Interview with Yaroslav Protsky, founder of the Surgene brand, about epigenetics, innovative care and new beauty challenges
Modern science is penetrating deeper into the world of beauty, opening up new possibilities for care. Today, cosmetics are no longer just creams or serums, but entire systems that work at the cellular level, helping to combat stress and restore internal balance.
In conditions of war and constant stress, the skin is the first to show the test of time. It becomes sensitive, loses elasticity, and requires a special approach. It is on this need that Surgene grew up – a brand that sees its mission not only in creating innovative cosmetics, but also in forming a new culture of care. Its team offers free consultations, including online, to choose a system of products that will really work for every woman.
The founder of the brand, Yaroslav Protsko, talks about how epigenetics became the key to recovery, why cosmetics can work with deep processes, and how Surgene was created.
Yaroslav, what was the driving force behind the creation of the Surgene brand after 15 years in the beauty business? And why now?
This is not just a new brand, but a project that I postponed for a long time due to various circumstances: first personal, then Covid, and later the war. Something constantly held me back. But circumstances and observations of people's problems forced me to act.
We see how women's skin problems have “rejuvenated” and how their condition has deteriorated sharply since the start of the full-scale invasion. This has been felt literally since February 2022. And it's hard not to react to this if you really want to benefit people in this difficult time.
Increased sensitivity, irritation, redness, couperose, rosacea, dryness, dullness, facial swelling – all this appeared suddenly. People say: “I've never had this before.” For many, this is another powerful stress. Restoring the skin is not easy, and the desire to help has become a key motive for me.
What is the cause of such serious skin problems?
The first is the so-called “inflammatory aging.” A term that has recently been actively used in dermatology. It refers to a process in which chronic inflammation in the skin reduces its ability to regenerate. It is triggered, in particular, by stress, irregular sleep, and a polluted environment. And when inflammation becomes permanent, the skin can no longer regenerate properly.
As a result, a whole range of problems arise, including premature aging. Now imagine: war, constant emotional stress, dirty air… And all this is added to those problems that previously seemed insignificant. Every day of war is a new stress for our skin. And not only for it: the impact is much deeper. It is these factors that have become the key cause of the situation.
One day I realized: now is not the time to postpone. Now this brand is really needed by every Ukrainian woman. I felt as if I had been electrocuted, and I realized: I had to act.
So you think now is the time for such products?
Absolutely. This is the moment when not only beauty but true recovery comes to the fore. Women are experiencing things they have never experienced before: stress, insomnia, constant tension, high cortisol levels, lack of sleep. All this not only exhausts the body, but also destroys the internal balance and directly affects the condition of the skin.
How does your cosmetics line help address such challenges?
Surgene is cosmetics that works with all the current problems that Ukrainian women face today.
Firstly, it is protection against aggressive environmental influences, which significantly worsens the condition of the skin.
Secondly, combating inflammatory aging and its prevention.
Thirdly, restoring neuroregeneration. To do this, we have created a line that works on the principle of neurocosmetics: after all, it is the skin's nerve endings that are responsible for its regeneration and health.
Our products combine these areas and are already showing positive results in those who have started using Surgene. And another key aspect is the restoration of the skin's barrier properties. Without this, it is difficult to overcome any problem, because vulnerable skin becomes even more sensitive to external factors.
You often mention epigenetics as the key to recovery. How does this science impact skin conditions?
Epigenetics is the science that studies how our genes respond to the external environment. This is something that ordinary cosmetics cannot do. We do not change the genes themselves, but influence their activity – relatively speaking, we “turn them on” again.
This process, although complex, has been proven to improve the condition of the skin. We restore its ability to recover even after stress, pollution or age-related changes. It is also important to note that problems can be either acquired during life or inherited. And both options can be worked with.
What are the key components and principles behind the work of your cosmetics?
At Surgene, we combine the latest active ingredients used by leading global luxury brands with our own experience and approach. For example, the formula contains a patented African bambara seed extract, which prevents the degradation of nerve fibers and stimulates their development. We also use tephrosia flower extract, an innovative ingredient that blocks the stress hormone cortisol.
These are just a few examples. In reality, there are many more such components, and each of them has its own clear function. They work together, reinforcing each other's actions – this is the key to effectiveness.
How long can we expect the first results and how does this care system work in the long term?
It all depends on the individual needs and the problem the client is facing. There is a general rule: the sooner the skin receives the right support, the sooner the results will be noticeable. The first changes can be seen after two weeks: the skin becomes fresher, redness and swelling are reduced. Many clients notice this difference right at the beginning of the treatment.
What kind of feedback do you get from customers and what is most valuable to you about them?
We receive incredibly warm and sincere feedback – it is extremely inspiring. Many people notice changes after the first use: the skin becomes more elastic, dryness and irritation disappear. Our masks are especially popular, which give an instant effect.
At the same time, we always emphasize that for sustainable results, it is important to use the products systematically, because all the products work together. We regularly publish results and customer reviews on the brand's official pages.
How do you see the future of the Surgene brand?
This is just the beginning. We continue to expand our range and prepare special products for the “red carpet” – products with an instant effect for moments when you need to look flawless. Our journey is just beginning, and we are determined to create new solutions that will even more accurately meet the needs of our customers.
