Exclusive: Ole Henriksen Talks Dewtopia and the Iconic #OLEGLOW
Skincare enthusiasts are probably familiar with the term #OLEGLOW: A movement created by the folks over at OLEHENRIKSEN to describe that much-desired inner and outer glow from your skin and aura.
Led by the man himself, Ole Henriksen acts as the one true representation of this #OLEGLOW as he is often known for his jovial and approachable personality. One look at the comments section on the brand’s Instagram page whenever a picture of him is posted is all the proof you need.
Besides his cheerful demeanour, Henriksen is known for his extensive knowledge of all things skincare. In the ‘70s, Henriksen opened the Ole Henriksen of Denmark Skincare Center on Camden Drive in Beverly Hills, made a name for himself in the industry, and founded his brand that has since become a household name in the skincare community.
Perhaps one of the main reasons behind its success is that Henriksen’s message and intentions for the brand come across as genuine; the brand thrives on positivity and inner beauty before focusing on the outward appearance. A rarity in the mass of skincare brands in this day and age that capitalise on insecurities.
Recently, OLEHENRIKSEN launched their latest product: The Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment — a delightful lemon-scented smoothing acid that contains a blend of 10% AHAs and 10% PHAs to give users a brighter, rejuvenated complexion. In this interview, we gather Henriksen’s thoughts Dewtopia and the need for acids in skincare, as well as the evolution of skincare and his signature #OLEGLOW.
You started your career by opening your first spa in Hollywood in the '70s. In your opinion, how has the world of skincare evolved since then?
Cosmetic science has evolved dramatically since I created my first products in 1975. Since we live in a globalised world, one of the most predominant changes is that we have access to so many amazing ingredients and supply chains from all around the world. The way we formulate skincare products today allows for a much more advanced efficacy which, in essence, allows them to work on a deeper level. I am loving how skincare is being truly embraced by so many people around the world, from beauty gurus to skincare influencers and even athletes! Everyone has skin, so it has been amazing to see such great demand for skincare!
Everyone associates the OLEHENRIKSEN brand with the “Ole Glow” attribute. Tell us about this signature glow and what it means to have it.
To me, it’s all about having positivity and self-love from the inside. I believe in a holistic approach to both skincare and lifestyle to bring out the #OLEGLOW for everyone. It’s about having that inner glow, a celebration of life and all things beautiful. It’s also about embracing yourself and loving the person you are inside and out.
The outer glow is indeed the skin that’s luminous like sunshine. We carry a comprehensive range of extraordinary, potent products that are packed with potent active ingredients, essential fatty acids, and nature’s most skin-transformational ingredients to help achieve the #OLEGLOW.
You’ve recently launched the Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment. What was the formulation process like and how did it differ from your previous formulations?
The development process of Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment was truly a labour of love for myself and our amazing chemists in product development. Early on in my many decades of treating skin, I discovered the powers of chemical exfoliation when I incorporated high levels of alpha-hydroxy acids into my treatments. My clients would come to me with common concerns like having coarse, dull, and lifeless looking skin, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, visible and clogged pores, and even eruption problems. These acids, used consistently, would transform their skin to completely new levels!
Dewtopia is so special because it is our most potent acid serum yet, containing a 20% acid blend of 10% AHAs and 10% PHAs – that help you wake up to a significantly smoother, renewed and brighter complexion. To provide the perfect balance to the exfoliating components, we added replenishing ingredients such as cotton water, aloe juice extract and Nordic Birch Sap, which soothe, soften and condition the skin.
We really wanted to develop a product that would deliver significant results in relation to skin texture and tone while also providing a very luxurious and pleasurable experience during application. The texture cocoons your face and some feel a light tingling the first few times of use. It lasts a few seconds, telling you the formulation is working. The challenge was to design a highly active, efficacious formula that was also a joy to use and make you fall in love with the results (and your skin!).
People are often scared to use acids on their face due to the strength of active ingredients, much less use them overnight. How exactly does Dewtopia’s overnight treatment work to counter this fear?
One thing that’s very unique about Dewtopia is that we’ve balanced this chemical exfoliating formula with deeply hydrating, nourishing, and replenishing extracts. One key driver in the Dewtopia night serum is Nordic Birch Sap, which I discovered from my mother that worked at our local pharmacy when I was a child - she would make special ointments with it that were calming, soothing, and reparative. That is why I, with my colleagues, were able to create something extraordinary with Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment where you can have an enjoyable experience AND a true transformation! Using a retexturizing formula with AHAs and PHAs helps “unglue” the dry, damaged, flaky skin cells from the surface of the skin. Acids in conjunction with the conditioning ingredients in Dewtopia help reveal healthier-looking, smoother skin as a result.
Is Dewtopia suitable for people who suffer from sensitive skin? Should they perhaps reduce the frequency of how often they use it?
We’ve gone through rigorous clinical testing on an inclusive group of panellists across all skin types. Acid newbies and serious skincare users alike can use Dewtopia - It’s all about finding the ideal regimen to treat your unique concerns. With that said, Dewtopia is a performance-based, highly active skincare product. Begin with a patch test and use it once a week at night to see how your skin adjusts. Make sure to use SPF in the morning to protect your skin from sensitisation in the sun.
What advice would you give to someone who is using acids on their skin for the first time?
For those new to acids, I would recommend taking it slow. Start by doing a patch test. When introducing Dewtopia to your skincare, begin using it once a week at night as your serum step. Then, work your way up to using 2-3 times a week (at night). Once your skin adjusts, use it nightly.
Take in the refreshing lemony sugar scent. Close your eyes and start working the product into your neck, lifting upward and outwards. Gently take it up to your face and do not be alarmed by the tingling sensation; we call this the “ooh, it’s working” tingle. Leave it on for 2 minutes before you apply your night moisturiser.
What OLEHENRIKSEN products would you recommend combining with Dewtopia for a more well-rounded skincare routine?
My favourite combination is using the Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment at night as part of your relaxing PM routine. The serum performs its magic while we sleep, and I wake up to a brighter, smoother, renewed complexion. I’ll follow along with our C-Rush Brightening Gel Crème that adds the additional hydration our skin craves. In the morning, I lather on the Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum, which is packed with the three iconic Ole Glow ingredients – vitamin C, exfoliating acids and banana powder inspired pigments. This instantly helps to brighten and firm skin, reduce the look of dark spots, pores, wrinkles and defends skin against pollution. I will always apply our Cold Plunge Pore Remedy Moisturizer afterwards to help minimize the look of pores and control surface oil – this is especially useful in hotter and humid climates like Singapore.
Are there any products or ingredients that you would not recommend mixing with Dewtopia?
Due to the high acid content of Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment, I would recommend being cautious of or limiting other chemical and physical exfoliants within your routine. Each person’s skin, needs, preference and tolerance are unique - always make sure to do a patch test & slowly add Dewtopia into your nighttime routine.
