A nature loving cosmetician from Castlebar has launched a new business making and selling her own range of 100 per cent natural, hand made, skin care products.
Stephanie Kilkenny, the brains behind Réalta Naturals, says the business is going extremely well so far and orders are coming in thick and fast for the Christmas season.
“There is definitely a demand for natural products,” she said. “That’s why I make everything myself from scratch using oils and butters, there’s no nasty ingredients in there, and the scented products are made with essential oils.”
Ms Kilkenny is breaking into a rapidly growing market. Consumers are becoming much more conscious of the ingredients that go into their personal care products and more people are opting to go au naturel.
According to the global market researcher Kline, the natural skin care market is growing twice as fast as the rest of the beauty market with sales in Europe increasing by six per cent in 2013.
Ms Kilkenny, a trained aromatherapist, was inspired to launch her own range of products because of her love for nature and her search for natural products to use herself.
“I’ve used essential oils since I can remember and I always made potions and blends to heal skin conditions,” she explained.
“A few years ago, when I wanted to use a moisturiser that was as natural as possible, one that wasn’t filled with chemicals, I couldn’t find one that I was happy with so I decided to take out my bowls, whisks, and spatulas and get to work.”
Her initial home kitchen success prompted her to create the Réalta Naturals line of products, which she describes as “luxurious natural skin care at an affordable price”.
The range includes moisturisers, body butters, toners, cleansers, hand creams, and the very popular goat’s milk soap, which appeals in particular to people with very sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Ms Kilkenny also manufactures custom ordered skin care products to suit the client’s individual needs and preferences.
Ms Kilkenny’s next big goal is to open her own retail shop in Castlebar, hopefully in the next 12 months.
The entire ethos of the new venture is grounded in a “love, love, love, for all things natural”, says Ms Kilkenny.
“Nature brings me to somewhere pure, natural, and safe, which is exactly what my skincare range is.”
Réalta Naturals are available in Henaghan’s Health Food Centre, Castlebar, and online at www.naturals.ie
Réalta Naturals will also be exhibiting at the upcoming Christmas fair in the TF Royal Hotel on Sunday.
