Heritage
A house, in its own words
Weleda was founded in 1921 in Arlesheim, Switzerland by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner and Dutch physician Ita Wegman. Their partnership grew out of the anthroposophic movement, which sought to integrate spiritual science with practical medicine and cosmetics. The first product, a herbal ointment, reflected a belief that natural substances could support the body’s innate healing. By 1925 the company opened subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, marking an early phase of internationalisation. During the 1930s the German branch operated under the constraints of the Nazi regime, yet the firm maintained its core philosophy of biodynamic sourcing. After World War II, Weleda rebuilt its production facilities and expanded its range to include skin‑care staples such as the iconic Skin Food, launched in 1954. The post‑war era also saw the establishment of the Weleda Farm in Arlesheim, a biodynamic estate that supplies many raw materials. In the 1970s the brand pioneered the use of organic certification in cosmetics, and in the 1990s it introduced a global sustainability programme that set targets for carbon reduction and fair‑trade sourcing. The centenary in 2021 was marked by a series of events celebrating a hundred years of natural‑product innovation, including a retrospective exhibition in Zurich and the release of limited‑edition packaging made from recycled glass. Throughout its history, Weleda has remained privately owned, allowing it to stay aligned with the founding vision of holistic, nature‑centric care. Weleda’s creative vision rests on anthroposophic principles that view the human being as a union of body, soul and spirit. The brand treats fragrance as an extension of this holistic approach, selecting ingredients that are cultivated with respect for soil health and seasonal rhythms. Biodynamic farming, a method championed by Steiner, guides the cultivation of herbs, flowers and seeds used in the Jardin de Vie line. Sustainability is not a marketing tag but a guiding rule: raw materials are sourced from certified organic farms, and the company favours fair‑trade partnerships where possible. Transparency is emphasized through detailed ingredient disclosures, allowing consumers to trace a scent back to its botanical origin. The brand also supports community projects that protect biodiversity, reflecting a belief that the health of the planet and the health of the individual are inseparable. In practice, this philosophy translates into scent compositions that avoid synthetic aromachemicals, favouring natural essential oils, absolutes and CO₂‑extracted aromatics that preserve the integrity of the plant’s aromatic profile.