Skincare Maven Ole Henriksen Shares His Tips On How To Stay Young

Often touted as “the most positive man in beauty” or “the happiest man on earth”, the 70-year-old creator of his namesake skincare brand OLEHENRIKSEN doesn't look a day older than 50. We spoke to Ole Henriksen on why he started his own skincare brand, the best products for Singapore's humid weather, and how to achieve his coveted #OLEGLOW.

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How did you go from trapeze artist to dancer, to skincare?

While living in Jakarta, Indonesia, doing show dancing, I developed cystic acne. I had porcelain skin before that and took it for granted. This was a combination of the environment as well as my bad habits, like eating way too much junk food. Then I met an amazing esthetician, Lagita, who was from Holland but was living in Jakarta at the time, and she was all about combining holistic approaches with beauty treatments. She transformed my skin, and that’s what kick-started my interest and obsession with skincare, cosmetic chemistry, nutrition, and face and body work.

Has the pandemic affected your positive outlook in any way? How do you remain positive?

It has been a difficult time for all of us and challenging for our mental wellbeing. Personally, I try to maintain my positive outlook by being grateful for everything I have, even the smallest things. Every morning, I greet myself in the mirror with a big smile and embrace each day as a new beginning, a new opportunity. I also make sure to stay active by exercising regularly and eating a nutritionally balanced meal.

Do you think your positivity contributes to having good skin?

Definitely! I believe that it’s all about having positivity and self-love from the inside. I believe in a holistic approach to both skincare and lifestyle to bring out the #OLEGLOW for everyone.

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The relaunch of your brand in Singapore is very exciting for those who are long-time fans. For those who are new to the brand, what would you recommend they start with first, and why?

My collection of skincare products is geared toward all the common skin concerns and age brackets that people shop for in Sephora. I created a collection of three key franchises that make it easy to shop for the OLEHENRIKSEN skincare brand. I recommend you keep your routine simple but very importantly must be consistent for optimal results.

The Balance Franchise was created for oily and blemish-prone skin, as well as skin that is prone to open and clogged pores. 

The Truth Franchise was created based on multiple sources of stable vitamin C. To brighten and even skin tone, neutralise free radical damage and rebuild new collagen to optimise elasticity, while also deeply hydrating the skin.

The Transform Franchise was created to resurface, smooth, and refine the skin's texture, simultaneously reducing fine lines and wrinkles and being particularly effective at eliminating more stubborn dark spots and reinforcing skins elasticity.

If I were to recommend some specific products, I would choose the Banana Bright™ Eye Crème, our best-selling eye cream that’s number one in Sephora North America — it instantly brightens, colour-corrects, and targets fine lines and wrinkles. As well as the Banana Bright™ Vitamin C Serum, with 15% vitamin C, 5% PHAs and hyaluronic acid for brighter, bouncier skin. 

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You can’t talk about the brand without talking about the Ole Glow. Can you tell us more about it and how everyone can attain the coveted Ole Glow?

It’s about having that inner glow, a celebration of life and all things beautiful. It’s also about embracing yourself and loving the person you are inside and out. 

The outer glow is indeed the skin, that’s luminous like sunshine. We carry a comprehensive range of extraordinary, potent products that are packed with potent active ingredients, essential fatty acids, and nature’s most skin-transformational ingredients to help achieve the #OLEGLOW. 

What skincare advice would you give for women at different stages of their lives?

Keep it simple, be consistent, and follow the improvements in the mirror. Make the mirror your best friend and every morning greet yourself with a smile—we should all admire ourselves.

Try to find the positives in life and appreciate the beauty that’s all around. Stress can be very damaging for you not just mentally, but physically so it’s important we remind ourselves to slow down. Getting regular exercise and eating a nutritionally balanced diet are also crucial to staying healthy.