Interview with Hanna Łopuchow – the owner of Laboratorium Femi
Laboratorium FEMI has been listening to the needs of women and producing ecological cosmetics for over 25 years. The company was founded by Hanna Łopuchow, whose knowledge, determination and dreams led to the creation of Laboratorium Femi, which today sets quality standards for ecological cosmetology. In this interview Hanna Łopuchow – the owner of Laboratorium Femi and the author of ecological formulations of Femi cosmetics – will help us understand the ins and outs of the creation of natural cosmetics. She will also talk about the power of femininity and describe her path from being the first polish firm to produce eco-cosmetics to how it is to actually survive on the market.
Q: What is the beginning of the 25 year old history of Laboratorium Femi? From where came the idea and the courage to actually create something completely new on the polish cosmetic market?
A: Everything begins from dreams and passion. Then you need to add hard work, belief in what you do and…success is guaranteed! (laughter)… But seriously, even when I was a young girl I knew I wanted to create ecological cosmetics. I chose my major at university very consciously. I decided to study pharmacy because I think that in order to create something good you need to have a sound knowledge. Creating good and effective formulations of ecological cosmetics requires interdisciplinary knowledge, not only in the field of botany and biology, but also in the area of chemistry, phytochemistry, drug technology or interactions between the components and … psychology. In order to know what to offer my clients I need to know and understand their actual needs.
Q: Why then such passion for ecology and life in harmony with nature in a young student of pharmacy? Maybe this passion and tradition was passed down from generation to generation?
A: Life in harmony with nature was very important to my family. That’s for sure. I was raised in Sopot in a house that was built near the forest. I was able to enjoy nature every day. Tradition, knowledge and respect for nature were the most important values at my home. Communing with nature and being constantly inspired by it was therefore my daily life. Each holidays I spent at my aunt’s house in Switzerland in a small alpine town. It was this woman, who made me believe that all the best comes from nature. Till this day I remember aromatic, herbal baths, and vegetarian cuisine, which was full of spices. Today, I am trying to maintain that wonderful atmosphere at my home. I heal my friends and family with herbs and, of course, I am a vegetarian.
Q: Femininity vs. strength and independence, can these qualities be combined?
A: If independence doesn’t mean fear of being dependent on others, then I think it’s a good life choice. If independence is only supposed to cover the lack of ability to ask people for support, then I think that it may cause a lot of trouble in a woman’s life. Feminine strength is like water – an element that is able to reach everywhere. A woman should build her femininity without aggression – therein lies its greatest strength.
Q: What personality traits should have a woman that runs a firm, is an author of cosmetic formulations and a mother of two children?
A: Patience! (laughter) She should definitely be careful and she should also be able to enjoy small things and take care of her own needs. In order to reconcile family life and work I needed to set boundaries and hold on to them no matter what. Of course it wasn’t always easy. Today, as a mature woman, I don’t have any problems with my autonomous space. I run my firm together with my grown up daughter and son, and I must say I really enjoy working in family partnership.
Q: I’m sure that it took a long and interesting road to get where you are now. I suppose that the beginnings weren’t easy. What are basic Femi values? What is Femi philosophy?
A: Femi comes from a latin word Femina, meaning the woman. My firm is definitely destined for women. I have been creating organic cosmetics for years. I’ve been trying to run a healthy eco-lifestyle my whole life. Ecology is not just a way of eating or taking care of the environment. I believe that a person, who really wants to run an eco-lifestyle should not compete with others, basing on the lowest predatory instincts. An eco-friendly person is kind and full of respect for every living creature and at the same time knows his or her own worth. This person’s life should be consistent with what he or she promotes, otherwise his or her actions will be simply inauthentic. I try to create ecological cosmetics following precisely this philosophy.
Q: Passion, ecology, science, professionalism, authenticity and the knowledge of the psyche of the modern woman – these are the values that Laboratorium Femi identifies with. Is it really necessary to combine as many elements to create a skin care product?
A: Let’s start from the very beginning. A good cosmetic must not only be effective and make your skin look good. In accordance with a medical maxim – it must bring good effects, but also pleasure. As an author of Femi formulations I always study the effect of my cosmetics on many aspects of body functioning. Therefore each Femi product also contains precious essential oils, which have medically proven healing properties and also great influence on our minds. The body, emotions and the mind form a unity.
Q: Being pro-nature and pro-ecology are in fashion today. How can we tell a good eco-product from just a cheap marketing trick?
A: Yes that’s true. I can only repeat what I have always been saying for the past 25 years: all the best comes from nature, that is why we should only use natural products and check carefully each ingredient that they consist of. What matters the most is the real content of the product and not a marketing slogan. High-quality eco-products have complex and effective formulations. The strength of an eco-product lies in active ingredients, meaning the ingredients that really work and not only artificially fill the formulation. In Femi cosmetics there is no plain water. We replace it with rose water sourced from ecological plantations. It has been scientifically proved that our rose water is edible. It has a great effect on the skin. It protects it against free radicals and collagen degradation.
A: Today, after 25 years of cooperation and seeking, most of them are my friends (laughter). We strongly support each other and believe that ecology is very important. In production of Femi cosmetics I use only raw materials of scientifically proven quality, what later guarantees the effectiveness of the product. I must say that choosing the right raw materials is my great passion. I constantly have new ideas.
Q: Is there something about you that we don’t already know? Maybe you’re having some unusual, niche hobby?
A: (laughter) Each free moment I spend at a dance studio or in the kitchen. I have been dancing belly dance for 15 years and cooking since I think always. This is the way I relax.
Q: Is your cuisine as colourful and natural as Femi products?
A: Of course! I cook according to the Chinese 5 element cooking philosophy. I think that most importantly my meals have to support the health of my family. I cook with great joy. My meals are colourful and vegetarian. I also bake my own sourdough bread. I buy only ecological products that come from farmers that I’m friends with and that love what they do.
Q: Let those beautiful words be the end of our interview. Thank you for this deeply inspiring conversation.
A: Thank you and welcome to the world of Femi cosmetics.