From Catwalk to Clean Beauty Queen w/ Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr’s Quest to Make Certified Organic Skincare the New Standard
November 14th, 2024 • 7 min read
At FounderMade’s Innovation Show LA 2024, Miranda Kerr, Founder and CEO of KORA Organics, shared her journey from supermodel to a passionate advocate for certified organic skincare. Known as Australia’s first Victoria’s Secret Angel and a Forbes top-earning model, Miranda has redefined her career with KORA Organics, a brand built on her personal commitment to purity, transparency, and effectiveness in skincare.
Just a Small Town Girl
Miranda’s story begins in a small country town in Australia, where her passion for wellness and natural ingredients was first nurtured by her grandmother. “ I grew up in a little country town in Australia and my grandma introduced me to Noni Juice and that is one of the key ingredients of my skincare range,” Miranda shared. This early exposure to nature’s healing power planted a seed that would eventually grow into her life’s mission with KORA Organics.
Her commitment to safe, effective skincare became even more personal during her teenage years when her mother was diagnosed with tumors on her spleen. “As a family, we had to look at everything we were using, what we were eating, what we were putting on our skin, what products we were using in the home. And we've realized that our skin is our largest organ. So what you put on your skin sinks in. And it's so important to be aware of that,” she explained.
Beyond “Clean” Beauty: The Certified Organic Difference
Unable to find the certified organic products she sought, Miranda took matters into her own hands. Partnering with Australia’s top chemists specializing in organic and natural skincare, she launched KORA Organics in 2009. “At first, I wanted to create these products for myself and my family, they were getting such incredible results that then I wanted to share them with the world.”
In her talk, Miranda emphasized the distinction between “clean” and “certified organic” skincare. While “clean” beauty has gained popularity, KORA’s commitment to certified organic sets it apart. “We need to be aware and conscious and educated about what we're putting on our skin. And one thing I would advise is read the ingredients on the back of every one of your products... read and understand and learn- what are those ingredients? What is that funny little number? What does that mean? Is it an emulsifier? Is it a carcinogen? Because there are so many ingredients in products that are unnecessary. Know that on a higher level, ingesting or putting these products on our skin, they may be contributing to certain ailments that you may not have had prior to using them.
So that's why I wanted to have certified organic products because so [they’re] so much more than just clean. You have that third party certification…You don't have to take my word for it. It's someone else outside of us that's regulating these things that we're doing.” Clarifying that “all of the ingredients, our manufacturing, everything has to be audited and approved by Ecosert Cosmos’.
A Commitment to Planet-Friendly Skincare
KORA Organics isn’t just focused on health—it’s also deeply committed to environmental responsibility. As a climate-neutral brand, KORA offsets its carbon footprint and prioritizes sustainable practices, including reusable and refillable packaging. “We’re a small fish in a big sea when it comes to skincare, but we are growing… that’s why I’ve remained the 95% owner of this company, because I didn’t want to dilute the brand’s efficacy, I didn’t want to compromise the quality of the products,” Miranda explained.
The Heart of KORA
Miranda’s values of energy and kindness are woven into everything KORA Organics stands for. Reflecting on her childhood, she shared, “Energy is everything and kindness is the most important thing… I remember something that just stays with me today is just my grandmother’s generosity of spirit.” Growing up in a humble home with “an open door policy,” Miranda experienced the warmth of her grandmother’s hospitality firsthand. “Everyone's always welcome. We will make more from nothing kind of mentality… have a cup of tea… have some cake.”
She recalls her grandmother’s kitchen as a place where everyone felt welcome and loved, and those experiences shaped her values. “It’s that kindness and that heart openness that I feel has really helped get me where I am today because… that’s a legacy that you want to leave behind.” These values are at the core of KORA Organics, driving Miranda’s dedication to creating products that nurture and respect the skin and the planet alike.
Adding that “I'm hopeful one day that I can be a grandma with great skin, just like my grandma!”
From supermodel to CEO, Miranda Kerr is a force to be reckoned with in the beauty industry. Today, KORA Organics is sold in over 140 countries, leading the charge for skincare that respects both people and the planet.
With the holidays approaching, why not treat a loved one to the gift of beautiful skin? Check out Miranda’s top recommendations in her Holiday Gift Guide!
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