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Forty years ago, bright-eyed high-school leaver Maria Enna-Cocciolone had a change of heart - she exchanged a former dream of becoming a doctor or lawyer to start a career in beauty therapy.
Below, ACM interviewed Maria about her 40-year experience in the beauty industry, and to learn about the practical advice and expertise that underpins her products.
Maria, you have an impressive 40-year tenure in the beauty industry. What inspired you to get into this space?
As an HSC student, I was set on becoming a doctor or lawyer - until I discovered beauty therapy at a careers market. I was fortunate to have my school's principal introduce me to the professional beauty industry, and the more I learned, the more I fell in love.
Like many teenagers, I struggled with acne, relying on whatever products my part-time cashier wage could afford, most doing more harm than good. Realising that skin health is influenced by gut health, nutrition, psychology, topical skincare and professional treatments sparked a passion I never expected. That passion has since shaped an incredible career journey, one I feel truly grateful for.
Your first baby, O COSMEDICS turns 15 this year. What has the journey been like since you launched?
Looking back O COSMEDICS has gone from strength to strength, it has gained an incredible cult following and even though it is primarily available in serious skin clinics it is widely known as a reputable, innovative and results driven brand.
O COSMEDICS truly feels like a first born, a carefully considered first born. It would be fair to say I was a mature mum to this baby!
When I created O COSMEDICS I had already been in the professional beauty industry for 25 years.
I had worked hands-on as a skin therapist, had treated many a skin, and understood firsthand what consumers needed, what skin needed, and what businesses needed.
I developed O COSMEDICS as a total offer for consumers and skin experts.
I created a new category, and trademarked COSMEDICAL skincare.
As a skin therapist my experiences to date had been working with cosmeceutical products, yet what I was creating was next level that truly deserved its own segment and platform.
The fact that serious skin therapist, clinicians and Doctors endorse O COSMEDICS blows my mind, they choose O, and I couldnt be prouder.
How do you define 'cosmedics', and why has this concept played a pivotal role in the success of your brand launches?
Cosmedics is where cosmeceutical meets medical aesthetics.
It stands for active ingredients being used in their functional dose, backed by clinical evidence, to support skin health and a visible skin difference.
We say, talk to the cells, when the skins not listening, thats the cosmedical difference, working skin deep and not on the surface where most products sit.
Throughout 40 years in the skincare industry, what's one piece of skincare advice that you have lived by that remains unchanged?
Two pieces that morph into one critical message would be the importance of daily cleansing and sun protection.
I meet so many consumers who apply their skincare to unwashed skin - like an artist painting a masterpiece on a dirty canvas. Not ideal.
For cosmedical skincare to work at its best, the skin must be clean, pores free of makeup and debris, and actives are only then given the best chance for maximum absorption.
And when it comes to sun protection in 2025? It should be second nature.
Despite Australia having one of the highest rates of skin cancer globally, cases and fatalities are still expected to rise in 2025. Sun protection isnt just about preventing skin cancer - its also key to slowing premature aging and maintaining overall skin health.
The golden rule: cleanse every night and apply SPF every morning. Simple, effective, essential.
Is there a product from O COSMEDICS that you can't live without, and why?
This question always makes me feel I must pick one of my children over another.
Every product has its place, every product is a little legend.
With life being so busy, people being so time poor I do love our new Smart Series collection.
The OG Smart Serum, the B12 Smart Serum, and the Firming & Lifting Neck Serum each contain 12-13 actives in their functional dose which means the serums are multifaceted to treat a number of skin concerns in just one application.
Those looking for a quick option love it and the Skintellectual, like me, is just adding it to their existing regime.
And finally, if O COSMEDICS could leave one lasting impact on the skincare industry, what would you want it to be?
My goal is that O COSMEDICS will be remembered as the first true Cosmedical skincare brand in the world, and that consumers can make smart choices when they understand the difference between cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and cosmedics.
40 years ago, I was taught to sell hope in a jar, cosmetics that basically felt and smelt good.
20 years into my career I benefited from using brands formulated with some level of active ingredients and 25 years in we created a new and the most powerful category yet, COSMEDICS.
Today hope in a jar has been replaced with remarkable drone like delivery systems, that target specific cells, to stimulate specific actions and results, giving consumers around the world their best chance at skin health and ultimately skin youth.
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