Dissatisfied with the products on offer to calm their troubled
complexions, beauty buyer Matthew Malin and marketing director
Andrew Goetz created their own line of simple, natural and gentle
treatments to suit the most sensitive of skins.
Their family-run apothecary space in Manhattan's
Chelsea district now offers countless effortless, irritant-free
skin and hair collections - and thankfully Space NK has
made it available to us Brits.
What's the founding philosophy of your
brand?
AG: Our goal was to create a modern brand that fuses natural
ingredients and modern science; creating products that are
exceptionally efficacious and particularly great for those with
sensitive skin.
MM: MALIN+GOETZ makes skincare easy, starting with sensitive
skin. It is a unisex or modern interpretation of the
traditional apothecaries.
What or who inspires you?
AG: While many things inspire me, I'm particularly inspired by
great design; Dieter Rams in particular. And I'm always
inspired by travel and having new experiences.
MM: Successful family run businesses were inspirational to our
idea to begin M+G. We both love the simplicity of modern
design - less is more - and great design. This includes
classic industrial design from the Eames and contemporary fashion
design from Comme des Garcons.
How do you conceive your products - what's your initial
process?
MM: We start with the traditional, tried, true and trusted
natural ingredients and formulas that our grandparents used from
their neighbourhood apothecary or pharmacist. We consider
only what is necessary and avoid over-marketing simply to create
products and force a sale (and skin irritation). We keep it
simple, effective and luxurious.
AG: We create products that we personally actually want.
So we are not driven by fads or trends, but rather by
necessity. It's always important that our products are
formulated for those with sensitive skin. Ultimately, we make
things that we like - and fortunately, it seems many people
agree.
What's been your proudest moment in your
career?
MM: Launching (MALIN+GOETZ) seven years ago.
AG: There have been many milestones over the last year. I
don't think one trumps another - they are just extra chevrons
representing a particular success. Opening our stores was certainly
one. We are proud of all our accomplishments.
Which one product could you not be
without?
MM: Grapefruit Face Cleanser. It is the foundation of all
good skin.
AG: This is what I call a Sophie's Choice question. I
honestly can't narrow it down to one. But I'll give you my
top 5 (in no particular order). Vitamin E Face Moisturizer, Detox
Face Mask, Grapefruit Face Cleanser, Replenishing Face Serum,
Eucalyptus Deodorant…and Peppermint Shampoo; I guess that's 6.
Which part of the creative process is your
favourite?
AG: I personally love the entire process. Testing,
designing and packaging. It's all a blast for me.
MM: Product Development is a lot of fun, and this includes
packaging design. All graphic and store design is a lot of
fun as well.
Which other beauty product do you wish you'd
created?
AG: While there are lots of wonderful products on the market, I
can't think of anything that I wish we'd created - probably because
we've already created it.
MM: Chanel No 5 is quite a winner.
Who makes up your own beauty entourage?
AG: I'm pretty low maintenance - so I don't have much of an
entourage. But I'd love to add a masseuse!
MM: We don't currently have a specific aesthetician we frequent,
but, love a great facial (especially when Shiatsu facial massage is
involved with (MALIN+GOETZ) products). I have had a couple of
great facials at Bluebird in London. We like both Mike and
Sammy at Freeman's Barbershop in Manhattan. They are awesome
stylists. We sell our products to Spa Esprit and Strip in
Singapore (they have two locations in London called The Ministry of
Waxing), and, while we are not often in Singapore, I really look
forward to the massage therapist on staff there. Never felt
better in my life!
What have you got coming up? I.e. new launches, new
openings, new products?
AG: There is always something new going on here. We have
an awesome new intensive face moisturizer that just came out;
Replenishing Face Cream. Lots more, but I tend not to kiss
and tell.
MM: Our newest launch at Liberty in London and Barneys New York
in the US is our Replenishing Face Cream. It is an intensive
cream for when you need more-night time repair, dry skin, age
concerns, change of weather. It is awesome.
What is your own personal bugbear when it comes to your
skin?
AG: My personal bugbear is actually bugs. For some reason
Mosquitos love me. My skin is like a magnet for them. Other
than that, my skin is pretty resilient.
MM: I just Googled bugbear… I suffer from rosacea, eczema,
seborrhoea and fragrance allergies-hence our brand's direction for
sensitive skin. I see a dermatologist regularly.
Everything is my bugbear. Redness and hydration are my daily
concerns and recommendation our Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (with
SPF 15 if needed) for clarity and daily hydration.
Text: Grace Timothy
