The Orangutan Foundation International Australia estimates that between 1,000 and 5,000 orangutans are killed every year because of palm oil development.
According to the foundation, in just the last decade, the orangutan population has dropped by 50 per cent, while the land used for palm oil plantations has doubled.
Palm oil and its derivatives are used in 70 per cent of beauty products including cosmetics, soaps, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, skincare, fragrance and more.
Retreatment Botanics, an Australian skincare brand co-founded by Olivia Newton-John, showcased its certified palm oil-free, natural cosmeceutical skincare range to media and influencers at an intimate overnight stay at Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo.
At the event, Kobe Steele, President of The Orangutan Foundation International Australia, and Maria Abadilla, President of Orangutan Alliance, spoke to guests virtually on the brand’s mission to ignite change and greater awareness around the impact of the use of palm oil in the cosmetics industry over dinner.
Meanwhile, Retreatment Botanics Managing Director and Co-Founder Trudi Jaye, spoke exclusively with Retail Beauty about the brand’s mission to be the “driver of change” in an industry that can be full of unsubstantiated, misleading or completely false claims.
“We’re here to celebrate Retreatment and to bring more awareness to the beauty brand and the effectiveness of the brand,” she said.
“I also want to highlight the incredible values that are the foundation of the brand. The values are something that are very close to my heart – we are certified cruelty-free, we are certified vegan, and also Australian made, featuring all of the incredible Australian botanicals that are just so powerful for the skin.”
Trudi said the beauty industry was often confusing for consumers to navigate due to greenwashing.
“Did you know there are over 200 names for palm oil derivatives? So that’s the tricky part of it,” she said.
“A really important certification we received was 100 per cent palm oil-free, which is a really, really hard and very hard difficult certification to achieve. We are also approved by the Orangutan Alliance. It‘s been an extremely rewarding and challenging journey to create such beautiful products that are palm oil-free – we are hoping to be that driver of change of inspiration in that space.”
There are 11 skincare products in the Retreatment Botanics range including the Radiance Cream Cleanser, Purifying Gel Cleanser, Refining Face Polish, Refining Face Polish, Kakadu Brightening Serum, Ultra Rich Moisturiser, Light Hydrating Moisturiser, Firming Eye Contour Cream, Instant Glow Face Masque, Wild Kakadu Hand & Body Cream and the “hero” product, the Restore Serum.
“The Restore Serum is formulated with whole Australian botanicals of wild rosella flower, Kakadu plum, and Australian sandalwood seed,” Trudi explained.
“Using molecular extraction and harnessing the benefits of the entire cell matrix, this serum delivers transformative results with soothing, plumping and rejuvenating effects.”
Guests were treated to a facial using the products as part of the stay.
Retreatment Botanics is available online at RetreatmentBotanics.com, NourishedLife.com.au, Biome.com.au and itvsn.com.au and in store at Gaia Retreat & Spa, Biome Eco Stores, Santos Health Foods, The Little Things In Life, Coture Spa and Newrybar Merchants.
Images from the event below. Photos by Jack Henry. PR by MML.
