I met Joanna years ago in Paris at Muse and Heroine Pop Up Store. Since then, she has emerged as one of the most quietly brilliant minds in clean beauty.

Her work is thoughtful, refined, and consistently ahead of the curve. I admire her clarity and her ability to create formulas that feel both intelligent and sensorial. With her latest venture, NISHA Manufacturing, she offers not only formulations of remarkable purity and precision, but also a platform for a new generation of entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life—thoughtfully and beautifully.

So, we sat down—over a cup of something warm and herbal—to talk about beauty, business, and the art of building something that lasts. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Joanna Ryglewicz.

You started your professional life as a lawyer. What drew you into the world of clean beauty? 

My journey into clean beauty began as a personal exploration driven by curiosity. I was fascinated by the intersection of beauty and science—how ingredients function, how they feel, and how they can transform. Looking back, it was a process of discovering what beauty meant to me, and finding a way to express it with honesty and intention.

Although I trained and worked as a lawyer for several years, I felt drawn to the beauty world early on. In my twenties, I started distributing French pharmacy skincare, and my fascination with the science of health and beauty only deepened from there.

Over time, I realised that my way of expressing myself is through investigation—diving deep into ingredients and formulation, and translating that knowledge through my own aesthetic and sensory lens. I created Oio Lab to follow that spark of curiosity—to explore what’s possible when potent natural extracts meet advanced scientific research.

Our in-house laboratory became my creative playground, and skincare evolved into a medium for sharing ideas and offering what I believe to be genuine value. Wanting to shape things on my own terms, I reinvested everything I could from my distribution business into building our own laboratory—so we could explore skincare independently, rigorously, and creatively. With a mission to keep growing—and to create beautiful things that serve a function.

HER SELECTION

“Skincare became my way of expressing ideas—through texture, science, and beauty. It’s not about following trends, but about creating with intention."

Your products are known for their technical precision, vegan integrity, and minimalist design. What is the guiding philosophy behind your formulations? 

It’s a combination of science and following what excites me. I tend to be drawn to groups of ingredients that truly light me up. That’s how it was with mushroom extracts and fulvic acid a few years ago, and now with longevity molecules. These sparks of curiosity naturally lead to scientific inquiry—and ultimately, rigorous testing. Luckily, I have a very smart lab team behind me to keep me grounded if I go too far (laughs).

We don’t follow trends unless we believe they hold lasting value. Instead, we listen—closely—to scientific literature, ancestral knowledge, and the quiet intelligence of nature. Every Oio Lab formula is a fusion of advanced botanicals, clinically active ingredients, and carefully curated textures and colours.

We’re proud to set a higher standard. For instance, our scientists developed a unique, plant-based preservation system exclusive to Oio Lab. We continue to expand our in-house testing protocols, and every product undergoes both independent in-use consumer trials and instrumental studies using scientific equipment to precisely measure results. These days, you need—and we want—formulas that are transparent, honest, and fully accountable.

And while we’re grounded in science, we also believe skincare should feel alive. We don’t subscribe to beige minimalism (though we respect those who do). As Richard Christiansen, founder of Flamingo Estate, beautifully said: “Mother Nature isn’t beige.” She’s expressive, intelligent, and endlessly inventive. Our colour palette reflects that spirit and allows each product to tell its own unique story.

Tell us more about your new venture, NISHA Manufacturing. What does it offer that others don’t?

After launching and growing Oio Lab realised that my curiosity for new ingredients and the fast-evolving world of green technologies couldn’t be fully contained within a single brand—though I still keep some special ingredients reserved just for Oio Lab (laughs). I was constantly exploring new concepts, researching actives, and sketching formulas—more than we could ever introduce under one label.

To give these ideas a place to grow—and to make the creative side of this work more sustainable—I gradually founded NISHA Manufacturing, a formulation and production facility specialising in custom formulation and private label cosmetics for ambitious brands who want to co-create a more conscious and innovative beauty industry while developing their dream products.

It felt like a natural extension of my path: a way to combine our technical expertise, in-house laboratory, and design sensibility to help like-minded founders bring their skincare visions to life. From a business perspective, it’s also a way to offer our predominantly female team of chemists and scientists the space and support they deserve—to explore bold ideas, invest in next-generation technology and machinery, and keep pushing the boundaries of clean formulation.

At NISHA Manufacturing, we offer end-to-end manufacturing solutions—from concept to completion—including ingredient sourcing, formulation, packaging to regulatory compliance. We're still at the beginning of this journey, so please keep your fingers crossed!

What makes us different is our never-ending curiosity, our refusal to settle for “just right,” and our unique vision of beauty as a blend of purpose, science, and design. I also love supporting emerging entrepreneurs—from sharing trend insights and market knowledge to passing on lessons I’ve learned through experience (and plenty of mistakes). Whether a client comes to us with a seed of an idea or a fully detailed brief—if we share the same values—we approach every project with intention, innovation, and deep respect for both skin and the planet.

Your personal beauty routine—what does it look like today?

I’m deeply into smart ageing at the moment—fascinated by cellular energy and the idea of preserving your skin’s optimal condition for as long as possible. I define smart ageing as supporting your skin to look and function at its best—ideally for another decade. With our newest launch, INTERCELLULAR Longevity Facial Serum, I’ve been exploring how we can help skin age intelligently and sustain its peak condition. I want to age—just smarter.

Every product I use has a clearly defined role. In the evening, I start with O-MEGA MILK Cleansing Facial Milk & Moisture Mask—a nourishing cleanser that doubles as a hydrating mask. It’s powered by our proprietary ozonated omega 3, 6, and 9 esters derived from Polish linseed oil. I love its subtle ozone scent and the way it melts away makeup in one step.

Both morning and evening, I follow with FULVIC IONIC Mineral Face and Scalp Toner—like a daily mineral supplement for the skin, delivering over 65 ionic trace minerals to help restore a healthy skin environment. Next comes ALL IN EYE Complete Eye and Eyelid Serum, followed by INTERCELLULAR Longevity Facial Serum—a multi-correctional, milky-textured serum we developed in our laboratory to help skin age smarter. It visibly smooths, firms, and enhances skin’s youthful vitality.

As a final step, I use SUPERPAUSE Restorative Facial Cream, formulated to support skin during hormonal changes—when its needs shift and require deeper nourishment and revitalisation. In the evening, I repeat the same routine but finish with THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT Brightening Facial Oil. It’s been a staple for years—I’m particularly obsessed with the ultra-stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C we use. It’s non-negotiable in my routine.

For makeup, I love our MELTING BLUSHES—they deliver a natural, healthy glow while nourishing the skin. They were designed to combine the benefits of skincare with the joy of colour.

Of course, I occasionally test other brands—it’s part of staying informed—but I always come back to my own formulas. Ever since removing synthetic fragrances and conventional preservatives from my routine, my skin has become very selective. It reacts immediately to anything less refined.

CONNECT WITH JOANNA

instagram.com/oiolab/

nishamanufacturing.com

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