Here we talk with Mikkel Støve, a successful Esthetician in Denmark who has been using our pure organic skin care and hair care products from Puraveda Organics exclusively in his spa for over 2 years.
With his vision of providing innovative, meaningful, and effective natural skin treatments Mikkel Westermann Støve quit his job as an esthetician in a clinic and started his own company, ‘Mikkel Stove Hudterapeuten’ (literally “Skin Therapist” in Swedish) in 2015.
Expert’s Profile:
Mikkel Støve is a state-educated Skin Therapist and Esthetician, specializing in facials and massage, and is a long-standing supporter of a natural approach to Health & Beauty. It is his belief that armed with a deep knowledge and understanding of natural ingredients, he can help provide solutions to problem skin, make good skin great skin, and also help support the environment.
In keeping with our philosophy here at PuraVeda Organics, Mikkel strongly supports the idea that a product doesn’t need to hide behind an array of expensive and often misleading “seals” to prove that it is organic and environmentally friendly.
Mikkel has some insightful viewpoints to share regarding the organic skin care industry. Find out why he started using our Puraveda Organics line exclusively in our recent sit down with him.
1. How did you first find out about PuraVeda Organics, and what made you decide to use the products on your clients and carry the product line?
I was at the time searching for an organic sunscreen for my own personal use. I found many sunscreens but none of them met my organic criteria. When I found PuraVeda Organic’s Sunprotect 30+ on Amazon.com, I screened the product, the company and all their other products. That was when I realized that PVO not only had all organic products but also products with “meaningful” ie; effective ingredients in proper concentration. A few months later I quit my job as an esthetician at a clinic carrying with another organic line, and started my own skincare clinic. I had no doubts that I wanted to use PVO’s products for the clients in my new business.
2. What has been the most exciting thing about running your own company/ esthetician clinic ?
It’s my belief that the way to do great things is to do what you love! That said, I truly love to see how every one of my clients are positively affected by the combination of PVO products and the intensive work I into the treatments. There is a great deal of satisfaction in knowing you are doing things right, and achieving demonstrable results. Not to mention seeing clients overcome problem skin and gaining confidence as a result!
3. What attributes do you believe are most important ones for success as an esthetician?
You need to be able to read the past, present and future of any given client’s skin in order to develop the proper treatment plan. It also must be understood that treatment goes beyond what can be done topically, but instead encompasses healing and improvement from the inside out. Our skin is a reflection of our overall health, requiring a deep understanding and knowledge of the body and skin function. Theses qualities are in my opinion a big part of what makes for a great esthetician, along with a affinity with the client, coupled with the ability to inspire the client to continue our hard work at home by proper lifestyle modifications and adherence to prescribed regimens.
4. Why are organic skincare products so important for your customers?
Here in Europe, there is a great deal of common knowledge that commercial products and their toxic synthetic ingredients should be avoided at all costs. I don’t think my clients would accept anything less, due to raised awareness of the risks of using these things.
5. What kind of results have your clients experienced and do you find that they purchase products for home use?
Every one of our clients experiences good results, some more than other obviously. We also have a 50% sales rate, meaning every second client will buy treatment products, and about 50% of those will re-order. Compared to the other skin cares systems. I have worked with (Synthetic and Organic), PVO product line does a far better job of Cleansing, Hydrating, and Exfoliation, as well as reducing Rosacea, Acne, minimizing the signs of aging.. and more!
6. Do you have personal favorites among our skin care products? What is the one product in our line that you absolutely can’t live without and why?
I love both the Bioscience Peptide Complex and the Rejuv Serum, as they both penetrate very quickly, without leaving the skin oily or sticky. I can’t really rate one product higher than another, as they both work together so well, but for a shared 1st place I’d pick these two serums, as well as the exfoliation masks for their remarkable ability to Cleanse/Exfoliate/Hydrate the skin.
7. What does your own Skincare routine look like these days? How has it changed since you started your business?
I utilize both a winter and a summer routine, as the extremes in weather here in Denmark affects my skin. In the winter I add more moisture or sealing in of hydration with a few drops of the Collagen Boost Serum added after my normal routine of using the BioScience Complex and Rejuv Serum for deep hydration and protection (my Summer Routine). In the winter, my skin loves the milder SBR Cleanser as it is very hydrating while still being quite effective at cleansing, and in summer I go with the Foaming or Pore Perfect Cleanser for deeper cleansing of excessive oils. Additionally to both routines I always mist with the PP Hydrator after cleansing and prior to applying the treatment serums, and protect my eye area with the eye line prevention am and pm. In the summertime I use the SunProtect SPF30+ when I know I’ll be getting sun exposure.
8. Do you see the organic skincare industry expanding and growing over time?
The demand for organic, effective and “cleaner” products is getting higher year by year as consumers gain increasing awareness of the toxic effects of synthetic ingredients. In Denmark and Scandinavia we have generally good awareness of the superiority of both organic foods and personal care products, and that tendency is slowing filtering into the EU overall as well.
9. What has been your experience in working with PuraVeda Organics? Have they been responsive to you business as well as your client’s needs?
From the start, our business arrangement has been more like a highly synergistic partnership vs. a standard financial transaction. We find that the company owner and CEO, (Deb Oxley) is very involved in day-to-day operations and is open to input and suggestions, and has always been available to implement changes or solve problems when the inevitable issues arise, no matter what.
10. What advice do you have for aspiring estheticians?
Take the time to educate yourself about both your and your competitors product ingredients, purity (sourcing) as well as efficacy…inside and out! This knowledge is in great part what your customers are paying you for.. to be the expert so you can advise and guide your clients in the use of proper products, and why inferior products are not worth any so-called ‘savings’.
11. Lastly, is there any beauty or wellness advice that you want to share with our readers?
Proper diet, and don’t smoke! Always drink plenty of water, and use a hydrator prior to applying a treatment mask or serum – you might not see the results instantly but your skin will surely thank you in the long run!
Did you find this interview with Mikkel Stove interesting? Learn more about our products and Wholesale Natural Skin Care on our website PuravedaOrganics.
