In less than 20 years, Mélissa Harvey has profoundly transformed the Québec cosmetics landscape. Her major achievement was to make natural and healthy cosmetics both desirable and accessible—for people and the planet. Mission accomplished: Zorah Biocosmétiques now has over 1,200 points of sale in Québec and will begin its international expansion in 2025.
If you’re familiar with her brand and its products, it’s worth taking a closer look at the mission and values behind Mélissa Harvey’s work: naturalness, performance, and women’s empowerment. It was during a trip to Morocco focused on developing fair trade that she discovered the virtues of her “liquid gold”: argan oil. That’s where she built meaningful and respectful bonds with the women who produce it. In 20 years, hundreds of Berber women and their families have benefited from her support and guidance. Together, they’ve written every chapter of her success story.
Interview with the heart and soul behind this beauty brand.
Where did your love story with Morocco, its precious oil, and the women who produce it begin?
From my very first trip to Morocco, I was captivated by the richness of the country, its heritage, and especially the resilience and know-how of the Berber women who produce argan oil. I discovered an ingredient with extraordinary properties, used for centuries by these women for its hydrating and reparative benefits. It was a revelation—not only is argan oil a beauty treasure, but it also carries a story of tradition, transmission, and solidarity. That’s how I decided to integrate this liquid gold into high-end cosmetics, while also honoring the work of women’s cooperatives.
How do Zorah’s values shape your sourcing and manufacturing processes?
At Zorah, we’ve always embraced an ethical and committed approach. We work directly with women’s cooperatives in Morocco and several others around the world, ensuring fair prices and equity for workers. That means no middlemen—the money goes directly to them, allowing them to meet their family’s needs. Beyond fair trade, we invest in training programs to help them structure and sustain their cooperatives. We believe that empowerment comes through education and the promotion of local know-how. It’s a mission that deeply drives us. At Zorah, we love giving back to the community because it gives us so much in return!
What inspired you to enter the natural cosmetics industry?
I’ve always had a strong connection to nature and pure, powerful ingredients. My grandmother and mother always showed me the benefits of natural products for our bodies and health. I believe nature has all the potential to improve our overall well-being and bring out our skin’s radiance. I wanted to create a niche that didn’t yet exist and prove that it’s possible to combine performance, luxury, and naturalness without compromise. Argan oil was my starting point, and Zorah was born from that desire to develop high-performing skincare products that respect both skin and the planet.
What do you believe drives Zorah’s success and the loyalty of your customers?
I think our success is built on three pillars: quality, authenticity, and commitment. Our products are formulated with high-performance ingredients that are scientifically tested and health-conscious. We’re also transparent—our customers know where our ingredients come from and why they’re used. And there’s a deep connection to Zorah’s social mission, which supports women’s empowerment and promotes fair trade. That emotional connection and trust are what fuel our remarkable customer loyalty.
How do you see the evolution of Québec’s cosmetics market? Why is natural beauty the right choice?
When we launched Zorah, the natural cosmetics market in Québec was still in its early stages. Today, there’s a true shift happening—consumers are looking for healthier, more effective, and eco-responsible products. They no longer want to choose between natural and effective—they want both. We’re also seeing big changes in retail mindsets, with major chains increasingly including committed brands in their offerings. Natural cosmetics are no longer a niche—they’ve become a mainstream benchmark.
What’s next for Zorah in the years to come?
We have so many exciting projects ahead! We want to continue developing innovative product lines, explore ever more powerful ingredients, and strengthen our commitment to the environment and the communities that inspire us. Our goal is to enter one to two new countries per year and become the global leader in Biocosmetics. And we’re well on our way: this year, Zorah has already entered three major international markets—a sign of the growing demand for Biocosmetics.
Mélissa Harvey will be present with Zorah at the 2025 spring Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert in both Montréal and Québec City.
To stay updated on Zorah’s news, visit: www.zorah.ca
