Marionnaud, Europe’s largest beauty chain, goes natural with the Lavera product line from Germany.

Lavera, which means truth in Latin, has been pioneering naturally effective skin care since 1987.Its founder and owner Thomas Haase suffered from eczema since childhood. Unable to find non-irritating skin treatments for his condition, he opened his own skin care company and started developing chemical free products. The first of which is a lip balm still sold today.

"He is the main developer of our products and works in the lab everyday, "says Petra Bonnekampe, Lavera managing director. "His skin problems have made healthy living and environmental issues very important to him. In the last 12 months, the company developed 120 products."

The brand has a factory near Hanover that uses the latest technology for a healthier beauty regimen for today’s busy lifestyle. The company is a recipient of an organic certification from BDIH Foundation in Germany. Ingredients, packaging, and production standards are among those included in its evaluation criteria. "Ingredients are supplied by long-term partners that are also certified for Econtrol, Bioland or Demeter," Bonnekampe said.

By using only pure plant oils, herbs and flowers it is free of synthetic fragrances and chemical preservatives, making it suitable for the most sensitive skin. These organic ingredients help support skin processes like cell renewal, hydration, oxygenation and protection.

It also earned the UK Vegan Society’s Sunflower logo as a stamp of approval for being completely free of animal products, by products or derivatives.

Its best sellers in the Asian market include anti-aging products like the anti-aging sun screen with SPF 20 for delicate faces. It contains shea butter for moisture, hazel and licorice extracts for redness and irritation; caffeine to boost micro-circulation; and organic cold pressed sunflower oil for anti-oxidant protection.

The Vervain-Lime body lotion is an invigorating experience after a shower. The vervain extracts refresh the skin while the lemon and lime has antiseptic and astringent properties to clarify, tone, and brighten the skin.

Lavera Naturkosmetic skin care products are available at Marionnaud at the SM Mall of Asia.