INTERVIEW WITH SOAVO FOUNDER ERWIN KRALL
How did you come up with the idea of founding a natural cosmetics company?
Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by plants and nature. I have, as they say, two green thumbs; everything I planted has always grown. I have a special connection to nature and understand the natural connections and their interactions. In 2012, I founded my own organic farming project, the "PROJECT MOUNTAIN LAVENDER" in the alpine region of Upper Styria. The mountain lavender oil and water obtained there are of absolutely top quality and are therefore unique. Such a great product simply has to be used in natural cosmetic products and benefit consumers - and that is how our SOAVO brand was born.
And how did the MOUNTAIN LAVENDER PROJECT come about?
Actually, it was born out of enthusiasm for distilling essential oils, in the middle of a nature reserve with clean air, the best spring water and lots of sunshine. The distillation of essential oils has always fascinated me and so I completed a qualified training course to become a qualified aroma practitioner. As an entrepreneur, I now have the necessary, professionally specific skills and comprehensive understanding of working with essential oils and hydrolats (floral waters).
What is your motivation?
Our goal is to process alpine and organic regional plant ingredients into effective, contemporary natural cosmetics.
What is the SOAVO philosophy?
The underlying credo for our natural cosmetics is "Slow down and rise". Our lifestyle, pace of life and attitude often leave little room to breathe, feel, enjoy or recharge. The result is dry, irritated skin that becomes increasingly sensitive and tight. Rest and regeneration are particularly important because we all have to cope with a restless time. For our relaxation and well-being in everyday life, it is therefore particularly important to carefully care for our largest sensory organ - our skin! All SOAVO care products have a balancing and refreshing effect and are beneficial to the skin.
What does SKINCARE IS SOULCARE mean to you?
Good skin care is also good soul care and for this you should look for good care products and take the necessary time. For us, skin care is also "soul care". SOAVO with its alpine-fresh compositions offers exactly this relaxation, refreshment and revitalization: light, quickly absorbed textures and elegant, sensual fragrance compositions, highly effective products - for the daily care ritual.
What makes the SOAVO natural cosmetics brand different from others?
SOAVO stands for the highest quality of natural cosmetics - Made in Austria. We pay particular attention to the biological active ingredients. That is why we rely on a FARM TO SKIN philosophy. On alpine raw materials and regional medicinal plants, on cooperation with regional producers and organic farming projects. Selected alpine plants are the heart of SOAVO recipes. All formulations are based on natural and bioactive plant ingredients of premium quality, hand-picked and carefully selected for purity, skin compatibility and effectiveness. The emulsification and preservation of our SOAVO products are also plant-based. Our products are vegan and free from animal ingredients.
Why do natural fragrances and essences play a central role?
The fragrance composition in the SOAVO recipes allows you to recharge your batteries with peace, clarity and serenity. We are fascinated by natural essences, their beauty, radiance and facets, their versatility in use and their active power. We have selected alpine plant fragrances and active ingredients so that a light, fresh and elegant fragrance based on noble conifers and herbs could be composed.
The SOAVO fragrance composition is uplifting and invites you to recharge your batteries and forget about stress and tension. Its effect is holistic for body and soul: it lets you breathe easy, has a balancing effect and ensures gently invigorating and sensually relaxed moments of well-being. "SLOW DOWN AND RISE" is therefore the motto for our SOAVO natural cosmetics.
Alpine and regional plants are important for SOAVO natural cosmetics - why?
We have the best resources in the alpine environment in Austria, we use them and in doing so we also promote awareness that we cannot value local quality highly enough. In addition, the habitats and flora of the Alps are characterized by wonderful diversity. The Alpine region is dominated by dynamic processes, be it harsh winters or raging foehn storms. Particular robustness and resilience, even vitality, is required here. It is no wonder that alpine plants have always been attributed special powers.
Our brand name SOAVO also combines the inspiration of alpine plants: clarity, euphony and harmony, the spicy-fresh sweetness of alpine herbs and flowers (suavis) and the tradition of their cosmetic use (savon).