Discover the Cross-Cultural Ingredients Revolutionizing Skincare with Regelica— E.697
Exploring Cultural Fusion and Skin Science with Regelica Skin Care: A Conversation with Co-Founders Elisa Park and Regina Roucourt
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta welcomes Elisa Park and Regina Roucourt, co-founders of the innovative skincare brand Regelica. Rooted in both Korean and Eastern European influences, Regelica bridges different skincare philosophies and focuses on products crafted to deliver gentle yet powerful results across various skin types.
The Cross-Cultural Inspiration Behind Regelica
Elisa and Regina’s journey began in an unlikely setting — a gaming company where they initially worked together. They soon bonded over a shared passion for skincare. Elisa, who hails from Korea, and Regina, from Eastern Europe, each brought unique perspectives on skin health. Regina often admired Elisa’s youthful complexion, a trait commonly associated with Asian skin, sparking an interest in the science behind this phenomenon.
To gain deeper insights, the duo collaborated with a top Korean skincare lab. They discovered that Asian skin often has a thicker dermis with higher collagen levels, making it more resistant to wrinkles and sagging. This research revealed that while Asian skincare focuses heavily on reinforcing the skin barrier to preserve collagen, Western skincare often prioritizes boosting collagen production. This blend of Eastern and Western skincare philosophies inspired Elisa and Regina to create Regelica, a brand that marries collagen protection with collagen production, using potent yet gentle ingredients.
The Signature Product: Mandelic and Edelweiss Renewal Serum
One of Regelica’s star products, the Mandelic and Edelweiss Renewal Serum, has garnered praise for its versatility and effectiveness. Elisa describes mandelic acid as an underrated gem within the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family, known for its large molecular size, which allows it to penetrate skin more slowly and evenly. This property makes it much gentler than other AHAs like glycolic acid, yet equally effective for addressing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture.
The serum’s formulation combines mandelic acid with squalane for added hydration, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive skin. As a multifunctional ingredient, mandelic acid also offers antibacterial benefits for acne-prone skin and is safe for deeper skin tones, minimizing the risk of uneven pigmentation. Regina shares how the serum provides an instant “baby-smooth” effect and delivers visible results, often overnight, by reducing pores and refining skin texture.
Redefining Skin Barrier Support with Bakuchiol
Regelica incorporates bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, in its anti-aging products. While retinol has long been a staple in skincare for its ability to address fine lines and skin texture, it can cause dryness, irritation, and other side effects, especially for those with sensitive skin. Bakuchiol, derived from the babchi plant, activates the same gene expression pathways as retinol without the associated irritation.
Elisa explains that bakuchiol is sun-stable, making it suitable for both day and night routines, and can be combined with other ingredients like vitamin C for an enhanced anti-aging effect. Studies have shown that bakuchiol provides similar benefits to retinol, including improved skin density and reduced hyperpigmentation, while being gentler on the skin barrier.
The Essence of Korean Skin Care: Microbiome and Vitamin C Immunity Support Essence
In their line, Regelica also offers the Microbiome and Vitamin C Immunity Support Essence, a unique formulation inspired by Korean skincare practices. Essences are popular in Korean beauty routines for their lightweight textures and deep hydration properties, serving as a bridge between toner and serum. Regelica’s essence combines gentle, stable forms of vitamin C and a post-biotic complex with DNA repair enzymes to support the skin’s microbiome and address photo-damage.
This essence aims to restore the skin’s pH after cleansing, plump the skin, and enhance the effectiveness of subsequent skincare steps. It’s designed to be layered, allowing users to achieve the “glass skin” effect by applying multiple layers for a deeply hydrated, glowing complexion.
A Balanced Partnership in Entrepreneurship
Elisa and Regina’s partnership is central to Regelica’s success. Their different skin types and cultural perspectives have allowed them to create products that cater to a diverse audience. Despite initial challenges with formulating products in high concentrations and overcoming cultural differences in skincare practices, their unique perspectives have enabled them to innovate and find solutions that serve a broad range of skin needs.
Elisa notes that their backgrounds outside of skincare encouraged them to approach the industry with fresh eyes, leading to innovative product formulations that challenge the norms of traditional skincare. They credit their collaboration with Korean labs, who worked extensively to balance high-potency actives with gentle formulations, for helping them bring their vision to life.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Elisa and Regina share valuable advice for those considering entrepreneurship in the beauty industry. They emphasize the importance of passion, innovation, and partnership. While entering the skincare space without prior experience posed challenges, their outsider perspective allowed them to question established norms and explore new approaches. For budding entrepreneurs, they encourage seeking diverse perspectives and being open to co-founding, as it can bring a balanced approach to innovation and decision-making.
The Future of Regelica
As the beauty industry continues to evolve, Elisa and Regina remain committed to their mission of creating universally effective skincare that celebrates the best of different cultural skincare philosophies. With products that prioritize skin barrier health, gentle exfoliation, and deep hydration, Regelica provides a holistic approach to skincare that resonates with diverse consumers.
Final Thoughts
Regelica represents a thoughtful blend of Korean skincare science and Western innovation, offering a range of products that support long-term skin health and cater to various skin concerns. By emphasizing the synergy of cultural knowledge, scientific research, and gentle yet potent ingredients, Elisa and Regina have crafted a brand that stands out in the clean beauty space. With products like the Mandelic and Edelweiss Renewal Serum and the Microbiome and Vitamin C Immunity Support Essence, Regelica offers a compelling choice for those seeking effective, culturally inspired skincare.
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