CHERUBINA & FRIENDS | Today we talk with Estefanía Ferrer

In this new chapter of Cherubina&Friends, we have the pleasure of introducing Estefanía Ferrer, the entrepreneur behind LICO Cosmetics (@lico_cosmetics) . Since our first meeting, we've never stopped admiring the passion and innovative spirit that Estefanía brings to the world of cosmetics. A fighter and visionary, she has managed to revolutionize the industry with her unique approach. We hope her story inspires you as much as it has us.

Estefanía Ferrer is a chemical engineer and leads a Seville-based company that takes cosmetic engineering to the next level. LICO Cosmetics is a dream realized with the discipline and perseverance of a Granada native who worked for more than ten years at Airbus DS. Passionate about cosmetics from a scientific perspective, she launched herself into creating the perfect product that she couldn't find on the market. What began as a hobby is now a four-year-old digital brand that is constantly growing. Estefanía is a tireless traveler, and in each LICO essence, she establishes the best synergies between cosmetic engineering and nature. "The engineering of details," she calls it. LICOLOVERS—and anyone who tries LICO—asserts that it was "love at first bottle."

What inspired you to create LICO Cosmetics and what was the main reason behind its founding?

It's funny, but LICO was born from a hobby . I'm part of the engineering world—specifically, I'm a chemical engineer—and I'm also passionate about cosmetics. I admit it's not so much for self-care, but for their formulation and reaction with the skin. Engineering stuff, I guess. Seeing the results after all the work behind it is a great reward for my work.

Was there a specific moment or experience that triggered your decision to begin this entrepreneurial venture?

Lockdown. I was working at Airbus, and when the pandemic hit, they sent me home. Three months locked up are a long time... As I mentioned, cosmetics is my favorite hobby, and I started doing some research. There are two very obvious trends in the current market: "very natural" cosmetics, which in my opinion doesn't exist, since any natural ingredient requires a chemical process to adapt it to a cosmetic product and isn't effective for treating problems like dark spots, bags, or firmness. The other trend is "very laboratory-based" brands, with quite interesting active ingredients, but which sometimes include substances that, honestly, I didn't want to put on my skin.

Basically, I realized I couldn't find my ideal product and decided to create it. I got to work, and through word of mouth, we got to where we are today.

This question can't be left out. Estefanía, what is LICO Cosmetics? How are you different from other brands?

LICO stands for Cosmetic Engineering Laboratory. We believe that engineering transforms scientific knowledge into results. To formulate the perfect treatment, we first analyze the skin's needs we want to satisfy. We are defined by rigor, seriousness, research, and innovation, combining the most effective cosmetic engineering active ingredients with the finest natural raw materials. In this spirit, we research and travel tirelessly to locate the most effective natural active ingredients on the planet. From the heart of Africa to the depths of the Icelandic seas, our essences are a journey to be discovered.

But our "engineering of the small details" is what really makes the difference. Everything we do, from the formulas to the shipping, is filled with a high concentration of care. We want our LICOLOVERS to feel "love at first bottle." And that's the most important thing.

At LICO, how do you develop new ideas for cosmetic products and what is the process behind creating a new product line?

We're very close to our customers, the LICOLOVERS. In fact, closer than you might think, considering we're a digital brand. We listen carefully to their concerns and offer suggestions to address their skincare needs.

Pursuing this goal, we've developed more than ten skincare treatments, some twenty products, many of which have won awards and accolades. African Essence improves radiance, Amazonian Essence firmness (our anti-aging treatment par excellence), Japanese Essence has a highly effective anti-blemish formula, and Icelandic Essence is our eye contour product, a best-seller for the brand. Not to mention Rosetta Essence, for skin with rosacea, Reunion Essence, our SPF 50 sunscreen, and Polynesian Essence cleansers. We have a firming body line, Mediterranean Body Essence, with a specific product to improve varicose veins and an exquisite dry-feel body oil. I'm only missing Oceanian Essence - Fill Roll On -, which fills the nasolabial fold; Balinese Essence, with a specific serum for the intimate area; and Nepalese Essence, a mist that shields against pollution and blue light.

As you can see, we continue to work and innovate to launch new essences. The most recent is Borneo Essence, dedicated to the long-forgotten part of beauty routines: the neck (with a firming product and another to reduce double chin). And I can't say much more, but we'll soon be announcing a line that will revolutionize the market as we know it...

What role do sustainability and ethics play in LICO Cosmetics' philosophy and production?

We can affirm that all our formulas are respectful of the skin and the planet. We can't imagine skincare without this approach; it's an essential part of developing our treatments.

Our R&D team ensures that all ingredients are high-quality and gentle on the skin and the planet. We also use glass in our product packaging, which is more easily recyclable and beneficial for preserving its properties.

What have been the biggest challenges you've faced while running this company, and what do you consider to be your greatest achievements so far?

My greatest achievement is that our community continues to grow. More and more LICOLOVERS are placing their trust in us, and we deeply appreciate their loyalty to the brand. They feel part of this great little family and are truly the driving force behind us.

And of course, the LICO team, all the people who feel this project is their own. I'm talking about commitment and human quality. Thanks to that, we've managed to create a space for a beloved and respected cosmetics brand in Seville.

The main challenges for the R&D team include launching a product that visibly improves droopy eyelids, fills in nasolabial folds, or firms the chest and arms. These challenges often require significant effort for projects to be successful.

Were there any specific challenges that, once overcome, marked a turning point for you and your company?

I'm reminded of the moment I joined Lanzadera, the business incubator project run by Juan Roig, president of Mercadona. It was a turning point in my professional development, but also on a personal level. For nearly two years, I lived between Valencia and Seville, and well, I was already married, haha. That change of address required a huge physical and mental effort for me.

Where do you see LICO Cosmetics in the next five to ten years, and what are your long-term goals for the brand?

Without a doubt, I see LICO as one of the most beloved and respected cosmetic brands in the world. We combine engineering and natural ingredients in every formula. We would like to bring cosmetic engineering to as many LICOLOVERS as possible.

How do you think current trends in the beauty industry are influencing the direction of LICO Cosmetics, and how are you adapting to these changes?

The reality is that we don't look to other people's watches. Trends and competition don't define our horizon; our focus is on listening to, understanding, and meeting the needs of LICOLOVERS.

Are there any emerging trends that you think will have a significant impact on the future of the industry?

I believe that consumers are increasingly informed and educated, so brands' commitment to restricted substances is greater. This is the case with chemical filters suspected of being hormone disruptors, such as avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, etc. For example, our R&D team has managed to eliminate them from an SPF 50, instead incorporating new-generation organic filters and a major innovation: a biological filter in our Calm Sun Repair and Fresh Sun Repair sunscreens.

At LICO, we abide by REACH, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation, and the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), both of which apply to the European Union. I assure you that no brand can say whether a substance is toxic or not, as there are reputable organizations in Europe that already handle this. Anything these two organizations and committees restrict or prohibit is not used at LICO, as is the case with salicylic acid.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs considering launching their own brand?

The first step is to identify a problem or need that remains unmet among a critical mass of customers. Many entrepreneurs launch products without first testing them with real people. There's no one better than the founder to keep a pulse on their company through the customer. The most important thing is to maintain this focus throughout the process.

Was there any advice you received early in your career that proved particularly helpful?

At Lanzadera, Juan Roig's project, I set out to speak with all the founders or CEOs who were immersed in their second, third, or even tenth project. I wanted to understand why they had failed those first times, to learn with humility, accepting that it could happen to me too. It helped me put common patterns into perspective, and from there I understood what not to do. Although that doesn't guarantee anything, because doubts often arise along the way.

Thank you, Estefanía, for taking the time to share your experiences and inspiring us with your incredible journey in the world of cosmetics. And to all of you, thank you for joining us for this new chapter of Cherubina & Friends. We're excited to continue sharing more stories of entrepreneurial women who inspire us to explore, learn, and grow together. See you next time!