When Ulrike and Dr Jurgen Klein arrived in the pristine Adelaide Hills in 1983 with four young children, a dream, and a deep passion for nature and science, they couldn’t have imagined that their fifth “child” — Jurlique — would still be thriving 40 years later. Founded in 1985, the now-iconic natural skincare brand is celebrating four decades of innovation, biodynamic farming, and clean beauty leadership with a renewed focus on its seed-to-skin philosophy.
“I still feel today like Jurlique is one of my children,” Ulrike reflected during the brand’s 40th anniversary celebrations, held on its stunning South Australian farm. “Jurlique even carries a piece of both our names — Jurgen and Ulrike. It was a very personal journey. We arrived with small children, a big dream, and a vision that many thought was impossible.”
That vision was to create pure, high-performing skincare made from ingredients grown with integrity and harvested by hand — long before “clean beauty” was part of the industry lexicon. “In those days, if you talked about life force and healthy soil, people would look at you like you were a bit strange,” Ulrike said with a smile. “But we knew — we absolutely knew — that nature would be the future.”
Ulrike describes the early years as “a journey into the unknown,” but one built on conviction. “It seemed almost impossible at first. But I learned that if you take the right steps towards something you truly believe in — and you stay committed — it will happen.”
That commitment led to the creation of Jurlique’s biodynamic farm in the Adelaide Hills, now considered the heart of the brand. The climate, she said, was perfect for their vision. “You see the roses. Everything is very bright around those roses. Roses love this climate — so do calendulas, chamomile, and so many other botanicals. Nature told us what to grow.”
Today, over 40 different plant species are cultivated on the farm without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. The brand’s biodynamic approach treats the soil as a living entity and embraces the rhythms of nature — a practice that remains central to Jurlique’s identity. “Biodynamic farming is about listening,” said Ulrike. “It’s about working with the seasons, not against them. You honour nature instead of trying to overrun it.”
The brand’s current CEO, Loic Rethore, echoed those sentiments, describing Jurlique’s farm-to-formula system as one of its biggest strengths. “We are proudly Australian, and we own every step — from seed to skin,” he said. “We harvest, formulate, manufacture, and distribute all within South Australia. That gives us complete control over quality and sustainability.”
Jurlique’s legacy is steeped in scientific and holistic expertise. Jurgen was a biochemist and naturopath who had previously worked for German holistic skincare brand Dr. Hauschka; Ulrike a trained herbalist and horticulturist. “Bringing those skills together — science and nature — was a powerful starting point,” Ulrike said. “And education was always a big part of our journey, both for our team and our customers. We believed in empowering people to understand the products they were using.”
Throughout its 40-year history, Jurlique has set the standard in natural skincare. The brand launched its now-iconic Herbal Recovery and Rosewater Balancing Mist in the early 1990s, followed by a series of pioneering wellness partnerships, including becoming the official wellness spa partner for the Sydney and Atlanta Olympic Games. Jurlique’s products have since reached over 27 global markets and more than 700 retail locations.
At the heart of this legacy lies efficacy. Jurlique’s formulations are backed by rigorous testing, combining traditional plant wisdom with advanced extraction techniques like CO₂ supercritical extraction and bio-intrinsic methods. Ingredients like the exclusive Jurlique Rose, holy basil, and spilanthes are clinically tested to ensure skin benefits — from deep hydration to enhanced collagen synthesis.
“Our mission has never changed,” said Ulrike. “We wanted to bring the power of nature to people’s skin — and do it honestly, ethically, and beautifully. That’s still true today.”
In 2023, Jurlique proudly became a certified B Corp, cementing its position as a purpose-driven brand. It has sent zero waste to landfill from its farm since 2016 and continues to lead in sustainable packaging and ethical sourcing. “We always wanted to give back more than we take,” said Ulrike. “That was our promise from day one — and I’m proud that it still guides the brand today.”
To mark its 40th anniversary, Jurlique has launched a new Intense Rose — a richly fragrant variety grown exclusively on its farm — featured in two limited-edition products: the Intense Rose Balancing Mist and Intense Rose Hand Cream, launching in July 2025. “When you walk through the rose garden and smell those petals, it connects you to something bigger,” Ulrike said. “It makes you feel alive. That’s the essence of Jurlique.”
As the brand looks ahead, its commitment to seed-to-skin purity, natural innovation, and environmental stewardship remains stronger than ever. “We didn’t just want to create a product. We wanted to create a philosophy,” Ulrike said. “And to see it still growing — still blooming — after 40 years… that’s an incredible feeling.”
With roots deep in the soil of the Adelaide Hills and a vision that continues to resonate globally, Jurlique is not only celebrating the past — it’s cultivating the future of natural beauty.
Read the AUTUMN ’25 issue of Retail Beauty below:
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