There’s no better way of ending our week but with something uplifting and beautiful. The world of blogging has introduced me to a very unique brand called Exsicata and I feel fortunate that through this, I have met such an inspiring, hardworking woman, who has become a very good friend of mine. Her dedication and love towards her work motivates me to push forward to achieve my own goals, regardless. Adriane Semmer is the brains and beauty who powers up Exsicata, along with her dedicated team, to make this brand into what it is now — an award winning skincare brand.
Her schedule must be packed and I feel moved that she took time to answer a few questions that I’ve been meaning to ask and also share with all of you here. In this exclusive interview, you’ll get a peek as to how Exsicata came to fruition, the story behind it, the challenges they had to face and their imminent success that makes all these challenges worth it.
Meet the founder and get to know more about Exsicata, which is now branching out towards Asia and recently been featured in GlamBox Brazil and why it’s the brand you need to try this year.
1. What’s the inspiration behind Exsicata?
The world of Botany together with the Biodiversity and our super cool Brazilian Heritage are the inspiration behind Exsicata. We are proud to use rare Brazilian native plants with important therapeutic properties in our formulations and in this way to share with the world information and awareness about the splendor of our Brazilian flora.
The world of Botany together with the Biodiversity and our super cool Brazilian Heritage are the inspiration behind Exsicata.
2. Did you face any challenges?
I have faced many challenges with Exsicata and I’m preparing myself and the company for the ones that still lie ahead. To create a brand and to run a company is an adventure, it’s a huge enterprise that demands a great deal of commitment, of perseverance and cold blood, not to mention hard, hard work. But, the pleasure of bringing a company, a brand concept and a skin care line to fruition compensates for each and every hardship on the way. I’m in love with my work life today and I don’t mind the stress and the anxiety I face in my daily routine.
3. What kept you to keep pushing forward?
I think what kept me pushing forward was the strong believe I have in my team’s and my ability to excel and innovate in the cosmetic sector. I knew we had a beautiful brand story to tell and that if we kept on pushing forward, eventually, we would be met with success. I’m thankful for my team’s perseverance and trust. If it wasn’t for all of those involved in nurturing this great project, my child Exsicata would have never left its crawling stage.
If it wasn’t for all of those involved in nurturing this great project, my child Exsicata would have never left its crawling stage.
4. Your unforgettable experience as Founder of this amazing brand as you started seeing it grow?
There are two events which are unforgetable to me. The first one was the day of Exsicata’s International Launch at Cosmoprof Asia in Hong Kong in November 2012.
When I first spotted from a distance Exsicata’s booth at Cosmoprof Asia I was sure that my team and I were successful in bringing to fruition a trully sophisticated, innovative and award winning skin care brand. The second unforgetable event was when Exsicata won the Beauty Challenger Awards for Best Skin Care in Paris last September at Beyond Beauty-Paris. I trusted Exsicata had a good chance of winning the Award. But, when I heard the news, I just couldn’t believe it. I felt the most amazing mixture of feelings that went from great joy to anxiety to great joy again! I felt accomplished and grateful for those who have contributed so much to take Exsicata to this level of excellence.
5. Tell us about the prestigious award in Paris.
The Beauty Challenger Awards is promoted by the organizers of Cosmeeting Paris, one of the most important trade shows in Europe. Each year, this competition awards the brands answering best to the innovation, originality and novelty criteria and represent the recognition given by a jury with high standards, composed of international prescribers on the look for new talents & concepts.
Click image to view in full.
There were six categories and Exsicata was awarded with the Beauty Challenger Awards for Best Skin Care, which makes us really proud of our accomplishment so far.
This award shows me, as the creator and founder of Exsicata, that we are going in the right direction towards excellence. I’m an idealist, I’m a perfectionist and I have very high standards for everything I do. This award proves to me that to have high standards and be true to your ideals and values does compensate in the end.
More images at end of post.
6. For us skin care fanatics, which products shall we start first from the current selection you have?
Definitely the Foaming Facial Cleanser together with the Balancing Tonic Lotion and the Hydrating Anti-Aging Facial Night Cream. (find more details on these products on their website here.)
Check my favorite facial mask exfoliator from Exsicata here.
This is a beautiful night routine that will surely benefit your facial skin.
7. What sets Exsicata apart from the many upcoming organic/natural brand in the market?
I think what sets Exsicata apart from other upcoming organic/natural brands is the brand story we are telling. Exsicata’s brand concept is very rich in elements that go from mathematical expressions seeing in nature to the expressions of Brazilian visual arts, history, culture… If you look at our products’ internal leaflets you’ll see that, besides offering efficacious and safe skin care, Exsicata wants to enchant the consumer with beautifully designed packaging, with intellectually rich and stimulating information, with art… with everything that can transform a simple skin care routine into a fruitful and holistic sensorial experience.
And lastly…
8. What advise would you give us bloggers (new and old) when approaching a company for collaboration, review opportunities etc.
I think the most important advise I can give to you bloggers is that you take your time to experience a product you’ve ‘just met’ for the first time before releasing your comments about it. Two weeks of use will give you enough time to truly see if the product does or does not deliver the benefits and the promises it makes to you as a consumer. In this way, you will be capable of realy providing your readers with a reliable source of information for skin care lovers who like to try new products and new brands.
Ah! Another advice: be nice to new brands coming into the market 😉 Be nice by giving them space to present themselves. You have so kinldy done this to Exsicata, Donah, and I am sincerely thankful for your kindness.
« End of Interview »
[Exsicata is currently sold on their website, over at Vero Amore and soon will be sold in Japan)
This interview has to be one of the highlights in my blogging lifetime and this experience will be treasured forever. Without you, my readers, I wouldn’t be able to have this opportunity, let alone continue my blog. So a big THANK YOU goes to you, too!
My warm wishes and more success to come for Exsicata and Adriane and her team.
Happy Friday all and have a great weekend ahead!
Image credits: Exsicata
