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True Stories
Modern well-being aligned with the real needs of today: meet Kenzai Cosmetics
Stéphane Moor, Founding Owner & CEO, and Barbara Darbellay-Moor, Co-founder & COO
We are brother and sister, united by the desire to create a meaningful project –for ourselves and for others. That’s how Kenzai Cosmetics was born: a Swiss natural skincare brand designed to protect the skin from the harmful effects of blue light. Although the adventure officially began in January 2024, our first ideas date back to 2018. Since then, we’ve built a brand that reflects the swiss values of excellence, rigour, and reliability.
With backgrounds in journalism and communications (Barbara) and hospitality and management (Stéphane), we form a complementary duo, combining vision with pragmatism, tenacity with empathy. Integrity and deep believe in harmony between people and nature guide everything we do, bringing authentic energy that gives Kenzai its depth, strength and identity – values we believe are essential to lasting success.
NATRUE: Can you tell us about the origins of Kenzai Cosmetics? What inspired the brand’s foundation?
Stéphane Moor and Barbara Darbellay-Moor: In an ultra-digitalised society, we wanted to offer modern well-being aligned with the real needs of today. Blue light emitted by screens and smartphones is one of the top three causes of skin ageing, alongside stress and pollution. We have therefore developed a concise range of natural skincare products to protect, strengthen, and prevent premature skin ageing.
Surrounded by a team of scientists and skincare specialists, we provided them with a demanding brief: no endocrine disruptors, mineral oils, PEGs, fragrances, alcohol, palm oil, or synthetic preservatives and texturisers. Our formulas rely exclusively on highly concentrated natural ingredients. In fact, after several years of research and testing, the range was developed around two rare actives in the world of cosmetics:
- Ectoine, a powerful cellular shield against blue light
- Bulbine frutescens leaf sap, a medicinal plant with intensely hydrating and restorative properties.
This innovative approach was recognised at European level. In October 2024, we won two awards at the European Natural Beauty Awards in Stockholm: 🏆 New Brand of the Year Award and 🏆 European Excellence Award for our Purifying and Moisturising Mask.
NATRUE: Your brand reflects Swiss quality. How does that influence your sourcing, production, and quality control processes?
Stéphane Moor and Barbara Darbellay-Moor: For us, reflecting Swiss quality is more than branding, it is a deep commitment that guides every step of our processes. While not all ingredients are sourced locally – rare actives like ectoine or bulbine frutescens sap come from abroad – all formulation, development, production, and quality control take place in Switzerland. This ensures full traceability and meets the high standards of excellence our country is known for.
By combining the best of nature with Swiss precision, we deliver safe, effective, and reliable products that truly reflect our values.
NATRUE: How do you decide which natural ingredients to include in your formulations? Are there any signature botanicals unique to Kenzai?
Stéphane Moor and Barbara Darbellay-Moor: The real challenge was to select plant extracts capable of meeting three essential requirements simultaneously:
- Effective protection against blue light
- Intense hydration
- Prevention of skin ageing
All while maintaining natural formulations with no synthetic chemicals. In fact, each formula was carefully crafted to balance plant oils, botanical extracts, and natural antioxidants in a synergistic blend.
Two rare ingredients have become Kenzai Cosmetics’ signature: ectoine, a powerful naturally derived cellular shield, and bulbine frutescens leaf sap, an African plant with unique moisturising, restorative and protective properties. Their combination runs through our entire range and reflects our drive to innovate using natural, intelligent, and sustainable solutions. This approach is what gives our products’ efficacy and uniqueness.
NATRUE: You hold the NATRUE certification, a well-respected standard in the natural cosmetics world. What does this mean for your products and consumers?
Stéphane Moor and Barbara Darbellay-Moor: Achieving the prestigious NATRUE label marks a major milestone for Kenzai Cosmetics, confirming our deep commitment to naturalness, transparency, and quality. This internationally recognised certification guarantees that our products meet strict criteria for natural and organic ingredients, as well as environmentally responsible production. It confirms our dedication to offering our safe, authentic skincare that respect both their skin and the planet.
This recognition strengthens the trust of our community and positions Kenzai Cosmetics among the most demanding brands in the natural cosmetics sector, as it embodies the core values of our brand: integrity, high standards, and sustainability.
NATRUE: How do you balance traditional Swiss skincare knowledge with modern scientific research and trends?
Stéphane Moor and Barbara Darbellay-Moor: At Kenzai Cosmetics, we see traditional Swiss skincare expertise as foundation built on rigour, purity, and effectiveness. We combine this heritage with modern scientific advances in dermocosmetics, while respecting the artisanal methods that define Swiss skincare’s reputation.
Our formulas blend natural ingredients, with cutting-edge extraction and active-stabilisation technologies, always in line with today’s consumer expectations: naturalness, eco-responsibility, and proven efficacy. This constant dialogue between tradition and innovation allows us to create authentic and high-performing treatments, tailored to modern needs.
For more information about Kenzai Cosmetics,
visit www.kenzai-cosmetics.swiss
Download the interview here.