OUR HISTORY

Where hinterland and ocean collide.

Our story began 40 years ago in Sydney, Australia, with just a small lab and a big vision.

In 1989 a move to the North Coast, while driven by our young family and desire for a tree/sea change, gave our business focus, drawing inspriation from our surroundings - where hinterland and ocean collide in perfect harmony. Cawarra Cosmetics became pioneers in natural and organic skin, hair and body care.

We noticed the natural manufacturing of skincare was often misleading and lacked quality products to rival synthetic alternatives. Back then even 'greenwashing' was common practice and consumers were regularly sold a story very different from the skincare they purchased. Natural and organic is better for the individual and collective and genuine integrity is the cornerstone our operation.

We firmly established our roots in Billinudgel, in the Byron Shire, in 1997 and realised a dream - to have a purpose-built production facilities, servicing our local community, our family and beyond. In the early 2000s our manufacturing complex became one of the first cosmetic certified facilities of its time. Years later little has changed. We are still family focus, natural and organic specialists and driven by the commitment to finding a better way. Our guiding principle - 'truth within labelling'.

Cawarra Cosmetics is an Australian owned manufacturer for a wide range of customers who supply to health food, pharmacy and supermarket. Our products are also seen in department stores, beauty salons, spas and many stores throughout the world."

Our two-person team has grown to a family of over 30, we own three skincare brands (organicspa, Sanctum and Byron Bay Skincare), and manufacturer of hundreds more. Although we have grown, our foundational values remain the same – to create natural and effective skincare, crafted with care for our community and the environment. ~ Care for Skin. Care for People. Care for the Environment ~ 

Where possible, Cawarra sources raw materials from local suppliers and is proud to contribute to the regional and national economy.

Sustainably Solar

In accordance with our sustainability goals since 2013 our factory and forklifts have almost entirely run on solar power.

The Cawarra Family

At Cawarra, we really are like a family. We're also a well oiled machine - working together happily to create beautiful products and beautiful experiences for brands like yours.

Founders

We are fiercely family - respectful, tolerant and trusting of one another.

Founders, Greg and Jicky Milham, genuinely believe that none of us are better than all of us. Including our clients. This down-to-earth approach gives Cawarra's clients a sense of belonging not readily replicated with other company structures.

General Manager

Katrina Main, General Manager, has had unique and vast exposure across many facets of the skincare industry and as such brings an enviable level of understanding and knowledge to our daily operations.

She has worked and trained with a number of premium skincare brands, has years of experience in cosmetic sales and is a marketing graduate who held the position as Marketing Manager at Cawarra Cosmetics for a number of years. Taking the helm in 2019, she now runs the company with extensive experience in the production, R&D and operations.

With Katrina’s leadership, experience and exposure across all these tenants of the business and dedicated team under one roof, we offer a compelling service model to our clients.

Lab and Quality Team

Cawarra has an experienced and diverse team which encompasses the chemistry and quality side of the business. Led by our Head Chemist who formulates, our Assistant Cosmetic Chemist will make up samples, set up stability and assist with scale up in compounding when its time to take the formula into bulk manufacture stage. Our Quality Control Officer assists with the process by assisting with developing specification for stability and completing hourly checks on the production line, to ensure our GMP quality standards and client expectations are met. Our Quality Assurance Supervisor works with our certification bodies on audits, handles clients regulatory compliance and also maintains our training program.

Production

Our production team is made up of a Production Manager, who oversees and organises our many production lines on a daily and weekly basis. They ensure our Production Supervisors have all the tools and staff in place to smoothly operate the machinery and direct the line operators and packers on each of the unique products Cawarra manufacturers.

OUR VALUES

  • A Collaboration

    Collaboration is key for both the Banksia and the Bee. From supporting coastal dunes to bees carrying pollen across the heath to their colony, it's nature's way of showing us that we're stronger together.

  • Dynamic Culture

    Our Dynamic Culture is portrayed by the Grevilleas and the colourful birds and bees that all come to feed atop the trees.

  • Green Focused

    We’re Green Focused like the Bowerbird on a Wollemi Pine. Because the bird understands that to live sustainably, it has to clean up after itself, and nothing proves sustainability more than a tree dating back to dinosaur times.

  • Safety & Quality matters

    The invincible Crow and the fireproof Kurrajongs are natural representations of the importance of protection, security and the freedom that comes with responsibility.

  • The Smile Experience

    Smile with the Kookaburra and the Waratahs. We understand joy with birds of laughter and positivity with the blooming tree representing NSW, reminding us how lucky we are to call this area home.

  • Transformational Knowledge

    Knowledge transforms the Tea Tree Melaleucas into medicinal sources and the Owl into a symbol of wisdom.

OUR BRANDS

 

Founded in 1992, Sanctum was our first brand and foray into sales, marketing and distribution.

As brand owners we have built a rich understanding of what appeals to consumers and drives sales.

Sanctum is a holistic family care brand - a consisting of skin care, body, hair, baby and products tailored to men. This Certified Organic range cares for the whole family.

organicspa was developed to to service the professional salon and spa industry. 

This specialist range blends the finest quality Certified Organic ingredients with plant extracts and natural actives.  Effective and luxurious - organicspa is ultimate sophistication in skincare. 

With a cult following and sold throughout Australia, Europe, USA and Asia, organicspa has been a successful launch into a premium spa/salon market.

Our youngest of three brands, Byron Bay Skincare (BBSC) was launched in 2015. This was a true family effort with brothers Jason & Dany formulating and marketing the brand. 

BBSC is a unique capsule collection - a tight plant-based skincare range, rich in native botanicals for an indulgent yet versatile skincare experience.

 

ANTI SLAVERY STATEMENT

Cawarra Cosmetics believes in environmental and social responsibility, including the humane treatment of people in all aspects of business dealings. Cawarra Cosmetics has taken steps to help ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not present in our business or supply chain.

Organisational Structure and Supply Chains

Cawarra Cosmetics is an Australian owned manufacturer of natural skincare, hair care, and body products. The business consists of office and factory workers based in a single location in northern New South Wales. There is negligible risk of slavery and human trafficking within our own operation, however we recognise our supply chain poses a higher risk.  We purchase packaging and ingredients from several areas including Australia, USA, and Asia. It is our expectation that suppliers comply with relevant legislation; however we acknowledge that we do not have oversight of the organisations in our supply chains.

Policy

We have organisational policies and procedures in place that address environmental and social issues. Our policies include:

  • Modern Slavery Policy

  • Mental Health Policy

  • Grievance Policy

  • Whistle blower Policy

  • Bullying & Harassment Policy

  • Gender Equality Inclusion Diversity Policy

  • Work Health and Safety Policy

  • Recruitment Policy

  • Complaints Policy

  • Environmental Policy

  • Environmental Management Plan

Measures

Our policies are regularly reviewed and updated with operational and legislation changes. We require all employees to familiarise themselves with each policy upon commencing employment and on an annual basis thereafter.

Cawarra Cosmetics is committed to undertaking due diligence when engaging with suppliers by evaluating the risk of modern slavery, providing anti-slavery obligations in supplier contracts, and invoking sanctions when parties fail to remedy identified risks of slavery.

Cawarra Cosmetics is not formally required to prepare a Statement according to the Modern Slavery Act 2018, and has done so on a voluntary basis.