THE STORY BEHIND LEORA
Thank you for visiting LEORA and for taking the time to read this page.
This is the full story behind the brand.
My name is Tanya, and I am the founder of LEORA.
LEORA did not begin simply as a business idea. It was born through a season of great trial in my life. A sudden traumatic event turned my world upside down. The impact on me was so profound, physically, mentally and emotionally, that one day I looked in the mirror and did not recognise myself. It took such a toll on me that even my skin became dry, wrinkled and saggy, and I seemed to have aged ten years within the space of six months.
Yet as I walked through this darkest valley of my life, the Lord was my light, always going before me and lighting up my path. Sometimes the light seemed very faint, but it was always there - leading me, guiding me, strengthening and protecting me.
It was during this time, at a church summer camp, that a beautiful sister in Christ shared with us her love for God’s gift of natural oils and their Biblical meaning, history and usage. She also treated each of us to a bottle of her own homemade blend. I had never used a facial oil or body oil before and was a little wary at first, but my skin loved it.
I too fell in love with the natural goodness of botanical ingredients and began researching and learning more. I took a Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation so that I could learn to create natural skincare, both to care for my own skin and to share my newly found passion with others.
Having grown up in Ukraine, natural remedies were a familiar part of life, with herbs and plants being used for all kinds of ailments. Now, however, I was discovering botanical and essential oils in the context of skincare and their Biblical significance. It felt so new yet so familiar. It made me want to delve deeper into the world of natural skincare.
As LEORA began to take shape, I wanted it to reflect beauty, gentleness and simplicity, as well as gratitude and a desire to honour God through every product that I create.
The name LEORA is inspired by the Hebrew phrase “Li’ori”, meaning “to me is light”. LEORA is dedicated to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and is a constant reminder that the Lord is my Light - Adonai Ori (יְהוָה אוֹרִֽי). These words are found in Psalm 27, where King David expresses his faith in God as his light and his salvation in times of trouble. In Hebrew, light carries a depth of meaning beyond simple illumination; it also speaks of order, hope, and clarity in the midst of darkness and turmoil.
I also want LEORA to be a blessing beyond skincare itself. For that reason, 10% of all profits will be given to support God’s work and expand His kingdom through the work and service of my home church, Calvary Chapel Hastings, and overseas Christian missions.
LEORA was born out of adversity but the light of the Lord has never stopped shining even through the darkest of nights. I pray that His light will illuminate your path too and that you will be blessed simply for visiting this page and reading this testimony.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.