20 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE
It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since we created the first collection in the Matter brand of products! I had just completed studies in Phytotherapy & Therapeutic Herbalism at a farm outside of London, Ontario, under the guidance of Master Herbalist, Walter Kacera, of Balance of Life Gardens (now Living Art Institute), and renowned Herbalist, David Hoffman out of California; I was bursting to share my newfound knowledge, passion and love for healing botanicals with everyone!
In the Beginning…
In 1996, when we first started out, synthetic chemicals, petroleum by-products, sulphates, harsh fragrances, and parabens were all commonplace in the skincare market. Disappointed by a lack of clean and natural beauty products to meet the changing needs of friends and family, my BFF and fellow herbalist, Sonya D’Cunha (now of Helen & Hildegard), and I set out to create products that were healthy, natural, and pampering for ourselves and our growing families.
Herbalism & the Canadian North…
We began with the simple intention of working with the healing ways of plants, crafting a handful of practical skin and beauty products as gifts for friends and family. From here, our love of nature and the great outdoors led us to focus on herbs indigenous to Canada; we wanted to design blends that were therapeutic and distinct, utilizing botanicals found in our own backyard. It was also important to us that the products be thoughtful – creating simple, daily luxuries for those who appreciate and find pleasure in the “little things”.
How We Make Things…
Not much has changed in regards to how we make our products; we still slow-cook our herbal formulas to extract the delicate properties of the plants, we produce small batches, hand pour our products, and we always utilize only the best ingredients Mother Nature has to offer. What has changed, however, is the conscious consumer’s attitude towards natural products. Increasingly, more like-minded people are embracing locally made, sustainable, natural and healthy products for themselves and their families.
Thank You…
Through years of growing, wild crafting, harvesting, and formulating herbal preparations, we have gained an immense and intimate understanding of the medicinal power of herbs. Our belief remains the same: to embrace a holistic approach to personal care which recognizes the relationship between our natural environment and our physical and emotional well-being.
~ xo, Denise