Kamelya, Born from a Gentle Flame

The Roots of Kamelya: The Birth of a Mission

Since I was a little girl, I've had an intimate connection with skincare products. One of my earliest vivid memories dates back to the 1980s, watching my mother during her evening routine with Aloette products. We're talking about a distant era, around 1984. I was fascinated. She took the time to cleanse, tone, exfoliate, treat, moisturize... each gesture was gentle, precise, almost ritualistic.

At 7 or 8 years old, of course, 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 imprint in my memory. Secretly, I imitated her. It was my little secret: feeling grown-up, feminine, well-groomed.

As a teenager, I delved into the world of Marcelle. I still remember the scent of their products, almost like a sensory imprint engraved in me. Then, as a young adult, my routine remained simple, faithful to the essentials: a good cleanser, a moisturizer, sometimes a toner. Nothing extravagant.

But it was in 2008, at 30 years old, that everything changed. One day, a facial cream, reputed and prestigious, obtained from an esthetician, literally burned my skin. My face swelled, oozed, became 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 did my skin react that way? What was in that product, so easily accessible, to cause such a reaction? I delved deep, with an almost scientific obsession. And what I discovered shook me. It wasn't just a matter of allergens. It was a matter of toxicity.

And not marginal toxicity, no. I'm talking about questionable ingredients, present in well-known brands, names we associate with trust and safety. It was upon discovering the Skin Deep database, which assesses the toxicity levels of cosmetic ingredients, that I realized the extent of the problem. My entire medicine cabinet went through it, bottle by bottle. And each time, the same finding: behind the smooth and reassuring image, shaky compositions, problematic substances, often unnecessary, sometimes harmful.

This shock ignited a fire in me. A fire of understanding, but above all, of transformation.

This research lasted for months. I immersed myself in analyzing ingredient lists, comparing each molecule, tracking questionable components, scrutinizing marketing promises with a magnifying glass. My goal was clear: to find truly 100% natural brands.

But at that time, in Quebec, it wasn't easy. In pharmacies, it was a desert. Among estheticians, so-called "natural" treatments were often limited to a few products, sometimes diluted, rarely transparent about their composition. I roamed the natural product stores of Montreal, and that's where I discovered a range that changed everything for me: Les Soins Corporels l’Herbier.

It was a true love at first sight. Simple, effective products, made here in Quebec. Perfect for my sensitive skin, perfect for a 28-year-old woman seeking coherence and authenticity. That moment marked me. Not just as a consumer, but as an aspiring entrepreneur.

I already had a background in marketing and commercialization—a specialized training in fashion marketing and commercialization, solid expertise in sales and brand strategy, as well as experience in administration at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This journey had already taught me to read between the lines, understand the real needs behind trends, and develop both rigorous and creative thinking.

And then, it was as if everything aligned. An inner thunderclap. An obviousness. I didn't just want to consume differently—I wanted to create. Create a line of 100% natural skincare products, but with even higher standards: noble, powerful ingredients, safe for the skin, health, and the environment.

From that moment on, I didn't let go. Training in aromatherapy, studying raw materials, technical readings, followed by intensive research to find ethical suppliers of ingredients with serious laboratories, committed partners. I wanted to understand everything, master everything. And I wanted each product I developed to have meaning, a soul, a reason for being.

Creating Kamelya's visual universe 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, a subsidy for self-employed workers, and other public support that recognized the quality and relevance of my project. Each 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. In 2011, the website was launched. At a time when very few Quebec natural skincare brands were focusing on e-commerce, I chose to go for it, convinced that the future lay there: in direct accessibility, without intermediaries, with total transparency about what the customer receives and feels.

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

He, with his experience in online commerce, food manufacturing, and his almost "military" rigorous approach, didn't come to dampen 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 charged ahead instinctively, he marked out the terrain. Where I multiplied ideas, he brought clarity.

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

This alliance marked a turning point. Together, we didn't just build a range of products: we brought to life a business model that resembles us, rooted in digital, anchored in Quebec, but designed to shine beyond.

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

Even today, every Kamelya 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 journey,

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

With heart, from the very first drop.