As wonderful as life in big cities can be, the combination of stress, air pollution, and water quality can really take a toll on your skin. This realization led to the creation of Moussse, the minimalist skincare brand founded by Hélène Chammas and Daniel Guttmann. Four products support the skin barrier in every situation, whether in a hectic metropolis or on vacation in the mountains. The brand originated in Geneva, and production still takes place in Switzerland, though the duo has since expanded into the US and France. We wanted to know more: about skincare trends, what it’s like to build a brand as a couple, and how to resist the pressure to chase eternal youth. Hélène and Daniel answered all our questions.
FACES: Moussse is all about protecting skin in stressful environments, especially in big cities. How and when did you realize that the environment you live in affects your skin?
Hélène Chammas: I grew up in Geneva and then lived in bigger cities for years. I noticed how differently my skin behaved depending on where I lived. In cities like Paris, London, or New York, my skin felt more reactive, drier, dull, and congested. After talking to dermatologists and biochemists in Switzerland—where my skin felt best—I realized that the urban environment was the cause of my skin issues: pollution, UV radiation, air quality, water quality, as well as the urban lifestyle itself—stress, lack of sleep, and constantly being on the go.
F: When you were struggling with skin issues, was there one particular thing that helped, or more of a whole routine and lifestyle change that brought your skin back into balance?
HC: It was definitely a combination of both. There’s no single miracle fix—it was more about repairing the skin barrier, maintaining simple routines, and paying attention to lifestyle. Cutting back on foods that triggered inflammation for me also helped. I used to get heartburn often when I ate fried food, red meat, or really anything too late in the evening. That would cause an immediate reaction on my skin the next day, so now I try to avoid those things. Good sleep, a healthy diet, low stress, and consistency always make a huge difference.
F: How did you and Daniel meet? And when did you realize you wanted to start Moussse together?
HC: We met in New York through a mutual friend, when we were both living there. We clicked right away, the night we met. We’ve now been together for twelve years and got married in Paris four years ago. The idea for Moussse came about quite organically—Daniel saw the skin issues I was struggling with and how much they were weighing on me emotionally. Since he knew a lot about skincare through his professional background, he was always looking for ways to help me. But there was no solution on the market. At some point, we realized that by combining his expertise with my experience, we could develop that solution ourselves.
F: What’s your professional background, and how has it helped you build a skincare brand?
Daniel Guttmann: We have very complementary backgrounds, which turned out to be a real strength in building the brand. Hélène studied political science and got her master’s in communications at Columbia University. She’s always been more on the brand, PR, and storytelling side—she’s shaped Moussse’s voice, built the community, and created an emotional connection with our audience. I worked as a beauty buyer at Net-a-Porter and later became CEO at Dr. Barbara Sturm. So I bring a more strategic, operational perspective, paired with solid experience in skincare. I focus on the business side—from finance and operations to long-term growth and structure. That balance has been key for us.
“It’s exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding, to build something together.”
F: How does a relationship change when you suddenly become business partners?
HC: Starting a company together was always our dream. We’ve always loved talking about our jobs and supporting each other in advancing our careers. Building Moussse has made our relationship even deeper. You learn to communicate very clearly and to trust in each other’s strengths. It’s exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding, to build something together.
F: When disagreements do come up, how do you resolve them?
HC: We challenge each other, but we always come back to what’s best for the brand. We both trust each other’s judgment, so we simply listen to what the other has to say and figure out what makes more sense.
F: How did you come up with the name Moussse?
HC: We wanted something soft, sensual, and memorable. Also something that represents the city of Geneva, where we built the brand. “Mousse,” meaning “foam,” stands for so many things we encounter there—a bubble bath, the foam the lake forms when the water hits the shore, or mousse au chocolat enjoyed at a restaurant.
F: What sets Moussse apart from others in an already fairly saturated market?
HC: We focus on one very specific problem: protecting skin in modern, urban environments. Combined with Swiss biotechnology, highly effective formulas, and a strong aesthetic identity, that creates a positioning all our own.
F: Speaking of a saturated market and overconsumption, how do you approach sustainability?
HC: We take a very mindful approach: lean processes, high efficiency, built for long-term use. Sustainability is also reflected in our decisions at every level. We use aluminum tubes and prioritize biotech-based ingredients, which are generally more sustainable and resource-efficient than conventional alternatives. We’re also part of “1% for the Planet,” meaning we donate a portion of our revenue to environmental projects. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making thoughtful decisions that move us in the right direction.
“We focus on skin health, not age. Healthy skin simply looks better, naturally.”
F: Is there an often-overlooked sustainability detail in skincare that you think deserves more attention?
HC: Overlayering—applying too many layers of product—is rarely discussed in the context of sustainability. Using too many products can not only stress the skin, but also leads to unnecessary consumption and waste.
F: How long did it take from idea to finished product, and what unexpected obstacles did you have to overcome along the way?
DG: About 24 to 36 months. One of the biggest challenges was achieving high efficacy while keeping the formulas gentle enough for sensitive skin. A large part of that time also went into perfecting the textures. We wanted something that feels unique and enjoyable to use, not just effective—that required a lot of trial and error. We started with extensive testing on Hélène’s skin, and it took a while to achieve real, visible results while still keeping that gentleness. From there, we expanded testing to friends and family, and once everything was confirmed, we moved on to clinical trials.
F: What about the beauty industry surprised you most, something you didn’t know beforehand?
HC: We already knew how trend-driven the industry can be, but it only really hit home once we became part of it ourselves. We were surprised by how much the focus is on what’s “new” or trending—a buzzy ingredient, a viral texture, or the latest routine—rather than on what’s actually important and effective for skin in the long run.
F: MoussseShield™ plays a central role in your formulas. What exactly is it, and how did you develop it?
DG: We developed MoussseShield™ in close collaboration with Swiss biotech labs, with one clear goal in mind: to understand how modern environmental factors—pollution, UV radiation, stress, lack of sleep, and so on—affect the skin barrier, and what it actually needs to stay resilient. We spent a lot of time talking to experts and researchers to identify the most effective and complementary ingredients. The result is a proprietary, barrier-repairing complex that combines prebiotics to nourish and support a healthy skin microbiome, antioxidants to neutralize free radicals caused by pollution and environmental stress, and soothing agents to calm irritation and strengthen the skin barrier. MoussseShield™ is now at the heart of all our formulas, acting like a daily “shield” that keeps skin healthy, balanced, and more resilient over time.
F: Hélène, you’ve already mentioned that pollutants and the stresses of everyday city life noticeably affect the skin. Was there a particular city where you noticed this effect more strongly than elsewhere?
HC: Paris and London stood out especially, particularly in winter. The combination of pollution, weather, and lifestyle really showed on my skin.
F: If someone uses Moussse in a calm, non-urban environment, does the product behave differently on the skin?
HC: It works on the skin the same way, but the role it plays can feel a bit different. Even outside of urban environments, skin is constantly exposed to stressors—UV radiation, temperature changes, wind, water quality, hormones, lifestyle, and more. So the need to protect and support the skin barrier doesn’t go away, it just comes from different sources. In that sense, Moussse isn’t just about “protecting” skin from pollution—it’s about keeping skin balanced, resilient, and healthy overall. In a calmer environment, it becomes more of a maintenance and prevention tool rather than a corrective one.
“Moussse is about keeping skin balanced, resilient, and healthy overall.”
F: Is there a skincare mistake you might have made in the past that you’d never make again today?
HC: Cleansing twice a day. Cleansing in the morning really isn’t necessary and can even weaken the skin barrier, since it strips away natural skin oils. We just rinse our skin with water and a washcloth to create a clean base for our morning routine.
F: Are there other common skincare myths you’d like to debunk?
DG: That more products mean better results. Often, less is more. And that over-exfoliating helps clear the skin. Exfoliation doesn’t need to be done every day, and it’s important to use gentle exfoliating products.
F: What makes skin healthy and radiant, aside from good skincare?
DG: Skin reflects everything, so that’s a tricky question. For us, the essential factors are good sleep, adequate hydration, and overall lifestyle—daily exercise, stress reduction (even when that’s hard), and high-quality nutrition. When it comes to food, we mainly try to eat a varied, healthy diet and avoid processed foods. We’re foodies and love good food. For us, it’s more about quality ingredients and where they come from than about avoiding sugar completely, even though we know it’s inflammatory. Hélène’s mother’s cakes are far too good to give up entirely.
F: You take a minimalist approach and currently have only four products in your range. How much do you plan to expand in the future?
DG: We want to keep offering a curated range. A handful of highly effective basics—ones we’d both use every day—rather than a huge selection.
F: You’re on a rapid expansion course, having launched in both Paris and the US this year. Do you notice strong differences between these markets, in terms of marketing as well as customer needs and preferences?
HC: Yes, definitely. French customers want to try things out, experience them, touch them. They tend to be more conservative in their buying habits—waiting until they’ve used up all their open products before buying something new—and they ask friends and acquaintances for their opinion on a product before purchasing. US customers tend to be more knowledge-driven, knowing more about ingredients and skincare in general. They also have access to far more brands, so competition is greater. But they’re drawn to novelty and will try new things if they’re trending or well-reviewed. They also shop online more than Europeans do.
F: How closely is Moussse tied to Switzerland? Is there something about the products that makes them distinctly Swiss, in your view, or do you see yourselves more as an international company?
DG: Switzerland plays a central role. All our formulas are developed here. Hélène’s skin has always felt best in Switzerland, which is why we decided to base our brand here. Also because we consider the country unmatched when it comes to quality, precision, and formulation. It’s also where Hélène grew up, so it holds a special place in her heart, even though she’s originally from France and Syria. This is our home base now, and we love it. That said, given our international backgrounds, having lived in different cities, and our ambitions, we see ourselves as an international brand.
“Hydrate your skin and protect its barrier function—it’s your first line of defense.”
F: Moussse has a strong, creative visual identity. What message do you want to convey with it?
HC: A sense of calm, efficiency, and modernity. We want skincare to feel like a little escape from the beautiful chaos of city life.
F: Is there a claim or promise you deliberately avoid making as a brand, even if it would boost sales?
DG: We avoid unrealistic promises—like claiming to “completely eliminate wrinkles or dark spots.”
F: Is there pressure, as a skincare brand, to promise eternal youth? How do you resist that narrative?
HC: That pressure exists, but we focus on skin health, not age. Healthy skin simply looks better, naturally.
F: The topic of the skin barrier is everywhere right now. What do you think will be the next big thing in skincare?
HC: Probably environmental protection and longevity-focused skincare.
F: If you could give one skincare tip specifically for people living in big cities, what would it be?
HC: Hydrate your skin and protect its barrier function—it’s your first line of defense. And don’t forget to use sunscreen.
F: Which brand or person would you like to collaborate with in the future—whether from the beauty or fashion industry, or a completely different field?
HC: We’re drawn to brands and people with a strong creative identity—On Running for its Swiss engineering, or Rick Owens for his bold, boundary-pushing aesthetic. For us, the most interesting collaborations are the ones that are culturally relevant and meaningful.
MOUSSSE
Nobody needs a 12-step skincare routine. Hélène Chammas and Daniel Guttmann founded Moussse to soothe stressed skin with minimalist, high-quality products. The Swiss label currently offers four products that already cover almost everything skin needs: the Hydration Dream Peptide Serum, the Purifying Cleanser for evening cleansing, the Moisture Rush Cream, a lightweight moisturizer, and the Miracle Drops, a gentle overnight peeling.
MoussseShield™, a proprietary barrier-repairing complex, is found in all products. moussse.com
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Photos: © Moussse
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