Interview: Meet the woman behind all-natural skincare brand Estelle & Thild

It’s not every day that you uncover the deep dark secrets behind the conventional beauty industry, let alone do something about it. Well, meet Pernilla Rõnnberg, who’s done just that. After witnessing first-hand the appalling noxious chemicals which pollute our mainstream beauty products, she was determined to make a change – a major one.

Harnessing her flair for entrepreneurship and driven by her zeal for a healthy eco-friendly lifestyle, Pernilla sought to create her own skincare brand that possessed innovation and integrity. Using the most premium ingredients and the finest raw materials, she developed the next generation of organic skincare products with the help of a team of experts adept at this field.  Thus, Estelle & Thild was born, the glorious product of Pernilla’s dream of creating her own sustainable all-natural brand!

Her passion for sustainable beauty has even revolutionised her lifestyle, influenced the company’s culture and even infected her daughters, Estelle & Mathilde (do they ring a bell?), as well. With Pernilla, every day is Earth Day.

Of course, there’s more to her than just that. But, we’ll let Pernilla tell you more herself.

Marie France Asia: What inspired you to establish Estelle & Thild as an all-organic skincare brand?

Pernilla: The idea behind the brand came to me when my children were born. I felt inspired to do something meaningful with my life. I wanted to make a difference, to do my bit in helping the world become a better place. I wanted to develop a sustainable business, producing organic, innovative skin care without compromising on the experience or results. After months of research, prototyping and testing, I launched Estelle & Thild in 2007 with the ambition to help consumers make better choices for their skin, bodies and the environment. This vision and thought behind my brand is still what drives me to this day, and I am very grateful and passionate about what me and my team has created. My daughters Estelle and Mathilde are my main inspiration, and this is also why the brand is named after them.

MFA: What is the most challenging part about producing your own organic skincare range?

P: To create formulations that are certified organic yet also effective and give long term results. We work constantly to ensure that consumers do not need to compromise on anything when going organic. We have chosen to certify our products as organic via EcoCert — the largest independent certification board in Europe and the United States. Their rigid guidelines have made them not only the leading certification board, but also one of the most respected worldwide. They rigidly inspect and examine the product contents, raw materials, production, packaging and text material. It means that our company, our production facilities and our ingredients need to be certified. Few companies manage to meet the strict demands that this certification poses.

MFA: Do your daughters feel as strongly as you do about maintaining a sustainable lifestyle? If so, what eco-friendly habits do they practice in their daily routine?

P: We are definitely an eco-friendly family, and the girls like to use Estelle & Thild products. They are very conscious and aware of what’s going on in the world. We eat organic at home, spend a lot of time together outside in nature – we just bought a horse! They are also very determined in their beliefs – like not wanting to eat meat and being against animal testing.

MFA: What advice would you give to people who are actively practicing a sustainable lifestyle, yet, receiving a lack of support from the people around them?

P: Keep doing what you are doing; the others will come around eventually. I think it’s important to stay true to your beliefs, and not care so much about what others think. It can be hard at times, but it really is for a good cause. Be proud of the work you do!

MFA: In light of a sustainable lifestyle that Estelle & Thild advocates, what are your thoughts on extreme eco-friendly habits such as a zero-waste lifestyle?

P: I think it is great that there are passionate people who really go out of their way and change their entire lives for the sake of the environment. I think they really make a difference and inspire others to do their part, even if they don’t embrace the whole lifestyle. Every little thing that supports the environment counts!

MFA: What are some of your other favorite organic skincare brands?

P: I like RMS Beauty and John Masters Organics – they produce great shampoos and conditioners.

MFA: Do you see the organic skincare industry expanding in time to come?

P: Yes, for sure. Since I launched Estelle & Thild in 2007 the category has grown immensely and the organic beauty market just keeps growing. Consumers are more informed than ever, and demand sustainability and transparency from brands and companies across markets.

Interested in supporting Estelle & Thild? That’s a no-brainer. Head over to their website – www.estellethild.com – to view the full range of their amazing products!

Lim Han

Photos: Estelle & Thild

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