History of Ahava

Ahava is a skincare brand founded in 1988, associated with kibbutz Mitzpe Shalem in Israel. The company built its product line around minerals extracted from the Dead Sea — including magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium — which it markets for their skin-conditioning properties. The brand sits within the mid-to-premium skincare segment, with products spanning cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and body care.

Over the years, Ahava expanded its distribution to department stores, specialty retailers, and its own branded outlets across multiple countries. Its formulations centre on Dead Sea minerals as a primary ingredient. The Dead Sea itself has faced growing environmental concern, with researchers noting a significant decline in water levels over recent decades, attributed in part to diversion of the Jordan River and ongoing mineral extraction activities in the region.

Ahava has been the subject of sustained boycott campaigns due to the location of its manufacturing facility in the West Bank settlement of Mitzpe Shalem. Critics, including several European consumer groups and human rights organisations, argue that operating commercial facilities in Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land is inconsistent with international humanitarian law. The company has maintained that its operations are lawful and comply with applicable regulations.