Explore London on the Long Weekend

The May long weekend is already here, and you don't have to make plans this weekend - head over to the Purdy Natural, now located in Wortley Village, and then make your way to one of my favourite trails in London to explore nature and get some much-needed time in green space.

I had the opportunity to explore the new Purdy Natural location in Wortley Village and chat with the owner, Rokhsana Purdy. I have long used their products and recommended people stop in to learn more about some alternative products that are easy to source right here in London ON!

A Conversation with Rokhsana Purdy

Owner of Purdy Natural, now in Wortley Village

For nearly 15 years, Purdy Natural has helped introduce Londoners to cleaner skincare, natural body care, and wellness products long before “clean living” became mainstream. What began as a basement-based passion project has evolved into one of the city’s most recognized destinations for thoughtfully curated natural products.

Now, with the recent move into a beautiful new space in Wortley Village, Purdy Natural is entering another exciting chapter.

I recently sat down with founder Rokhsana Purdy to talk about the evolution of the business, the growing awareness around ingredients, and why natural living doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

Dr. B.J. Hardick (BJH): First of all, congratulations on the new space. How have the first few weeks been?



Rokhsana Purdy (RP): Busy, really busy, in the best way possible. We’ve been in the new location for about three weeks now, and it’s been packed every day. The response from the community has honestly been incredible.

BJH: For those who may not know the story, take us back to the beginning. What originally inspired you to start Purdy Natural?

RP: Honestly, it started because I wanted natural alternatives for products I was personally using every day. At the time, there just weren’t many options available. I began making things like deodorants, perfumes, tattoo salves, soaps… products I wanted in my own life.

It slowly grew from there. What really motivated me was wanting to give people a choice. Back then, there wasn’t really a place that felt like a natural drugstore, where you could come in and find multiple categories of healthier products in one place.

BJH: And this was long before “clean beauty” became trendy.



RP: Exactly. We started almost 15 years ago. It began in my basement, then we did local events around the city, and eventually expanded into different retail locations over the years before landing here in Wortley Village.

BJH: What are some of the most popular products people keep coming back for?

RP: Our in-house Purdy Natural products are still huge sellers, especially our soaps and body care products. The Bohemian scent is incredibly popular, along with Sunshine & Lollipops, which is more citrus-based.

We also carry many other skincare and wellness brands that customers absolutely love. Lunah has been flying off the shelves lately — we’re reordering constantly.

BJH: Have you noticed that people today are more educated about ingredients than they were 10 or 15 years ago?

RP: Definitely, but there’s still a long way to go. People are asking more questions now, especially around skincare, makeup, and feminine hygiene products. Those categories weren’t really on most people’s radar years ago.



Now consumers are starting to realize that what you put on your skin matters just as much as what you put in your body.

BJH: What’s the most common question you hear from someone who’s brand new to natural living?

RP: “Where do I start?”

And honestly, we usually recommend starting with deodorant.

BJH: Why deodorant specifically?

RP: Because it’s an easy switch that can make a meaningful difference. Conventional deodorants can contain ingredients like aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, and people use them every single day near sensitive tissue and lymphatic areas.

It’s often the simplest first step into reducing overall chemical exposure.

BJH: I think one thing people appreciate about Purdy Natural is that they don’t feel like they need a biochemistry degree to shop here. Sure, if people wish to look on the labels to discover specific ingredients, but it seems that, generally, people can pretty much trust the purity of any product you carry in the store.



RP: That’s exactly what we want. We try to make natural living approachable, not intimidating. And today, there are so many tools available. There are apps that scan ingredients, and plenty of online resources make learning easier than ever.

People don’t have to figure everything out overnight.

BJH: Since moving into Wortley Village, have you noticed a different type of customer coming through the door?



RP: Absolutely. Our previous locations were more destination-based, whereas here we’re getting a lot more walk-in traffic and many first-time customers who may never have explored natural products before.

We’re meeting new people every single day, which is exciting because it means more opportunities to educate and support healthier choices.

BJH: You’ve also added some new brands since the move?



RP: Yes! We’re always looking for more boutique-style natural products and companies that align with our values. We recently brought in Beauty From Bees, and customers are loving it.

A lot of what we carry comes directly from customer requests and what we genuinely believe in ourselves.

BJH: On a personal level, what has this transition been like for you?



RP: It’s definitely been intense. There hasn’t been a lot of work-life balance lately... but it’s a good problem to have. The support from the community has been overwhelming in the best possible way.

BJH: Congratulations again on the new chapter. London is lucky to have businesses like Purdy Natural continuing to make wellness more accessible, approachable, and community-driven.

RP: Thank you. If we can continue helping people discover healthier products and feel good about the choices they’re making, that’s success to me.

The Best Trails in London Ontario

This long weekend, why not explore a new trail? Some of the best movement for your body doesn’t happen in a gym — it happens outdoors. From peaceful boardwalks to forested hiking paths, there are so many hidden gems throughout the Forest City and surrounding area that make it easy to get active, reduce stress, and reconnect with nature.

This information is provided for non-diagnostic and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. This information should not be considered complete, nor should it be relied upon to suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual. Dr. B.J. Hardick is a Doctor of Chiropractic and is not a Medical Doctor. You should not use this information or information on Dr. Hardick’s website to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or to determine your need for medication or treatment. Always consult your healthcare professional before adjusting any diet, exercise or medical regimens.

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