We work with New Zealand ingredient wholesalers, as well as directly with farmers and international innovative laboratories that are at the forefront of natural skincare ingredients (like plant stem cell technology) and regenerative farming practices. 

Our main supply points are:

• Europe (Switzerland being our main source)
• Australia
• Southern Africa

We ask all suppliers to review our Supplier Code Of Conduct. We work extremely closely with our ingredient suppliers to source ingredients that meet our expectations of: the highest of potency and efficacy, animal welfare (it’s not enough for us to say our products are not tested on animals, we require all of the ingredients that go into our products to meet this standard), demonstrate environmental practices or certifications covering water use, waste management and greenhouse gas emissions, extraction method and the ingredients used for extraction (such as organic compounds), preservation of biodiversity & sustainable use of natural resources, and ethical working conditions.  We take ownership of reviewing each ingredient ourselves and reviewing the documentation of each ingredient – it’s a significant vetting process and why our products take up to two years from idea to fully fledged product.

Our suppliers know that we may forego an ingredient which has the highest of efficacy but does not have the ethics to back it up.  We work with them to find ingredients that meet all of our sourcing criteria. We have full traceability across our supply chain from farm to face, and we will always know where every aspect of our products come from.

 

Organic Farm – Vouvry, Switzerland

Sustainability and fair trade are the cornerstone of our Vouvry farm’s philosophy. They are leaders in sustainability and we are very proud to be able to source 10 of our bioactives from this farm. Not only are they some of the most innovative and highest performing ingredients in the world, they are also organic certified, fair trade certified and have a regenerative impact, actively improving the environment (it is a goal of ours to source ingredients from all farms who have a regenerative impact on the environment). The farm’s main aim is to promote sustainability agriculture in mountainous areas. It has been in operation since 1990 and offers jobs to locals in a remote area in Switzerland.

 

Meet our farmer – Catherine Tornay

Catherine Tornay lives in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the tiny mountain village of Reppaz, 10 km from Mont Blanc. She moved to the village 35 years ago and has raised her four children here. As well as helping her husband with their dairy herd and working as the local postwoman, Catherine cultivates Edelweiss which is in our Supernatural, Skin Reset and Skin Shield products.

“I began growing medicinal and herbal plants back in 1990 and the more I learned about them the more fascinated I became. The work is very intensive, but it’s wonderful to be outdoors in July when the mountains are at their greenest.”

Sustainable cultivation methods help protect and preserve the area’s unique biodiversity, and it also helps secure an income for local mountain farmers.

“Often today, younger generations have no idea where their ingredients come from. My hope is that if they can begin to understand this, and the work that’s involved, then they will share these insights with others, who in turn will tell their friends and families. My young granddaughter, for instance, is fascinated by life on the farm and my work on the plants. If everybody had the opportunity to see this aspect of supply chains, like she does, it would certainly make a difference”.

Meet our farmer – Frederic Morard

Frederic Morard grows Edelweiss, Alpine Flax (linum), Lemon Balm (Melissa) Alpine Willowherb (Epilobium) and Skullcap (Scutellaria)

"My parents have been working the land here for over 30 years.

I get so much satisfaction from being immersed in nature, surrounded by mountains; tending my plants and watching them bloom.

Well we all need to earn our living so this collaboration means I can stand my ground in sometimes challenging conditions. But when you know you are collaborating on Fair Trade terms with a supportive partner you are also motivated to do the best work you can and to produce the best possible quality plants you can at all times.

We are lucky in many ways because being so high in the mountains and surrounded by forests the land is well protected and the air unpolluted. It’s an ideal environment for nature. However, I want to help keep it this way and it’s important not to be complacent. Our organic approach to farming is part of this but I’m also keen to encourage biodiversity, so I’ve already planted more trees, installed nesting boxes for birds and introduced beehives."

 

APS Packaging

APS are based in Auckland, New Zealand and work with Emma Lewisham to source our glass bottles and 100% recycled plastic tubes – which cannot be made in New Zealand.  APS are a young, innovative and family run organisation who are proactive in sourcing and developing refillable packaging options to help us achieve our 100% circular goal.

Together we were able to deliver a world first 100% post consumer recycled plastic tube in 2019. Our goal is to deliver a circular and refillable packaging solution by 2021.  We are currently working together and investing in new refillable moulds for the beauty industry at large. These moulds will allow us to offer luxurious, refillable options to our customers.

The Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers of our Skin shield tubes and the manufacturer of Skin Rest and Supernatural products are both ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 certified. All conditions of employment as set out by Chinese and Taiwanese Labour Standard Laws are strictly adhered to and workers are fairly remunerated based on their roles and responsibility. APS Packaging have visited the factories and offices and are impressed with the working standards.

 

Bluestar Printing

Blue Star in Wellington produce Emma Lewisham’s packaging and have worked with us from the beginning to ensure that our packaging met our standards of respecting people in our supply chain and the planet.

They are in our view, the most sustainably minded print provider in New Zealand.  They’ve helped us to deliver our compostable box packaging, which has no use of plastic (single use or laminate – which usually prohibits boxes from being recycled), uses soy-based inks, and is FSC certified. Every detail of our packaging is considered. We have explored 100% recycled box packaging which unfortunately we cannot source due to the lack of demand in New Zealand for this paper. We hope to encourage more brands to request this paper – this collective effort is required in order to bring this type of material in.