LITTLE LUXURIES
Seed to Skin
From their flower-filled farm at the foot of the Adelaide Hills, holistic beauty brand Jurlique pushes the boundaries of naturally effective skincare.
WORDS Lucy E Cousins
“We’re an Australian beauty brand making naturally effective skincare that is authentic and genuine.”
A world away from Adelaide’s (tarntanya) busy streets, the Adelaide Hills is a cool-climate escape with winding roads, soft-crested hills and temperate sub-valleys. The region is known for its appealing townships, gourmet produce and award-winning cellar doors, yet among this stunning landscape lies one of Australia’s best-kept beauty secrets – the biodynamic farm of Australian organic beauty leader, Jurlique.
“The Adelaide Hills have remarkable soil quality, with no air pollution, and a great climate,” explains Cherie Hutchinson, Jurlique Farm and Tourism Manager, who has been with the company for over 12 years. “On the Jurlique farm, we grow a lot of Mediterranean crops, including 40 different botanicals, so our beautiful wet winters and really hot summers are just perfect.”
The well-established Australian-made beauty brand, which celebrates 40 years next year, focuses on “holistic and conscious” skincare that works. So much so that it’s a perennial favourite with celebrities, such as Jennifer Lopez and Amy Adams and Tracee Ellis Ross.
“When you think of nature, you might think, is it actually effective?” Hutchinson says. “And absolutely it is. We’re proof! We’re an Australian beauty brand making naturally effective skincare that is authentic and genuine.”
Given the longevity and authenticity of the brand, it’s no surprise that Journey Beyond recently partnered with Jurlique to supply their sustainable, natural-based products to guests travelling in Platinum on The Ghan, Indian Pacific, and Great Southern.
It’s a partnership that feels both natural and exciting, especially as Jurlique’s connection to nature is clear throughout the brand’s ‘seed to skin’ philosophy. “Our philosophy comes from the fact we own every part of the puzzle. We have full traceability of our products,” Hutchinson explains. “This includes knowing where the seeds have come from, where they’re planted, when they’re picked and how they are used in the production cycle.”
With 105 acres of whole biodynamic farming in the Adelaide Hills dedicated to Jurlique’s increasingly popular products, the day-to-day processes on the farm are designed to work in “rhythm with nature”, says Hutchinson, without the use of any pesticides or chemicals. “We know that nothing nasty has gone into our products,” she explains, “because we own every part of the process – that is a unique aspect to Jurlique and something that we’re passionate about.”
With the increase of awareness and demand for sustainable beauty in Australia, Hutchinson has been kept busy not only overseeing the daily workings of the farm, but she also runs the popular farm tours. “Our tours include a stroll through the gardens and greenhouses, into our biodynamic section, where we talk about organic and biodynamic growing, then up to the drying shed to see the freshly picked botanicals and we finish in the shop for an explanation on our extraction process.”
And as for Hutchinson’s favourite product? She’s quick to say the Jurlique Activating Water Essence+. “It makes your skin feel so hydrated because it contains marshmallow root, lavender and calendula flowers,” she explains. “The aroma makes you feel like you’re on there among the flowers on the farm. It’s just so beautiful, I’d bathe in it if I could!”