Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) are goods of biological origin other than wood, derived from forests, other wooded land and trees outside forests. NWFPs and similar terms such as “minor”, “secondary” and “non-timber” forest products (NTFPs) have emerged as umbrella expressions for the vast array of both animal and plant products other than wood derived from forests or forest tree species. Unlike the term “NWFPs”, “NTFPs” also includes fuelwood and small woods used for domestic tools and equipment.

Dear Readers,

Welcome to another issue of our quarterly on NWFPs. The theme of this issue is forests and beauty. Yurdi Yasmi from FAO's regional office in Bangkok opens the issue with a brief introduction on the use of beauty products from forests in the Asia Pacific region in our special feature. Also in this issue:
 

• Forest and beauty in Asia: Overview, results, way forward by Nola Andaya, NTFP Exchange
• A case study from India on Sapindus emarginatus for cosmetics from Shiny Rehel, Keystone Foundation
• Nuning S. Barwa's case study of Langsat in cosmetics and in the well being sector in Indonesia
• Mediterranean basin: Converting cork by-products to eco-friendly cork bioactive ingredients: Novel pharmaceutical and cosmetics application by Dr. Marto, University of Lisbon
• Southern Africa — Valorization of Forest Products: Marula, Baobab and Mangetti

The use of cosmetic and beauty products derived from forests dates back more than 6,000 years. Traditional beauty products almost invariably derived from plant, animal or surface mineral sources, including many forest products. However, today, the vast majority of ingredients in commercially available cosmetics are synthetic compounds mainly derived from petroleum and natural gas. With the growth in more ethically and environmentally-minded consumers, plant-based products are becoming increasingly popular choices in modern markets. Many facial creams, soaps, shower gels and oils derive from natural products found in forests. 

• How balanites soap put a smile back on Hadjatou Ouedraogo's face
• Trucos de belleza que salen del bosque
• Forests: an overlooked resource for tackling micronutrient deficiency
• FAO launches project to restore, sustain chilgoza pine forest
• Traditional Kyrgyz walnut-apple forests provide map for sustainable future
• Enhancing management and benefit flows in Viet Nam's Wild Medicinal Products