If you’ve ever looked at someone and thought, “Wait, bakit parang may sarili siyang ring light?”—chances are you were looking at someone like Charlotte Winter.
At just 23, she’s a model, influencer, and now a budding entrepreneur with her own skincare brand, Skintessential.
But this isn’t just another celebrity vanity project. Charlotte literally flew to Thailand and spent three months uncovering why Thai locals seemed to glow like they were born with built-in beauty filters. Her discovery? A common ingredient behind their radiant complexions, which she brought home and turned into the core of her new line.
“I’ve experienced what it’s like to feel insecure about my skin, and I know many girls go through the same thing,” Charlotte told LionhearTV. “When I discovered the skincare secrets in Thailand that worked for me, I knew I had to share it. As for the courage, nanggaling siya sa desire to help others feel beautiful in their own skin. Hindi madali, pero kapag alam mong may purpose ka, dumadating din talaga yung tapang.”
Launching a new brand in a crowded beauty market is no easy feat. Charlotte admitted the hardest part is balancing her business with her ongoing modeling and influencing career.
“Of course, aside from investing time and money, I’m aware na very competitive and saturated ang skincare market. Mahirap makapenetrate, but knowing that didn’t stop me because I genuinely want to share the skincare secrets I discovered in Thailand with my fellow Filipinas,” she said.
“One of the biggest challenges is juggling this with my career. Modelling and influencing are still my main jobs, pero dahil dream ko talaga ang Skintessential, may times na I intentionally don’t accept collaborations para makapag-focus ako sa business.”
Charlotte credits her success so far to mentors she calls her “private friends.” “I’m really lucky to have a few private friends, yes hindi sila sikat, pero they’re very successful businessmen and businesswomen. They’ve been mentoring me and encouraging me to pursue this path seriously. They’ve been instrumental sa journey ko as an entrepreneur.”
The brand launches with three essentials: a Tinted Sunscreen, Bleaching Cream, and Whitening Lotion—formulated with Charlotte’s Thai-discovered secret ingredient.
“Skintessential is made for all skin types, like yan talaga ang goal ko. I want our products to be inclusive and versatile. Yes, I focus more on women, but even men can use our products, especially those who want a brighter, clearer complexion,” Charlotte explained.
She assured that safety is a top priority: “Our products are FDA-approved, and we use a special ingredient formulated in Thailand. Sa totoo lang, noong andun ako, every time nakakakita ako ng super puting Thai, tinatanong ko talaga sila personally kung anong skincare gamit nila. Eventually, I discovered a common ingredient sa halos lahat ng sagot nila and that became a key component ng Skintessential. I made sure to research and consult experts before applying it to our formulas.”
For Charlotte, skincare is not just about beauty, but about self-love. “You’re Essential—and so is Your Skin,” she emphasized. “I believe that loving yourself means taking care of yourself, inside and out. And skincare is a form of self-love. If you truly value yourself, you’ll never feel guilty for investing in your glow.”
And while collaborations with influencers and celebrities are not yet the focus, she confirmed it’s part of the long-term plan. “Yes, I definitely believe in the power of influencers and celebrities to represent my brand. They can help communicate the values behind our products, and show real results. Darating tayo d’yan soon. I’m just taking it one step at a time to make sure everything is aligned with our brand vision.”
Unlike some who turn to gluta drips or quick fixes, Charlotte believes in discipline and consistency. “It’s not magic, it’s discipline,” she said with confidence, her own glowing skin serving as proof.
Skintessential officially launches on September 1, just in time for the 9.9 Double Digit Sale where fans can score up to 30% off via Shopee and TikTok Shop.
For Charlotte, the message is clear: glowing skin should be simple, essential, and accessible. “If your dream is to walk out the door glowing like you have a built-in filter,” she said, “maybe it’s time to add Skintessential to your skincare routine.”
