lavera

Long before "clean beauty" became a marketing buzzword, a quiet revolution was brewing in the picturesque Deister Mountains of Hanover, Germany. In the 1970s, Thomas Haase—who had suffered from severe neurodermatitis since childhood—was desperately searching for a skincare solution that conventional medicine couldn't provide. Frustrated by harsh chemical creams, he began studying traditional cosmetic literature and experimenting with natural active ingredients. In the summer of 1975, he formulated his very first product: a humble, deeply soothing lip balm made from beeswax, wool wax, and olive oil. It survived the ultimate stress test during his summer holiday in Denmark, protecting his highly sensitive skin and proving that plant-powered relief was possible.

In 1987, after more than a decade of research and development, Haase officially founded Laverana GmbH and launched the beauty brand lavera. The name was chosen with immense intention—derived from the Latin word for truth. Haase's philosophy was simple but groundbreaking for the late eighties: true beauty care must be purely natural, utilizing raw plant materials cultivated organically, without a drop of synthetic perfumes, colorants, or preservatives. In 1990, he was joined by Klara Ahlers, a fellow natural beauty pioneer, and together they pushed the brand into international prominence.

Today, lavera remains a fiercely independent beacon of sustainability. The brand produces nearly all of its formulations in the Hanover region, ensuring meticulous quality control and an unwavering respect for the environment. Beyond securing NaTrue certification and remaining proudly cruelty-free, the brand achieved 100% climate-neutral status, offsetting carbon emissions by protecting thousands of hectares of the Amazon rainforest and spearheading local reforestation projects. It's a heritage built on radical transparency and botanical integrity that has stood the test of time.

• Basis Sensitiv All-Round Cream: The ultimate cult-classic, do-it-all salve housed in a tin, formulated with organic aloe vera and almond oil to instantly pacify dry, irritated skin on the face or body.
• Glow by Nature Vitamin C Boost Serum: An editor favorite for faking a full night's sleep, this brightener harnesses natural vitamin C to visibly refine and illuminate tired, lackluster complexions.
• Repair Lip Balm: A touching homage to Thomas Haase’s very first 1975 creation, this organic barrier-builder offers heavy-duty protection for severely chapped lips.
• Basis Sensitiv Cleansing Gel: A brilliantly simple, everyday wash that purifies without stripping the skin's delicate moisture barrier, leaving your face fresh and meticulously clean.
• Hyaluron Liquid Foundation: Marrying makeup with serious skincare, this lightweight tint melts into the skin while delivering a plumping hit of natural hyaluronic acid.
• Volume Mascara: A rarity in the natural makeup space—a genuinely impactful, clump-free wand that lifts, thickens, and conditions lashes with organic plant extracts.
• My Age Firming Day Cream: A rich, elegant daily moisturizer designed to plump fine lines and deeply nourish mature skin without feeling greasy or heavy under makeup.

• Founded: 1987 by Thomas Haase
• Country of Origin: Germany
• Price Range: Affordable to Mid-Range (typically $7 - $60)
• Cruelty-Free / Vegan: 100% Cruelty-Free (PETA approved); majority of the range is certified Vegan by the UK Vegan Society.
• Where to Buy: ecco-verde.com, lavera.com, Big Green Smile, and select natural health retailers globally.

Yes. The brand is strictly certified natural by NaTrue. They utilize over 300 organic plant ingredients, fluids, and complexes, most of which are manufactured directly in-house in the Hanover region. You will never find synthetic fragrances, silicones, microplastics, or parabens in their formulas.

Absolutely. Because the brand was born out of the founder's personal struggle with neurodermatitis, skin compatibility is central to their ethos. Their "Basis Sensitiv" line, in particular, is specifically formulated to comfort, protect, and nourish highly reactive skin.

lavera is 100% cruelty-free and has never tested on animals. Furthermore, the vast majority of their expansive product range is certified vegan by the UK Vegan Society. For the few products that aren't vegan, they use ethically sourced ingredients like organic beeswax.

Yes. As a climate-neutral company, sustainability extends to their packaging. They increasingly utilize recycled materials, such as recycled plastic for their bottles and folding boxes made from 100% recycled fibers, continuously working to minimize their carbon footprint.

If you only buy one thing, make it the Basis Sensitiv All-Round Cream. It’s an incredibly versatile, intensely nourishing moisturizer that can be used on the face, hands, elbows, and body. It's the perfect introduction to the brand's comforting, efficacious formulas.