Holistic skin care has always been a part of Susanne Kaufmann self-care practice. The pioneer in natural and sustainable beauty was born in Austria in the Bregenzerwald region — the heart of the beautiful Austrian Alps valley — She grew up with an endless flow of inspiration that came from the nature that surrounded her, alongside a community that prides itself on self-sustainability and local passed down for generations.
One of Kaufmann’s initial projects was to develop her own range of signature beauty treatments for her family business hotel’s spa. However, her entrepreneurial mind quickly realised that the world needed a natural yet powerful skin care brand that combined her philosophies and values with efficacy and skin affinity. Launched in 2003, Kaufmann’s eponymous brand opened its doors to the public, and now you can find it in Australia at Mecca.
Kaufmann’s serum, eye cream, moisturising mist and face mask are already in our rotation, and we love her clean and non-toxic approach to topical products. Here, we talked about how she started, her thoughts on the clean beauty industry, her favourite beauty ingredients and more.
Susanne Kaufmann interview
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How do you stay looking (and feeling) as vital and fresh as you do?
I have always viewed beauty holistically. If I live an all-round healthy lifestyle, I not only look but feel my best self. A healthy diet, as well as regular exercise, has a massive effect on my appearance, energy and overall well-being. My approach to self-care is holistic: I always look at the whole picture.
How did you decide to get into the beauty space?
I was brought up in a culture where taking care of your skin, hair, and body was always of utmost importance. It has always been a part of my way of life to this day, and carry these traditions, in my brand and in my own family to this day. When I first joined my family hotel, one of my initial projects was to develop a spa with an offering of signature beauty treatments. I quickly realised that I also needed to create my own in-house spa product line to support the service. One that adopted the same natural, regional, and sustainable values as the hotel itself, a line that looked and felt as premium as the results it delivers. In 2003 we launched SUSANNE KAUFMANN skincare. This is where it all began.
What are your thoughts on the clean beauty industry at this point?
For me, the term “clean” goes much further than the high-quality, natural, and effective ingredients. It should also encompass an environmentally friendly production, sustainable packaging innovation, manufacturing processes and a deep respect for nature and people and as a brand these are principles we are deeply committed to. It’s always been about the entire picture. The beauty industry is transforming to meet the needs of a savvy consumer who is looking for meaningful brands and experiences. They want to connect with brands which are socially and environmentally committed. Trust, sustainability, inclusion, transparency, locally sourced ingredients, commitment, and quality are key differentiators in this highly competitive brand landscape.
What are some of your favourite ingredients you like to use in your products?
Q10, Vitamin C and Ectoin are three of my favourite products that I love to use when formulating my skincare products.
Q10 is a highly efficient antioxidant and skin collagen booster. Vitamin C works wonders for the skin. It works to hydrate the skin and is a great antioxidant for a glowing, radiant complexion.
Ectoin is my favourite. It stabilises cell membranes and lipids, protects the skin against harmful environmental influences and increases the skin’s capacity to store moisture.
How important are factors like diet and lifestyle for skin?
I see beauty holistically; the belief that true beauty is based on inner balance, health and well-being. It’s no secret that the right combination of exercise, a balanced diet, sleep and an individually tailored skincare regime can deliver significant well-being benefits. This in turn is reflected in the skin through a beautifully radiant, glowing complexion. It is about the entire picture.
What’s the biggest mistake people make with their skin, in your opinion?
Understanding your skin type, and how your skin changes throughout the seasons and time, is key to an effective regime and therefore healthy complexion. It’s not so much a mistake, but more a need to understand your own skin’s natural functions work and therefore find the right products to support your skin. This is why we have developed ranges for dry and sensitive skin, normal and combination skin, ageing skin and many other concerns. It was very important for me from the start to offer a large range of tailored targeted skincare treatments so there was a solution for everyone.
How do you measure success at this particular point?
Our promise is to offer skincare powered by nature with proven results. We are committed to developing our products with the greatest of care and attention, for both the skin and nature. Products that are formulated with pioneering, locally sourced ingredients, manufactured in a solar powered production house, packaged in sustainable packaging, and deliver a high standard of proven results are always successful in my eyes.
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