Meet VERDEN...
Meaning ‘the world’ or ‘the earth’ in Danish, VERDEN is a natural fragrance brand for bath, body and home. Rooted in natural fragrance, the brand aims to reconnect you with happiness in every moment of self-care.
Founded by Charlotte Semler and Arabella Preston – the power duo behind skincare brand VOTARY – all VERDEN’s products are vegan, cruelty free and formulated with natural, plant-based ingredients. And they feel and smell amazing on the skin, too.
We caught up with one half of the founding duo, Charlotte, to find out more…
TBS: What inspired you to create VERDEN?
CS: VERDEN was inspired by the focal role of nature in my Danish childhood memories. I returned to my childhood beach house after decades away and realised that it was the immersion in unchanging nature – water, landscape and fragrance, as much as the endless summer light – that brought me back to happiness.
TBS: The brand emphasises the power of scent in promoting wellness. How do you believe fragrance can impact our well-being?
CS: Fragrance can positively impact our well-being by influencing both our mental and physical health. Psychologically, certain scents such as citrus which can be found in our D’Orangerie fragrance can uplift our mood and reduce stress, promoting a sense of happiness and relaxation.
You can also greatly improve the ambiance of your home environment through fragrance. By carefully selecting and using fragrance you can really foster a sense of comfort, happiness, and relaxation.
TBS: We love your commitment to promoting wellness… can you tell us about your app?
CS: We wanted to provide our customers with a powerful tool to enhance their mental and physical well-being. The VERDEN Breathwork App was designed to support our customers with easy-to-use, accessible techniques that can help reduce stress, improve focus, and promote relaxation.
TBS: We LOVE gifting VERDEN to our friends and family… as do many fans of the brand. Why is that do you think?
CS: We approach the creation of our products with gifting in mind and by focusing on quality, uniqueness, and the emotional impact they can have on recipients. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a spontaneous gesture of appreciation, our products are crafted to bring joy and create lasting impressions.
TBS: Your scents are described as evocative and transformative. Can you walk us through the creative process behind developing a new fragrance?
CS: Developing a new fragrance involves a meticulous and inspired creative process. It begins with a concept or inspiration, for VERDEN this is often influenced by nature. We then select a palette of ingredients, balancing top, middle, and base notes to create a harmonious and evolving scent profile. And then go on to conduct numerous trials to refine the fragrance's balance and depth.
Throughout this process, considerations for sustainability, quality, and regulatory compliance are paramount. The final product embodies a carefully crafted olfactory experience that tells a unique story and evokes specific feelings.
TBS: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the beauty industry. How does VERDEN prioritise sustainability in both product formulation and packaging?
CS: We aim to continually improve the sustainability of VERDEN products. Our bottles are made from post consumer recycled PET, boxes are made from recycled card and glass containers are fully recyclable. You will find detailed sustainability information on the label of every product.
We also contribute one percent of VERDEN sales to environmental charities via "1% For The Planet". This means we have committed to donate 1% of gross annual sales to environmental charities. We stand alongside other innovative brands striving to protect the earth and reduce the impact we have on it.
TBS: What drew you to The Beauty Standard? Why did you say YES to us?
CS: Your enthusiasm and drive for quality over quantity very much spoke to us. Your aim to curate a really considered, generous, and wellbeing-focused edit of products aligned with our own approach. Plus the chance to support passionate fellow female founders just sweetened the deal! We were in the first edit and cannot wait to be in many more as the business undoubtedly blooms and booms!
You can find VERDEN's Herbanum Hand and Body Wash in our be_grounded box and VERDEN's D'Orangerie Bath Oil in our be_unique box.