Malaya Organics is committed to creating a 100% natural beauty line using only the highest quality, organic, wildcrafted, biodynamic, and ethically sourced ingredients.

Handcrafted in small batches, the unique formulas are filled with phytonutrient-dense whole-plant extracts that are infused in-house to ensure ultimate potency. These restorative blends are intricately multilayered and brimming with nourishing plant oils & essences known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and elasticity boosting properties.

Chatting with Katya Slepak, founder of Malaya Organics

Why Clean Beauty?

Clean beauty is a lifestyle for me, it’s not just a preference. I’m somewhat of a purist when it comes to cosmetics, as well as food. I generally gravitate towards 100% natural and organic.

My skin responds better to cosmetics that are free of synthetic ingredients. Clean/green beauty products generally perform better for me. My skin is my indicator. When I try conventional cosmetic products my skin generally doesn’t respond well.

I also think that the slew of synthetic ingredients in conventional cosmetics are not necessary. Many synthetic ingredients in cosmetics are mostly used because they are cheaper, easier to work with and easily accessible; a lot of corner cutting. There are many “safe” synthetic, high performance ingredients on the market however, and I have nothing against these. I just don’t tend to use these in my daily skincare regimen. I generally prefer to avoid overexposure to synthetic ingredients wherever it’s easiest for me to do so – cosmetics, fragrances, foods, cleaning supplies, etc.

I choose what feels good to me. I never push my preferences on anybody, I can only recommend or suggest better options for our bodies and our environment.

Your self care ritual: an indulgent weekly event or finding moments whenever you can get them?

For me it’s mostly finding moments wherever I can get them. Some weeks these are far and few since I’m running a business and I’m a full time mom at the moment (my daughter is about to turn 2). Working, taking care of my daughter, cooking, house chores, takes up most of my day, I barely sleep. But I somehow manage to create time for myself.

My favorite and most restorative self-care ritual is sitting down for a meditation. Over many years of meditation practices, I have managed to find the one that works wonders for me. It is a true gift. These days it’s not daily, but I’m working up to making this my daily practice again. It’s all about discipline.

Other faves are self-care beauty rituals – masking, exfoliating, mani, pedi, a bath, reading a book. I feel so refreshed when I take the time to take care of my body and mind in this way.

Your deserted island product

Ooh this is a tough one. I want to say our Rejuvenating Face Serum because my skin feels totally restored and balanced with this product, it’s my absolute daily must have. But the smarter choice would probably be one of our Moisturizing Body Oils because I could use it all over – body, face and hair. Since I get one product only, in this deserted island situation I would need a total body product. I will definitely be missing our face serum though, ouch.

I feel most beautiful when…

When I am well rested, when my mind and heart are in a state of calm and peace. I feel most beautiful when I am full of joy and laughter. I feel most beautiful when I have been caring well for and nourishing my body internally and externally. I feel most beautiful when I take the time to take care of and pamper myself. I feel most beautiful when I am not judging myself and when I experience self love and appreciation. I feel most beautiful when I feel love.

What’s the #1 piece of advice you would you tell your past self just getting started?

Work smarter not harder. Find the right people to help you develop different aspects of your business early on. Know your strengths and weaknesses, do not try to take on everything, which most small business owners do, they wear too many hats in their business. It’s exhausting! It’s tough not to because money is usually an issue, especially in the beginning so outsourcing is challenging. But there are ways to do it that won’t cost a fortune and I think I would have saved a lot of time, money, effort and stress if I had started outsourcing sooner.

Also another important piece of advice, always keep balance between work and personal life, both are equally important. Before I had my daughter I worked pretty much 7 days a week for years, it’s not healthy for the mind or the body.

 What’s next?There are many in the pipeline but the ones closest to release are in the category of moisturizers, serums and cleansers. That’s all I can say because I don’t want to completely ruin the surprise 🙂 I have been tweaking a few new formulas over and over to get them just right and I am so close. Can’t wait to share these beauties with you!