On the Cycladic island of Syros, where wind, sun and wild herbs have shaped the landscape for centuries, a distinctly Greek approach to beauty was born.

Founded in 2016 by a family of pharmacists, Aegean Beauty brings together the knowledge of traditional herbal care with the precision of modern pharmaceutical science.

At the heart of the brand is a simple but powerful idea: to transform the exceptional properties of Cycladic botanicals into effective, purposeful skincare.

Through concentrated herbal infusions, natural ingredients and innovative solid formulations, Aegean Beauty seeks to offer products that are as gentle on the skin as they are respectful of the environment.

For Konstantinos Kyritsis, Pharmacist and General Manager, this philosophy goes beyond cosmetics.

It is about understanding nature, respecting Greek heritage and creating products that genuinely respond to people’s everyday needs. As Aegean Beauty looks towards its next decade, its ambition is to take this distinctive expression of Greek beauty beyond the Aegean and onto the international stage.

Aegean Beauty was born in Syros in 2016. What was the original idea behind creating a cosmetics brand rooted so strongly in the Cycladic landscape, and how has that vision evolved over the years? 

Aegean Beauty was created by a family of pharmacists with extensive experience both in Greece and abroad. The inspiration came from two distinct directions. The first came from our patients. Many suffered from specific skin conditions and lacked effective daily care options outside of strict pharmaceuticals. The second inspiration was drawn from the unique benefits of Cycladic herbs and a rich, local tradition of natural skin and hair care that dates back 6,000 years. Our vision was to utilise the powerful properties of the Cycladic flora to create products that truly benefit the skin and hair. Our focus is still the same today, a decade after our establishment: to understand these exceptional botanicals and create exactly what our customers need for their daily lives.

You describe the Aegean climate as giving its endemic herbs exceptionally high levels of essential oils and active ingredients. What makes these Cycladic plants particularly valuable from a cosmetic and scientific perspective? 

The harsh conditions of the Aegean climate (the dry environment, prolonged sun exposure, and strong winds) force endemic plants to develop exceptionally high concentrations of active ingredients simply to survive. By harvesting these resilient herbs, we naturally enrich our formulas with a much higher content of bioactive ingredients compared to plants sourced from milder climates. We then capture and maximise these unique properties through our signature herbal infusions.

As a pharmacist and General Manager, you bring a strong scientific background to the brand. How do you combine pharmaceutical research and formulation expertise with the traditional knowledge surrounding Greek herbs and natural ingredients? 

My pharmaceutical background instilled in me the importance of rigorous scientific research. While herbs have been used for millennia in our region for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes, we conduct extensive research to understand exactly why and how these botanicals benefit human health. We then formulate dermocosmetics that genuinely improve the condition of our customers' skin. For example, wild lavender possesses mild antiseptic properties. We placed it at the base of our skin cleanser, making it excellent not only for daily purification but also for addressing mild skin complications like acne or neutralising underarm odour.

One distinctive feature of Aegean Beauty is the use of herbal infusions instead of water in your formulations. What is the thinking behind this approach, and what benefits can it offer consumers? 

A herbal infusion is very similar to preparing a tea: botanicals are steeped in lukewarm water, allowing all the active ingredients to infuse into the liquid. We use this nutrient-dense infusion, alongside essential oils, as the foundation of our products. Instead of using plain water, which acts merely as a filler in many conventional cosmetics, we deliver a highly concentrated formula with powerful benefits in every drop. This means our products are far more effective and last much longer, as a smaller amount is required per use.

Sustainability is at the heart of your philosophy, from organic ingredients and vegan formulas to solid cosmetics and zero-waste packaging. How challenging is it to create genuinely sustainable cosmetics while maintaining high performance and an attractive consumer experience? 

For us, sustainability equals high effectiveness and reduced costs for the customer. When formulating an eco-friendly product, we use predominantly organic and natural ingredients, resulting in an exceptionally high natural content. This eliminates harsh chemicals, significantly reducing the risk of skin irritation while maximising performance and minimising environmental impact. We view this not as a negative challenge, but as an opportunity to create superior products. Because our formulas are highly concentrated, less product is needed per application. This results in a very low "cost per use," allowing our customers to enjoy pharmacy-grade skincare at a price point only slightly higher than standard supermarket cosmetics.

Your Vegan Solids Series has received several awards, including recognition at Eco Living Scandinavia and the Aesthetic Awards in Greece. What makes solid cosmetics such an important innovation for the future of beauty? 

Because solid cosmetics do not contain water, every single use delivers 100% active, beneficial ingredients directly to the skin and hair. Furthermore, the absence of water eliminates the need for synthetic preservatives, making the formulas much gentler. Finally, because they are manufactured using only natural ingredients and zero plastic, they are fully biodegradable and leave no environmental footprint. Traditional soap bars have been used effectively for centuries; we are simply taking that wisdom a step further by creating a comprehensive range of modern, targeted cosmetics in a solid form.

Consumers today are increasingly interested in where their beauty products come from and what they contain. How do you ensure transparency and trust throughout the process from sourcing your herbs to formulating and testing the final product? 

Transparency is non-negotiable for us. All our partners, from local organic farmers to our packaging suppliers, adhere to the highest certified standards in their respective fields. Furthermore, every Aegean Beauty product is certified under strict EU law, meaning they contain approved ingredients at safe concentrations and have passed rigorous stability and safety tests. We keep all of these certifications readily available in our records, and we are always happy to share them with anyone interested in learning more about our supply chain or formulations.

Aegean Beauty combines a very strong sense of place with an international outlook. How important is the “Made in Greece” identity to the brand, and do you believe Greek natural beauty has the potential to become a stronger presence in international markets? 

Greek cosmetics are already well-established globally, and the sector is continuously growing. We truly believe that the "Made in Greece" label captures the unique essence of our country. International visitors already recognise the unparalleled beauty of the Greek landscape and the quality of its natural produce. We believe that Greek cosmetics translate that uniqueness and efficacy into a tangible experience that international consumers can trust and enjoy daily.

The beauty industry is changing rapidly, with consumers demanding products that are natural, ethical, effective and environmentally responsible. What do you believe will be the next major trends or innovations in cosmetics, and where does Aegean Beauty see itself within that future? 

Consumers are becoming more educated by the day. It is very apparent to us that people want skincare that is genuinely good for them, not just something that smells nice. They demand efficacy, fair pricing, and environmental respect. We truly believe that Aegean Beauty delivers excellently on all these fronts.

Beyond formulations, we believe the next major innovation lies in how brands guide the consumer. We are actively embracing technology to enhance this and reduce waste. For instance, we recently integrated an AI chatbot on our website to act as a virtual skincare consultant. By helping customers select the exact products for their specific needs, we prevent over-purchasing and product waste, merging technological innovation with our core sustainable ethos. With sustainability always at the heart of our operations, we also ensured this technology is as efficient as possible; in fact, its yearly energy consumption is equivalent to running a plugged-in laptop for just 16 hours. We will continue on our path of developing innovative products and services that address real health and skincare needs, standing at the forefront of this movement as proud representatives of Greek beauty.

Finally, when you look back at the journey from a cosmetics brand founded on Syros in 2016 to an award-winning company with an expanding range, what are you most proud of and what is your ambition for Aegean Beauty over the next decade? 

While we have been in the cosmetics business for a decade now, our pharmacy background has always remained at the heart of what we do.

What makes us most proud is the feedback we receive from customers who tell us how a specific product unexpectedly resolved a skin issue they had been struggling with, even after trying everything else on the market. We believe deeply in giving back, from supporting local farmers and boosting the circular economy to ultimately helping our customers live better, healthier lives. In our next decade, we want to expand on this mission across borders and share Aegean Beauty with people all over the world.

(Thank you Konstantinos)