Interview | Thérèse M’Boungoubaya of Koba Skincare

Beauty industry veteran and founder and CEO of Koba Skincare, Thérèse M’Boungoubaya, has been immersed in skincare and product formulation from a young age. Her mother often blended natural, African-rooted ingredients to create at-home treatments, while her father worked as a pharmacist in France.

Thérèse’s interest in beauty deepened into adulthood, shaping her career trajectory in Digital Marketing and eCommerce for renowned brands such as L’Oréal, Clarins, and Sarah Chapman. With over 10 years of experience working alongside some of the industry’s best, and after successfully selling her first start-up to Joliebox—later acquired by Birchbox—she identified a gap in the market for a product addressing her key skincare concerns: cracked heels and dry feet. This marked the beginning of her journey to create Koba Skincare.

What began as a specialised footcare brand has since evolved into a comprehensive skincare line, offering effective, premium solutions for those seeking alternatives to uninspiring pharmaceutical creams.

We recently caught up with Thérèse to discuss Koba Skincare, the brand’s future, her personal beauty routine, and the products she can’t live without.

What inspired you to create Koba?

After working in the beauty industry for over 10 years, I created Koba out of a personal frustration: I couldn’t find premium, effective, and natural products designed for dry and very dry skin—especially for foot care. Initially, I thought I’d launch a single product, our best-selling Bottom Up Foot Cream. But then I realised that other areas of the body could also benefit from products that deliver lasting hydration, leading to a broader range.

What product is the best introduction to the brand? 

I always recommend beginning your journey to hydrated, radiant skin, with our Bottom Up Foot Cream. This product takes something as unglamorous as a foot cream and makes it luxurious—bringing sexy ‘feet’ back. It delivers visible results across skin types and tones—no more ashy feet, cracked heels or thickened skin. The application experience is truly satisfying; the rich texture absorbs quickly, while the delicate scent immediately transports you to a spa, offering something quite unique. If foot care isn’t for you, start with our Feeling Myself Lip Balm. It’s a perfect year-round balm that repairs and protects, leaving a silky finish and the perfect pout.

What has been the biggest highlight? 

There have been many highlights! This year alone, we held our first New York pop-up to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. It was an inspiring experience to bring the brand to life offline and connect directly with our community. I love retail, and this experience encouraged me to explore new ways of engaging with our audience. We also launched in over 10 retail stores across the U.S. and France. Our biggest milestone is coming soon, with the November launch of a new category: face care. We’re expanding our product line based on customer feedback, spotlighting the benefits of safou oil for the body, hair and now face. The Ezali Face Care Collection introduces a dynamic cleansing and hydrating duo: the Safou Sorbet Cleansing Balm and the Light It Up Face Cream. These products have been meticulously crafted to enhance skin health, providing deep cleansing, nourishment, and long-lasting hydration.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to launch their own beauty brand?

The beauty industry is highly competitive, so it’s crucial to find your niche. What sets you apart from competitors? What’s your unique selling point? Is there a market fit? Having a long-term vision helps you persevere through tough days. Build connections with other founders to share the journey. Be patient—most brands don’t hit a million in revenue in the first year, but that doesn’t mean you won’t succeed. Don’t compare yourself to others, and prioritise your customers and community.

What’s next for Koba?

Face care! We’re expanding into this new category with two products I hope will become essentials in our customers’ routines. We’re also focused on expanding our distribution, partnering with more physical and online stores to bring Koba products to bathroom shelves around the world.

What does your daily skincare routine look like? 

I like to keep things simple and prioritise skincare over makeup, allowing my skin to breathe. In the morning, I cleanse with our Safou Sorbet Cleansing Balm, then follow with the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ for any imperfections. My next steps are the Goodal Vitamin C serum and Koba Light It Up Face Cream. I always finish with an SPF 50 from either Ultra-Violette, Supergoop or Hyper. For the body, I use our Koba Soak Me Up Soap Bar in the shower and follow with one of our body moisturisers. In colder weather, I turn to our Get Whipped Body Balm. An alternative body cream I love is the Caudalie one from their Vinosculpt range. Finally, I love to finish my routine with the Koba Bottom Up Foot Cream.

What are three beauty products you cannot live without?

The Koba Feeling Myself Lip Balm goes everywhere with me—it’s a saviour for lips and cuticles, especially during seasonal changes. I even dab a little on my cheekbones for a natural highlight.

Memo’s Lalibela perfume has been my signature scent for over 15 years. Each fragrance from the brand tells a unique story. Lalibela celebrates Ethiopia and mystery, and it resonates deeply with me.

Coco & Eve’s Like A Virgin Deep Clean Scalp Scrub is essential for maintaining a healthy scalp and hair. It works wonders, even when I have braids in.

What is the biggest skincare lesson you’ve learned?

Never go to bed without cleansing, even if you aren’t wearing makeup. Hydration, a good SPF, and quality sleep are non-negotiable – your skin will thank you later.

What person or brand would you love to collaborate with?

I would love to collaborate with Tekla. They’ve made home textiles desirable and stylish, and I can envision a collaboration where bold colours from both brands create a modern, cosy aesthetic. A collaboration where modern bedroom and bathroom homeware find their perfect skincare companions for those intimate self-care moments.

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

I think products for women going through menopause deserve more attention. Women over 50 are becoming more visible in fashion, film, and pop culture, and the beauty industry should respond to their needs by offering products that address the changes they experience with their skin, hair, and overall well-being.

Koba Skincare is available at Free People in the UK, and Neiman Marcus in the US.