Beauty Boss: Dennis Reinhard, Founder of Jaya Organics
Our latest Beauty Boss is Dennis Reinhard, Founder of Jaya Organics—a luxury line of natural and ethical body care products that are made with native plants and herbs from Siem Reap, Cambodia. The line is offered as an in-room amenity and in the hotel spa at Jaya House River Park, a boutique hotel located just minutes from the world-famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Working with an experienced formulator, Reinhard developed the products after noticing there was a demand from hotel guests at Jaya House River Park. The line was formulated with the assistance of 10 Cambodian employees, which helped to create local jobs and education, as well as introduce high-quality products into the community.
Jaya House River Park Launches Jaya Organics Skincare
All Jaya House Organics products are hand made in small batches to ensure the freshness and stability of the antioxidants while maximizing the benefits of the natural oils, butters, and extracts. The formulations feature powerhouse ingredients of Cambodian native botanicals and the unique natural fragrances that are found in Cambodian essential oils.
Their products are cruelty-free, free of sulfates and parabens, and avoid harsh chemicals. In an effort to use the least amount of plastic possible, the packaging is made of 99% glass. Its shipping boxes are recycled from hotel materials, and the brand encourages customers to use the provided reusable pouch they are given when purchasing the products.
Spa Profile: Jaya House River Park
We chatted with Reinhard who shared the inspiration behind the brand, secrets for success, beauty tips, and much more.
When was Jaya Organics founded and what does the name mean?
We launched Jaya Organics in July 2019. Jaya is a word in Sanskrit that means “victorious.” Organics means natural, which relates to the ingredients we use in our products. We use a word in Sanskrit because Cambodia's history dates back to the 5th to 14th century A.D. when Hinduism and Buddhism entered the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Besides its origin name, we named it Jaya Organics because it follows our sister brand, Jaya House River Park Hotel, in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
What inspired the creation of the brand?
We were inspired by Jaya House River Park's guests, who initially asked to take home our homemade body scrub after a spa treatment at the hotel. At the time, we had nowhere to put the homemade body scrub, so we went to the kitchen, grabbed a Nutella jar, cleaned it and put it into the jar for our guests to take home. After a few similar requests, we knew we had to create something to fulfill similar requests in the future.
Does Jaya Organics have a hero product?
Our hero products are the scrubs and in-room amenities that are in the spa and rooms of the hotel. Still, our best-seller so far is the Natural Mosquito Repellent. Being in the tropics, our guests love it because of its efficacy in repelling mosquitoes.
What are your favorite products from your brand?
My favorite products have to be the Nurturing Body Cleanser and the Intensive Hand Cream. I have very sensitive skin and tend to have bacne (back acne), but the Nurturing Body Cleanser keeps my bacne at bay because of its moringa ingredient, which is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits for the skin. The Intensive Hand Cream greatly helps with my dry hands because of its moisturizing ingredients of shea butter, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and chamomile extract.
Where are your products sold?
Jaya Organics products are sold on our website, at Jaya House River Park Hotel, and a few boutique shops in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
Future plans for the brand?
We look forward to expanding the brand into creating more products for our customers' homes such as candles, perfumes, and room sprays. Besides that, we are looking into expanding to a bigger market such as the U.S, Australia, Europe, and the UAE.
Who inspires you?
Many people in the beauty industry inspire me, but I have to say it's the people close to me that inspire me the most—my family and friends.
Secret to success?
Determination and consistency.
Beauty secrets?
Exfoliation and hydration. I use our Jaya Organics scrubs for my body at least once a week and hydrate my skin afterward.
Wellness tips?
Have some me-time to relax and unwind. It always helps, especially in the busy world we live in now.
Best advice?
Great things don't happen overnight. You have to be consistent to achieve great things.
Favorite way to relax?
I like to put on a face mask, light my current favorite candle, and watch Netflix or have a bath using one of our Bath Salts Collection products.
For more information, visit Jaya Organics’ website and follow on Instagram: @jaya.organics @jayahousehotels
[Images courtesy of Jaya Organics]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk