Here is part 3 of the heart and soul of the businesses I have the pleasure of working with. Today, we are going to France and Dubai with Altearah Bio. I was introduced to Altearah Bio in 2009 when I had one of the most exquisite aromatherapy massages in Geneva, Switzerland. I have been a product user every since and decided to share Altearah with my clients in my online store since the very first day.
About Altearah Bio and Its Product Offering
Started in 2001, Altearah Bio (“bio” means organic in French) is an innovative brand of organic products from France. Altearah Bio’s products, which range from perfumes, massage oils, serums, salts and scrubs, are based on aromatherapy and chromotherapy.
Made up of 100% natural and certified organic essential oils, Altearah Bio is not just an organic brand. The Altearah Bio line is based on an innovative concept that combines fun, aromatherapy, color, and fragrance to enhance beauty and well-being as well as harmony.
Altearah Bio understands and counteracts that COLOR and SCENT can adversely impact our well being. That is why it is organized in 14 colors to address different emotional, physical, and energetic states or conditions of an individual. The result is long term holistic well being.
Altearah’s products are delivered holistically through olfacto therapy, the act of smelling the essential oil blend, massage therapy, using acupressure points for a deeper delivery of the fine oil molecules, or water therapy, using salts in hot water baths to create the osmotic effect.
About Altearah’s Owner – Shahida Siddique
Shahida Siddique, the owner of Altearah Bio since 2007, has a devout passion for personal care and well-being. She considers that for peace to reign in this world, we first have to be in harmony within ourselves.
With a background in marketing of health care facilities, she realized that power and boundless possibilities of holistic wellness. She is committed to Safe Cosmetics, educating consumers on unsafe ingredients, plant allergens and the safe use of essential oils as well as providing them through the Altearah brand and her spa.
In 2009, Shahida founded Spadunya Club, a luxury day spa in Dubai, in order to bring organic wellness via holistic and color therapy in Dubai. Spadunya Club won the Best Luxury Day spa in UAE award in 2013, an amazing feat for this young spa.
Shahida’s interest in social responsibility has spanned many decades. Before owning Altearah Bio, she was involved in the education and healthcare areas through an organization she set up called Saharay.
Shahida’s special interest has always been in providing employment to and creating leaders in women. Shahida is also interested in working with Autistic and Special needs children and bringing mental and physical wellness in their lives. Shahida also:
- Donated and raised funds for five schools in Pakistan educating over 5000 boys and girls
- Donated and raised funds for the construction of 300 homes of earthquake victims in Northern Pakistan
- Ensured the setting up of and continuity of a women’s technical training school
I had the pleasure of meeting Shahida last time she was in California. She has the most delightful and gentle energy about her. When you talk with her, you truly get the sense that she is genuinely dedicated to providing wellness around the world and making a difference in the world.
Altearah’s Commitment to Health & the Earth
Altearah believes that their products only have meaning if they respect and are in harmony with the human body. That is why they are are composed entirely of natural ingredients and are made with respect for mankind and nature.
- Certified 100% organic by Nature & Progrès, a French association that is a true benchmark in the field of organic natural products. It is a very stringent certifying body that checks every material and process
- Against animal testing and animal ingredients. It is certified by One Voice, which ensures that no ingredient or product is tested on animals and that no animal products are used in any materials or processes
- Are made with best manufacturing practices for organic cosmetics
- Only uses recycled and recyclable packaging materials
- All ingredients are non-GMO. The European Union has one of the most stringent GMO regulations in the world. In addition, Europe has banned many ingredients that have proven to be unsafe but which are still legal here. That is one of the reason I love to use and carry European products
- Works with fair trade agreements
Altearah’s Lab and Office
The head office and lab are located in a 200-year old provincial farmhouse in the heart of an organic vineyard inBellegarde (Gard), a small town and region in the south of France. This region is known for supplying organic ingredients for the food and perfume market. It is surrounded by agricultural lands growing grapes, roses, rice and sunflowers and where lavender and oleanders abound.
The lab and head office operate in symbiosis with their environment. Everything, from supplier to production, is sourced within 200 km (124 miles) from the head office. This helps the local economy and minimizes Altearah’s carbon footprint.
Altearah’s Social Responsibility – Helping Those Less Fortunate
Altearah Bio provides employment for 15 special needs individuals who bottle and package their products in a vocational rehabilitation centre in Nimes, France. Altearah will continue providing equal opportunity to special needs individuals and foster this partnership as they grow.
If you understand French, here is a short video that shows people at work in the Rehabilitation Center in France.
Final Note…
I had the pleasure of going to visit the offices and warehouse in June 2012. Altearah is a small business with only six employees in France and Shahida in Dubai. Even as a small business, Altearah offers quality like I’ve never experienced before and products that are a must have in my wellness cabinet. I use Altearah every day for various reasons. Some days I need more energy, other days I need to chill or lift my spirits. Being an entrepreneur is very rewarding but can be quite challenging!
For more information, I invite you to visit Alterah Bio page on my site.
Very interesting company. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Liz!
Hi,
What a wonderful and passionate review. I, certainly, will look for that make locally.
I always said that many people take care in what they eat but sometimes do not realise that what they are putting on the skin can also harm them. After all our skin is the largest organ.