Arugot: Natural cosmetics from a troubled region

You probably noticed some special cosmetic products in our last package: an organic night cream and a citron serum made by the family-run business Arugot. Now we want to tell you a little about what makes these cosmetics so special, and about the incredible couple who make them…

Itai and Esther Lachman live in Netivot, a town in the Negev region of Israel, close to the Gaza border. So close, in fact, that they have just 15 seconds to make it to a bomb shelter or safe room when the sirens warn that rockets are coming from the Hamas-led Gaza Strip.

In recent times, those sirens have been very frequent. Netivot residents have become accustomed to living their lives on edge, knowing their activities could be interrupted at any moment, and being ready at all times to make the 15 second life-or-death dash to a safe place.

Yet, it is here, amidst a sometimes daily existence of rockets and sirens, that Itai and Esther have created a little oasis, designing and producing their all-natural, chemical-free cosmetic range.

The Arugot business was born out of the couple’s desire for a more natural lifestyle, free from the toxic chemicals today’s world is full of. They were already raising goats, chickens and growing their own vegetables, but Itai and Esther knew they had to address the chemical products they were using on their skin.

Today the Arugot range includes everything from chemical-free deodorants to sunscreen, and even diaper rash ointment. All the ingredients they use are high grade and strictly organic. The plants, flowers and seeds used in Arugot cosmetics are grown on an organic farm, and the fragrances are personally blended by Esther, who trained in herbal medicine and natural herbal cosmetics.

What’s more, Itai and Esther use their business to support other causes close to their hearts, including helping female survivors of violence and sexual abuse. At Arugot, they make a point of employing women who would otherwise struggle to find work.

It’s clear to see is that Arugot is not just surviving in the face of difficulty: it is growing, flourishing and helping many others at the same time. What is it about adversity that sometimes bring out the very best?