Our founder and skincare formulator Kari Asselin answers your frequently asked questions so that you can stay informed about our processes and natural skincare products. After all, we believe that knowledge is the best ingredient when it comes to producing our ethical and effective skincare.
Q: Are there any preservatives in your products?
Kari: Yes, and they are all natural. Any product that has a water component must have a preservative. We use one that is non-toxic and has an excellent safety profile. For the products that do not contain water, we preserve those with antioxidants, such as vitamin E. My favourite natural preservatives to use are elderberry extract and fermented radish root.
Q: How do you test your products?
Kari: We do a number of tests. We incubate our products in a heated chamber for 12 weeks to test for stability (separation and bacteria growth). We also do freeze/thaw and pH testing. We always keep a sample from every batch so that we can continue to test them for up to two years.
Q: Is there a difference between organic and natural?
Kari: I always consider organic substances to be in their most natural state —non-GMO, and also grown, harvested and extracted without the use of chemicals. I consider anything natural to be derived from a plant.
Q: How do you go about creating a new product?
Kari: My mind immediately goes to what I feel is missing in my current routine. Are there any gaps that I can fill for our customers? For example, we don't currently have a face balm or eye cream, so those formulas are currently top of mind for me.
I also think about the specific goals for the product, what skincare concerns we can address, and what plants I can source to address these concerns. Other questions I ask myself include: ‘How can I combine plants in a way that is new and exciting?’ ‘What is the quality like?’ and ‘How potent can I make this product without going over the top?’
Q: What scents are you currently formulating?
Kari: We're putting some fresh new twists on scents that were customer favourites in the past but have since gone into the vault. We're really excited to bring them back! We're also working one of our favourite aromatherapy blends into a new Body Butter and Body Scrub. Although our Pink Coconut scent has always been in the lead, this new scent might just surpass it. It’s a blend of exotic citrus and neroli, with rich, earthy notes.
Q: What should I know about ‘maskne’?
Kari: Mask acne (aka maskne) occurs when your protective face mask causes your skin barrier to become impaired due to friction, trapped sweat, and inflammation-causing bacteria. Maintaining good mask hygiene, plus adding in a few soothing skincare steps pre- and post-mask are key to preventing and treating maskne.
Balance acne-fighting treatments with a regular skincare routine that will repair your skin’s moisture barrier.
Natural skincare products that prevent and treat maskne:
- White Willow Cleansing Gel - a non-stripping cleanser
- Pure and Calm Elixir to ease inflammation and redness
- Clarity Purifying Concentrate to purify the pores
Q: What are some of the most exciting products you are planning to release in 2021?
Kari: Without giving away too much detail, we plan on launching some new targeted face serums and creams, a really innovative cleanser, and new body care scents. I am most excited about a Youth Concentrate for age-conscious skin types.
DID YOU KNOW THAT OM ORGANICS PRODUCTS ARE CERTIFIED BY CERTCLEAN - NORTH AMERICA'S NEW STANDARD FOR TOXIN-FREE SKINCARE? WHETHER YOU ARE A SKIN-SAVVY GURU OR NEW TO OUR ALL–NATURAL SKINCARE LINE, WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES. CONTACT US ONLINE OR VISIT US IN PERSON AT OUR APOTHECARY IN INVERMERE, BC.