By Andrea McVeigh.

Before there were ethical websites, organic niche brands and eco supermarket toiletries, there was Oxfam.

Back in the day (and we're talking the mid-1980s here) it was the only place to go for regular supplies of Nicaraguan coffee and Indian-made rag rugs.

Now that every outlet, supermarket and cosmetic firm seems to have its own line of eco-this and organic-that, it's good to know that Oxfam is still ahead of the game.

As the charity points out, it has been Ireland's Fair Trade pioneer since 1986, selling everything from jewellery, accessories, children's gifts and home decor items to fairly traded foods.

New to the range, and just in time for Christmas, is a luxurious new collection of Fair Trade cosmetics under the Bio Etic brand - so now you can pamper yourself and the planet too.

That's because Bio Etic is committed to buying fairly from suppliers, preserving the environment, and supporting community growth in developing countries.

The list of ingredients in the Organic Body Cream (£9) is impressive - boasting elements from around the world, from Nicaraguan sesame oil to shea butter from Burkina Faso and honey from Mexico.

There are no animal-derived ingredients either - they're all cruelty-free, non-polluting and come in recyclable packaging.

The products are also, as you would hope, free from parabens, genetically modified products, synthetic fragrances and petrochemicals while 95 per cent of all plant ingredients are organic.

Raw materials are bought at a price that's fair for small-scale producers and the company also donates 1 per cent of its net turnover to groups working on environmental restoration and preservation.

So far, so ethically correct. But are the products any good?

Of course they are - this is Oxfam after all!

The Day Cream (£9) features Brazilian Pink Guava with oodles of vitamin C while the Organic Night Cream (£9) boasts Peruvian Inca Inchi which has an exceptionally high omega-3 content.

The Sugar Scrub (£10) exfoliates gently but thoroughly thanks to a high quantity of Bolivian quinoa while generous doses of Peruvian Maca in the Shower Gel (£7) give it a delicate scent.

There's aloe vera in the Hand Cream (£9) to soothe and repair damaged skin and ginkgo biloba in the Light Legs Oil (£10) to help improve circulation and relieve the sensation of heavy, tired legs.

When you buy from an Oxfam Fair Trade shop you can also be confident that the artisan has been paid fairly for their work.

Workers enjoy safe, healthy working conditions and are encouraged to use sustainable, natural resources.

Which means that, by buying some of these goodies for Christmas, you'll be helping workers across the world make the most of their festive season too.

You can pick up these organic and Fair Trade beauties at the Oxfam Ireland Fair Trade at

16 Rosemary Street (just off Royal Avenue), Belfast.