Meet Alice - skincare expert and founder of Roza Natural Cosmetics, a Dublin based producer of natural cosmetics. All Roza products are handmade by Alice in her Dublin laboratory in small batches using carefully selected certified plant origin ingredients and natural oils, butters and thermal water to keep your skin healthy and moisturized. You won’t find any parabens, SLS, EDTA, GMO or other harmful chemical ingredients in these formulations and they include skin friendly preservatives only when absolutely necessary).
Knowing that everything we put on our skin quickly absorbs into our bodies, Alice ethically sources the finest raw natural materials and uses an innovative cold process that keeps the vitamin and heat sensitive components intact which is especially important for fragile vitamins and oils such as rosehip, evening primrose and sea buckthorn.
Hi Alice, tell us how it all started?
I grew up in Poland and my hometown is Poznan. I was raised in a family that always had a strong relationship between nature and man. I have been taught respect for the environment and the use of its gifts in a responsible way. Conventional medicine has never been the first choice for my family when it comes to various kinds of illnesses and pains. My great grandmother and grandmother often enjoyed the benefits of herbs. I think that despite the fact that at some stage in my life I have gone away from these patterns, they have always been somewhere inside me.
My adventure with cosmetics started just from herbs, making macerates - from the first attempts to make my own soap and ointments. This resulted partly from a need, because I could not find cosmetics that would meet the expectations of my very sensitive and dry skin, but also from the desire to turn to mother nature, who I love with all my heart.
How did you take the leap into designing your own line of products?
As I mentioned earlier, it came up from my personal needs and skin care has always been my greatest hobby. My bathroom cabinet always has been full of skin care products, and I kept buying new ones constantly to find the perfect one. Over time, I have become aware of what actually can be found in those cosmetics and how they affect our health. My choice of study was not accidental. I graduated in Environmental Protection at the University of Life Sciences in Poland with a Master's degree. Five years of study has shown me that we often look in the wrong direction, and the simple and the best solutions are in front of us.
Our mothers and grandmothers used to make their own face masks, face creams, ointments and beautifying herbal infusions. The haste of the modern world has led to everything being comfortable and accessible, and of course durable. This also applies to cosmetics that have very little to do with nature. Packed with dangerous chemicals and unnecessarily sold in colourful plastic packages to people who are unaware that our skin absorbs as much as 60% of what we put on it and that the skin is also the largest organ of our body.
What products are included in your range and have you plans to develop more in the future?
In the Roza range you will find face creams, face serums, a dry body oil, hand cream, face masks and ointments. In the future I would love to develop a home care range and few more cosmetics like natural shampoo and conditioner.
As a small business owner, you are in charge of all aspects of your company. How do you manage your days and weeks – is there a set routine?
To be honest, I feel very good about running a small business. I have control over every aspect of the company. It is not an easy challenge, but it certainly gives me a lot of satisfaction and joy.
My favourite part is the production itself - making new products and improving existing ones in the laboratory. I love the process of creating. I am still excited by the moment when combining several semi-products results in a final product which can be use to improve the skin condition of any person.
I am always very grateful that Mother Nature has designed this beautifully rich environment for us, giving herbs, oils, butter, etc. All we have to do is to use them appropriately with all the respect for Her and other people.
You have strong values around sustainability with your packaging. Is this something that is important to your brand?
Sustainability is very important. Especially nowadays when we are facing a climate crisis and even small changes in our day to day life can save lives and hopefully our future. I am very concerned about our natural environment.
30 years ago when I was in primary school our Biology teacher was talking about global warming and warning us what is going to happen to our planet if we won’t change our behaviour. These things are happening now. It is scary that it took us only 30 years to destroy something that should last forever and be a home to our children and their children and so on.
I admire Greta Thunberg – the young Swedish climate activist that goes on strike every Friday to protest against a government that allows the climate crisis to last and not taking action. There is no time for us to sit still and do nothing. Greta Thunberg says: “Your house is on fire, it’s time to panic!” And I believe her.
Describe your brand in 3 words?
Sustainable and a natural brand, aspiring to be plastic free. There are a few things I am still working on to improve….work always in progress.
Ireland hasn’t always been your home. How did the move to Ireland come about and how do you enjoy living here?
The reason I came to Ireland was love. I fell in love with a guy and I came here because he was living here. He came to Dublin in 2006 after he graduated from university and started to work in the field that he had been studying in Poland. We were in the same high school for 4 years but we never talked back then. In the era of Facebook he decided to make the first contact 8 years after we finished school! Our story is very funny and very romantic.
I consider Ireland very raw but in a good way. It teaches me a lot about myself, my limitations and helps to remind me who I really am. The distance from what I know and love showed me where I want to go and what I want to achieve as a human being.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love creative projects, so in my free time I love to sew new things and remake old clothes. I like cross stitching and glass painting. I love all forms of creative and manual work. 
What’s a product in your line you adore and why?
I use all the cosmetics in our range but there are 3 that I adore the most.
The number one is Hyaluronic Acid Serum, I can’t imagine my life without it. As my skin is dry and sensitive with visible small wrinkles this serum is a must have. It instantly makes my skin look hydrated, soft, plumped and soft.
I top it up with my favorite face cream – anti aging, nourishing and rejuvenating. It contains lots of active ingredients (plant extracts, natural butters and oils) that will soothe your skin and make it look healthier and younger.
A couple of times a week I use our face mask. It’s natural and gentle, perfect for sensitive skin. It gives a natural glow and purifying effect that I love!
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Reliable, creative and practical.
What’s the most important thing to do when growing a new business?
You must be very persistent and never give up, which is much easier to do when you really love what you are doing. I love making cosmetics!
What’s the one thing you think everyone can do to become more sustainable?
I believe in making small steps every day that we all can do to help the planet. Using less plastic and water is the place to start.
What’s your favourite veggie based meal?
I love veggies! Especially salads but my favourite veggie based meal is veggie lasagne.
Quickfire Questions
- Mountains or sea? Forest 😉
- Favourite place in Ireland Knocksink Wood
- Where is your happy place? Home
- Texting or talking Texting
- What is your most-used emoji? Heart 💛
- Night owl or early bird? Very early bird ;-)
All Roza formulas are original, created and tested by real people - never on animals and are always made from scratch. Every ingredient Alice uses in her products is an “active” ingredient. This results in pure, highly concentrated, and effective cosmetics. We love that all Roza products are packaged in recyclable amber glass bottles that protect the contents from UV damage and with no unnecessary outer packaging to minimise waste. See the range here.