Scarlett Johansson on The Outset, Her Skin-Care Brand
Scarlett Johansson's Skin-Care Brand, The Outset, Is More Than a Celebrity Label
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Scarlett Johansson worked on The Outset, her new skin-care brand, for five years before it officially launched, so if you think this is just another celebrity-endorsement, then you might want to think again. Released in the US in March, it came to the UK in June offering skin-care essentials with a focus on hydration and fortifying the skin barrier. And it's been a labour of love for the A-list actor.
"I had a pain point and was looking for a solution," she tells POPSUGAR of the beginnings of the brand. "I struggled with acne forever. When I was in my teens, the big story was how to wash away grime because that caused acne. And so a lot of the products that I was using and prescribed were products that stripped away, dried out, products that were very stringent. I was terrified to use anything, any kind of oil on it, because I was just convinced it was going to give me cystic acne. And it was a real battle."
After becoming frustrated with her breakouts and wearing concealer to cover up, Johansson tried a more gentle moisturising routine and found her skin started to heal itself. And so, her quest to create products that provide others with a simple, hydrating, consistent skin-care routine began.
To be clear, Johansson isn't a new face in the beauty industry — on the contrary, she's been "fortunate enough," as she puts it, to work with quite a few luxury brands as an ambassador over the years. But she wanted something more. Although, even Johansson — Black Widow herself — didn't think that dream could become a reality at first: "[I] met with a lot of the big houses that were building brands for other celebrities, and then just kept coming back to the principle that I really wanted to do my own thing."
Then she met Kate Foster Lengyel, her now co-founder, and magic started to happen. Johansson wanted to create a brand that is simple and effective. "I wanted the products to be used by as many people as possible. That was really important to me," she says.
The Outset's signature ingredient is a plant-based alternative to hyaluronic acid. And she wants to put the simplicity back into skin-care. "Whenever my skin is breaking out, I have always returned to this three-step process of cleansing, and priming, and moisturising," she says. That's what inspired the three hero launches: a gentle cleanser, firming collagen serum, and a daily moisturiser.
Ahead, learn more about each of the 8 skin-care products and why Johansson loves them.
— Additional reporting by Jessica Harrington
The Outset Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser
Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser (£27)
This cleanser cleans the skin of dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping it of essential moisture.
The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum
Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum (£38)
This is a firming serum that includes vegan collagen to plump and hydrate the skin. It's designed to be used both morning and night and prepares the skin for your moisturiser – and it's Johansson's favourite product. "My skin is completely addicted to our serum," she says. "My face doesn't look the same when I don't use it!"
The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturiser
Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturiser (£37)
This is a simple face cream that hydrates with squalane oil from olives, while also helping calm irritated skin.
The Restorative Niacinamide Night Cream
Restorative Niacinamide Night Cream (£45)
This features the skin-care powerhouse niacinamide, which brightens, evens tone, and reduces the appearance of blemishes. "We went back and forth a lot on this because a lot of night creams can sit on your skin and we wanted something that felt like it was really going to be absorbed, but still had a little bit of residue the next day," says Johansson.
The Outset Vitamin C Eye + Expression Lines Cream
Vitamin C Eye + Expression Lines Cream (£35)
This is one of Johansson's husband's favourites. You use it under your eyes to hydrate and plump the skin, and the formula contains vitamin C to brighten and provide antioxidant protection.
The Outset Exfoliating Caffeine Micro Polish
Exfoliating Caffeine Micro Polish (£29)
Dubbed a "one-minute facial", this exfoliating scrub helps to brighten dull skin.
The Outset Ultralight Moisture-Boosting Oil
Ultralight Moisture-Boosting Oil (£37)
This oil can be used on your face, nail cuticles, or the ends of your hair to nourish, smooth, and soften. Use it morning and night for an intense injection of hydration.
The Outset Purifying Blue Clay Mask
Purifying Blue Clay Mask (£38)
Use on the T-zone or all over depending on your needs, this mineral-rich mask helps to unclog and minimise pores, leaving you feeling revitalised.
