The products of the new Bulgarian brand Snowborn impressed us with their composition, and at Société Anonyme we were quick to contact the team to find out more.
Regarding the philosophy, ingredients, and ambitions of Snowborn Skin, we are talking to founder Iva Ikonomova.
Hello Iva, first tell us a bit about yourself. What were you doing before Snowborn?
I love this question because often our pursuits and interests differ significantly from what we do professionally. For me, it turned out to be a successful combination, which gave me the opportunity to create multiple iconic cosmetic brands that are currently offered in pharmacies, supermarkets, and stores not only in Bulgaria.
Such an example is every Bulgarian's favorite brand – Zdravets, whose development strategy from a cream product to a leading brand in the categories of anti-dandruff shampoos, dermo-cosmetics, and baby care was entirely created by me as Director of Marketing and Innovations at Aroma.
How long did it take to create Snowborn – from the idea to the first sold product?
The idea for pure, natural, safe, yet highly effective care tailored to the specifics of young skin arose in 2015. Over the past two decades, I had become convinced that in the euphoria of creating high-tech products, humanity has drifted significantly from the nature around and within us, which is the reason for the epidemic development of diseases such as acne, allergies, eczema, atopic dermatitis, and others.
We began studying data from medical tests conducted in the world's largest medical universities, and their summary proved that our thesis has a high degree of validity. Young skin up to 30 years old, unlike 35+ skin, is capable of self-repair, as it is still undamaged by external influences and has up to 10 times more acidic pH. Probiotics as ferments, prebiotics, and postbiotics are bioactive ingredients that "feed" the skin and help it restore its natural functions and health, boost its immune defense, and ability to fight aggressors on its own. This is also the medical concept on which we base our developments. Thus, we created skincare that works symbiotically with its microbiome and structure. It balances the environment for the development of good bacteria, protects the skin from aggressors, and inhibits the development of pathogens.
Our products went through several stages of microbiological and dermatological verification, finally being tested at Hamilton International Laboratory, where they showed up to a 70% reduction in inflammatory lesions and inflammations for the first four weeks. They also showed a very high degree of tolerability, with no adverse reactions, as well as high microbiological purity and stability. Armed with these exceptional results, we launched sales in pharmacies and online in May of this year.
How would you explain the skin microbiome to a five-year-old child?
Bacteria in nature are at the root of most biological processes responsible for the development of flora, fauna, and living organisms. Our bodies, as natural creations, live in symbiosis with these bacteria because they produce and feed on proteins and acids that participate in the functions of our organs and systems. The skin microbiome is the collection of bacteria and fungi that live on the surface of our face and body. Beneficial bacteria balance the environment, maintain a natural pH, suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and participate in protecting our organism.
It has been proven that aggressive cosmetic products create a disbalance in the environment where the microbiome functions, causing it to change its composition. Antimicrobial and antibiotic treatments kill all bacteria, including beneficial ones, leaving the skin unprotected and imbalanced, which triggers the subsequent appearance of inflammations and pimples, dermatitis, and eczema.
Among the main ingredients in your cosmetics are lactobacillus ferment and leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate. How do they affect our skin?
Probiotic ferments are peptides that support the growth of beneficial bacteria residing on the surface of our skin. At the same time, they contain bacteriocins—compounds produced by live probiotic bacteria—which target pathogenic bacteria, breach their cell walls, and render them inactive. As a result, the population of P. acnes and S. aureus bacteria, responsible for acne and inflammation, is controlled, maintaining a bacterial diversity normal for healthy skin.
Probiotic ferments also offer additional benefits, such as excellent hydration for both the skin and scalp.
It's no secret that a vast majority of cosmetic products are heavily overpriced, with people paying much more for marketing than for the actual ingredients and laboratory testing.
Why did you decide to sell at such a low price? Given the composition of the products, you could certainly justify a higher amount.
Young people are significantly disadvantaged compared to the generation before them. The nature and environment they live in, the food they eat, and the culture they consume are the cause of numerous diseases that have reached epidemic proportions. Our team feels responsible for the health of the young consumer and the environment. That is precisely why we created the best care for young skin, which is highly innovative, 99% natural, and proven effective, yet at an affordable price. With our products, besides solving problems with pimples, inflammation, oiliness, and excessive dryness, we also offer the perfect daily care for already healthy skin that everyone can afford to buy.
What are the first customer reviews?
So far, we have numerous positive reviews and feedback. Users share that they have discovered the most effective product for them after testing almost everything on the market. This is a tremendous satisfaction for us!
What will be the next products you launch?
We are currently developing a natural facial cleansing gel, as well as pH-balanced probiotic body and hair products. This way, we will create comprehensive body care, because the skin is a protective organ, and its natural balance and bacterial diversity are of utmost importance for its health and functions.
Imagine you had no resource constraints whatsoever. What is the dream product you would create?
For me, the "less is more" rule in cosmetics is guiding in the creation of products. The human body is unique, strong, and self-healing when it lives in balance with nature. However, the environment we live in and the food we feed it affect physiological processes.
The dream product is bioactive and 100% natural, nourishing the skin and helping it remain balanced, healthy, resilient, and beautiful. I think Snowborn is one step away from the dream product.
Beyond Snowborn, which are the cosmetic brands that inspire you with their approach and products?
I have always admired ethical brands with a mission that are responsible for human health while also caring for local communities and nature. Stella McCartney, for instance, is an inspiring figure who, through her brand, tries to transform the fashion industry from consumer-driven to action-responsible, contributing to halting the depletion of natural resources on a massive scale. I would wish for Snowborn to be a large enough brand to change the cosmetics industry. Very recently, we launched the "Plant a Tree with Us" initiative, which aims to limit the use of boxes for online-sold products; besides saving trees, the funds raised will be used to plant saplings in Bulgaria.
In the cosmetics industry, the brand I follow is Youth to the People. Its creators develop products with superfood natural ingredients, using minimal plastic and paper. Besides being dedicated to the health and youth of their consumers, they build a community, changing the culture of their followers, their habits, and their attitude towards nature.
How do you see the cosmetics industry in ten years?
Consumers are changing with every passing day. They no longer blindly believe advertising messages, but seek expert information on the benefits to their health and make an informed purchase decision. That is precisely why I believe the future of the cosmetics industry lies in natural and bioactive products that work in symbiosis with the skin and its nature. Currently, market-leading companies are the most uncompromising regarding consumer health and their impact on nature, because profits alone are the driving force in their business plans and strategies. But under consumer pressure, this is starting to change, and the niche of clean and natural skincare is growing every year on a global scale.
For more information, visit: snowbornskin.com, facebook.com/snowbornskin and @snowborn_skinbiotics.
