Svetlana Henao-Zakharevich

My motivation for launching Gressa Skin stemmed from a deep passion for skincare and a desire to create products that are not only effective but also safe for our bodies and the environment. I realized there was a gap in the market for clean, high-quality beauty products that cater to different skin types and their specific concerns. I wanted to empower individuals to embrace their natural beauty while providing them with the tools to enhance their skincare routine. This vision drove me to formulate products that are both luxurious and functional, which led to the creation of Gressa Skin.

I've always had oily, blemish-prone skin, and that's one of the reasons I designed the Balancing Cleanser . This product has significantly improved my skin, helping to balance sebum production while effectively cleansing my skin without stripping it of its natural moisture.

My day and night routine are very similar and quite simple. I double cleanse with the Purifying Cleanser . Then, I apply a protective layer of Siberian Pineapple Pressed Serum over my toner. My weekly routine includes the Renewing Polish mask, which renews and brightens my skin.

My favorite ingredients are the magnificent botanical components that nature has provided. Nature is the first and last science that humanity has relied upon for centuries. I believe in powerful ingredients like sea buckthorn, pure sea salt, and rosehip seeds, all of which offer unique benefits to the skin.

Nature is the highest form of science. We only formulate what nature has already perfected. Natural and organic are the way forward in beauty in general. There are many clean and clinically proven brands on the market, and it can be difficult for consumers to choose what's right for them. However, with natural and organic botanical ingredients, it's hard to go wrong. The simplicity of these ingredients and the bioavailability of plant-derived nutrients benefit the skin in a much gentler way, offering longevity and utility. This approach aligns with my belief in nourishing the skin with what nature has to offer, ensuring our products are effective while being kind to the body and the environment.

Jumping from one product to another, each incorporating active ingredients in the hopes of achieving clear, resilient skin, is something I did in my late teens and early twenties. It made my skin less predictable, more sensitive to external factors, and more prone to acne. A simpler approach to skincare is the answer whenever your skin is going through a crisis or a change. My answer is always: stop everything, do less, and observe how your skin reacts.

If I have a pimple, I usually leave it alone. Of course, when I was younger, that was very difficult to do, and I often popped my face. It's a mistake many of us make when we're young. Now, after years in this industry, I know that if you have a blemish, the best thing to do is continue your skincare routine and moisturize rather than try to dry it out. Our skin needs moisture to heal, and it's essential not to touch the blemish to avoid further irritation or scarring.

I've always considered aging a privilege. To allow our faces and bodies to age slowly and gracefully, we need to adopt a healthy mindset about aging. I believe that worrying about aging can actually make us age faster. When I'm researching skincare or a beauty routine, I look for ingredients that support what my skin already does to protect me. I don't specifically look for ingredients to plump, modify, or anti-aging; rather, I trust pure, botanical skincare and makeup that already provide these benefits naturally, without relying on isolated synthetic ingredients like many anti-aging products do.

No, I've never used beauty tools. I've always emphasized the power of our own touch and the effectiveness of using our hands to massage our face daily. I don't believe a machine can replace the power of our own hands. I advocate daily self-massage—just 5 to 7 minutes each evening—as well as a few minutes in the morning using cryotherapy techniques to reduce inflammation. For me, this practice is as powerful as any emerging technology or machine you could buy.

My day and night makeup routine is generally quite similar. I always make sure my skin is prepped with Purifying Oil . Then, I usually apply the Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation , which is shade 03. I use a drop to even out my skin tone all over my body. Since I'm often on the go, I like to use a little boost of my choice for daytime, usually opting for the Lip Boost Gloss in "Bare" or "Lilith." These products are perfectly multi-tasking and replace lip liner, lipstick, blush, and even eyeshadow. When I'm out and about, my go-to makeup includes The Essentialist Clickstick Concealer , which I use in two shades: one to conceal redness and the other as an under-eye concealer, along with the Lip Boost Glosses mentioned above. I also like to apply the Eye Tint to my eyelids.

For the night, I intensify the color of my lips with the Lip Boost - Gloss “Stacy” or a classic red like “Aux Rouge”, and I add more blush using the same Lip Boost - Gloss for evening glamour.

I exfoliate my body every week, which has dramatically changed the way my skin feels. Exfoliation is essential for skincare products to absorb properly, allowing them to fully penetrate and hydrate my skin. I truly believe everyone should have a lovely weekly body care ritual.

I decided to answer these two questions together because I don't believe that nutrition and supplements can be separated. When I started Gressa almost 16 years ago, I was studying pre-medical subjects and learned that healthy aging and nutrition are fundamental to a healthy approach to health – not just from the perspective of appearance, but also how we feel, including our mental well-being.

When it comes to supplements, I'm very simple. Either I don't take any, or, if necessary—like after my pregnancy and delivery—I choose a natural, organic, plant-based prenatal and postnatal supplement to support what I've provided my baby over the past nine months. Nutrition has always been my primary approach to addressing various issues, including hair loss and beauty concerns.

When it comes to my favorite beauty foods, broth is a staple in my daily diet. I always have a healthy, organic soup on hand, which aids digestion, supports my gut microbiome, and benefits my brain and skin while balancing hormones. I love fruits and berries that are rich in antioxidants, nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, which help keep inflammation at bay. Additionally, I'm a big tea drinker, enjoying several cups of green tea, black tea, and herbal infusions like chamomile, raspberry leaf, and lemon balm throughout the day.

The future of Gressa Skin is focused on continuing to innovate in the field of luxury botanical skincare. We aim to stand out with unique formulations that truly resonate with our customers. We have some very exciting and highly anticipated launches planned for 2025, including a legendary mascara that we've all been eagerly awaiting. It's been in development for many years, and I can't wait to share it with everyone.

As a pioneer of clean makeup, Gressa Skin's Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation revolutionized our approach to makeup with a cutting-edge formula that transcends mere cosmetic function. This hybrid innovation merges the benefits of a skincare serum with the performance of a professional foundation. Broccoli seed oil lies at the heart of this formula, a precious ingredient renowned for its exceptional antioxidant properties and its ability to deeply nourish the skin. It doesn't leave skin feeling greasy and is even recommended for balancing sebum production in combination or oily skin. Its silicone-like texture glides onto the skin for a unique yet safe finish. It's feather-light yet highly pigmented, offering buildable coverage (from sheer to full coverage using 1 to 3 drops) that naturally enhances the complexion while allowing the skin to breathe. Enriched with carefully selected botanical actives, such as neem and green tea extracts, it provides antioxidant protection throughout the day, while blackcurrant and raspberry seed oils soothe and regenerate the skin. The Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation is more than just a foundation!

See the file: Guide to GRESSA Shades