Who are you, and what are you doing?

My name is Lisa, and like many expats, I came to Switzerland for love. I’m originally from Canada but have lived abroad since 2009. I’m a qualified primary school teacher and have taught in South Korea, Kenya, and Germany. I’ve been settled in Switzerland since 2017 and I’m very much enjoying life here.

Tell us about how and when you started your business? 

When I moved to South Korea in 2010 I became well-acquainted with the world of skincare. I loved the ingredients and formulations in their products, so much so that I declared I would never switch back to Western brands. Finding Korean skincare was easier here in Switzerland than it was in Germany (at the time I was there anyway), but it was still time-consuming. I was overwhelmed by the amount of choice in the shops I found. Unlike other Korean skincare enthusiasts I don’t believe in the 10-step routine. I take a “less is more” approach to skincare since it’s better for the health of our skin, our minds, and especially the planet. I envisioned a small shop that was more focused with a message. My husband (Sinless Skincare’s IT guy) and I came up with the idea of creating such a shop during the 2020 lockdown.

And what has this journey been like for you? 

I was very nervous at first because I didn’t think of myself at all as an entrepreneur. Over the months I gained more confidence, networked with other small business owners, and found my footing. I love that I can feel proud of my shop because it not only aligns with our values, but our customers’ as well. Even when we made some unpopular decisions like banning single-use products (sheet masks, toning pads, etc.), our customers have continued to support us. It feels really good.

Would you like to share some insights from your company?  

I often forget that many people don’t have the skincare knowledge that I have, so deciding what to try can be quite stressful. Through my online shop I try to educate and not just sell. For instance, I have example AM and PM skincare routines on my homepage, as well as detailed explanations of ingredients, routine steps, skin types, and skin concerns. People shouldn’t have to do a ton of googling before coming to my shop because the information they need should already be there. I’ve learned that the more knowledge a potential customer is armed with, the more satisfied they will feel with their purchase, instead of just grasping at something in the dark or following trends.