Paul Penders Mineral Eye Shadow Sparkling White

The Paul Penders Story


Paul Penders is an active environmentalist and avid animal rights activist who incorporates these beliefs into his products. His philosophy of "no chemicals" and "no animal testing" started with shampoos and later on evolved into a bounty of new skincare products for people of all ages.


It All Began In Holland...

For over 40 years, the name "Paul Penders" has been synonymous with natural cosmetics. Going back as far as 1900, Paul's grandmother, grandfather and parents have all run successful salons in The Netherlands. Paul's creativity was challenged from the very beginning to go beyond chemically based beauty products.
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Dutch herbal master and apothecary Herma Eeftink and famous natural healer Dr. Ab Steyn encouraged Paul to incorporate a unique family-devised herbal extract into his products. Called LevensESSENTIE™ (Dutch for "Essence of Life"), his grandmother had used the extract for extraordinary homemade skin and hair-care formulations for many years.


Clients Loved Paul's Non-Emulsified Shampoos

Another breakthrough for Paul was the creation of a non-emulsified shampoo. When tested on eager customers in his salon at "Night Shampoo Parties", they loved it! Paul took the advice of a cosmetic chemist who urged him to add chemical emulsifiers so "the product would look better." But Paul's clients protested immediately that the "improved" formula did not produce the same fine results. He immediately reverted back to the original formula and never changed again. This was Paul's first lesson in listening to the wishes of consumers; not to what chemists were telling him.


Paul Battles Dutch Government

Paul became involved in a battle with the Dutch government in 1984. They wanted to close Paul's factory because he refused to do animal testing. As a result, Paul moved his factory to the United States and, during the happy years that followed, he introduced many new products that repeatedly demonstrated that his humane, natural methods do work.


Major Success with AHA's In Paris

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) were the rising stars of cosmetics in 1993. When Paul premiered Citrus Fruit Exfoliant in Paris, this all-natural AHA product became a major success for the company.


Recommended By The Safe Shopper's Bible

In 2001, Paul's products received the highest possible rating and were highly recommended by researchers David Steinman M.D. and Samuel Epstein M.D. Their book, The Safe Shopper's Bible, with a foreword by famous consumer advocate, Ralph Nader, is available in bookstores throughout the U.S.


Paul Penders Relocates To The Virgin Rainforest of Langkawi Geopark, Malaysia

Paul's frequent travels around the globe in search of pure ingredients led him in 2003 to the rainforests of Langkawi island in the Andaman Sea. A two-hour boat trip from mainland Malaysia, the island's inhabitants enjoy a natural lifestyle in an unpolluted environment. Exotic herbs, plants and beautiful flowers are abundantly available. The pristine setting and Malaysia's active stance on forestry conservation prompted Paul to relocate his R&D and production facilities to Langkawi.


Paul Penders Opens Factory in China

Paul has opened a new factory in Hangzhou, a Chinese city renowned for the natural beauty of its hinterland. The West Lake district, for example, is the site of world famous, high-quality green tea plantations. The new facility has been established to cater for the growing needs of Chinese consumers in Paul's natural products. Cosmetic chemists from China are being trained at Paul Penders R&D facilities at Langkawi Island. A new factory is also planned for India.


The Future Is About Healthy, Responsible Cosmetic Manufacturing

Paul strives to create the best products available. His early fights against governments helped influence the entire cosmetic industry for the better. Today, Paul's company continues to create innovations. His products are sold in the U.S., Canada, Europe, China, Japan, Korea and several other countries. He still loves a challenge especially if it involves upsetting established practices that offend his ethics. Paul is convinced that those who work passionately for what they believe in will succeed in making a difference.