Sue Y. Nabi by Dusan Reljin
How did you get into the cosmetology industry?
I am a biochemist and a business school graduate. It was a natural move to go into the beauty industry after my studies. I started as a brand manager at L’Oréal in 1993 and became the youngest L’Oréal CEO in 2005. I then became CEO of Lancôme in 2009, where I created worldwide blockbusters like Genifique LP, Absolue L’Extrait and fragrance La Vie Est Belle.
Tell us more about Orveda…
Orveda has been created as one of the most concentrated skincare lines in the industry. We call it Haute Professional concentration. This is to make sure visible results are obtained as quickly as possible. We wanted to give a new meaning to high-end skincare that used to be just marketing buzz, rare but ineffective actives and heavy, non-sustainable packaging.
Skincare is all about skin microbiome, medical or professional skincare and sustainability. These are 3 trends that Orveda encompasses. We use only recycled glass for packaging and less than 5% plastic.
The Orveda user is a woman (or a man, since the line is gender-neutral) who is looking for the most efficient, safest, cleanest, and most ethical skincare – it is also halaal. She/he thinks that skin glow is representative of her inner health. She/he thinks that good skincare is an investment and that she/he cannot always hide behind makeup. Our skincare is THE NEW makeup in a way. She/he also thinks that organic skincare (that anyone can do in a kitchen) is just good to hydrate or nourish the skin, so they look for something that goes much beyond hydration, like Orveda, which activates more than 10 parameters of skin youth.
Orveda is the best of green biotechnology mixed with the best of dermatological ingredients. The best of both worlds! Our user is knowledgeable about health, nutrition, fitness, skincare and does not believe in “miracle” skincare. He/she believes in visible results, hard science and skincare routines. He/she is looking for vegan skincare that is not tested on animals and that does not contain animal origin actives.
Tell us about the science of skincare…
I am an engineer in biochemistry and environmental science. I am passionate about science and the latest discoveries and have read many scientific publications that said microbiome science will be the game changer of all health concerns: from gut to brain to skin, understanding and taking care of the microbiome would be the cure to everything and clearly the next frontier when it comes to skin aging.
The microbiome (made by friendly bacteria that fight unhealthy ones) is linked to inflammation, and inflammation is the mother of early ageing. We are the first brand to use prebiotics in clean formulations that do not harm the skin microbiome. Think no alcohol, no phenoxyethanol, which is in all skincare, including the supposedly clean skincare and present in all luxury skincare—no artificial colourants, no sulfates in cleansers, no pH changing soap, nothing that strips the skin of its oils and microbiome. At Orveda, our concentrated formulations “work with the skin, not against it!” and they are all designed to speed up the regeneration and self-healing of the skin.
What is the process behind creating an Orveda skincare product?
First of all, a lot of scientific research to understand the latest discoveries when it comes to the skin youth and health. Then establishing a blacklist of ingredients we do not want. This allows us to achieve the goal of ensuring we are not doing any harm to your skin ecosystem, and then 2 to 3 years of formulations and clinical testing to make sure the products are highly efficient and safe too.
Vital ingredients in skincare products include good skin oils—always look for prebiotics (alpha glucan oligosaccharides), hyaluronic acids, and kombucha fermented black tea that is rich in peptides and vitamins and makes olive skin brighter and more rosy. Orveda uses these ingredients at superior concentrations, and they are all chosen for their ability to work WITH the skin biology and not against it
Tell us about how Orveda sees the skin as a “me-cosystem”?
We understand today that your skin is not only made with cells, oils and molecules, but it also has a layer of healthy bacteria called the microbiome that is the skin’s first immune system. It is an ecosystem that needs to be taken care of. This layer is essential to skin health and youth. It protects you from inflammation and therefore, it will keep your skin younger, more even and firmer! Most skincare on the market today, especially high-end ones, contains molecules like phenoxpethanol, alcohol or caviar that may disturb the skin’s ecosystem.
Top tips on a skincare routine?
Always go from watery textures to the oiliest ones – typically serum, then fluid or cream, then oils if needed. Never put oil under a cream; it will prevent it from penetrating. And do not overcleanse your skin. It will make it sensitive. Only a night deep cleansing is necessary.
A cleansing oil with no sulfates must be used at night (Deep Cleansing Botanical Oil); a concentrated serum that brightens skin tone, fights olive tones, boosts glow and instantly firms the skin (The Vital Sap); a great eye contour cream containing high levels of ceramides, sterols and fatty acids that don’t exist naturally around the eyes (Eye Unveiler 422); a moisturizer containing probiotics, peptides, hyaluronic acids and adenosine to firm and iron the skin (Firm Brew Botanical Cream) and a concentrated overnight masque rather than a night cream (Overnight Skin Recovery Masque) to avoid night dehydration and boost skin regeneration and energy levels.
To find out more about Orveda, visit the website and Instagram page.