It’s important to be beautiful inside and out. Although this adage is often directed at people, if we’re going according to law, that includes corporations, too. Before we get too mired in politics, let’s talk about the opportunities. At the core, beauty brands focus on the bottom line – products and presentation. Some organizations choose to go the extra mile to bring about beauty in a more intangible way. Looking good is great, but feeling good is often what leaves a lasting impression. The brands below are doing their part to bring beauty to the community…

MAC
In 1994, MAC created the MAC AIDS Fund to help communities affected by HIV/AIDS. The VIVA Glam campaign, with such notable spokespersons as RuPaul and Elton John, has resulted in the collection of millions of dollars for people affected by HIV/AIDS. Proceeds from all VIVA Glam products go directly to the cause.

The Body Shop
In 1987, The Body Shop created the Community Fair Trade program. Instead of opting for industrial mass producers, the multi-national organization supports fair trade producers in numerous countries. The brand currently partners with 25 fair trade suppliers for ingredients like aloe from Guatemala and shea from Ghana.

Burt’s Bees
This brand has long been prized for its simple, natural approach to health and beauty products. So it’s no surprise that their business practices follow suit. The local connection: Burt’s Bees is partnering with several Toronto organizations to build “bee hotels” for traveling bees in urban areas.

Lush
Known for its high-quality, filler-free products, Lush brings authenticity to every step of its operations. This includes the best-selling Charity Pot, a body lotion made with organic and fair trade ingredients. While some companies choose to donate portions of a sale, Lush donates 100 percent of the profits from the product to charity.

Dove
Dove’s continuing campaign to feature everyday women has sparked many important conversations on the state of advertising and its messages. In order to bolster this message, Dove has created The Self-Esteem Project, designed to help more women see their own unique beauty. The brand holds self-esteem workshops and puts proceeds from product sales towards project funding.

What are some of your favourite beauty brands with a social conscience? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.