"When I started Kosmea, I wanted to change the way people cared for their skin by bringing innovative, natural products within everyone's reach.
It gives me so much satisfaction to hear from customers who have used Kosmea and have experienced the benefits of healthier, balanced skin — it's the best part of my job!"
Marie Jenkins, Company Founder
Kosmea is an Australian natural skincare company and an international success story, founded on the healing properties of certified organic rose hip oil.
From the earliest days the company and its products have been developed with a strong vision, determination and commitment to integrity.
Certified organic rose hip oil
Certified organic rose hip oil and its unique ability to nourish and balance all skin types is the foundation of Kosmea Australia.
In 1993, I discovered the unique qualities of rose hip oil when mixing ingredients for a home-made face mask. I had always enjoyed making my own skincare concoctions with natural ingredients including avocado, brewer's yeast, yoghurt and herbs. A new recipe that I wanted to try included rose hips, so I headed to a rose farm where the owners were happy for me to pick some rose hips and also gave me an article about rose hip oil's nourishing and healing qualities. Crammed with essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, I learnt that rose hip oil was ideal for dry, scarred, sensitive and sun-damaged skin. I was intrigued.
I was impressed with the results that rose hip had on my skin. I couldn't think of any other product that was completely natural and affordable, and could be used for a baby's nappy rash, a teenager's pimples, sun damaged skin of any age, or a grandmother's dry, sensitive skin. Surely other people would share my enthusiasm when they tried it and saw the results for themselves. And they did.
A strong vision
I was driven by my vision to create the leading natural skincare company in the world.
I would do this by changing the way people thought about skincare: instead of using chemicals as a band-aid solution to skin problems, I wanted people to start questioning the ingredients in their skincare products and to start caring for their skin by bringing it back into balance. This vision is reflected in the name I chose for the company: the word 'Kosmea' comes from the Ancient Greek meaning to harmonise and bring into balance.
Determination
Having a vision is one thing; making it a reality is another. Kosmea's success and growth was the result of single-minded determination.
I believed in my idea of taking rose hip oil to the Australian market; no one else was selling rose hip oil in Australia and I was determined to be the first. But I had three small children and no spare money. I wanted to buy one drum of rose hip oil and 4000 bottles (the minimum order) to fill with the oil. Much to the dismay of my husband and children, I sold the family car to raise the capital I needed.
My family and I then sat around the kitchen table for many long days and nights, filling the bottles with oil and labelling them. The next step was selling these 4000 bottles into retailers. Over the next few weeks, I personally visited every health food store in South Australia -- about 80 stores in total. We had bought a really old car to replace the car I sold, so I had to park my car around the corner from each store, hoping that no one would see me get out!
I knew that once people had the chance to try the oil for themselves, they would be hooked, so I gave each store owner a bottle to try. Everyone who tried the oil was convinced and I was able to sell a tray of bottles into each store I visited. Within 6 months, I had sold all 4000 bottles.
Through sheer determination, I was able to secure a bank loan to buy more drums of rose hip oil, to develop new skincare products in the range, and within a few short years, to begin exporting to Hong Kong, the UK, Canada and New Zealand. I never stopped believing in my vision or in myself. Giving up wasn't an option.
Integrity
My belief in natural skincare means that I will never compromise on using the highest quality natural ingredients and on the way each product in the range is formulated.
In the early days, manufacturers told me that the way I wanted to make my first moisturiser wouldn't work. They thought they knew better and tried to change the formula, but I persisted until I found a manufacturer who had the integrity to make my products the way I had intended.
I am dedicated to changing the way people treat their skin. Kosmea was one of the first skincare companies to challenge conventional skincare manufacturing by avoiding the use of harmful synthetic ingredients, and I will never compromise on that principle. Our skin is a living organ and we should nourish it with ingredients that we recognise and would be prepared to eat!
My children have grown up with Kosmea and have lived and breathed the company philosophy from the earliest age. Today, my daughters Olivia and Carla work closely with me in the business. Olivia is responsible for sales and marketing within Australia, the UK, Canada, Hong Kong and New Zealand, while Carla has headed the Kosmea UK office for the last three years. Olivia and Carla are bringing the Kosmea brand and its values to a new generation of families who insist on skincare as nature intended™.
I hope you enjoy learning more about Kosmea and rose hip oil -- and please keep telling us about your wonderful experiences using Kosmea Skin Clinic™ Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil.
