As part of our recurring series of interviews, The Power of Her, featuring remarkable women, we are proud to present to you an interview with Irene Khristoforova, a founder of her own line of natural skincare, Gaia Secrets.

One day, dissatisfied with commercial skincare products available on the market, Irene decided to start her own line of natural and ethical skincare with the help of her mother, Elena, a professional skincare formulator. The journey of starting your own business with your own philosophy, especially in such a competitive market as skincare, wasn’t easy, but Irene’s lifelong passion for everything natural and her mother’s technical knowledge made them a perfect team.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF

Ever since I remember myself I used to be a nature freak – reading labels and choosing products for consumption with greatest attention – making sure they are organic, not tested on animals and sustainably sourced. As it comes to skincare – I could literally live on coconut oil, I was 100% devoted fan. I used it as a moisturizer, and was completely happy with it, until one day I noticed that things started changing.

WHAT HAS CHANGED AND HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

When I turned thirty and started noticing the first signs of aging I realized why my mom, who is a skincare formulator, always made her own products with more advanced ingredients then just oils and butters. She simply wanted skincare to really work – that is why she formulated her products with vitamins, concentrated extracts and complexes. And that’s when this brilliant idea came up!

I said “There are all these companies that sell advanced skincare and don’t really care about how natural and truly safe their stuff is! Let’s combine natural ingredients and advanced actives to make it happen!”. She loved the idea.

After tons of experimentations and collaboration with formulations, we found formulas that both of us were truly in tune with. Now I am able to bring out to the world a line that truly shines and it is an achievement that has become my true passion.

WHAT DOES “GAIA” MEAN?

Gaia is the personification of the Earth in Greek Mythology (Gaea), an ancestral mother of all life and the primal Mother Earth goddess, so Gaia Secrets literally translates as “Secrets of Earth” or “Secrets of Nature”.

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY?

My philosophy is very simple – it is not about the beautification, it’s about nourishing and treating yourself with the greatest love and care. That’s why I created a line that carries skincare products one can be sure are non-toxic, natural and professionally formulated for the true action.

WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE PHOTOSHOOT IN KISSED BY LIGHT PHOTO STUDIO WITH LORA VERTUE AND HOW WAS IT SPECIAL FOR YOU?

Least to say it was fantastic. Lora Vertue and her team never stop impressing me with their ability to see and highlight their subject’s personality through photography. I am very happy how they captured my strong connection and love for the power of Gaia.

PLEASE TELL US WHAT’S NEXT IN STORE FOR YOU AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

I am constantly searching for new ideas and discovering what women really need in order to feel beautiful and confident. My mission is to stay committed to this craft with honesty to nature and true effectiveness of every product I create. Whatever else I come up with next, I want this to be an amazing tool for every woman’s beauty and wellness ritual.

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Styling by Ameri Ozigis, Kissed by Light Photo Studio
Photography by Lora Vertue, Kissed by Light Photo Studio
Model Irene Khristoforova, founder of Gaia Secrets
Note: No make-up was used during this photoshoot