Beauty Boss: Michal Morrison, Founder of Michal Morrison
Michal Morrison.
Our latest Beauty Boss is Michal Morrison, Founder of Michal Morrison—a science-based line of skincare products that are clinically proven and backed by cutting-edge research. After surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury as the result of a car accident in 2016, Morrison’s experience inspired her to build a company dedicated to science, health and the well-being of communities, and she is a passionate advocate for women with disabilities.
After years of frustration from using skincare products that never delivered on their promised results, Morrison decided to combine her passion for science and her entrepreneurial spirit to revolutionize the beauty industry by developing performance-driven skincare with proprietary technology that delivers proven results based on recent advances in science.
She met with industry experts and scientists to learn about the latest developments in stem cell research and skin longevity, which ultimately led her to meet renowned scientist Dr. Fuqiang Ruan, whose decades of research in biochemistry, stem cell science and regenerative medicine served as his inspiration for the development of Michal Morrison’s proprietary and patend-pending intellectual property: the βSTEM6 molecule.
The company’s hero product launch, Genesis βSTEM6TM Molecular Serum, features a proven, proprietary, and patent-pending βSTEM6 molecule, which will exclusively be available in all of her products. Supported by 24 years of research in stem cell science and regenerative medicine, the serum has demonstrated the ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and uneven pigmentation, and helps skin to appear more luminous and radiant after just four weeks of use.
We chatted with Morrison, who shared the inspiration behind the brand, secrets for success, wellness tips, favorite beauty products, and much more.
When was Michal Morrison founded?
I founded the company in 2020 when everyone was in the thick of wearing sweatpants every day and having a margarita by 2 p.m., myself included. When the initial announcements about Covid were made in March of that year, I anticipated we were in for a long ride. It struck me as the right time to put my creativity to use to see what I could build, global crisis notwithstanding. After six months of research and identifying the cosmetic laboratory I wanted to work with, I met Paul Premo, the beauty industry titan who has helped me build the brand from the ground up. Then we were off to the races! We’ve done all of our work remotely through the flexibility of Zoom and it’s worked very well for us.
What inspired the creation of the brand?
I have been an avid skincare consumer since I was 15 and that is due in large part to my mother. She has struggled with skin cancer since her twenties and told me from a very young age to protect my skin. I’m glad I listened to her! As I went through my twenties though, I saw that a lot of brands made promises of results that they didn’t actually deliver on—the branding and marketing would pull me in, but the results weren’t there to keep me coming back. Even after trying a huge number of brands and products, I could really only name three or four that reliably worked for me.
So, I was motivated to create a company that was science based with products that were clinically proven and backed by cutting-edge research. When I met Dr. Michael Kahn, whose 25 years of research in stem cell science laid the groundwork for the intellectual property we are working with—the βSTEM6 molecule—I knew that acquiring the rights to the cosmetic use of βSTEM6 was my opportunity to deliver something truly revolutionary to the industry.
Does your brand have a hero product?
The Genesis βSTEM6 Molecular Serum is the hero product we launched with in December 2022. As a serum, the product was intentionally formulated to be lightweight, non-irritating, compatible and safe for all skin types. Genesis helps restore your skin’s biological potential to counteract the effects of aging. The clinical study we conducted with Dr. Zoe Draelos, one of the country’s leading research dermatologists, confirmed that the serum is effective at addressing hyperpigmentation, dullness, fine lines and wrinkling, and even skin laxity—a sign of aging that has historically been particularly difficult to address.
What are your favorite products from your brand?
Genesis is the first thing I reach for in the morning and a key part of my evening routine before heading to bed. I apply it from my décolletage up to my hairline, the backs of my hands—anywhere I get significant sun exposure. It’s so gentle that I can even apply it to my eye area and eyelids without irritation. It gives me peace of mind knowing I have a simple product with a hardworking ingredient, βSTEM6, that is working on all signs of sun damage while I go about my day (or night).
Where are your products sold?
We are currently sold direct-to-consumer through our website. We are looking to expand into partnerships with key dermatologists, as well in support of our science-first approach to skin health and longevity.
Future plans for the brand?
Our 2024 product pipeline is already giving me a thrill! βSTEM6 is a workhorse ingredient, and I plan on delivering a series of innovative products that are truly functional for the consumer and whose efficacy has been proven by independent clinical trials. Our customers deserve to know that we’ve put time, effort and money into scientifically-proven formulations; when we roll out our new products, we’ll have done studies just like we conducted for Genesis that collect both subjective feedback and objective data on their performance.
We are committed to rigorous, ongoing research and are currently testing different concentrations of βSTEM6, both for skin and other potential cosmetic applications. Our future products may include future generations of the molecule or other proprietary science that serves our goal to advance skin care beyond its current horizon to deliver the very best in longevity care.
Michael Morrison Genesis βSTEM6 Molecular Serum ($175) restores skin’s rejuvenating power with βSTEM6—a new, patent-pending skincare technology proven by stem cell science.
Who inspires you?
The generations of women who have overcome barriers to bring their ideas and talent to life serve as an endless source of inspiration to me. I admire Cindy Eckert for her gutsy approach to getting a revolutionary medication to market to serve the unmet healthcare needs of women. Carla Harris is a groundbreaking leader in the corporate world and a total powerhouse—I learned more about business from her during a 45-minute event than from all the business and entrepreneurship books I had read for years prior. I look to her as an example of the power of authentic leadership as a woman in business and admire her for how she has turned her success into positive social impact.
And in the beauty space I am inspired by Selena Gomez and her team at Rare Beauty. Their passionate efforts to facilitate a stigma-free conversation around mental health, as well as her generous and transparent use of her platform to influence social change, are things that motivate me on days when the daily realities of running a company feel a bit heavier than normal.
Secret to success?
I wholeheartedly reject the idea evangelized by startup culture that worships hustling until you drop. There tends to be a mythology built around founders who sacrifice their well-being to create their success, but I think that’s both dangerous and simply unnecessary. I’ve built success on my own terms: I prioritize my sleep—nothing can tear me away from my night routine—and unapologetically say no to things that I simply don’t have margin for. Having bloodshot eyes shouldn’t be a badge of honor in business—rested founders perform better. Knowing my limits and honoring them instead of bulldozing my way through has served me very well.
I also unabashedly ask for help, and that’s one of the things that is special to me about Austin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem—people here are eager to help you succeed and grow. Dozens of local entrepreneurs offered to talk to me over Zoom to share their experience, insight or advice on everything from fundraising to building a team when I was first getting started, and I’m very grateful for that generosity. I know where my skills are and where they most definitely aren’t, and asking for help and knowing to hire for the gaps in my knowledge has made the process of launching a startup a lot smoother.
It’s important to me as well to prioritize my values. The old way of doing business championed growth at any cost, even if it hurt people or the planet, and said that it’s OK to treat your employees like they are expendable, or that workplace wellness isn’t important. It’s time for something better than that. Infusing the values of kindness, giving back to the community, accessibility to a wide variety of people, and prioritizing sustainable business practices has helped me attract similar-minded investors and team members. That’s how you create a healthy work environment. That’s how you go further, sustainably.
Beauty secrets?
I rely on a couple of basic things, and consistency with a routine you’ll actually look forward to doing is key. I apply SPF like it’s my job—you’ll save yourself so much time, energy and money down the line. It takes a lot more effort to try to fix damage than to prevent it. I am a diehard fan of Supergoop sunscreens, and I layer SPF by starting with a base of a great moisturizer with sunscreen then putting SPF-infused cosmetic products on top. Colorscience has some beautiful options.
I work hard as well to treat my body like my face, and use retinol wherever my skin will tolerate it. Several times a year I do a chemical peel to help with my melasma and to keep collagen production amped up. I’ve found VI Peels to be the most helpful with radiance and texture issues, but if you have sensitive skin like I do, it’s best to speak with a dermatologist first about what kinds of peels or other treatments would work best for your skin.
And finally, diet culture is a total lie. Eat well and enjoy great food! Hunger is a sign your body needs energy, and food is not the enemy. Prioritize listening to your body and not giving a moment’s notice to what some faceless man on the internet says. For me, beauty begins with being at ease with oneself, and reveling in an amazing meal is a sure way to feel happier, and by extension, beautiful.
Wellness tips?
I had to redefine what wellness meant to me after surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2016. All of a sudden, I couldn’t do the kinds of activities I could do before and I struggled with accepting my limitations. The “wake up at 5, attend an intense workout class before dawn, prepare a green juice, journal, stretch, meditate and meal prep before your entire family wakes up” routine is totally unrealistic for me, as it is for many others with chronic illnesses or disabilities. So I decided that what health and wellness looks like to other people didn’t have to apply to me. I’m never going to be the CrossFit girl (although if that’s you, more power to you!) and I’ve come to embrace slower, physically calming forms of movement. I enjoy walks in the park with my dog, Pilates and Tai Chi, which has been shown to support cognitive health by increasing neuroplasticity.
In short, resist that tantalizing urge to compare yourself to others, and work with what you’ve got. Because wellness can look like having abs, and it can also look like letting yourself take a nap because you got through that difficult doctor’s appointment. Be kind to yourself.
I also wholeheartedly believe that you can’t separate mental wellness from physical wellness. We can’t treat our body well and neglect our mind and expect to be in optimal health. I have been a proponent of therapy for a long time, and am grateful to have the resources to go regularly. Reading “The Body Keeps the Score” and “The Wisdom of Your Body” convinced me of the need to take my mind seriously.
Best advice?
If something feels off about a person, opportunity, conversation or event, there is a reason. Your body is a reliable source of information about the world, so, believe yourself. When I started listening to how I felt, I started making better decisions, faster. Also, consume new information in a way that feels fun and not burdensome for you. I enjoy reading, but others prefer podcasts or listening to Ted Talks. The modality doesn’t matter—just engage your mind.
How do you like to relax?
I finally have this down to a science for myself, and it’s all about bringing down the level of sensory processing to reach a good level of calm. I find such magic in a warm bath in a candle-lit room. I take some magnesium to help me wind down from the day and get myself into a restful headspace, toss in a bag of epsom salts, turn on some rain sounds, then do a meditation while I soak to consciously encourage my muscles to let go from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I’ve invested in a few cozy robes that I love, because if lounging was an Olympic sport, I’d win the gold. The goal is to feel practically limp by the time I wrap myself up in a robe and settle into bed with a great book. That way rest becomes a process I ease into and welcome. Let yourself embrace that to rest is human-it’s the source from which all of our energy and heart flows.
For more information, visit Michal Morrison’s website and follow on Instagram: @michalmorrisonskincare
[Images courtesy of Michal Morrison]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk