the major religions, Hinduism, regular oral hygiene – including the teeth – also has a spiritual significance. Because the human mouth is considered the gateway (entrance) to the body. Therefore, there was even a special instruction in Manu's law book regarding dental hygiene. For this, fibrous twigs coated with a paste of honey, ginger, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and sesame oil should be used. Our dental care products aren't quite so exotic – but they are completely natural and plastic-free. Try it out!
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Why we sweat – some more, some less
Sweating is an important human function. But why do people sweat at all, and what can be done about it if excessive sweating is perceived as unpleasant? Some people sweat at work, while others hardly sweat even in blazing sun. We humans are individualists – also when it comes to sweating. Basically, its purpose is to cool our bodies down when necessary. We are essentially conditioned to the intensity of sweating in our first years of life. First of all, every person is born with approximately... two to three million sweat glands are born. These functions primarily take over during the first two years of life. They develop according to the demands placed upon them – that is: how warm or cool does the child grow up, or how active/passive is the toddler? Because the development of our sweat glands generally depends on these two circumstances. And the "result" shapes us for a lifetime. However, over the course of our lives, other factors such as physical resilience, activity status, or the general constitution of our body and organism come into play. And of course, external temperatures, humidity, location, and clothing also play a role, to name just a few criteria. Our body has to react – so we sweat. Our body functions, in the broadest sense, like a built-in air conditioner. This is vital for our survival. Excessive heat damages or threatens our organism and its vital functionality – for example, in the case of heatstroke. But what exactly happens when we sweat? Quite simply: when we get too warm, our sweat glands form a moist film on the skin. This protective film ensures that our entire body is cooled. This happens due to the evaporating liquid, which draws heat from the body and water from us at the same time. (That's why it's also important to drink plenty of fluids – plain water is sufficient.) Because depending on the intensity of sweating, we lose half a liter to three liters of water – every day. In extreme situations, even more so – then our sweat literally flows “in streams”. What helps against excessive sweating? Simply get outside more often, no matter the season! Avoid artificially air-conditioned zones. This will help your body get used to fluctuating temperatures. Regular sauna visits or sweating during sports can also train our bodies in this respect. Regarding our diet: plenty of fresh fruit, preferably steamed vegetables, and low-fat and only lightly spiced dishes ensure easy digestibility and put less strain on our bodies on hot days. Spicy food, on the other hand, really "heats us up" and we automatically start to sweat. Lukewarm tea made with sage or linden blossoms also helps. When it comes to clothing, light and airy fabrics allow our skin to breathe more easily. It's better to shower warm than cold: because the warmth causes our blood vessels to dilate, creating more surface area to dissipate potential heat. Animals can sweat too. Incidentally, sweating is a human trait – but animals can sweat too. However, given the impressive diversity of species, relatively few are capable of sweating. These include, for example, horses, monkeys, camels, big cats and bears. For everyone else, nature has found various solutions to regulate the body's own heat balance. For example, through a panting tongue like a dog or through the long ears of a rabbit. Storks, in turn, smear their moist excrement around their stilts to cool them down. However, evolution has probably bestowed the most interesting method upon the ground squirrel in South Africa. These animals look to see where the sun is, raise their bushy tails, and cool themselves, so to speak, in their own shade. Why natural deodorants are particularly effective against sweating: Natural deodorants are especially effective against sweating because they are based on skin-friendly and environmentally friendly ingredients that support the skin's natural function. Unlike conventional products, which often contain aluminum compounds, natural deodorants work by naturally inhibiting the formation of bacteria that cause body odor, without blocking the pores. Ingredients such as baking soda, coconut oil, or essential oils possess antibacterial properties that neutralize odors, while absorbent substances such as kaolin clay or cornstarch can absorb excess moisture. At the same time, they nourish the skin with natural moisturizers and avoid potentially irritating chemicals, making them a gentle and effective solution for sweating. Ben&Anna offers you natural deodorants in different shapes and scents, so there is always the right option for you. Regarding deodorants.
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Zero-waste in the bathroom
Ben&Anna has a new addition to the family. Due to the growing popularity of our products, we have decided to expand our product range with additional sustainable products. Since mid-May, you can purchase the first of our dental care products in recyclable glass. Our deodorant family can also look forward to three new products. With the Sensitive series, even sensitive customers can now enjoy our proven effectiveness – completely without soda! New friends for wooden toothbrushes. Start the new day with a good deed, because environmental protection begins with brushing your teeth! We've developed a dental care product for you that not only contributes to sustainability but also guarantees a fresh smile. Our dental care product is available in a 100ml glass jar and comes with a compostable bamboo spatula. The toothpaste is distinguished by its pleasant texture, which is in no way inferior to commercially available toothpastes, except that it is completely free of microplastics. The fresh taste of the peppermint oil used is convincing and will help you start the day feeling refreshed. The calming effects are supported by sea buckthorn extract and anti-inflammatory chamomile extract. The calcium it contains strengthens your teeth, while the silica polishes and effectively cleans them. Xylitol has antibacterial properties and its natural sweetness rounds off the flavor. Our three varieties are called White, Black, and Sensitive, and they clean your teeth using only the power of nature. Our "White" toothpaste helps you whiten your teeth with pineapple extract. “Black” cleans with activated charcoal made from bamboo. For sensitive teeth, we developed our sensitive variant with nourishing aloe vera and sage. BUY BEN&ANNA TOOTHPASTE. Avoid baking soda, but not the effectiveness. Nowadays, our skin has to contend with enough environmental influences. Pollutants enter our bodies almost automatically. By using Ben&Anna deodorants, you can be sure that you are not letting any harmful or pore-clogging substances come into contact with your skin. With our new Sensitive series, Japanese Cherry Blossom, Highland Breeze and Lemon&Lime, three fresh alternatives to our soda-based variants, are coming to your bathrooms. The series has been specially developed for sensitive skin and protects it with 100% natural ingredients. In addition, we have replaced soda with magnesium to provide you with natural protection. Naturally, our certified standard is also maintained in the new deodorant range, which features our environmentally friendly packaging in a new design. Whether after shaving, for sensitive skin, or as a light refreshing experience for summer – the sensitive series impresses with three fragrance variations that couldn't be more different! Our “Japanese Cherry Blossom” captures the scent of Japanese cherry blossoms. This fruity-fresh variant cares for your sensitive skin and offers you familiar reliability. Do you prefer it tart and fresh? Then see for yourself what our new “Highland Breeze” has to offer. Spicy rosemary paired with fresh mountain air brings the extra freshness of nature to your skin. Neither sweet nor bitter? Perhaps our bicarbonate-free counterpart to Persian Lime will convince you. The light citrus scent is perfect for hot summer days.
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Ben&Anna goes Startnext!
Wow, this is exciting! Ben&Anna's Startnext campaign will launch in a few days. But in order for our campaign to really get going, we need your support. So if you want to support a truly unique and eco-friendly project, then you've come to the right place. Become a part of Ben&Anna and support us in our Startnext campaign. What is Ben&Anna? Ben&Anna represents a completely new, vegan deodorant series based exclusively on natural ingredients and free from animal testing. And the best part: With Ben&Anna, there is finally a natural deodorant that delivers on its promises in terms of effectiveness! How it works? Very easy! With the help of natural baking soda and the power of arrowroot extracts, excess moisture is absorbed and the underarms feel dry. Combined with other fresh, fragrant, natural essences, this has resulted in a deodorant series with six different scents: Persian Lime, Nordic Timber, Vanilla Orchid, Provence, and, brand new, Indian Mandarin and Pink Grapefruit. Our goals: "We want to make the world a little more vegan," say Ben and Anna, the creators of the deodorant of the same name, with a smile. But that's not all. The young couple's main goal in their project is to offer their deodorant as widely as possible in Germany, thereby setting a real example for health awareness and environmental protection. "Everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy life." In our opinion, this also includes making certified natural cosmetics accessible to everyone. “That’s what we want to try with Ben&Anna,” Ben explains. Is Ben&Anna now only for vegans? Under no circumstance! What makes Ben&Anna special is primarily that all ingredients are of 100% natural origin. For this reason, it is also very popular among non-vegans. "What people appreciate is that Ben&Anna works through the power of nature." People simply feel comfortable using this type of deodorant because they don't have to worry about the ingredients and their health. “Especially with deodorants, this is a sensitive issue,” says Anna, adding: “With our project, we would like to share this feeling of security with many, many more people.” Future plans: A natural deodorant in natural packaging. There is still much to come with Ben&Anna. If the crowdfunding campaign is successful, the inventor couple wants to go one step further in terms of sustainability and ecology: namely with natural packaging! "That is our big dream." “An absolutely environmentally friendly deodorant, completely without plastics,” Anna raves. But the road ahead is still long, and before it ever gets there, several more tests will have to be carried out to find the right material. But the packaging still needs to be sufficiently durable. Absolutely brilliant, don't you think? Then support Ben&Anna in their Startnext campaign!
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Vegan deodorants: Tracking the trend
Shhh, listen up! Are you vegan and haven't found the right deodorant yet? Or perhaps you simply want to try something new without feeling guilty about the environment? Do you want to do something good for yourself and your health? Then you've come to the right place! There are many ways to protect the environment and do something good for yourself. You can cycle to work, buy organic food, or use a vegan deodorant. Wait a minute… A vegan deodorant? Yeah right. Such a thing exists! And that's not all. In fact, vegan deodorants are currently the trend in natural cosmetics. But what exactly is behind this new trend, and what should you look out for when buying vegan deodorants? What you should know about vegan deodorants: Vegan deodorants that are labeled as such are guaranteed to be free of animal ingredients, meaning... Both the product itself and the underlying production process are free of animal ingredients. That's what one would think, at least, but unfortunately it's not that simple. Anyone who has ever looked into natural cosmetics and searched for vegan cosmetic products will have noticed that there are actually countless different labels. This also applies to vegan deodorants, of course. It is not easy for consumers to find their way through this certification jungle, because all these products supposedly represent vegan cosmetics. In reality, however, their transparency varies depending on the company awarding the label. Therefore, anyone who wants to be absolutely sure should choose a vegan deodorant that is either certified with the Vegan Society England's Vegan Trademark, like Ben&Anna, or carries the V-Label of the European Vegetarian Union. These labels stand for transparency and clarity and are therefore rightly considered among the most reliable. And the best part: vegan deodorants can also compete with conventional products in terms of effectiveness. The alternative mechanism of action is a real option for those who do not want to take any risks with regard to their health. Conversely, those who opt for a vegan deodorant or want to try a vegan deodorant do not have to forgo the usual effectiveness. With the right combination of natural ingredients and a little patience, a vegan deodorant can also deliver on its promises. A vegan deodorant – not just for vegans! In fact, vegan deodorant is very popular not only among vegans. Even young people who don't live a vegan lifestyle are increasingly turning to natural cosmetic products and vegan deodorants. The reason is quite simple: In recent decades, conventional deodorants in particular have repeatedly fallen into disrepute due to questionable ingredients. This includes not only parabens, but also synthetic fragrances. And consumers rarely know what is actually in their favorite, pleasantly scented deodorant. That's why many people are now opting for a natural, vegan deodorant, even if they don't otherwise follow a vegan lifestyle. Ultimately, choosing a vegan deodorant isn't always necessarily a decision for a specific lifestyle, but rather a decision for one's own health and against controversial ingredients.
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