Fashion, Evolved

I have tried so many skincare products it isn’t even funny.  (I’m amazed my skin is in as good condition as it is with all the experimenting I’ve done on it.)  But at 35, I’ve finally started getting serious about my face.  While I’m no supermodel, I do want to look my best for as long as I can.  That means I can no longer afford to go to sleep with makeup on, wash with whatever happens to be lying around, and moisturize with drugstore lotion.

The problem I have is that most products are either too drying or too oily.  I always fault on the side of oily because I’d rather look greasy than wrinkly.  But in an ideal situation, I shouldn’t have to choose.  Now, I don’t have to.

This year I discovered Edelbio.  It’s a line of skincare products developed to be safe for even children to use, and bear the BIOCOSC label–the highest organic standards in Europe.  BIOCOSC products fit the following critera:

• A minimum of 97% of the total ingredients must be natural or of natural origin
• A minimum of 95% of the vegetal components should be organic
• A minimum of the total ingredients must be organic
• The raw materials used must be free of all contaminants, such as pesticides, GMO’s, hydrocarbons, nitrates, etc.
• The external packaging must be non-pollutant and recyclable

The name “Edelbio” is a combination of the words “Edelweiss and Biology.”  Edelweiss is the little white flower that has developed the ability to thrive in the Alps despite the harsh elements.  The essences of this flower are one of the secrets to what makes this line so effective.

The founder of Eldelbio is Karin Wittmer who’s vision for her company is to foster a healthy beauty experience that is pan-generational;  a line of beauty products that mothers and daughters can share without sacrificing their health and wellness.  I’ve been using these products for six months and I am at the point where I can go without makeup with confidence.  In fact, the quality of my facial skin has been remarked on by strangers.

The line consists of ten products–six for women and four for girls (or those with ultra-sensitive skin):

1.  All-In-One Cleanser

An All-in-One Cleansing Lotion made with organic mint and verbena floral waters, with raspberry and Aloe Vera. Suitable for all skin types, Edlebio’s Cleansing Lotion is pH-balanced, soap free, and fragrance free.  An organic fresh floral lotion that removes make-up, purifies and gently refines your complexion. Cleanser is made without additional fragrances so that you may better enjoy the freshness of Edelbio’s Swiss flowers.

2.  Fresh Organic Wake-Up Mask

A Fresh Wake-Up Mask made with Edelbio’s Organic Swiss Alps Complex, citrus and vitamin E. Suitable for all skin types, Edlebio’s Wake-Up Mask is pH-balanced, non-acnegenic, and fragrance free. Pamper your skin and preserve its youthful appearance with this fast and easy-to-use mask that brings radiance and a healthy glow to your complexion.

3.  Radiance Organic Moisturizing Cream

A Radiance Moisturizing Fluid made with Edelbio’s Organic Swiss Alps Complex, apricot , marula & vitamin E. Suitable for normal to dry skin, Edlebio’s Radiance Moisturizing Cream is pH-balanced, non-acnegenic, and fragrance free.  Enriched moisturizing cream with Edelbio’s Organic Swiss Alps Complex, antioxidant, radical-scavenger, and cell protector. Nourish and regenerate your skin capital with the miracle of marula and apricot kernel oil. A touch of jojoba oil, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, leaves your skin supple and hydrated.

4.  Radiance Organic Moisturizing Fluid

A Radiance Moisturizing Fluid made with Edelbio’s Organic Swiss Alps Complex, apricot , marula & vitamin E. Suitable for normal to dry skin, Edelbio’s Radiance Moisturizing Fluid is pH-balanced, non-acnegenic, and fragrance free.  Enriched moisturizing cream with Edelbio’s Organic Swiss Alps Complex, antioxidant, radical-scavenger, and cell protector. Nourish and regenerate your skin capital with the miracle of marula and apricot kernel oil. A touch of jojoba oil, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, leaves your skin supple and hydrated.

5.  Organic Vitamin Rich Serum

A deliciously rich vitamin serum to preserve your skin. Serum is made with Edelbio’s Organic Swiss Alps Complex, raspberry, neroli. Suitable for all skin types, Edelbio’s Vitamin Rich Serum is pH-balanced, non-acnegenic, and fragrance free.  Serum in enriched vitamin facial serum with Edelbio’s Organic Swiss Alps Complex, antioxidant, radical-scavenger, and cell protector. Preserve your skin and rejuvenate the natural color of your complexion.

6.  Silky Foaming Organic Exfoliating Gel

A Silky Foaming Exfoliating Gel made with jojoba beads, bamboo powder, raspberry, lemon & Aloe Vera. Suitable for all skin types, Edlebio’s Exfoliating Gel is pH-balanced for sensitive skin and soap free.  A brightening silky foaming facial scrub gel that gently cleans and exfoliates your skin with the finest organic ingredients rich in vitamin A, B1 and C. Soothing foam illuminates your complexion without irritating your skin.

7.  Soft Floral Rinse-Free Organic Cleanser

A Soft Floral Rinse-Free Cleanser made with organic neroli and verbena floral waters. Suitable for sensitive skin, Edlebio’s Soft Floral Rinse-Free Cleanser is pH-balanced, and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin.   An organic fresh floral lotion that keep harmful pollutants at bay, leaving your days and nights clean and clear. Purifies and gently protects the most sensitive skin. Made without additional fragrances so that you may enjoy the natural fresh fragrance of Edelbio’s Swiss flowers.

8.  Gentle Organic Facial Cream

A Gentle Facial Cream made with Edelbio’s Organic Swiss Alps Complex, apricot, marula & vitamin E. Suitable for sensitive skin, Edlebio’s Gentle Facial Cream is pH-balanced, and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin.  A protective cream made of a blend of organic ingredients to protect and nourish the beautiful and delicate face of your loved ones. The Organic Swiss Alps Complex made of Edelweiss, Artemisia and Buddleja flowers is full of bioactive ingredients that serve to protect their skin from dirt, oil, and harmful pollutants. Edelbio’s Gentle Facial Cream is made without additional fragrances so that you may enjoy the natural fragrance of their Swiss flowers.

9.  Pretty Princess Organic Body Lotion

A body lotion made with organic Edelweiss, white lily, swiss honey and shea butter. Suitable for all skin types, Edelbio’s Prett Princess Body Lotion is pH-balanced, and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin.  Wrap your body with this scented veil body lotion, an organic blend of Edelweiss, white Lily, Swiss honey, and shea butter. Calms, softens, and helps protect your skin all day long. Leave your skin supple, hydrated, and fortified.

10.  Fruity Dream Mousse Organic Bath & Shower Gel

A Bath & Shower Gel made with organic neroli and Swiss honey. Suitable for all skin types, Edlebio’s Fruity Dream Mousse Bath & Shower Gel is pH-balanced, and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin.  Let the glittery and fresh-fruity scented Mousse wrap your body. Formulated without soap to protect your natural pH-balance, this soothing gel is specially dedicated to our girls. The bath becomes a pure dream of mousse and relaxation.

American women spend an average of $600 each year on beauty products.  Most of these have been marketed to us as ‘luxurious’ and ‘pampering’–but even high-end products that you find at places like Neiman Marcus are made in a factory using all kinds of synthetic chemicals.  Really, what is luxurious about that?  In contrast, consider the small, independent company A Natural High, owned and operated by Valkyrie Lang.

Lang boasts an impressive list of credentials, including formal training at the Pacific Northwest Herbal Symposium, the Breitenbush Herbal Conference, Northwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and an apprenticeship with herbalist Colette Gardiner.  She also graduated from the Australasian College of Health Sciences in 2003 with a certificate in Homeonotanical Therapy.

A Natural High was founded in 2000 with an investment of only $2000.  The line features over 100 different premium, personally formulated therapeutic body care items, natural products and herbal extracts which are  sold online and at select boutiques and health food retailers.

I had a chance to ask Val a few questions about her company and the amazing products she’s created:

What is the #1 reason your customers keep coming back for your products?

Although the quality of my products keep my customers happy, let’s face it, there are lots of great bodycare products out there. My customers keep coming back for a very simple reason:  They trust me.  My customers have either met me in person, talked to me personally on the phone, or been referred to me by another ecstatic customer. I don’t get a lot of “drive-by” web traffic. And when I do, I truly believe they take a chance and order from me because they can tell from my website that I am FOR REAL.  I  offer natural, handcrafted products with great ingredients.   Typically, I don’t refer to my “customers” by that name. They are all part of the A Natural High“family” because once someone buys from me, they come back 90% of the time and by again. I have relationships with my customers and although I have not met them all– I have many people I talk to on the phone once a year (and they have been ordering from me for 5 or 6 years)– I recognize their name, or their voice, or remember what they ordered last time- they are like friends to me.

What are your personal favorite products?

If I was stranded on a desert island, I could not live a day without my Intensive Skin Treatment or one of my lip treatments/balms. The Anti-Aging and Facial Firming Serum is also another personal fav that has taken about 5 years off my face!

What do you tell people when they ask about the difference between ANH and regular drugstore products?

There are MANY differences between my products and what someone could buy at Walgreen’s. Firstly, my products are handcrafted in microbatches. What that means is that all products are made by a real person, mixing it up by hand, just like a chef would do. Secondly, I have personally formulated all but 2 of my products– I started formulating in 1995 and it’s an art. More intuition and creativity than science, but chemistry does play a part. Thirdly, I have sourced the globe for the highest quality ingredients and try to buy organic when I can. As a small manufacturer, I can buy the higher grades whereas a huge company has to buy commercial grade ingredients due to quantity and price points.  Lastly, anyone can email or call me directly and ask me anything about a product- the ingredients, how it’s made, why I choose certain essential oils, if it’s indictated for their situation. My ANH “family” likes that! And if someone is not happy for any reason, they can let me know and I can make it right.  Try to do that at Walgreen’s!

What makes ANH sustainable as a whole company?

I have been blessed to be celebrating my 10 year anniversary in a few months. If it wasn’t sustainable, I wouldn’t still be doing it- I would have crashed and burned by now.  However, I will say that I stepped back about a year and a half ago because I was burning the candle at both ends. As an entrepreneur, I have always given 110%, but after having a baby it became too much for a while. My daughter was born on a Tuesday, and I was back at the market selling my goods on Saturday, after being in labor for 27 hours. At the time, I didn’t think anything much of bringing a 4 day old baby with me and breastfeeding her between customers, but now I look back and think I may have been a little crazy! My daughter was known as the “market baby” at the 2 markets  I was doing, she came with me the first 2 years of her life and now she tries to sell product at the ripe age of 5! ANH is going through another transition right now and when it emerges, it will be a even more evolved, sustainable company.