A Beauty Expert Shares Her Secrets To Glowing Skin

Bianca Foley

How often do you get to hear about the best kept beauty secrets, straight from the experts themselves? Not very often, I’d imagine.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Lindsay Azpitarte, founder of Ulé, the first skincare brand to create the future of botanical beauty powered by vertical farming, available exclusively in SpaceNK. Ulé is bridging the gap between the ‘natural’ and ‘high-tech synthetic’ skincare by using nature-tech approach to create unique, natural and potent ingredients. Lindsay is passionate about the beauty industry and even more so about the ingredients that go into the products that we use on our skin.

Lindsay, thanks of much for joining us! You have the most gloriously glowing skin; can you share your personal skincare secrets?

Thank you so much for having me. My secret is pretty simple, I change my skincare products according to the season. In summer, I opt for Ulé Le Beau Reset mist, followed by the Ulé Oh la Plump serum and finally the Ulé Fraîche Cloud moisturiser. In winter, I replace the Ulé Fraîche Cloud Moisturiser with Ulé Amour de Repair.

In the morning, I do a very quick massage at each stage of my skincare routine. Two minutes tops, and it’s done. In the evening, after my double cleansing, I apply Ulé Le Beau Reset with a cotton pad. I like to apply it in little dabs, on my neck. It refreshes, removes make-up residue and regulates the skin’s PH level.

Next, I place a few drops of Ulé Oh la Plump in the palm of my hand and massage it in using the techniques taught to me at the Academy of Facialists. I focus on my jawline, eyelids, frown lines and forehead. I apply the cream starting from the bottom of my face and smoothing upwards and outwards. If my skin’s particularly dry, or if I feel like taking a bit more time, I apply Ulé Avoir it All for instant radiance and a rested-looking face.

What inspired you to create Ulé? Are there any personal experiences or insights that drove you to develop products that cater to specific skincare needs?

I’ve always wanted to create my own brand, perhaps because I come from a family of entrepreneurs, but above all because I believe in the importance of beauty that’s well thought out. However, designing a virtuous range from A to Z is impossible to do via a brand that’s already been around for 150 years. We had to rethink everything. That’s why I launched Ulé, a brand I wanted to be eco-conscious, well thought out and holistic. It is also a way of challenging the industry and encouraging the big players in cosmetics to shake things up.

Please explain the philosophy behind the brand and how it sets itself apart from other skincare lines on the market?

With Ulé, we offer formulas that not only correct the appearance of signs of ageing but also re-educate the skin so that it can regain its vital functions. Thanks to our extract, we stimulate the skin’s vital functions and ensure it functions properly. This is the key to healthy skin. Certain active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides act on signs of ageing, however the primary objective is to work on the skin’s natural strength. It’s a bit like when you exercise: if you don’t also eat well, physical activity will be less effective.

Are there any special ingredients that you’ve incorporated into Ulé skincare products? What are their benefits?

For our signature Pure 3otanyTM extract, we were inspired by nature’s resilience and were interested in how to treat the skin’s ecosystem so as to keep it healthy. So we chose Tulsi, an anti-oxidant, Centella Asiatica, which boosts collagen synthesis, and Coleus, which strengthens cellular protection. We’ve just filed a patent application for this extract, which is the signature ingredient in Ulé skincare. These three plants are present in every product. We adjust the ratio according to what we want in the formula. We then add active ingredients linked to specific requirements. For example, the PHA and rice extract in Ulé Tout est Clear provides a perfect balance, counterbalancing the harsh effect that certain active ingredients could have if used on their own.

Skincare routines can vary greatly based on individual skin types. What advice do you have for someone trying to determine their skin type and select the most suitable Ulé products for their specific needs?

As I like to say, “you are what you eat”. Cosmetic products do not act on the dermis. For action from the inside out, you need to focus on nutrition, with healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals, and balanced meals. Americans have a culture of healthy, clean, clear skin, also addicted to peeling and clean products. Whilst French women are more the type to embrace their naturalness and to look radiant without appearing to have made too much effort. Finally, Japanese women prefer an even complexion and uniform skin tone. Ulé is interested in all these approaches.

The beauty industry is constantly evolving. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest skincare trends and scientific advancements to ensure the products you create and use remain effective and innovative?

Ulé is the first cosmetic brand to use vertical farming to grow its key ingredients. Firstly, it allows you to control how the plant should grow. It also allows the whole plant (roots, leaves and stems) to be used, and in a fresh state. In this way, the plant retains all its benefits. It ensures local sourcing of exotic plants, which no longer need to travel around the world to pass on their benefits to the skin. It requires relatively little water and allows the soil to breathe. It should also be noted that the buildings housing Tower Farm are upcycled – they weren’t built for that purpose.

Thanks to our extract, we stimulate the skin’s vital functions and ensure it functions properly. That’s the key to healthy skin. Certain active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides act on signs of ageing, but the primary objective is to work on the skin’s natural strength. It’s a bit like when you exercise: if you don’t also eat well, physical activity will be less effective.

To prove this, we carry out clinical tests, instrumental measurements to assess the size of marks and the depth of wrinkles. We also carry out consumer tests, which take into account what people perceive after using the products. We carry out both in vivo and in vitro tests.

Are you able to share any other information about the development of Ulé that most people might not be aware of?

People think refills are good for the planet, however in truth they aren’t necessarily the most eco-responsible choice. To accommodate an eco-refill, a glass jar needs to be thicker and heavier. You also need to buy between 6 and 8 refills for a pot to be worthwhile in CSR terms. Finally, refills are still in plastic, which I’m not happy with.

As a result, we have limited the use of plastic to the rubber for the pipettes and certain small parts on the pumps. We chose 100% PCR plastic, which is recyclable and recycled, our stoppers and lids are made from bio-sourced wood chips, and all of our glass containers are made of stretch glass or contains up to 50% of PCR glass to save weight.

You can shop Ulé exclusively at SpaceNK

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