Interview: Carolina Reis Oliveira of OneSkin

Fascinated by biology from a young age, Carolina Reis Oliveira always imagined a future in science. That early spark grew into advanced studies in stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and immunology — and a bold question that changed everything: could targeting ageing itself help delay age-related diseases?

Eager to move beyond the lab and explore real-world applications, she left Brazil for Silicon Valley and co-founded OneSkin in 2016. Now CEO, Carolina leads a team researching molecules that act on skin at the cellular level, including peptides developed to support skin health over time.

In our interview, she reflects on what inspired the brand’s launch, the science shaping its philosophy, and the beauty products she loves.

What inspired you to create OneSkin?

OneSkin was born from a simple but audacious idea: could we use a novel approach and rigorous science to meaningfully impact how people age? My co-founders and I come from an academic background studying aging at the cellular level, where we built a platform to grow and test human tissues in the lab.

When we began evaluating products already on the market, we realized something was broken — most “anti-aging” claims weren’t actually improving skin biology, and some were even causing inflammation and cellular toxicity.

That insight pushed us to create something different: a company dedicated to addressing the underlying mechanisms of aging at the cellular level, optimizing skin biology, and ultimately supporting long-term skin longevity through evidence-based, lasting results.

What product makes the best introduction to the brand?

OS-01 Face is our flagship product and best seller — and the best entry point into OneSkin. It was the first product to bring our OS-01 peptide to market, formulated as an all-in-one moisturizer designed to combat visible signs of aging while hydrating, smoothing, and evening skin tone. Personally, I saw a huge improvement in my skin when I switched from a six-step routine to this single, powerful yet gentle moisturizer. It really embodies our philosophy: fewer steps, better biology.

What has been the biggest highlight so far?

Seeing an idea evolve from a scientific hypothesis into a clinically validated product that’s now part of hundreds of thousands of people’s daily lives. It took four years of testing, failures, learning, and iteration before we got there. That journey, from lab bench to real human impact, has been incredibly meaningful.

What advice would you give to those wanting to launch their own beauty business?

Be obsessed with the problem you’re solving. This is an oversaturated market, but it’s still massive and full of opportunity if you bring something truly differentiated.

Equally important: be obsessed with your customer. Spend time with them, talk to them constantly, test early ideas, and include them in your iteration process. During an accelerator program, someone once said: most startups will fail, but your odds go down dramatically if you talk to five potential customers every day. The exact number doesn’t matter — the message does. Never stop listening to your customer.

What’s next for OneSkin?

As science continues to evolve, so do we. We’re investing heavily in discovering and validating new molecules and peptides that can target aging at the cellular level. Our goal is to continue raising the bar for efficacy and to bring even more impactful, science-backed products to our customers. We are also getting ready for a retail expansion in 2027, which is an exciting step for the brand.

What does your daily beauty routine look like?

I’m very much a minimalist, for two reasons: I don’t have much time, and I prefer a natural, no-makeup look.

At night, I cleanse with Prep, then use OS-01 Face, the Eye Cream, and more recently our OS-01 Hair Serum. I have fine hair, so I’m focused on preventing further thinning. Three to four nights a week, I’ll add a retinal serum — before or after OS-01 Face depending on how my skin feels. If drier, I will add it last, to use the moisturizer as a buffer.

In the morning, after showering, I apply the Body Lotion. I skip cleansing my face again, then use OS-01 Face followed by OS-01 Face SPF, which also delivers OS-01 and antioxidant protection comparable to a vitamin C serum. Light makeup — concealer, a bit of powder and blush — and I’m ready for the day.

What are three beauty products you can’t live without?

OS-01 Face is my go-to for healthy, radiant skin. Outside of OneSkin, I can’t live without a good concealer — I love the one from Kosas. And Thrive’s mascara has been a game-changer for me: easy to apply, no makeup remover needed, truly life-changing.

Biggest skincare lesson you’ve learned?

Less is more, especially if you’re optimizing for skin longevity. Too many products and actives can cause the skin to overreact, leading to sensitization and chronic inflammation. We see this all the time in the lab: adding more actives or higher concentrations rarely leads to better outcomes. The magic is in precision — how ingredients are dosed and combined, and how they impact skin at the cellular level. My rule of thumb: choose science-backed products, simplify your routine, prioritize safe ingredients, and listen to your skin. She’ll tell you when you’re stressing her out.

Which person or brand would you love to collaborate with?

I approach longevity holistically, and I see OneSkin as part of a broader longevity stack. I’d love to collaborate with a brand like WHOOP or Oura Ring to help integrate skin into the longevity conversation, connecting skin health with sleep, recovery, stress, and overall physiological aging. Skin is our largest organ, yet it’s rarely included in how we measure healthspan.

What’s not getting the attention it deserves in the beauty industry right now?

The biology of skin aging. The industry still focuses heavily on short-term aesthetics — wrinkles, spots, instant glow — without addressing the underlying cellular processes driving skin aging in the first place. Concepts like cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, and barrier integrity are critical not just for how skin looks, but for how it functions over time. We are seeing a shift in the conversation from “anti-aging” to skin longevity, but it shouldn’t be just a marketing tactic; it needs to be followed by rigorous science and clinical validation of the impact on skin health and overall longevity.

OneSkin can be found in the UK at Healf and Amazon, and is available in the US at oneskin.co.