Did you know Henriksen used to be a show dancer in Indonesia? But it was also this period in his life when he faced a traumatic experience with cystic acne. Find out how he overcame it below
If there’s a beauty brand founder who genuinely emphasises happiness as consumers seek glowing and radiant skin, it has to be Ole Henriksen.
The Danish skincare expert founded his eponymous brand in 1975 and it is a direct reflection of his Scandinavian heritage. The skincare range finally made its Southeast Asian debut this year and arrived on our shores back in April.
For Henriksen, great skin begins with a positive outlook. His Scandinavian heritage and joy for life led him to design a “simple, joyful, yet powerful approach to skincare”—and it worked because his brand has not only gone global but also produced the bestselling cult-favourite Banana Bright Eye Crème.
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We’ve heard that Henriksen is truly a joy to speak with and his positivity is infectious, so we just had to find out his secrets to achieving that coveted joyful glow—both inside and out.
In fact, did you know Henriksen used to be a show dancer in Indonesia? However, it was also this period in his life when Henriksen battled cystic acne.
Read on below for how he overcame this as well as his best skincare tips.
When did you start paying extra attention to your skin?
While living as a show dancer in Indonesia during my early 20s, I developed cystic acne. A bad diet filled with sugar and a hectic lifestyle were some of the main causes. My saviour was a brilliant local aesthetician named Lagita, who healed my acne after a couple of months of treatments using natural botanicals native to Indonesia. It was a traumatic experience but one that inspired me to dive deeper into skincare and learn the importance of a healthy diet and exercise in maintaining a good complexion.
How long do you typically spend on your skincare routine?
The first thing I do before starting my routine is close my eyes to do some deep breathing to centre myself. When I treat my skin, I want it to feel like I’m at a spa and I always say it doesn’t take any longer to do it this way than to rush the process. We are talking about only 5 minutes every morning and night.
Then, of course, twice a week at night, I like to use my Lemonade Smoothing Scrub which gives my skin both a physical and chemical exfoliation. Followed by my Cold Plunge Pore Mask. While the mask dries, I like to place a big bath towel on my bathroom floor, lay on my back, palms facing up, and meditate for about 15 minutes before rinsing off the mask. What I love is that when you rinse the mask with water it foams up and rinses off easily.
What is your skincare routine like for day?
With my daily skincare routine, I try to stay consistent and faithful to my products. I like to start with a good cleanser, my favourite is the Truth Juice Daily Cleanser, which I use morning and night. It’s gentle, made with orange fruit water and removes even the most stubborn dirt and makeup. The next step is to moisturise—I apply the Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum on my face and neck, which is packed with Vitamin C. Followed by the C-Rush Brightening Gel Crème—this is applied evenly on my face and neck by massaging it in an upward, circular motion. I also love to mix my C-Rush in my palm with my Banana Bright Face Primer for that beautiful Ole Glow. Lastly, I apply the Banana Bright Eye Crème to the entire eye area using my fingertips.