Today, we sit down with Barbara and Stéphane, the brother-sister duo behind Kenzai Cosmetics. Just four months ago, they were honoured by the ENBA’s star jury with the prize for excellence for their Purifying Moisturising Mask and by the awards’ industry jury as New Brand of the Year 2024. In this conversation, we discuss their approach to skincare, the challenges of launching a premium natural brand, and the journey they have embarked on since the ceremony.
Could you share how Kenzai Cosmetics was born?
Stéphane: “Kenzai wasn’t born out of a long-standing career in cosmetics — quite the opposite. Barbara comes from the communication industry, and I come from a hospitality background. We both reached a point where we wanted something that is more aligned with our values and gives more meaning to our lives.”
Barbara: “For us, Kenzai wasn’t just about launching another skincare line — it was about offering cosmetics that answered to actual society problems. And what kind of society do we live in today? We are constantly surrounded by screens. It has simply become a way of life. Our products not only hydrate but also protect against environmental stressors like pollution and blue light.”
What sets Kenzai Cosmetics apart from other brands?
Barbara: “We took a bold step by keeping our range deliberately short — just five essentials developed as multifunctional products, each rigorously formulated to deliver results, instead of overwhelming customers with countless options for marketing reasons. Our philosophy is rooted in efficacy over excess.
Stéphane: “Another key factor is that our products are 100% natural — no synthetic stabilizers, preservatives, or texturizers. This surprises even health professionals. Many assume that without synthetic chemicals, a product can’t be stable or effective.
Your products have been designed as protection against blue light. How does this work scientifically?
Barbara: “Blue light, emitted by screens and LED lighting, penetrates deeper into the skin than UV rays. Research shows that it can trigger oxidative stress, accelerating skin aging and causing inflammation.”
Stéphane: “The first line of defence against blue light is to shield against oxidative stress. The second step is to boost the skin’s hydrolipidic film, its defensive barrier.
Kenzai Cosmetics’ essentials have been designed to create a natural shield, absorbing blue light and neutralizing free radicals, our two powerhouse natural ingredients — Ectoine, a molecule produced by marine micro-organisms, and Bulbine Frutescens, a succulent plant from South Africa. Together, these ingredients work in harmony — hydrating, healing, and defending the skin from everyday stressors.”
What have been the biggest challenges that you have faced as an emerging natural brand?
Barbara: “Breaking into retail has been a major challenge. Distributors often ask, ‘Are you well-known?’ In fact, it’s the snake eating its own tail, you need to be established before they will take a chance on you. ENBA has really given us visibility, and we thank you for that.”
Stéphane: “One of the most challenging questions we also get is about our pricing. Our prices reflect the integrity and purity of our products. We are not trying to position Kenzai Cosmetics as a luxury brand. What we offer is high-quality, safe, and effective skincare. For us, the price is dictated by the ingredients we use, not the other way around, as is often the case with luxury brands.”
Barbara: “We also face skepticism about being ‘too natural. There’s still a perception that natural cosmetics can’t be as effective as conventional ones. In fact, that was quite striking, especially among pharmacies and health professionals. We are so used to greenwashing; often, you see organic brands having a tolerance for certain chemical ingredients. People now have a hard time believing it until we explain it to them, show them the ins and outs, and demonstrate that we can preserve and stabilize a product without synthetic chemicals.
It’s when these professionals read the compositions, take time to try our products, and get to know that we received two awards that the doors start to open. Education is a big part of what we do, showing the science behind our formulas and how nature and innovation coexist.”
How has being awarded at the European Natural Beauty Awards impacted Kenzai Cosmetics?
Barbara: “It was a turning point for us. Receiving two ENBA awards gave us credibility — something tangible to show distributors and partners, it really establishes our brand. Being able to show photos and who is part of the jury puts people at ease right away, and that’s what we were missing at the launch.”
Stéphane: “The New Brand of the Year award was a complete shock. For us, being shortlisted among all those amazing brands was already a success. We honestly didn’t expect it. When we saw the wall filled with incredible products from so many talented brands, we thought we had no chance. When they called our name, we were stunned — but also proud. It wasn’t just an award; it was a boost of confidence and a message to the industry that we belong here.”
What has happened for Kenzai Cosmetics since the Awards Ceremony?
Barbara: “Arriving with a blessing from the industry has been a real accelerator. We had the honor of being invited to the Rinascente in Rome and Turin for the Beauty Fair, an opportunity that has provided us with valuable European visibility. We are also currently in talks with several other European retailers, with further announcements expected hopefully soon. Since late 2024, we have embarked on a collaboration with the Grand Hôtel Soleil d’Or in Megève, and we look forward to expanding partnerships with other luxury hotels that have shown interest.”
Stéphane: “We did a small launch in Singapore through two well-known marketplaces in Asia — Shopee and Lazada. Asians are extremely fond of European labels for cosmetics to begin with, and also of awards. Having received these two awards, plus being NATRUE certified, really helped in launching these two Asian markets.”
Barbara: “Let’s be honest — as a brand that is only 10 months old, breaking into the market would have been much harder without this industry stamp of approval. The awards have helped us to open doors and start conversations.”
Your expansion in Europe is growing rapidly and you have also taken a first step in Asia. Are you exploring other markets? What about your local market, Switzerland?
Stéphane: “We are currently in discussions with someone who has sales networks in North America. We also started to do our first sales in North America, thanks to Wolf & Badger, which has been voted the most ethical site in the world. Let’s see where that goes!”
Barbara: “When it comes to Switzerland, it’s almost as if we have to succeed abroad first before we can truly be recognized at home — not the other way around. We are lucky that Switzerland has a strong reputation internationally for reliability and quality, and many Swiss brands leverage this image to export successfully.”
Stéphane: “Breaking through domestically is incredibly challenging. We got in touch with major Swiss chains, but the buyers tell us that the trend for the coming years is downsizing. In fact, they are going to reduce the volumes dedicated to cosmetics because they simply don’t sell as much in large stores anymore. Just recently, we were discussing this with two other Swiss brands we met in Singapore, and we all shared the same frustration. As small brands in Switzerland, we often work in isolation, but the truth is, we would be stronger if we united. Imagine five, six, or even ten small brands joining forces — supporting each other, sharing resources, and building a common strategy. It wouldn’t solve all the challenges, but it could ease the struggle and create economies of scale that none of us could achieve alone.”
Kenzai Cosmetics is a story of purpose, innovation, collaboration and resilience. With their commitment to natural formulations and modern skincare solutions, Barbara and Stéphane are carving out a space for Kenzai Cosmetics in the future of natural luxury beauty.
We are proud to feature Kenzai Cosmetics as part of the European Natural Beauty Awards family — a brand that embodies the ENBA values of excellence, transparency and naturality.
To learn more about Kenzai Cosmetics:
https://kenzai-cosmetics.swiss/