Superwoman Joanna Ryglewicz
From lawyer to brand founder and skin care expert, Joanna is a true manifestation of a Superwoman! This multitasker finds grounding and inspiration through forest bathing in her neighboring national park (!) and through reading a little bit everyday.
What did you do before you founded Oio Lab and how has it helped inform how you do what you do now?
For the last 15 years I gained experience in many different industries. I studied and worked as a lawyer, simultaneously distributing french pharmacy skincare products in Poland. But I always had a passion for the science behind health & beauty. Oio Lab started mostly because I wanted to investigate the ingredients and formulas that I found intriguing. I definitely not only use, but expand my business experience daily.
What’s been the most surprising element of starting your own business?
For me, it is the degree of multitasking that surprised me. At times one needs to handle legal, regulatory, recruitment, copywriting, marketing, content creation and more at once. It can get frustrating, but we are in the process of building an amazing team to structure it all neatly.
What's your secret strategy to Longevity?
I think the amount and type of products you consume and the possibility to support mitochondria – the cell’s energy engines – are key aspects that can impact longevity. Those are definitely the topics I find fascinating and research on, but I do not really implement them in my daily routine yet. In the near future I would like to try different supplements, skincare formulas and other science-backed methods to boost life quality on many levels. I do not necessarily think about living longer, but as optimally as possible.
What are some daily non-negotiables for you when it comes to taking care of yourself?
It is definitely cleansing my skin and following at least a two-step skincare routine consisting of a gel-serum and an active-oil. It is also a minimum of half an hour daily reading time – just before bedtime.
How do you implement your own products into your routine?
I always start my skincare routine with a gel-serum – either THE E SERUM for regeneration and protection or AQUASPHERE for hydration. For the day I follow with our cream THE FOREST RETREAT, while in the evening I reach for a stable vitamin C THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. I also mix our active oils with all the other products I use – from creams to foundations – as boosters, depending on my skincare needs at the moment.
What other brands, founders or personalities do you find inspiring?
I find inspiration in very varied sources. I admire people who are authentic and follow their passion. Recently I’ve been reading Martha Beck’s “Way of Integrity'' about the importance of living and speaking your truth – I find her story inspiring and advice valuable. I also tend to look up to brand founders with a background in science like Professor Augustinus Bader.
What website or IG page do you visit daily for input and to stay up to date?
For an update about our environment I visit @earthrisestudio. I listen to The Life Stylist Podcast by Luke Storey for thought-provoking interviews in the field of health and personal evolution. I also read Economist Espresso daily to stay up to date with politics and world news.
How do you structure your work day to help get things done while staying calm?
Right now I don’t (laughs). This moment is very busy and hectic and I virtually spend most of my time working. I am looking for wellness enthusiasts and marketing experts to join our team. But generally, listening to nature sounds helps to keep me focused and calm at work.
Who do you turn to for advice, support and help?
I try to have my mind and heart open to be able to spot the advice and small signs daily. Usually I find reading about spiritual growth very satisfying, but when I really feel lost and need support I reach out to Dr. Dani Olson for a reiki session — she is amazing.
My experience is that many of the answers are already within us, we just need to find a space to calm down and follow our inner guidance.
Do you have a morning routine that you stick to every day?
Only when it comes to skincare for now. I do not wash my face in the morning. I only spray it with thermal water and follow with our multi-level hydrating gel serum AQUASPHERE. I also use a calming adaptogenic facial lotion THE FOREST RETREAT and then I add a few drops of 7 MOMENTS or ALGAEMANIA to my tinted moisturizer. I also like to add a bit of color to my cheeks with a bit of blush.
What do you do to unwind and relax in the evening?
In the evenings I love to take a bath with Epsom salts and enjoy my evening skincare routine. Then I spend time with my sons, cuddling, talking and reading to them. When they go to sleep I unwind while reading the books that I find fascinating. I read a lot and I tend to reach for many books at once – at the moment I find reading about personal growth, quantum physics and ancient medicine the most interesting.
What’s your favorite meal to eat?
I love simple meals, ideally consisting of 3-4 ingredients. We have amazing bakeries in Poland – and I quite often eat bread, with a local butter and pickled cucumbers. I recently also became a huge fan of carrot and apple raw salad and homemade pudding.
What’s your number one beauty “secret”?
It is knowing what to put on your skin and being devoted to the routine. There are so many ingredients on the market and we aim to work with only those that meet our high, often subjective criteria. The amount of data we examine is really impressive. I learned to put just a few products on my skin that do their job. One shall not forget that being systematic is the key to effectiveness – no matter how sophisticated and personalized your skincare is – without a daily routine you cannot expect to see results.
Where do you go to relax, rejuvenate and recharge?
I am very lucky to live just by a National Park and I go for walks with my dog to recharge. I love forest bathing. I also read a lot to relax – my bedroom is a perfect place for that.
What’s your favorite travel destination ?
It is difficult to point to one, but I love visiting the French Riviera. I also have a lot of dream destinations I would like to go to in the near future – from Venezuela to Mexico.
Besides your own incredible products, what other Muse & Heroine products do you swear by?
I am a fan of DEPURAVITA and Muse & Heroine BLACK PANTHER detox water and HELLO WRINKLES with Collagen Peptides, Q10 Antioxidants and Essential Minerals. I am addicted to CALMING LIP THERAPHY by SURYA. I would also like to try LYMA laser one day.
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