Before Goop, global warming and gluten-free became mainstays in our vocabulary, Australian skincare brand Jurlique was a quiet achiever in propelling its nature-first approach. At the forefront of the slow-beauty movement, the brand has been using biodynamic farming practices for 39 years to harness its healing properties and support the health and vitality of the earth.
Jurlique’s mission isn’t all about sustainability, it focuses on reconnecting individuals to the land. The driving force of brand co-founder Ulrike Klein was “to connect people back to nature. That connection … that’s what is really important for us as human beings.”
It’s a notion that still holds true today, with Jurlique global brand director Marion Goyet echoing the sentiment. “That’s the Jurlique way: embracing the life force of nature, from seed to skin, from our farm to you.”
In South Australia’s pristine Adelaide Hills, Jurlique’s biodynamic farm cultivates 40 varieties of herbs, flowers and plants. As soon as marie claire enters the gates, we’re greeted with a waft of sweet fragrance as we pass row upon row of the Jurlique rose, a staple ingredient and now emblem for the core range.
Jurlique farm manager Cherie Hutchinson explains that biodynamic farming is a regenerative practice based on natural and holistic methods, and all the remedies it uses come from the earth. To ensure optimum growing conditions for the plants, the practice even takes into account the moon cycle. Seeing firsthand how each ingredient in Jurlique products is grown is a true seed-to-shelf moment and gives new appreciation for the skincare this Aussie brand creates.
Powerful farm-grown active formulas obviously aren’t new territory for the legacy brand, however its latest line, the Herbal Recovery range, sees things taken up a notch. Using cutting-edge science and innovation, this line is infused with radiance-boosting botanicals.
With five products that address the first signs of ageing (think uneven texture, fine lines and wrinkles), this skincare line helps replenish the moisture barrier and brighten the complexion. The targeted formulas also help combat aggressors such as sun exposure, pollution, stress, lack of sleep and poor diet.
“Helping your skin protect and recover from [aggressors] is key for a healthy-looking complexion,” says Goyet. “Some research shows that four out of five wrinkles are due to these aggressors, only one out of five to genetics.”
While the collection is teeming with restorative, skin-loving ingredients such as iris root, echinacea and black elderflower – all lovingly grown on the Jurlique farm – it’s the holy basil adptogen (also farm-grown) that is the collection’s Holy Grail. Used as an anchor throughout the line and referred to as the “elixir of life” in Ayurvedic medicine, this key ingredient is prized for its calming properties.
When paired with “a cocktail of three powerful antioxidant farm-grown botanicals”, Goyet says it helps increase ATP production. “ATP is the energy currency of the cell,” explains Goyet.
“It helps [support] the skin metabolism … moisture retention and skin rejuvenation to promote a smooth, radiant, balanced complexion.” Jurlique’s meticulously curated ingredients reflect a new standard for the company. Skincare is now built with 99 per cent naturally derived and natural ingredients.
“Rather than looking at synthetics to help improve and recover skin, we found the answers in natural ingredients,” says Goyet. “We believe the land is infinitely more powerful than the lab.”
The impressive changes to the brand’s formulas no doubt played a role in Jurlique achieving its recent B-Corp Certification, which requires ingredients come from sustainable farming and manufacturing practices that are inherently planet-friendly. The brand has also made leaps in waster education, with the new collection’s packaging being 95 per cent recyclable.
In this age where most of us are more removed than ever from getting our hands dirty, it’s good to know there are beauty brands like Jurlique helping connect us to the planet with products that are both effective and genuinely from the earth.
Shop Our Favourites From Jurlique’s Recovery Range
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Bi-Phase Serum
$108 at Adore Beauty
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Cream
$100 at Adore Beauty
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Oil Roll-On
$78 at Adore Beauty
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
