Meet the Maker: Saarinen Organics | Sustainable Skincare from the Bega Valley

At Saarinen Organics, sustainability is more than a catchphrase — it’s a way of life. Based on their permaculture farm in the beautiful Bega Valley, NSW, they have been creating sustainable skincare in Australia for over 20 years. Every product is made with fresh, certified organic herbs grown on-site — a unique difference that sets their organic skincare apart from brands using dried herbs. Powered entirely by solar energy and crafted with pure rain-caught water, Saarinen Organics embodies what it means to be a truly eco-friendly skincare brand.

Beyond their bespoke skincare products, Saarinen Organics has built a business that reflects their values: refillable packaging to reduce waste, strong ties with certified organic Australian farmers for ingredients they can’t grow themselves, and a commitment to creating a sustainable skincare business with no greenwashing. Their journey is proof that authentic, ethical choices can create products that are not only good for the skin but also kind to the planet.

Let’s dive in!

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey?
It was my passion to live an eco-sustainable lifestyle, and then it became my purpose to create an eco-sustainable income.

2. What inspired you to start your eco-friendly business?
It’s the right thing to do, not necessarily the best financial business decision as it is expensive. For example, we have spent over $500k to get to where we are today — organic certification, a 10-kilowatt solar system, machinery to wash and sterilise returned packaging, water purifiers, tanks, etc.

3. Tell us about the products you make. What makes them unique?
We create bespoke skincare made from the certified organic herbs we grow on our permaculture farm. Using fresh herbs is the game changer — not dried herbs bought in that have lost all their compounds. We make it all with rain-caught water and 100% stand-alone solar power.

4. How do you source your materials?
All ingredients we can’t grow here we buy from certified organic Australian farmers, such as essential oils, oils, and honey.

5. What does sustainability mean to you and your business?
Everything. We live it and breathe it. We don’t live in a city and just use catchcries — we built our straw bale home, we grow our food, we live sustainably, and we created a truly sustainable business, not greenwashing.

6. What challenges have you faced in building a sustainable brand?
When we started 20 years ago, we were ridiculed — “growing herbs organically, hey, yeah right,” people thought we meant drugs. No one understood that we were actually living a pure life. It’s wonderful now that it is more acceptable. We also work full time on our farm, so getting our true story out there is difficult because we are constantly working in the business and have very little time.

7. What are you most proud of in your journey so far?
That we have stuck with it. We are truly sustainable, no greenwashing. Our “return your packaging so we can refill it” initiative is our proudest achievement.

8. Any tips for customers who want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle?
If you cannot make it yourself, support the small businesses that are.

9. Where can we find you or learn more about your work?
Saarinen Organics — Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

10. Finally, what does the future hold for your brand?
Hopefully we can keep improving our sustainable morals and grow the business to be as big as the big skincare boys out there.