06.30.08
Whole-Body Wellness
Verikira Naturals products deliver head-to-toe wellbeing with a conscience.
By Joanna Cosgrove
Online Editor
After Kira Peterson was diagnosed with a complex muscle illness, she embarked on a journey to proactively manage her health, which culminated when she fully realized the benefits of natural and organic products. Her endeavor to share the notion that healthy choices can lead to whole body wellness resulted in the development of Verikira Naturals, a line of skin care, beauty and aromatherapy products formulated with fine natural and organic ingredients, essential oils, vitamins, minerals and extracts from flowers, herbs, fruits, leaves and roots that clean, exfoliate, refresh and protect the body. The products are manufactured in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and are certified by the Vegan Cosmetics Organization. They also follow the Natural Ingredient Resource Center (NIRC) criteria for labeling natural ingredients and products, which mirror those established by the USDA for organic food.
The line hinges on the concept of Total Body Wellness.
“Your skin is the largest organ of your body and we need to think about what we put on and into our bodies and how it may affect us. Ingredients in personal care products (including skin, hair, make-up, dental, etc.) can enter your body and bloodstream from direct topical applications,” asserted Ms. Peterson. “Many personal care products are full of ingredients that are harmful or may have impacts to our overall health that are still unknown. That’s why we strive to use as much natural and organic ingredients in our products which will provide nutrients to our skins and bodies and aide in overall good health.”
The Range Rundown
The Verikira Naturals line consists of 40 products that fall into the following categories: Face Cleanse & Tone; Face Exfoliate & Rejuvenate; Face Moisturize & Protect; Body Cleanse & Tone; Body Exfoliate & Rejuvenate; Body Moisturize & Protect; Body Aroma-Juvenate; Body Remedy; and Aromatherapy.
To cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and help facial skin resist the elements of aging, the company offers a range of cleansers, toners and masques including items such as the Green Clay Face Cleanser, which features vitamin C esters, vitamin E, and French green clay derived from mineral-rich volcanic deposits high in calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. The cleanser ($34) is promoted to stimulate and increase the lymph flow and circulation; enabling oxygen and speeding the elimination of wastes. Its active ingredients are blended with essential oils of bergamot, lemon, lime, orange, mandarin, tangerine, litsea and neroli to “help guard against aging.”
The company also created a Pink Grapefruit Pink Ribbon Collection consisting of sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo, conditioner and body lotion from which a portion of the proceeds are donated to fund breast cancer research and awareness.
Rounding out the line is an Aromatherapy Collection consisting of 100% pure soy candles and rattan reed oil diffusers to scent the home.
Ms. Peterson said that her company is currently working on a number of additions to the Verikira product line.
“We are looking to expand our face line by providing different skin-type options, and also considering the potential for a ‘baby-line,’” she said. “We will be coming out with a new scent/blend to our aromatherapy line for a candle and reed diffuser this fall in time for Holiday (Cinnamon, Clove & Orange blend).”
Conscientious Formulating
Because more consumers seem to be drawn to products advertising the use of organic ingredients and botanicals, Ms. Peterson said the blends of her formulations are what help her line stand apart from the competition. The company also observes very high manufacturing standards.
“We strive to use advanced and complex blends of many ingredients to give your skin and body added vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants,” she explained. “We have chosen each product uniquely and used certain ingredients to help us achieve the results and benefits they can provide, based upon how the product will be used. In addition we only use pure essential oils for healing and scenting.
The formulations for Ms. Peterson’s Verikira Naturals line are characterized by high concentration of organic and botanical ingredients.
“Natural and organic ingredients, botanicals, and pure essential oils can add significant vitamins, minerals and nutrients, while being toxin-free and healing to our skin and bodies,” she said. “Some of our ingredients have been organically certified and new ones are added all the time by Oregon Tilth Certifed Organic Program. In addition, our products are manufactured under this same organic certification. The certification was just awarded in the last couple of months.
“We’re very proud to say our products are never tested on animals,” she added. “And we donate a portion of all profits to carefully chosen nonprofit organizations whose purpose aligns with our own–organizations that work to support human health and wellness. There is no reason to settle for synthetic or chemical-based products.”
The company also aspires to the highest standards and qualifications in its manufacturing processes. The company has pledged to follow the Natural Ingredient Resource Center (NIRC) criteria for labeling natural ingredients and products. The NIRC Guidelines are very similar to those established by the USDA for organic food, and are inspired in part by the work of the organizations endeavoring to establish similar labeling guidelines for the term “organic” in the cosmetic industry.
Verikira products are also certified by The Vegan Cosmetics Organization, a not-for-profit subsidiary dedicated to encouraging the use of vegan cosmetics and educating the public about the benefits of using fruit- and vegetable-derived cosmetics with the goal of preserving the environment and enhancing human health. They are the only certifying agent exclusively serving the personal care industry.
Verikira Naturals are currently sold in Life Time Fitness LifeSPAs across the country, as well as other U.S. spas, salons and boutiques, and on the company’s website at www.verikira.com