Oquist Cosmetics – Quintessential Eco Luxury
To me Oquist Cosmetics is the quintessential Eco Luxury Beauty Brand. Oquist Cosmetics is a Swedish skincare brand founded in 2021 by Olga Ringquist and her father Pavel Babneevs. In this article Olga shares her experience creating this unique brand and the challenges involved. But first I want to tell you about the brand and what makes it such a stand out in this crowded industry.
Sculptural Art as Packaging
It’s no exaggeration to call the beautiful terracotta vessels Oquist Cosmetics skincare products come in art. Just on their own they function as beautiful interior design pieces. The brand stands as a testament to the fact that you can create completely plastic free products and still feel more luxurious than anything else on the market. To me, and I think most other people would agree, the look, weight and feel of these terracotta sculptures feels incomparably more luxurious than any hunk of acrylic plastic ever could. They also offer the same product in different colors, catering to different tastes since it’s an object to keep. My favorite is the pink and blue gradient version of their Elixir Serum. But Oquist Cosmetics is not just about the packaging, let’s talk about what’s inside.
Luxurious Sensorial Formulations
While the packaging caught my eye first, once I actually tried the products, I was even more impressed! The formulations are created with the packaging in mind, with all of them being completely waterless, so that they can safely be housed in the terracotta packaging without going bad. The formulations being waterless also means that they are very concentrated and will last you a long time. Their 5-in-1 Butter has a lovely texture and fresh scent that I would describe as Lemon Meringue. The 5-in-1 Amber Multi Balm is a product I use almost every day, it’s a lovely balm with a soft texture that doesn’t feel sticky or greasy at all. Since the balm doesn’t have any fragrance (though it still has a nice subtle scent naturally) it’s perfect for any sensitive, itchy or grumpy skin situations. I also like using it as a primer before makeup! All their products also come in generous sizes, the balm is 100ml, compared to most face moisturizers being 50ml. With it being priced at $64 USD and being twice the size, it ends up being $32 USD per 50ml, which is honestly a steal for such a luxurious product.
I believe that just from trying a cosmetic product you can tell if the people developing the product worked on it until it was exactly what they wanted to create and that is definitely true with Oquist Cosmetics. I know I’m really gushing about this brand; I swear I’m not being paid to say this, it’s just honestly one of my favorite beauty brands. If you’re looking for cosmetics that feel incredibly luxurious while still not compromising on sustainability you would be hard pressed to find a better brand than Oquist Cosmetics.
With that, let’s get into my Q&A with Olga Ringquist, founder of Oquist Cosmetics.
What made you decide to use Terracotta for your packaging?
“We were inspired by the idea of finding a sustainable material that is also aesthetically pleasing, and terracotta fit both criteria perfectly. My dad and I had the idea while drinking tea from terracotta bowls, similar to our Chao Dao Bowl for our Body Butter. Terracotta is an ancient material, historically used for storing cosmetics in ancient Egypt, so we thought—if they could do it, why can't we?”
What was the biggest challenge when initially developing Oquist Cosmetics?
“Developing the terracotta packaging was undoubtedly the biggest challenge. Since no one had done this on a larger scale before, we had to navigate through various trial and error phases to perfect the details. We were determined to avoid plastic, glass, and aluminum entirely, making the creation of pure terracotta forms a unique invention. Additionally, managing a tight budget as a fully self-funded brand was another significant challenge.”
What was the most important thing to get right?
“The most crucial aspect was perfecting the formulas. We knew our packaging would attract attention, but delivering high-quality formulas was essential for long-term success. In the skincare industry, even the most attractive packaging can't compensate for mediocre products. As a high-end skincare brand, we prioritize effective results to ensure customer loyalty and repeat purchases for our refills.”
What has the response been since launching? Was it different from what you expected?
“The response has exceeded our expectations in terms of awards and PR, for which we are extremely grateful. However, the standard distribution model, which demands 80% discounts, was not what we anticipated. Our products are costly to produce, and using the standard pricing model would triple our prices. We've decided to keep our prices reasonable to reach a broader audience and believe we can achieve this without the traditional distribution model.”
What is the most exciting achievement for Oquist Cosmetics so far?
“What makes me most proud is the many publications we've had without working with PR. Our products are used as inspiration in trend reports and I recently heard that they are now also part of a lecture in one of the most prestigious art schools of Scandinavia. On tough days, reflecting on these achievements reawakens my passion and motivation.”
What’s next for Oquist Cosmetics? What are you focusing on right now?
“We have two exciting product launches coming up: the 5-in-1 Apricot Cleanser for the face and our unique face massage/Gua Sha tools. Beyond that, we are focusing on our e-commerce strategy to better reach our target audience.”
Oquist Cosmetics is one of the brands featured in my new Doing Good for the Planet Seal of Approval project. Doing Good is completely free for brands and also can’t be bought, only earned by Doing Good.
Thank you for reading and thank you to Olga for answering my questions! //Jennifer Carlsson
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