The power of nature forms the cornerstone of Susanne Kaufmann’s beauty, health & wellbeing philosophy – bringing together the beneficial properties of Alpine flora, locally sourced from the Bregenzerwald region in Austria, with proven skin science to develop her products & treatments. Her powerful natural formulas are the result of recently pioneered sustainable manufacturing methods, created using only the finest plants & botanicals, carefully chosen for their efficacy and skin affinity, as well as pioneering sustainable manufacturing methods ☆

Susanne joined her family’s hotel business in the 1990s and one of her initial projects was to develop a spa with an offering of signature beauty treatments. She quickly realised she needed to create her own in-house spa product line to support the service – one that adopted the same natural, regional, and sustainable values as the hotel itself, a line that looked and felt as premium as the results it delivers. So in 2003, she launched Susanne Kaufmann Skincare. She worked together with her partner, Ingo Metzler, to bring products onto the market which not only contained the most effective, natural ingredients, but also combined them using innovative science to ensure the best results for you and your skin.

What would you describe as the essence of Susanne Kaufmann?

I grew up in the Bregenzerwald region surrounded by a world of health and beauty, which formed my passion and curiosity for natural healing ingredients and powerful formulations. 

However, for me, my brand goes much further than high-quality, natural and effective ingredients; we see the skin as one entire entity and offer targeted preventative skincare solutions to help treat skin needs from head to toe. Each product is developed using only the finest plant actives and botanical essences, carefully chosen for their efficacy and skin affinity. It should also encompass an environmentally friendly production, sustainable packaging innovation, manufacturing processes and a deep respect for nature and people. This has always been our philosophy. It’s always been about the bigger picture.

How has Susanne Kaufmann’s philosophy & vision changed over time? In what ways has the brand grown?

Sustainable production has always been at the heart of our brand since the very beginning in 2003 and the regional production, the sourcing of local partners and the longstanding cooperation with our suppliers gives us a big lead when it comes to the future of plant-based cosmetics. The producers and the suppliers have grown with us and we have developed together. Only in this way can we implement the latest scientific findings in the ingredients, make our production and packaging more ecological and withstand the challenges in a rapidly changing landscape. Consumer demands for their skin are greater than ever, the research is always developing and, for us, it is all about continuing to source and cultivate our own ingredients and herbs as locally as possible to help reduce our footprint while achieving the most potent, high-quality botanicals with proven benefits.

In terms of product development, what was or is the most difficult part of the process?

Since the brand’s conception in 2003, we have offered most of our products in recyclable glass bottles and even recently launched 100% recyclable refill bottles for four of our best-selling cleansing products earlier this year. The refill project has been a labour of love for the past few years, and offering this innovative new packaging solution has been a challenge to ensure the safety and efficacy of our products remain intact while also working towards more sustainable packaging solution.

Each recyclable refill, with its intelligent capless design, not only helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, but also cuts carbon emissions by 69%. Made from 75% post-consumer material, it is 60% lighter than standard plastic bottles, making it our most environmentally friendly packaging ever. Post-Consumer Resin (shortened to ‘PCR’) is produced using household remains or remainders acquired from commercial, industrial or institutional facilities. The refills will extend the life cycle of our iconic glass bottles and assist our customers in making more sustainable choices while supporting our own sustainability journey.

Which Susanne Kaufmann product do you use all the time?

I swear by our Eye Rescue Stick Line A and Eye Cream Line A, two of my favourite products. I always recommend applying an eye cream daily because, for me, the first impression of a person is always reflected through their eyes. I like to apply our cooling Eye Rescue Stick and follow with the Eye Cream Line A. I put a thick layer around my eyes as a once-a-week treatment. It’s a real hero product – my eyes still look fresh and well-rested the next day.

In the introduction, I already mentioned that alpine plants serve as your inspiration. What exactly inspires you?

I grew up in the idyllic Austrian alpine region in the Bregenzerwald, immersed in an understanding of the local traditions and the beauty and wellness benefits that could be found in the plants that grew in abundance in the area, which has served as my inspiration for the brand since launching in 2003. I first embraced the beauty and healing power of regional herbs and plants by my beloved grandmother – we made healing tonics, marigold cream and arnica schnapps. This is where I formed my passion and curiosity for natural healing ingredients and powerful formulations. I always loved it and carry on these traditions with my family to this day.

In what ways does sustainability play a role in your overall process?

Sustainability has always been at the heart of our brand. This goes much further than our recyclable glass bottles. It also encompasses environmentally friendly production, sustainable packaging innovation and manufacturing processes, and a deep respect for nature and people. Since our conception, I have always championed local production.

Our production facility, which has been in operation for over 17 years, runs completely on solar, thermal and green electricity sources, some of which are unique to SUSANNE KAUFMANN. Our most recent development is a state-of-the-art, solar-powered, high-capacity emulsion and gel mixing unit. This unique machine utilises thermal energy, 100% of which is obtained from the in-house solar system. Everything is then recycled, ensuring no energy is wasted: once the heating curve has been reached, the residual heat is fed back into underground pipes and stored for the next production.

What does the future of Susanne Kaufmann look like?

Inspiration for new products and formulas usually comes from understanding the needs of my own skin, alongside our ever-evolving research and developments in science and technology. What really excites me is how a unique complex of ingredients can interact with each other to holistically support the relationship between the skin and body. We are proud to use local medicinal plants from the Bregenzerwald region, famed for their ancient healing benefits, alongside modern technology. Next year, we have a new launch that brings all of this together to deliver unrivalled benefits for the skin.

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