“Natural” is one of the most overused buzzwords in the beauty industry, yet only a few brands truly earn the designation - and for good reason. The term often evokes simplicity, suggesting that removing synthetic elements equates to a product that’s basic in both formulation and design.
At Olympia & Órla, we challenge that notion by blending high-performance, natural ingredients with luxurious formulations, proving that natural beauty can be both effective and sophisticated.
Yet we take it a step further than that.
We believe you should be empowered to know exactly what you are putting on your skin, and be confident in its safety, which is why we are dedicated to transparency. Most beauty brands won’t be as open as we are about to be, but part of our mission is to encourage other brands to be this transparent.
We will always select ingredients which are direct from nature or nature-derived (this simply means they require some sort of extraction process in order to be used). In occasional circumstances where there is no other appropriate option, and always only in small amounts, we use ‘nature-identical’ ingredients (which are accepted as natural according to leading certifying bodies). We are very transparent about this and specify the percentage of nature-identical ingredients used in each product.
‘Natural’ is generally used to describe 3 different levels of ‘from nature’ ingredients. We use the following category definitions in accordance with ISO 16128-2:2017 and Natrue standards:
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Natural: unmodified substances from nature obtained physically (e.g., from plants) or from microorganisms (e.g., from fermentation).
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Derived natural: substances modified from those found in nature using chemical reaction processes. Derived natural substances must only come from 100% natural ingredients (no synthetics).
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Nature-identical: substances that are reproduced in the lab but that can be found in nature. These are used only when strictly necessary to ensure consumer safety and the purity of ingredients.
Our philosophy is to always use natural ingredients as defined by points 1 and 2 above, unless there is a better, safer ‘nature-identical’ ingredient. All ingredients are accepted by either Natrue or Ecocert (and we have plans to obtain those certifications as we grow).
We also include a percentage of organic ingredients in each product so you can be even more certain of the quality of ingredients being used.
Take a look at our ingredient glossary to learn which ingredients fall under which definitions and why we have opted for ‘nature-identical’ in some cases.
What about Fragrances?
Fragrance is more than a finishing touch, it is the soul of a ritual. From the inception of Olympia & Órla, we set out to curate scents that captivate without compromising our commitment to natural ingredients. Something that remains rare, even in the world of clean beauty (read more about that here).
Working with 100% natural fragrance is both an art and a science. Unlike synthetic blends, natural aromatic compounds are less potent, more costly, and far more limited. Yet despite these constraints, we’ve curated a collection of fragrances that are not only entirely natural, but also complex, elegant, and unmistakably beautiful.
Every scent is developed exclusively for Olympia & Órla by leading perfumers and produced in Grasse, France where fragrance is both heritage and craft. Our compositions are intentionally unique. You won’t find predictable sandalwood or rosehip here. Rather, we offer sensory experiences that unfold with elegance and depth, rooted in nature, yet elevated through thoughtful intent.
We believe that using natural products should feel like indulgence, not compromise, and that fragrance, when done right, can turn everyday care into a sacred ritual.
Always, a Moment Worth Stepping Into.