Based in: Berlin, Germany

Founded in: Launched January 2021

Founded by: Cenk and Serap Ikiz

Stores: Berlin Mitte, store

Price range: 30-60€

Instagram: brewingbeautco_

Can you please tell us more about Brewing Beauty and why did you start this brand?

Brewing Beauty was born out of a personal journey and a keen observation of the beauty industry. My consulting career fueled my passion for creative solutions, but the desire to channel that passion into my own venture lingered. In 2015 and 2016, facing the challenge of facial rosacea and skin reactions, I delved into the world of skincare. This journey uncovered a significant gap in men's skincare, sparking my entry into the industry with a fresh perspective. Transitioning from consulting to entrepreneurship, I spent 18 months realizing that the gap in men's skincare was just the tip of the iceberg. A larger void existed in the beauty industry—sustainability and environmental consciousness. Many brands, though well-intentioned, merely followed green trends without addressing fundamental issues in their mass production and distribution models. This realization led to the inception of Brewing Beauty. Our innovative approach involves small-batch manufacturing and direct-to-customer sales, enhancing transparency and sustainability. Traditional models struggle with issues like high waste and low transparency, but at Brewing Beauty, we're committed to a transparent and environmentally conscious business model, setting us apart in the beauty industry.

How are your products produced and in what ways are the environment, animals and workers considered?

At Brewing Beauty, we take pride in crafting each product in our laboratory right within our store. We've made it a rule not to sell anything that we can't make in front of our customers. Our production operates in small batches, ensuring that we only make what's needed to eliminate inventory waste—a common issue in mass manufacturing. We're all about sustainability, and that includes our innovative reuse model. Customers can return their used bottles and get a discount. We take care to clean and sanitize these bottles, giving them a second or even a third life. It's a win for your wallet and a win for the environment. Our commitment extends to animals as well. We don't test our products on animals, and we steer clear of ingredients that harm them. While it's a law in the EU, where we operate, we don't use it as a marketing ploy; it's simply the right thing to do. As for our team, working at Brewing Beauty is like being part of a family. In our small company, there's no corporate ladder stress—we prioritize a supportive and collaborative environment.

How does your company operate sustainably in other ways?

Sustainability is not just a buzzword at Brewing Beauty; it's at the heart of everything we do. Our company is built on core values centred around sustainability and environmentally friendly principles. While many skincare brands talk the talk, we walk the walk. Genuine sustainability involves minimizing waste, reducing energy waste, using environmentally friendly materials, and opting for natural ingredients. We take a meticulous approach to ensure we check all these boxes. Our vision goes beyond the current practices. We dream of evolving into a self-sustainable skincare brand, where we produce our own raw materials, eliminating external dependencies. It's not just about meeting sustainability standards; it's about setting a new benchmark for responsible and eco-conscious practices in the beauty industry.

What are some of the most harmful practices you see in the beauty industry and what can we do to make it sustainable?

In the beauty biz, there are some not-so-great practices that mess with both the planet and our well-being. One biggie is the crazy amount of single-use plastic – it's everywhere, causing a ton of pollution. Then there's the overuse of iffy chemicals and fake stuff in products, which can mess with our health and the environment. To make the beauty scene more eco-friendly, we can ditch the plastic overload by going for cool alternatives and pushing for reusable or refillable options. Choosing natural and organic ingredients is a win-win – safer products and a boost for sustainable farming. Transparency is key, so consumers deserve the lowdown in simple terms about what they're putting on their skin and where it comes from.

Here at Brewing Beauty, we're all about doing things the sustainable way – eco-friendly packaging, natural ingredients, and complete transparency. But hey, consumers play a crucial role too. It's about spreading the word, supporting brands that walk the sustainability talk, and making smart choices. And just so you know, sustainability isn't just a trend for us; it's part of who we are, right down to our core values.

What are some of the common mistakes people make related to skincare and other beauty products?

Lots of folks make a common mistake with skincare and beauty products – they don't really get what their skin needs. It's like choosing medicine based on looks and smells, which seems a bit off, right? Well, people do something similar for their skin, and that's a bit paradoxical considering it's our largest and one of the most crucial organs. To address this, we've introduced a free skin analysis service at Brewing Beauty. This service is designed to guide consumers in selecting the right products tailored to their skin's unique needs. This not only stops you from grabbing the wrong stuff but also saves you from the trial-and-error money pit. Skincare isn't a one-size-fits-all thing; it's a personal journey. Our skin analysis service is like a GPS for your skin, making sure you invest in products that get you where you want to go without the detours and wasted time.

How should one know which products to use?

Knowing which products to use starts with understanding your skin type and having a skincare plan. Without a plan, it's easy to get lost trying different things. Achieving radiant, healthy skin requires a deeper understanding of your skin. That's where getting your skin analyzed comes in. While beauty centres or dermatologists offer skin analysis, these can be pricey. Online or mobile solutions, relying on your device's camera, may seem convenient but are often unreliable. Their algorithms estimate oil and hydration levels, but the accuracy is questionable. At Brewing Beauty, we use advanced skin analysis technologies without any guesswork or fancy algorithms. We offer a free skin analysis because our goal is to genuinely help people, not play guessing games with their skincare.

Where can we get your products?

We've built Brewing Beauty as a local alternative to global brands, envisioning more stores combined with manufacturing labs in Berlin and other cities throughout Germany. Unfortunately, COVID-19 threw a wrench into our growth plans, but we're still determined to expand. Currently, you can find our products exclusively in our retail store in Berlin and in our online shop at Brewingbeauty.co. While we encourage you to explore the unique journey of Brewing Beauty by visiting our Berlin store, we acknowledge that it might not be practical for everyone. As mentioned earlier, our store offers distinctive advantages, but you can still kick off your unique skincare journey with Brewing Beauty through our online shop. Looking ahead, we have exciting plans to partner with local establishments to bring Brewing Beauty products to more places in 2024. Keep an eye out, as you might stumble upon our products in your local restaurants and offices, making it even more convenient to incorporate Brewing Beauty into your daily routine.

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