THE COCOON STORY
What began with lavender became Cocoon Apothecary.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what inspired me to start Cocoon Apothecary because it wasn’t one thing. It was my first whiff of lavender essential oil, watching a natural cream make my mom’s skin glow, and watching my stepfather and our family dog develop the same type of cancer at the same time—one that had been linked to pesticide exposure. That experience made me think much more seriously about the chemicals we’re exposed to every day.
I originally planned to open a natural skincare store. Instead, I fell in love with making the products. Ideas for formulas came so freely, it felt less like I had chosen this path and more like I had found what I was meant to do. Funny enough, ten years earlier I had studied microbiology hoping to work in a cosmetics lab. Somehow, I had found my way back.
I immersed myself in herbalism, aromatherapy, cosmetic chemistry, distillation and perfumery. The formulas took years to perfect, and the collection grew slowly and intentionally.
More than 22 years later, we make over 40 products with sensitive skin in mind. And after all this time, I’m still fascinated by the same thing that started it all: what plants can do for our skin.
Jessica Burman, Founder
Our journey
From one lavender batch to a full apothecary
- 2003Started in my kitchenThe first lavender batches, made at home.
- 2005Our first lab is builtA basement lab, so every product could be made in-house.
- 2014Moving to our Kitchener facilityFrom the basement to the facility where we make everything today.
- 2021Ecocert COSMOS certifiedIndependently verified, from ingredient to bottle.
- 2023The Cocoon Spa opensTreatments with our own formulas on King St. W.
- TodayStill made in OntarioSame small batches, same plant-first formulas.
Certified, not just claimed
Ecocert audits our ingredients and process to the COSMOS standard.
Made in our own lab
Formulated and made in small batches in Kitchener, Ontario.
Bottles come back
Return your empties for a $0.75 credit each.
Gentle by design
Formulas built with sensitive skin in mind.
Visit the store
72 St. Leger St., Unit 2B, Kitchener
Mon–Fri 9–5 · Sat 10–4 · (800) 920-0754
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