Our Story (from Founder, Alena)
My love for nature and clean organic produce goes back to childhood, where I grew up on a small family farm. We had all the organic fruits and vegetables we could eat, with varieties rivaling even the best-stocked supermarket. When we moved out to a bigger city and growing our own produce was no longer an option, I noticed its effect on my body. My skin became tired, and I got sick more often. Slowly, I began seeking out and purchasing organic produce from local farms, and while my overall health improved, I found myself wondering why I would spend the extra money to eat better foods when I was still using conventional skincare products derived from harsh chemicals and inhumane animal byproducts. I then sought out all-natural and organic alternatives to skincare, but found the market to be severely lacking. Sure, there were some organic options on the market with simple ingredients, but none did everything I wanted them to, and some didn’t work at all.
My frustration was exacerbated when two of my children developed eczema. After trying out numerous over-the-counter and prescription medications / treatments with no relief in sight, I changed our diets and made a few simple lifestyle changes. By cutting out processed foods, chemical-based detergents and body-washes, their condition improved, but some of their symptoms still persisted. With determination and recipes derived from my grandfather, a holistic physician, I researched different essential oils and their effect on skin, trying out different ratios and combinations until I found what worked best. Their condition improved so drastically, that it inspired me to go further and see if these same essential oils could be used to replace my current skincare regimen. To my delight, I found my skin to be softer, smoother, and more vibrant than it had been in years. Eventually, I decided that my products could fill the void left by traditional products, and thus Bella Organics was born.