Nature's Gate

Nature's Gate is an American brand of personal care products specializing in NATURAL and herbal formulations. Founded in 1972 in Venice Beach, California, by Russian immigrant brothers Leo and Vladimir Weinstein under Levlad Inc., the brand originated with its signature Herbal Rainwater Shampoo, which blended botanicals from their herb shop with fresh rainwater. This product gained popularity amid the rising demand for natural cosmetics free from harsh chemicals. Over the decades, Nature's Gate expanded into a full line including shampoos, conditioners, body washes, lotions, facial care, oral care, and sun care products, emphasizing plant-based ingredients, vegan formulas, and cruelty-free status (never tested on animals). The brand became a staple in health food stores such as Whole Foods, Mrs. Gooch's, and natural retailers, appealing to consumers seeking eco-conscious and herbal alternatives during the 1980s through 2000s.

The company, originally under Levlad Inc., underwent several ownership changes. In 2004, it was acquired by Natural Products Group (formed by Harvest Partners to purchase Levlad and Arbonne International), which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010. Despite periods of reformulations and availability shifts, Nature's Gate celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012 with a special-EDition herbal body wash revisiting its original botanical heritage. Following further transitions, including a period under Groupe Rocher after its 2018 acquisition of Arbonne and Nature's Gate from Natural Products Group, the brand was integrated into the Mild by Nature family of products (associated with iHerb) by the mid-2020s, maintaining core eco-conscious formulas, particularly its popular herbal shampoos and conditioners. iHerb often still lists products under the standalone Nature's Gate name to capitalize on the brand's 50-year-old name recognition. Nature's Gate remains recognized for its nostalgic herbal scents and commitment to natural ingredients, though some longtime fans note changes in availability and formulations over time.