In our section "A skin tonic with..." we talk to women who inspire us and who have something to say. Above all about natural cosmetics. And about why. Without the raised finger, that is out of place here. Our main aim is to give you new ideas and approaches for conscious consumption, to make you curious about innovative and sustainable products and to introduce you to great women. Grab a skin tonic, make yourself comfortable. We say: Cheers! and are happy that we were able to get Gabriela Projer from Zurich to do our second interview.
Gabriela is an assistant at Hochparterre , the magazine for architecture, planning and design, and also a specialist for homemade natural cosmetics.
How important is good design in everyday life?
It is very important to me personally. As a Libra, I love everything beautiful and I think I have a good eye for aesthetics. But just being beautiful is not enough. It also has to be functional, ecological and fairly produced.
Is this reflected in your bathroom?
Absolutely. I've always had a weakness for cosmetic products that work well and are good for me, but that are also beautifully designed and packaged. I'm a cosmetics and packaging nerd, so to speak. After all, the packaging is the first impression you get of a product.
High-tech creams from the laboratory or tubes and jars from the herbalist?
I definitely agree with the herbal witch. I think it's nice when something is made by hand with lots of love and the ingredients are carefully selected from nature. Of course, that doesn't mean that I stay away from high-tech creams. They can be great too and have a nice story behind them.
You make some of your cosmetics yourself. How did that come about?
I have always enjoyed making things myself. From baking to knitting to homemade cosmetics. A few years ago I looked for courses on the Internet and ended up with Mägi Schneider from the medicinal plant studio in Pfyn . I completed various courses and a basic course with her. At the time I didn't realise that you could really make everything yourself. Even sunscreen, deodorant, mascara or detergent for the dishwasher. I thought that was great and it really inspired me.
Why natural cosmetics?
In my opinion, we need to be more conscious of our bodies and the world. This also includes paying attention to resources and fair products. I don't want palm oil in my products, which is partly responsible for the complete deforestation of the rainforest. For almost all of these "bad" raw materials, there are local alternatives that are not contaminated with heavy metals or contain carcinogenic parabens. I find it scandalous that such substances are still permitted, including in baby products. And many things that are labeled "natural" are anything but natural. I can only recommend the Codecheck app to everyone (like Mia Bregar). Take a moment and scan a few products from your cupboard. It will open your eyes. The skin immediately transports all of these bad substances into our body and into the bloodstream, where they begin to take effect.
Which homemade product are you particularly proud of?
I am currently working on a natural perfume and room fragrance, which I am developing as a signature scent together with the Bliss Yoga Studio in Zurich .
Which product can you easily make at home?
A fine room or body spray. All you need is distilled water, a little alcohol (e.g. vodka) for preservation and your favorite essential oils. Put everything in a spray bottle and you're done!
This raw material is a true miracle cure...
I love oils. You can apply them pure to your face or body. In winter I like to use rosehip oil for my face, e.g. from Raaw in a jar, and almond kernel oil, e.g. from Merme Berlin , for my body. I always make sure that the oils are natural and organically certified. There are a lot of adulterated products on the market with harmful ingredients.
You used to work as a make-up artist. How does your skin react to a lot of make-up?
It all depends on your skin type. Some people tolerate makeup very well, others get rashes from the smallest amount. The most important thing is to remove your makeup perfectly in the evening. Theater makeup has to last a long time and is therefore even more opaque and pigmented than normal makeup. This can clog pores and quickly lead to blemishes.
Your beauty routine goes like this:
In the morning I cleanse my face with the Vital Foaming Cleanser from Nuori . In the evening I remove my make-up with a cotton pad and coconut oil from RMS and press a warm, steamy washcloth onto my face for a few seconds. This opens the pores for the oil and face cream. Then I apply the toner from Dr. Hauschka to prepare for the oil that is appropriate for the weather or skin problem.
At the moment, the Pure Elements Youthful Glow serum oil from Odacité is my absolute favorite oil. After that, I use either the homemade face cream with orange and tonka bean scent for very dry skin or the quince cream from Dr. Hauschka . If necessary, I do an enzyme peeling and a mask from Susanne Kaufmann once a week.
When things have to go quickly in the morning:
Just face cream and lipstick.
How do you prepare your skin for the cold season?
In autumn and winter, my skin is sometimes very dry. I change my routine to winter and use richer products for my face and body. For example, I mix an additional oil directly into my face cream. For very dry areas like elbows or shins, I use homemade marigold ointment. And of course, I drink lots of water.
You would like to start a second career as...
Professional herbal witch.
You never leave the house without...
My favorite hand cream from Grown Alchemist , compact powder and lipstick, for example the "Lipmask" from Bite Beauty.
True beauty comes from...
Audrey Hepburn once said that happy girls are the most beautiful. I believe that too. People who are happy radiate that and are therefore beautiful.
