The magic behind Manasi 7

and was lucky enough to receive a few of their products to trial.
From the very first application, I was genuinely impressed. Every detail felt considered, from texture and scent to consistency. The packaging is striking in its own right, but it’s the product itself that truly delivers.

I’ve always been a devoted face oil girl, and when it comes to makeup, my end goal is never matte: dewy is the keyword.

Manasi 7 offers a uniquely skin-centric approach to makeup, supported by skincare that’s been thoughtfully formulated to perfect the base and elevate the final finish. The face oil, in particular, has become a staple. It’s one of those products you apply and instantly your skin feels calmer, more hydrated, and beautifully prepped for makeup.

We were lucky enough to sit down with Susanne to talk all things skin, from her approach to formulation and the role of skincare within Manasi 7, to her personal product rituals and favourites. It was a chance to better understand the ethos, values and thoughtful intention behind the brand, and what truly sets her approach apart.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Manasi 7. We're incredibly excited to have the brand on our shelves.

Clare xx

Overall, I’ve never followed trends. I wanted to create products based on my own experience and knowledge rather than the latest hype, something genuine and built to last. The idea for the Microbioskin™ collection was already taking shape while I was developing the makeup line, because skincare is always the foundation of a great makeup look.

It all began with a book I read about additives and preservatives in food. The insights were eye-opening and changed how I viewed the food industry as a whole. That led me to start reading ingredient labels more carefully, first in food and eventually in the skincare products I was using. As I learned more, the connection between gut health and the skin microbiome became increasingly clear.

I truly believe that what we put inside our bodies is just as important as what we put on our skin. The skin functions in harmony with the rest of the body, and optimal skin health is ultimately about balance.

Microbiome-friendly means that our formulations are designed to protect, support, and balance the skin’s microbiome. We use a carefully selected combination of probiotics, prebiotics, and proven microbiome-supporting ingredients.

The skin barrier is essential to the body’s overall function and must be protected, without it, the skin would rapidly become dehydrated and vulnerable. The Microbioskin™ collection is built around powerful, organic, skin-barrier-repairing formulations that respect the skin’s natural pH. When the pH is optimised, the skin is better able to defend itself against pathogenic microorganisms.

By supporting the skin’s microbiome, the health of the skin barrier is strengthened, restored, and reinforced. Even our preservative systems are carefully chosen and clinically proven to support barrier function, reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and respect the microbiome. Research also shows these ingredients provide strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Our philosophy is to view the skin as a living, breathing ecosystem that needs support—not disruption—to thrive. I don’t believe in over-cleansing or over-exfoliating, as these practices strip the skin of its natural resources and force you to replace them with multiple products. Many commonly used actives, such as topical vitamin C and retinol, can be harsh when overused, pushing the skin into a cycle of irritation rather than balance. A “less is more” approach is often the most effective way to achieve healthy, resilient skin.

I believe what most of us truly want is healthy-looking, radiant skin—skin that feels nourished, protected, and balanced. At the same time, we want the confidence and creativity that comes from makeup: the color payoff, the glow, and the way it allows us to express ourselves. The beauty of combining skincare and makeup in one product is that it gives you both in a single step. You’re not just covering your skin or masking imperfections—you’re actively caring for it while enhancing it.

When the makeup you wear contains thoughtfully formulated skincare ingredients, it works throughout the day to hydrate, protect, and support your skin barrier. Ingredients like antioxidants, moisturising agents, and microbiome-friendly components can help maintain your skin’s health, even while you enjoy the coverage and finish you desire. In this way, your beauty routine becomes more than just aesthetic—it’s functional and nourishing, giving your skin what it needs while letting your personality shine through.

Ultimately, this approach is about balance. It’s a more mindful, effective way to approach beauty: one step that enhances, protects, and celebrates your skin at the same time.

This is the most difficult part, especially when it comes to packaging. But if I had to choose one priority, performance always comes first. Regarding formulations and ingredients, I have my own blacklist of components I do not want to use for various reasons. Some of the labs I work with actually see this as an exciting challenge—it pushes them to find new solutions and innovate.

The combinations and levels of ingredients in a formula are crucial. Even a small change in percentage can completely alter the efficacy of the product, so both the quality and concentration of ingredients are what matter most. For example, in our Botanical Body Oil Aoki and Botanical Body Cream Calantha, we use Frangipani flowers that we always select fresh from the harvest. If not used immediately, they lose their volatile aromatic oils, so we create the batches as late as possible to ensure maximum freshness.

When it comes to sustainability, the most effective ingredient we choose are many times also the most sustainably produced, but sometimes you need to choose between most effective and most sustainable, and then we choose most effective to never compromise with product efficacy. But we also produce in small batches—which is per definition sustainable and equals very low waste. We also work with suppliers who practice 100% circular farming, and all our glass bottles are made from recycled materials.

I truly believe that less is more. This is the approach we take for both the Microbioskin™ collection and the makeup line. For skincare, I’ve created seven products that can be used individually—they don’t need to be used together; it’s really a matter of personal preference and need. For example, some people prefer oils, while others prefer creams, so we offer options for both.

The Botanical Multi-Balm Kaede is a true all-in-one for very dry skin and also works beautifully as an after-sun treatment. Each product is designed to be effective on its own, but if I were to layer, I would recommend combining the Botanical Serum Chanua with the Botanical Face Oil Armonia. The serum penetrates a bit deeper, while the face oil locks in moisture and protects the skin, making them a perfect pair for layered care.

As a makeup artist, I worked with many different skin concerns, and what I often noticed was dryness and redness—signs that the skin’s microbiome is out of balance. It was always challenging to create a flawless makeup look on skin that was very dry or irritated. That’s part of why I developed the Microbioskin™ collection. Its formulations help reduce the visibility of issues like rosacea while restoring lost moisture, thanks to ingredients that work with the skin, not against it.

The most personal to me is the Botanical Face oil, it was the first product i developed in the Microbioskin™ collection and is still the one and only face oil for myself. I created it because an oil is very useful in many ways beyond as a moisturiser. You can also mix it into your foundation to make it less covering and added glow. You can use it as a cuticle moisturiser and great for dry hair ends.

What’s one skincare myth you’d love to see disappear?

That you need to cleanse every morning. For many people, this isn’t necessary—and can even be counterproductive. Overnight, the skin focuses on repair and produces natural oils that help support the skin barrier. Cleansing first thing in the morning can strip those away, only to replace them again with multiple products. For many skin types, simply applying a good moisturiser in the morning is enough.

If you had to describe healthy skin in three words, what would they be?Hydrated, protected, balanced.

A daily ritual—beauty or otherwise—that keeps you grounded?

I actually recommend oil pulling as a daily ritual every morning, it removes the bad bacteria from the night that has been piled up due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike some harsh mouthwashes, oil pulling doesn’t disrupt the oral microbiome as aggressively and doesn’t cause dryness or irritation for most people.