The story behind Welcome to Natural®
Natural products proudly made on Prince Edward Island
Our mission
We believe that the best products for your body, your home, and your spirit come from natural ingredients, small-batch care, and a deep connection to place.
At the heart of our offering is Island Potato Soap®, our signature skincare innovation made using juice from locally grown potatoes.
What matters to us
Natural ingredients, sourced as locally as possible
Reducing waste through creative, sustainable production
Supporting small farms, local artists, and independent makers
Creating products that are good for your skin, home & community
Meet the Makers: Pieter & Geraldine
Island Potato Soap Company® was founded by husband-and-wife team Pieter and Geraldine Ijsselstein. Since 2010, they’ve developed and commercialized several small-scale enterprises in PEI. In 2016, they created a process to make soap and skin cream from potatoes, and Island Potato Soap® was born.
From their work in Bangladesh during the 1980s supporting landless families, to hosting classical and folk concerts at their Arkell Schoolhouse in Ontario, Pieter and Geraldine have always believed in building community and celebrating creativity.
Pieter Ijsselstein
Pieter Ijsselstein grew up on a dairy farm near Woodstock, Ontario.
- B.A. Degree from Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA) in Business Economics and History
- M.Sc. Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Guelph (Guelph, Ontario)
- MBA Degree from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2012
Geraldine Ysselstein
Geraldine Ysselstein has over 30 years of experience as a working artist.
She received her B.A. Degree from Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA) in Fine Arts and French and then continued her education at the University of Guelph (Guelph, Ontario) in Fine Arts. She received her Ontario Certificate of Teaching and taught for several years in Elementary and High Schools. Geraldine operates the Birch Tree Gallery and Shop in Victoria, Prince Edward Island.
Together, they bring a unique blend of artistry, agriculture, and ethics to every product they make. Both Pieter and Geraldine worked in Bangladesh in the 1980’s and developed small scale enterprises with landless families to improve their economic well-being.
From 1995 to 2006 , Pieter and Geraldine presented concerts in their home in Arkell, Ontario. The Arkell Schoolhouse Concert Series included Chamber and Folk Music. Musicians from the Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestras were regular performers. They included Jacques Israelivitch, (Concert Master) Judy Loman (Harpist) Maureen Forrester, Anton Kuerti, James Campbell just to mention a few. Folk Musician Performers included Juno Award Winner David Francey, Garnet Rogers, Ian Tamblyn.
As seen in
Featured on Cityline
Watch the full Cityline video featuring our Island Potato Soaps as an ideal holiday gift
Ready to explore?
Shop our collection of soaps, creams, candles, and more. All proudly made in Canada, and all inspired by the beauty and bounty of Prince Edward Island.
New in 2025: Music
With the launch of Welcome to Natural®, we’ve expanded beyond skincare to offer handcrafted goods and original music by artists from Prince Edward Island.
Each downloadable track helps support Canadian musicians directly, offering a fairer alternative to streaming platforms.
Visit us
Our new retail shop is located in Victoria by the Sea, at the Birch Tree Gallery, 8 Main Street, Victoria PE.
OPEN
May to October | 10am - 6pm
Please call for an appointment during off season
