Italian grandmothers didn't talk about the skin barrier, but they knew that rubbing your skin was a terrible idea. We spoke to Cristina Fogazzi, known as the “cynical aesthetician” and founder of Veralab (a best-seller in Italy), about Italy's most popular skincare approach.
Known as the “cynical aesthetician” (according to the name of her blog), Cristina Fogazzi built her own cosmetics empire from scratch and made her Veralab brand a real bestseller in Italy. Her honest and realistic approach, without excessive promises, wins over anyone who wants to learn how to take care of their skin in a conscious and affordable way. And partly confirms: often the secret is that there is no secret (even for Italians).
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“The classic way that always works is well-thought-out simplicity. For us, it's important that the skin feels good, and only then it looks perfect. In Italy, there is a culture of care, not masking or hiding,” she says, in the spirit of the less is more philosophy. The expert's strong point is the skin first approach and the belief that moisturizing and preparing the skin should be more important than any makeup. And also the understanding that the skin is a reflection of emotions, which is why Italian women feel like a fish in water. “It's not just naturalness – it's vital energy. Italian beauty is less focused on control and more connected to real life,” she adds.
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The importance of a microfiber towel
One of Veralab's most popular products is the Hydrophilic Cleansing Oil, which can (and should) be used in conjunction with the brand's other iconic product, the microfiber towel. And no, the fact that it's not cotton is no coincidence. “Microfiber removes makeup and impurities, capturing them instead of rubbing them. Cotton absorbs, but doesn't really cleanse. The fibers of this towel perfectly collect product residue and provide a very gentle micro-exfoliation,” explains Fogazzi. And we can confirm: this towel is truly unlike any other.
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Secret from Italian grandmothers
“Our grandmothers didn't talk about the skin barrier, but they knew that rubbing the skin was a terrible idea,” says Fogazzi, who recalls that moisturizing was a real mantra for them. And also a conscious minimalism that she actively promotes. “They had few steps in their care, but very delicate ones. They took care of their skin every morning and every night. It was done regularly and they didn't miss a day. That's what I learned as a teenager: the importance of a routine that becomes part of your daily habits.”
Three well-chosen tools are better than ten random ones.
Fogazzi reminds us of the basic rules of care: cleansing with appropriate products in the morning and evening: “Even if you're tired and you come home late. The skin remembers everything,” she says; light exfoliation (but not every day) and reminds us not to forget the golden rule of care. “It's better to use a little cosmetics, but effective ones. Three well-chosen products are better than ten random ones. Skin care is not a treasure hunt. It's important to choose a product that suits your skin type and specific needs. As in any area of life, we first need to understand what exactly we need. Very often we trust advertising or the “star” product of the moment. But this is not enough and it's wrong. The key is to use specific products for specific needs.”
Based on material from: Vogue.es