Spotlight on BOTANICO VIDA

We spoke to Kristy and Hannah, the founders of BOTANICO VIDA, to learn about the importance of sustainability in the beauty industry.

Q. What inspired you to start BOTANICO VIDA?

We wanted to create products that were 100% natural, and effective and could provide real alternatives to the family bathroom cabinet staples.

Q. Where has your love of the beauty industry come from?

Kristy studied alternative therapies and came to the beauty industry through being trained in massage and having a curiosity with essential oils and their impact on the skin. Hannah came to it through being a friend of Kristy's and wanting to work with someone whose skills she respected and whose company she enjoyed!

Q. What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own business?

Seek out people who are experts in the area to work alongside you. Kristy's experience in skincare from founding the brand Elemental Herbology has brought us so many contacts and connections, and helped avoid many pitfalls along the way. Start small, try your products out on friends and family first.

Q. What has been your greatest achievement?

We were delighted when a leading supermarket decided to stock BOTANICO VIDA Omega Oil 125ml in nearly 400 supermarkets, and to have it sitting alongside the market leader on their shelves. This is real proof that people do not have to buy products containing mineral oil, and that we are bringing natural products to the mainstream market. And for Hannah a recent cycle ride to Paris in less than 24 hours for the incredible charity Duchenne UK which raised £10,000 was a pretty emotional achievement!

Q. How do you relax and unwind?

Kristy does hot yoga, and Hannah plays the guitar and sings. We both have kids, so time with children (when they are in a good mood!) is always a lovely tonic.

Q. How important is sustainability to you?

Very important. We love the fact that our Sacha Inchi Oil supports families in the Amazon and actually helps with reforestation. What's more we are constantly looking for ways to improve our impact on the world. We believe that Omega Oil can replace the many bottles/tonics in the bathroom cabinet, so that people just need one, long lasting natural product for the whole family. We are constantly evolving our packaging designs and have some very interesting new biodegradable packaging in development. Hannah has recently become vegetarian after seeing the incredible documentary 'Cowspiracy' which makes the case for how widespread vegetarianism would solve climate change, and allow us to easily feed everyone on the planet.

Q. How important was it for you to bring out a range that is suitable for the whole family to use?

Very important, as with families ourselves we just wanted to simplify our skincare regimes and were shocked that so many products that we thought were natural and for children, contained mineral oil (derived from crude-oil) and unnatural colours and fragrances.

Q. Will you be expanding the range?

Yes, but only in a limited way for specific family skincare concerns, as our current range is so multipurpose, but watch this space!

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