about us

In search of optimal cosmetic products we established the company PhytoVero.

Our motivation was driven by recognition and comprehension rather than by ideas. The recognition that there is an urgent need for a rethink. The recognition that we have to do something. The recognition that the raw materials used in cosmetic products cannot be accompanied by slash-and-burn of rain forest and extermination of several species of the animal world. The recognition that good marketing (packaging madness) should not be mistaken for good products. 

Who is behind PhytoVero:

Dr. Bernhard Keller

Today we see a lot of people eating consciously, buying organic vegetables on the market, maybe even living vegetarian or vegan, doing a lot of sports and generally cultivating a healthy lifestyle. Surprisingly, however, very few people (yet) care about the pollutants they come into contact with in their detergents and cleaning products and are hardly critical of their cosmetic care products.
In the area of cleaning products, perhaps something has changed since the long-term study from Norway (►link): On high significance level it could be shown that cleaning harms the health - or perhaps one should write better: the cleaning agents harm the health.
With cosmetic products there are in the range of the ►endocrine disruptors, so-called Xenohormones or hormone-active substances (e.g. Parabene and UV filter such as 4-Methylbenzyliden Campher and 3-Benzyliden Campher - see sun protection agents) at least in Germany already long-term experience. Experts now agree that this is one of the causes of the creeping infertility of humans. It would be quite interesting now to accomplish a long-term study generally to pollutants in cosmetics so that a reorientation can take place. However, it often takes decades until something changes. We at PhytoVero don't want to and don't have to change. We see it as our task to offer an alternative in this area. 

Since my dissertation at the University of Bern in the field of bioorganic chemistry, I have dealt with material science topics. With preenTec AG we have developed and patented a biocide replacement for use in process fluids. Bactericides and fungicides are part of the basic formulation of process fluids. Skin irritations and skin diseases are therefore occupational diseases in the metalworking industry and one of the major problems. In my fifteen years of research and development, I have seen images and experienced situations that literally "get under the skin". Interestingly, metalworking fluids are sometimes subject to stricter regulations regarding the use of biocides than in the cosmetics industry. 

Jürg Wipf

After reading the book 'THE CHINA STUDY' by T. Colin Campbell, I was inspired to explore this subject in more detail. During the intensive study of numerous publications on nutrition, vitamins and minerals, I switched to a completely plant-based diet.
The next step was inevitable: after buying my skin care products, I started to find out about the individual ingredients contained in them. This information was sometimes so frightening that I immediately disposed of partly used products.
Of course, there is no scientific evidence that conventional skin care products contain chemical additives or ingredients that are responsible for cancer or other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Worldwide studies, however, show that there is a connection and are increasingly emphasizing that the additives used, considered individually, are only of concern. But in combination with another ingredient or simply due to the cumulation of these ingredients in different products, they can have very serious effects.

What can be done here? What should I use for a face cream now? What is the harmless deodorant? The only answer is: the more natural the product is, the less unnecessary chemical ingredients it contains, the better!

During the search for such products, discussions have taken place in my environment. I found out that my friend of many years, Bernhard Keller, has already dealt intensively with this topic. As a chemist, he started producing individual cosmetic products for himself and his family many years ago. After we found out that we were very interested in this topic, we unsuccessfully searched the market for cosmetic products without questionable ingredients. At the same time, we worked on our own existing products and distributed them to family and friends. The feedback was consistently positive and the demand was overwhelming. 

We decided to establish the company PhytoVero. The guiding principle for our products was already clear at the beginning: 

What is applied to our skin could also safely be eaten!