Natural Carol is a deeply personal project, fueled by the initiative, passion, and countless hours of work from Carolina Robla, the creator of the brand and director of the Natural Cosmetic Lab, a third-party natural cosmetics laboratory. In this post, we aim to bring you closer to your favorite cosmetics brand from the perspective of the person who once dreamt of this project and made it a reality.

• What inspired you to create your own brand of natural cosmetics?

The inspiration to create my natural cosmetics brand came from a mix of personal passion for natural care and a deep concern for the environmental impact of the products we use every day. I grew up surrounded by nature, with fruits picked from the garden and special people like my parents, who introduced me to natural food and care. From a young age, I was keen to maintain a coherent approach to a healthy, natural, and environmentally friendly lifestyle and profession. Seeing how difficult it was back then, over 37 years ago, to find organic and toxin-free cosmetics, I started making them myself, at home, with my mother’s help. The products that were initially conceived for our personal use were gradually offered to family and friends, and due to their warm reception and acceptance, the idea of creating my own cosmetics brand began to take shape in my mind.

That need turned into a mission: to create products that reflected my values and did not compromise the well-being of people or the planet. Thus, Natural Carol was born.

• After 18 years of Natural Carol in the market, you’re now giving the brand a complete makeover and transitioning to solid formats.

This evolution has gone hand in hand with my personal evolution, the cosmetics sector, consumers, and environmental demands. Without a doubt, it’s our greatest commitment to sustainability. Without losing sight of our essence and commitment to respecting the planet and people, we’ve made a significant shift by reducing product references to the basics for daily hygiene and care and converting all products to solid formats. All of this is combined with a significant revamp of our corporate image, with the new hummingbird logo representing us, associated with values like beauty, vitality, balance, authenticity, and as it feeds on the best nectar of nature, just like we do with each of our products.

• How would you describe the moment that led you to embark on this change in cosmetic concept?

The concept of beauty and personal care has changed; it has become more holistic and goes beyond the benefits of the product itself. Consumers are looking for cosmetics that share their values in terms of health, ethics, and the environment and demand products that revolve around sustainability. We are facing an environmental need that is no longer an option and a consumer who is increasingly conscious of the footprint of their daily actions and is demanding a change in the way things are done. It has been another step in a journey toward sustainability that we began from the outset.

• What is the working philosophy behind Natural Carol?

What sets us apart is closeness. All products are formulated and manufactured in our own lab, allowing us to control every detail. We’re behind the selection of each ingredient to ensure it provides real and visible benefits, maintaining the principles and demands of natural cosmetics. We’ve been in the market for over 18 years, and experience is always a plus. This allows us to know the sector well, stay up-to-date with innovations, and have a good base of trusted suppliers aligned with our working philosophy. And above all, we wanted to minimize the environmental footprint of our work. Hence the choice of the solid format, as it facilitates the reduction of packaging, resources such as water and electricity, is practical, and allows for more concentrated and long-lasting cosmetics.

• What are the main benefits that solid cosmetics offer for people and the environment?

Solid cosmetics offer significant benefits for both people and the environment. For the user, one of the main benefits is product concentration. Being formulated without water, they are much more potent and effective, meaning a small amount can last much longer. Additionally, in the case of our facial line, the packaging has a refill option, which reduces both packaging and costs for the consumer.

From an environmental perspective, solid cosmetics are a more sustainable option. By eliminating the use of plastic packaging and reducing the water footprint, these products help reduce waste and environmental impact. They also tend to have a lower carbon footprint in their production and transportation, as they take up less space than their liquid counterparts.

• How has the public response been since you launched the brand?

The public’s response has been really gratifying and motivating. Natural cosmetics are increasingly accepted among consumers, and many more people now choose natural cosmetics considering both their health and the environment. We love to see that they appreciate every detail we’ve worked so hard on, the quality of the ingredients, the packaging, and the messages they leave us sharing their experiences and results on their skin and hair.

We are currently introducing our products in physical stores. Spaces aligned with our working philosophy, and we’re delighted to see how well they are being received.

• Do you have any upcoming launches to expand the brand’s products?

This coming year, Natural Carol will be completed with a line of sun protection, in addition to introducing more products like shower gel bars, among others.