One of my favorite skin care discoveries of the year, one that perfected my late winter routine, is a simple emulsion of honey and bakuchiol, the gentle alternative to retinol. The creamy, 20-minute Colleen Rothschild Honey Nectar Radiance Mask delivers instant softness and radiance that lasts for days. With warmer spring climes breaking through week by week, the second favorite addition to my multi-step regimen has also been a simple, yet hyper effective, formulation for maximizing product absorption while delivering hydration and protecting the skin barrier.
In the few weeks since the launch of Colleen Rothschild Prep & Hydrate Milky Essence, the texture of my skin has become noticeably smoother, thus a better primed canvas for sunscreen and makeup application. To round out this year’s list of products that I hunt for as a beauty editor, the Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Eye Serum follows the same modus operandi – expertly curated, sourced, and mixed scientifically-backed actives that yield a results-driven formulation.
Some might find any form of retinol counterintuitive for the delicate under eye area but the benefits of the Vitamin A derivative – smoothing fine lines, laxity and texture – are just as applicable to this challenging area as the rest of the complexion. It combines the trifecta of age-disrupting actives – retinal, Vitamin C, and peptides – in an ultra hydrating, proprietary base to rejuvenate dark hollows. In just two weeks, it has radically improved my under eye area with diminished laxity and brighter appearance.
If it’s a rarity that I find such praiseworthy products in a sometimes oversaturated market, it’s the exception to a rule that all these effective and award-winning products can be found in one line, from one expert beauty product formulator – Colleen Rothschild.
“Skincare should fit into your life, not take it over.”
As a veteran in the beautysphere, with stints in skincare and makeup research and product development, Rothschild prioritizes vetted ingredients and multitasking formulations that work while indulging our desire for self-care as a pleasing, sensory and slightly luxurious experience. Given her extensive background and beauty industry accolades, I was thrilled to chat with Colleen Rothschild about the morning shed and other viral trends, as well as the rubrics of customizing an intentional and functional skin care philosophy.
Q&A with Colleen Rothschild
1. Skin care routines are getting so elaborate, almost comically so, like the morning shed trend. How much time should we realistically spend on skin care on a daily and weekly basis?
Over the decades, I’ve seen skincare routines become more complicated than they need to be, but the most effective routines are still rooted in consistency and intention, not excess. Your skin doesn’t need more steps; it needs the right ones.
On a daily basis, a simple, well-balanced routine… cleanse, treat, and moisturize… can take just a few minutes in the morning and evening. It’s less about the number of steps and more about choosing products that truly support your skin.
I often talk about a “capsule routine,” a curated set of essentials that work together and can flex depending on what your skin needs that day. Your skin isn’t static, it has different moods. Some days it’s dry, other days it may feel more sensitized or congested. Learning to respond to those shifts is far more impactful than following a rigid, multi-step routine. Weekly, you can incorporate a treatment like a mask or gentle exfoliation, but it should feel supportive, not overwhelming. Skincare should fit into your life, not take it over.
2. What was your eureka moment, when you knew deep-down that it was the time in your life, and in the market, to become an entrepreneur?
It wasn’t a single moment, it was really a culmination of decades of hands-on experience. I spent years working behind the scenes in the beauty industry, deeply immersed in formulation, ingredients, product development, as well as the technologies and business practices that bring products to life. Over time, I developed a very clear point of view on what worked, what didn’t, and what would truly resonate with consumers.
I reached a point where I felt ready to create something that fully reflected my philosophy, products that deliver real results without unnecessary complexity. The market was also evolving. Consumers were becoming more educated and discerning, and there was an opportunity to offer something that balanced expertise, performance, and a thoughtful, sensorial experience.
Starting my own brand felt like the natural next step in a long journey, rather than a sudden leap.
3. How do you make sure that you stay tapped into the market in a way that promotes longevity instead of just riding trends?
From the beginning, I’ve been very intentional about not building the brand around trends. Trends can be inspiring, but they’re often fleeting. My focus has always been on creating products rooted in ingredients and technologies that have stood the test of time, supported by real science, as well as my expertise and instinct.
Staying connected to the market, for me, means listening, truly listening, to customers, understanding their evolving needs, and paying attention to how skin behaves in real life. It’s about filtering what’s happening in the industry through a lens of experience and discernment. Not every new ingredient or viral moment needs to be chased. Longevity comes from consistency, trust, and delivering products that people come back to again and again because they work.
4. The CRB brand has won so many awards. Which one are you proud of?
Every award has been meaningful in its own way, especially at different stages of the brand’s growth. Some validated us early on, while others reflect how far we’ve come and how our community has grown.
Recognition like Allure Best of Beauty and NewBeauty Awards has been incredibly special because it speaks to both performance and credibility within the industry. At the same time, features from editors, customer choice awards, and press moments all carry their own significance.
What means the most to me, though, is the continued validation from our customers. Their loyalty, their feedback, and the way they come back to the products again and again is its own kind of award, and ultimately the most meaningful.
5. Do you have formal business training, such as an MBA, or a similar degree in chemistry? Or is your professional background mostly in the beautysphere?
My background is rooted in the beauty industry itself. I didn’t follow a traditional path or go to college, and there wasn’t a set playbook for what I’ve built. My education came from decades of immersion in the industry, working in labs, developing products, and understanding every layer of the business from the inside out.
That kind of hands-on experience shaped how I approach both formulation and entrepreneurship. It taught me to trust my instincts, stay curious, and continuously evolve. I think there’s value in both formal education and real-world experience, but for me, being in it every day has been the most impactful teacher.
6. If someone is really interested in skin care but on a limited budget, which 3 products would you suggest they prioritize in general and from the CRB line?
I truly believe skincare is one of the best investments you can make in yourself, but that doesn’t mean you need a 10-step routine to see results. With a few well-chosen products, you can build a strong foundation for healthy skin you feel confident in.
In general, I would prioritize a multi-tasking cleanser, a gentle exfoliator, a conditioning step to help prepare the skin, and a moisturizer that supports the barrier. Within my collection, I would start with the Radiant Cleansing Balm to thoroughly cleanse without stripping, the Glycolic Peel Pads for gentle exfoliation, the Prep & Hydrate Milky Essence to optimize the skin so everything that follows performs better, and the Moisture Veil Silk Emulsion to deliver deep, lasting hydration while supporting the skin barrier without feeling heavy.
We formulate with thoughtfully sourced, high-quality ingredients, and each product is designed to do more than one job. A streamlined routine, built on minimal effort and maximum results, can still deliver meaningful results. Skincare does not have to be excessive. It should be intentional and earn its place in your routine.
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Previous Q&As in the Female Entrepreneur in the Beautysphere Series:
Read Part 1 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Glow Bar CEO HERE.
Read Part 2 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Uzima CEO HERE.
Read Part 3 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Kinship CEO HERE.
Read Part 4 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Raw Sugar Living CEO HERE.
Read Part 5 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Alchimie Forever CEO HERE.
Read Part 6 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Kindness Powered Skincaee CEO HERE.
Read Part 7 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Iles Formula CEO HERE.
Read Part 8 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Blessed Bananas CEO HERE.
Read Part 9 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Exoceuticals CEO HERE.
Read Part 10 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Nekko CEOs HERE.
Read Part 11 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Made By Dentists CEO HERE.
Read Part 12 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the MrayaBeauty CEO HERE.
Read Part 13 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Sonela Beauty CEO HERE.
Read Part 14 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Brahmi Beauty CEO HERE.
Read Part 15 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Zen Essentials CEO HERE.
Read Part 16 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Kulfi Beauty CEO HERE.
Read Part 17 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Cracked Polish CEO HERE.
