Karuna Essentials began with curiosity and a creative idea, inspired by the uplifting presence of Happy Sunshine orange calendula flowers. Founder Karen Stewart recalls, “Each day when I would enter our poly tunnel the Happy Sunshine orange calendula flowers growing there would uplift my spirit.” This inspiration led her to create her own natural skincare products.

Karen remembered using calendula ointment for cuts and bumps on children in the kindergarten where she worked, noting, “The healing was swift.” Encouraged by her initial experiments, she made a small batch to sell at a local car boot sale, where “interest was great from the local community and I sold all I had there on the day.” Positive feedback from customers, family, and friends motivated her to continue developing her calendula-based products.

Combining beautiful, simple, natural ingredients with a touch of magic and good vibrations, Karuna Essentials proudly offers Irish-made skincare solutions. Karen’s career in holistic health and child psychotherapy underscores her passion for excellence. At Karuna Essentials, the mission is to provide high-quality, affordable, and effective natural skincare products “using active ingredients naturally found in plants to work in harmony with you and your skin.”

Karen’s partner, Kris, is a gardener, designer, motivator, and holistic health practitioner at Karuna Flame Holistic Health Centre. Their son, Miko, an adventure enthusiast and outdoor recreational instructor, contributes to product labeling and promotional material.

Karuna Essentials continues to harness the unique properties of plants like calendula, reflecting Karen’s lifelong connection to nature: “All my life, I have found solace in nature and natural materials.” This commitment to nurturing well-being shines through in every product.

See a range of Karuna Essential products here