Beauty Thinkers’ Innovative Skincare: Interview with Our Lead Product Scientist
When he’s not attending Cosmoprof (a global event for beauty and skincare manufacturers) or working on the latest skincare research with the University of Ferrara—one of the pioneers in Italian cosmetic science—Riccardo Barbieri (pictured above in our olive grove in Umbria) can be found in his lab, perfecting the latest product formulas using natural ingredients and sustainable methods. Riccardo is the Head Chemist (aka Chief Product Scientist) at Beauty Thinkers. Essentially, he’s the man behind the formulas. We managed to sit down with Riccardo to talk about what he does and his role in creating Beauty Thinkers products.
Ciao Riccardo, can you please introduce yourself and tell our readers what your job involves?
My job title in Italian is “cosmetologist,” but in the U.S., it would be “Head Chemist” or “Chief Product Scientist.” In short, I am responsible for translating market needs and brand vision into clean, safe, and effective products using the latest skincare science and high-quality natural ingredients. For example, if the Beauty Thinkers team sees a market need for a clean, antioxidant-rich, pro-aging moisturizer made from natural ingredients in a sustainable way, it’s my job to formulate the best possible product.
There’s a lot of science, but also art, involved. The goal isn’t just to make skincare products that are clean, safe, and effective—we also need to ensure the scent is pleasant, the consistency and texture are right, and that using the product is an enjoyable experience. We think about skincare holistically. The rich Italian tradition of using natural ingredients for beauty, combined with the craftsmanship of Italian heritage, gives us a strong foundation.
I agree—”Made in Italy” has come to mean high quality. Riccardo, what was your role in creating Beauty Thinkers products?
I was there from the very beginning. With Beauty Thinkers, we had a bold mission: to combine the latest skincare science, natural ingredients grown in Italy (specifically olives and olive oil), the creative vision of the Beauty Thinkers founders (both come from the luxury fashion industry), and sustainable practices (like reusing byproducts of olive oil production) to create a unique line of skincare products. We wanted to bring the best of Italian skincare to the world.
When using Beauty Thinkers products, you can almost feel the scent of the olive groves in Umbria, where we source the olive oil for our products. It’s a testament to our nature-first approach.
That’s so true! I love the scent of my Hydrator 1—it instantly transports me to an Italian summer. What is your favorite Beauty Thinkers product and why?
It has to be Antioxidant Boost Facial Oil because of how unique it is—not just in Italy, but globally. I get excited talking about our Enzymatic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) because it’s so innovative—the world’s first of its kind—and I played a big role in making it a reality. I could talk about it for hours!
The process of creating Enzymatic EVOO starts with exceptional Umbrian extra virgin olive oil, which in itself is the best quality olive oil you can get. We then treat it with innovative biotechnological enzymes to create a unique texture—making it the first olive oil-derived skincare product in the world that is non-greasy and fast-absorbing. I’m very proud that we were able to create this world-first in Italy with Beauty Thinkers.
Forget everything you know about face oils, indeed! What’s one thing you want our readers to know about hydroxytyrosol?
Hydroxytyrosol for skin is a very special ingredient—an incredibly effective antioxidant. Did you know that Beauty Thinkers’ hydroxytyrosol is derived sustainably? We use upcycling practices to recover it from byproducts of olive oil production, like mill water, which is naturally rich in hydroxytyrosol. I’m passionate about natural, sustainably made skincare, so I love that we can use one of the most powerful antioxidants known in our skincare and do it sustainably.
As someone who works in skincare science and keeps up with the latest research, what advice would you give our readers on how to best take care of their skin?
Understand your skin type, your needs, and your concerns, and choose skincare accordingly. It’s better to have a few high-quality, suitable products in your routine than a mix of ones that don’t work for you. Overdoing it—using too many products—is a common issue. In Italy, we say “poco ma buono”—less but better—meaning prioritize quality over quantity.
Read product labels. Make sure you know what’s in your skincare products and what you’re putting on your skin. Products can be marketed as “clean beauty” or “green skincare,” but that doesn’t mean they actually meet those standards. Do your research and make sure the ingredient list aligns with the brand’s claims.
Use skincare with clinically proven ingredients that have significant research behind them. For example, hydroxytyrosol benefits in skincare are well-researched and include protecting skin from free radicals, calming inflammation, moisturizing and supporting the skin barrier, and helping minimize the visible signs of aging.
Less but better—I love it. What’s one thing you’re loving at the moment?
I love spending time with my family—every day with my daughter and my wife is a gift. I also love sports—swimming, cycling, and running. I train regularly and compete in triathlons. It’s the most exciting sport I’ve ever done.
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