Kamelya Aromacosmétique, a Quebec natural cosmetics brand born from a soft fire

At the roots of Kamelya Aromacosmétique: the birth of a mission

Since I was very young, I’ve had an intimate connection with skincare products. One of my first striking memories dates back to the 80s, when I watched my mother during her evening routine with Aloette products. We're talking about a distant time, around 1984. I was fascinated. She took the time to cleanse, tone, exfoliate, treat, moisturize... every step was gentle, precise, almost ritualistic.

At 7 or 8 years old, obviously, my skin didn't need all that, but for me, it was a precious moment. I didn't do it every night, but often enough for it to be imprinted in my memory. Secretly, I imitated her. It was my little secret: feeling grown-up, feminine, cared for.

In my teenage years, I dove into the Marcelle universe. I still remember the smell of their products, almost like a sensory imprint engraved within me. Then, as a young adult, my routine remained simple, faithful to the essentials: a good cleanser, a moisturizer, sometimes a toner. Nothing extravagant.

2008: The turning point and the awakening of a vocation

But it was in 2008, at the age of 30, that everything changed. One day, a reputable and prestigious face cream, purchased from an aesthetician, literally burned my skin. My face swelled, wept, to the point of becoming unrecognizable. It was violent. I was scared. And above all, I understood. That moment, as painful as it was, was the turning point. It marked the beginning of my true vocation.

I wanted to understand. Why had my skin reacted like that? What was in this product, so easily accessible, to cause such a reaction? I searched, for a long time, with an almost scientific obsession. And what I discovered overwhelmed me. It wasn't just a matter of allergens. It was a question of toxicity.

And not marginal toxicity, no. I'm talking about questionable ingredients, present in well-known brands, names associated with trust, with safety. It was by stumbling upon the Skin Deep database, which evaluates the toxicity level of cosmetic ingredients, that I realized the extent of the problem. My entire medicine cabinet was checked, bottle by bottle. And each time, the same conclusion: behind the smooth and reassuring image, faulty compositions, problematic substances, often useless, sometimes harmful.

This shock lit a fire within me. A fire of understanding, but above all, of transformation.

Our Expertise: Regulatory Rigor and Strategy

This research lasted months. I immersed myself in the analysis of ingredient lists, comparing every molecule, tracking questionable components, scrutinizing marketing promises under a magnifying glass. My objective was clear: to find truly 100% natural brands.

But at that time, in Quebec, it wasn't obvious. In pharmacies, it was a desert. At aestheticians, so-called "natural" care was often limited to a few products, sometimes diluted, rarely transparent about their composition. I walked through natural product shops in Montreal, and that's where I discovered a range that changed everything for me: Les Soins Corporels l’Herbier.

It was a real favorite. Simple, effective products, made here, in Quebec. Perfect for my sensitive skin, perfect for a young woman of 28 looking for coherence and authenticity. That moment marked me. Not just as a consumer, but as an entrepreneur in the making.

I already had a background in marketing and commercialization — specialized training in fashion commercialization and marketing, solid expertise in sales and brand strategy, as well as experience in administration at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of the Government of Canada. This background had already taught me to read between the lines, to understand the real needs behind the trends, and to develop a rigorous yet creative mindset. At that time, right from the first formulations, I ensured that all our products strictly complied with **Health Canada's Cosmetic Regulations**. This compliance was an integral part of my quality and transparency approach.

And then, it was as if everything aligned. An inner thunderclap. An obvious truth. I didn't just want to consume differently — I wanted to create. Create a Quebec cosmetic line that was **100% natural**, but with an even higher standard: noble, powerful ingredients, safe for the skin, for health, and for the environment.

From that moment on, I was hooked. I undertook a rigorous scientific aromatherapy and phytocosmetic training to unite the power of plants with the precision of modern active ingredients. I wanted to understand everything, master everything. This expertise was immediately applied to our essential oil range: each essence is selected for its **purity and defined chemotype (HEBBD)**, exclusively from **recognized distillers in Quebec and ethical suppliers worldwide.** I wanted every product I developed to have meaning, a soul, a reason for being.

Launch and recognition of Kamelya Aromacosmétique

The creation of the visual universe of Kamelya Aromacosmétique was an equally exciting step. Finding an identity that reflects nature, purity, and refinement... without ever falling into clichés. And for two years, day after day, the project took shape. Slowly, but with unwavering conviction.

I also sought support to carry this vision even further. I obtained a grant for young entrepreneurs from the Corporation de développement économique de Victoriaville et des régions, a subsidy from the Government of Quebec to support self-employed workers, and other public supports that recognized the quality and relevance of my project. Every small victory confirmed that I was in the right place, at the right time.

From the start, my vision was clear: online sales would be the heart of Kamelya Aromacosmétique. In 2011, the website was launched. At a time when very few Quebec natural skincare brands focused on e-commerce, I chose to go for it, convinced that the future lay there: in direct accessibility, without intermediaries, with total transparency on what the customer receives and feels.

A Solid Alliance: The Complementary Team

A year later, another pivotal moment occurred: my brother, Carl, joined me, becoming a 50% partner. This decision marked a new breath for Kamelya. We had a common vision — and above all, perfectly complementary strengths.

He, with his experience in e-commerce, food manufacturing, and his rigorous, almost "military" approach, didn't come to slow down my fire... but rather to frame it. He knew how to contain my creative impulses when they threatened to go in all directions, without ever extinguishing them. Where I rushed by instinct, he marked out the territory. Where I multiplied ideas, he brought clarity.

His speed of execution, formidable efficiency, and ability to get straight to the point allowed Kamelya Aromacosmétique to remain true to its intuitive nature while gaining coherence, strength, and stability.

This alliance marked a turning point. Together, we haven't just built a product range: we've brought to life a business model that reflects us, rooted in digital, based in Quebec, but designed to shine beyond.

And through it all, our mission has remained intact: to offer natural, refined, safe skincare — made with exceptional ingredients — in total transparency.

2013: The birth of L’or Orange® (Sea Buckthorn Gold)

Two years after the launch of Kamelya Aromacosmétique, the L’or Orange® range was born, a flagship line formulated with sea buckthorn, a true treasure of vitality and skin regeneration.

Launched in 2013, this range quickly embodied Kamelya's DNA: the union of natural, performance, and elegance. Designed to restore radiance, suppleness, and comfort to the skin, it has become the emblem of our Quebec expertise, a tribute to nature and science united.

2016: First Canadian Company Certified Slow Cosmétique®

This rigor and pursuit of excellence were officially recognized in 2016. Kamelya Aromacosmétique became the first Canadian company to receive the Slow Cosmétique® Label, a prestigious European recognition that validates our commitment to clean formulas, noble ingredients, and responsible marketing, without compromising on quality.

Even today, every Kamelya Aromacosmétique product bears the imprint of this passion born in a bathroom in 1984... and cultivated with rigor for over a decade.

Thank you for being part of this adventure,

– Karine Goulet
Founder of Kamelya Aromacosmétique
Made in Quebec since 2011

With heart, since the very first drop.