After opening his first spa in Hollywood in the ‘70s, the Danish skincare guru now has a hugely successful skincare brand – not to mention a loyal A-list following. We caught up with Ole Henriksen to discuss two of his trailblazing products - the Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum and the Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment
This article is in partnership with Ole Henriksen.
What's your ethos when it comes to looking after your skin and what role does positivity play in creating that #OLEGlow?
“When it comes to looking after your skin, I believe clean skin paves the way for healthy skin. You have to remember that skin is your body’s largest eliminatory organ and that whole natural and magical process happens around the clock. So cleansing your skin both morning and night is imperative. Try turning it into a beautiful ritual. Take that moment in your bathroom for yourself: close your eyes, take a couple of deep breaths to centre yourself and then start your routine.
I have always believed that everything you do should come from a positive place. I greet myself in the mirror every morning with a smile! When you feel positive about life, you’re better able to care for yourself – and that shows in your skin.
You should always be the best version of yourself and be authentic – I got that advice very early on in my life in Copenhagen and I still stand by it today. In fact, I have a product called Truth Serum and it signifies a lot of my philosophy of life.
I also believe that we should never let age stand in our way. Sometimes I have my Spotify on, I shake my booty and feel like a teenager! I read books. I watch movies. But what I really enjoy is cooking a great meal with Laurence, my husband of 36 years, and sitting in the kitchen, candles lit, having a great conversation. It’s all about having balance in life.”
The Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum contains a high percentage of vitamin C. Why is this such a key skincare ingredient for you?
“Vitamin C is an amazing multi-tasking ingredient. It brightens the skin, reduces the look of darks spots and improves collagen production, which is great for firming. It’s also a powerful antioxidant so it defends against pollution. Being a pioneer in the vitamin C category, I wanted to create a potent serum formulated with advanced top shelf ingredients. There’s 15 per cent vitamin C in the Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum but also exfoliating acids and hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid. It’s the morning beauty product you need in your daily regimen to drastically transform your skin and give you the hard-hitting preventative and corrective results you’re looking for.”
How did the Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment come to be created?
“I created Dewtopia because I saw the need for a powerful treatment that works hard to deliver visible results overnight. The formula contains a 20 per cent acid blend – 10 per cent AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and 10 per cent PHAs (polyhydroxy acids). It’s the first time we’ve combined these two exfoliating acids together, but they’re incredible for revealing smoother, brighter skin and also improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles.”
You’re a big fan of exfoliating acids. What would you say to someone who’s nervous of trying them for the first time?
“AHAs are really effective ingredients. A lot of people worry that chemical exfoliation will make their skin worse, especially if they have acne, but that’s wrong. Only those with sensitive skin may find they can’t use them. You should always look for a formula that includes replenishing ingredients to balance out the high-potency acids; ingredients like aloe juice, birch sap and chamomile, which help soothe the skin and prevent damage. Acids can be used day and night, so it’s always important to use a very light texture SPF in conjunction with these formulations.”
