Cryosmetics’s 100% Natural, Waterless Skincare: Insights from Founder Vanesa Piattoni

With the beauty industry producing up to 120 billion units of packaging annually, much of which is non-recyclable, the environmental impact is significant.

While various cosmetic companies have attempted to address sustainability issues, many fail to tackle the fundamental problems of synthetic ingredients and excessive packaging. However, innovative firms like Cryosmetics are stepping up to deliver genuinely sustainable solutions.

We spoke to Vanesa Piattoni, the founder of Cryosmetics, to better understand the company’s approach and its potential implications for the industry. This interview is part of GreyB’s Scouted series. In this series, we spotlight innovative startups and speak to their founders about how their solutions can revolutionize the industry by solving problems. You can find all those interviews here.

We deeply study all the ingredients, how to combine them for better impact on the skin. We also tested how our products affect the microbiome and launched a microbiome test to understand the impact of skincare routines on people’s skin and health.

– Vanesa Piattoni

Want to know how Cryosmetics is doing it? See for yourself.

Overview: Cryosmetic’s 100% Natural, Preservative-Free Skincare Solutions

Cryosmetics combines advanced science with sustainability to revolutionize skincare. Their products are 100% natural and preservative-free, using self-preserving ingredients to maintain stability without synthetic additives. The company integrates microbiome testing to ensure their formulations support a healthy skin microbiome. Cryosmetics is also developing tools to analyze customer data for future personalized skincare routines. This innovative approach sets a new standard for safe, effective, and environmentally responsible beauty products.

Short on time? 

Here are key highlights from the discussion.

Highlights from the conversation

How do you ensure the shelf life of your preservative-free cosmetics—is it due to a specific formulation or trade secret?

To ensure the shelf life of our preservative-free cosmetics, we focus on selecting and combining self-preserving ingredients. In microbiology, it’s understood that water-based products require preservatives to prevent microbial growth. Since our products are water-free, we carefully choose ingredients that naturally maintain their stability without the need for synthetic preservatives. Through rigorous study and formulation, we ensure that our products remain safe and effective over time.

Are you focusing on creating waterless cosmetics by selecting self-preserving ingredients that don’t require added preservatives?

Yes, we are indeed focusing on waterless cosmetics by using self-preserving ingredients that naturally maintain their stability. We’ve curated a database of around 200 scientifically validated ingredients, each carefully selected for their specific properties and impact on the skin. Our formulations are a blend of vegetable oils and plant extracts, meticulously combined to ensure they work harmoniously without any antagonistic effects. This approach allows us to create high-quality, effective products that are completely transparent and backed by rigorous scientific research. We also have international certifications to validate the quality and integrity of our products.

Has sourcing natural ingredients been challenging as your company grows? Do you anticipate difficulties in the future as you scale up and need more diverse ingredients?

At this stage, sourcing natural ingredients has not been a limitation for us. We work with multiple providers, both locally in Uruguay and internationally, to ensure a steady supply of the ingredients we use. However, as we grow, we recognize that this could become more challenging, so it’s something we are mindful of. We maintain high standards in selecting ingredients, avoiding those extracted with processes that degrade their bioactive molecules or negatively impact the environment. Our commitment to sustainability extends to our packaging as well, which is designed to fit within circular economy models, using materials like recyclable glass, aluminum, and environmentally-friendly paper. This ensures that we offer our clients products that are effective, high-quality, and environmentally responsible.

How does your company approach regulatory requirements, especially with plans to launch in the US where FDA approval can be a lengthy process?

We’ve already launched some of our first products in the US, selling three of our five products on Amazon without any issues. While it was initially a test, it demonstrated that we could meet the necessary regulatory requirements. For our products, we have two regulatory categories: class one, which covers regular cosmetics, and class two, which includes our day oil with protective properties. The class two products require a different FDA approval pathway, but we’ve verified that we can meet these requirements without any problems. We also comply with label indications and have obtained verification to ensure we meet all necessary standards. Overall, our regulatory strategy is well in place, allowing us to continue expanding in the US market.

What is your long-term vision for Cryosmetics? Do you plan to expand independently, or are you considering partnerships with larger brands to scale more quickly?

We’re currently exploring the option of partnering with a larger brand that aligns with our high standards, as we believe this is the best path for rapid growth. While some brands prioritize mass production and lower costs, we’re seeking a partner who values the same level of quality and sustainability that we do. The cosmetics market is highly competitive, and as a small, new brand from Uruguay, it’s challenging to gain widespread consumer trust and recognition on our own. Partnering with an established company that already understands the market will help us scale more effectively while maintaining the integrity of our products.

Meet our Interviewer – Vikas Jha, AVP, Solutions at GreyB

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Authored By: Ridhima Mahajan, Marketing