Radiant Skin: Patricia Santos Of Volition Beauty On 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin

An Interview With Athalia Monae

Listen to Your Skin: Your skin is constantly communicating with you. Pay close attention to how it feels and looks. Are there dry patches? Breakouts? Dullness? These are signals to adjust your routine. For instance, I once had a persistent dry patch that wouldn’t go away, no matter how much moisturizer I used. It turned out I needed to incorporate a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid into my routine. Now, my skin is perfectly balanced.

Each day, millions strive to unlock the secrets of blemish-free, luminous skin, yet many find this goal frustratingly out of reach. In a market saturated with quick fixes and fad trends, it’s vital to cut through the noise and understand what truly works. Our skin is our largest organ and the shield between our bodies and the outside world; it deserves more than just a superficial approach. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Patricia Santos.

A former venture capitalist with a passion for scaling consumer brands, Patricia has been an operator and investor in beauty for over two decades. Her passion lies in helping brand founders and creators build iconic brands that combine product innovation and market white-space with genuine storytelling. She is CEO of Volition Beauty, the leading creator-led product platform for beauty that helps turn creators into beauty entrepreneurs and their ideas into sell-out products.

Patricia has extensive experience working with, scaling, and financing celebrity / creator / influencer brands. As a female entrepreneur and founder, she is fanatical about championing other women in business. Patricia holds a BA from Harvard College magna cum laude and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She has been named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women by Entrepreneur Magazine and been featured in the New York Times, WWD and Glossy for her impact in beauty space.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

My journey to founding Volition Beauty was fueled by a glaring disparity I witnessed firsthand. In the late 2000s, fresh out of business school, I was the sole female investor at a large venture capital firm in Boston. While I had the opportunity to back incredible entrepreneurs, I was struck by the systemic challenges faced by women seeking funding.

Even today, the statistics are dismal: less than 2% of venture capital goes to women-led businesses. Imagine how much worse it was back then! I saw brilliant female founders with groundbreaking ideas struggling to secure funding simply because they didn’t fit the mold of the predominantly male investors. These investors couldn’t relate to the products these women were passionately creating, and that lack of understanding created a significant barrier.

I became obsessed with finding a solution. I wanted to create a platform that bypassed those traditional gatekeepers and empowered female entrepreneurs to bring their innovative products to market. Volition Beauty was born from that desire.

At Volition, we’ve flipped the script. Instead of pitching to boardrooms filled with skeptical investors, our creators pitch directly to the people who matter most: the customers. We leverage the power of community feedback and crowdfunding to validate ideas and bring them to life. This approach not only democratizes the beauty industry but also ensures that the products we create are truly driven by consumer demand.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

One of the most memorable experiences of my career happened early on, when I was fresh out of business school. I was a young associate at a venture capital firm, and we were flying from Boston to New York City in a small Cessna for a crucial meeting about a potential investment in a major beauty company. I was tasked with presenting the case to a large group of investors and partners, and I was feeling the pressure!

But fate, it seemed, had other plans. As we were landing, the weather took a turn for the worse. With torrential rain and low visibility, we ended up ‘landing long’ on the runway. The plane skidded off the tarmac and crashed into a wall separating the runway from a busy highway. I remember the jolt, the screeching metal, and then the sight of fuel leaking from the wing.

We had to quickly evacuate the plane, crawling under the wing and running down the runway as fire trucks rushed towards us. It was a surreal and terrifying experience!

Despite the near-death experience, we were determined to make it to that meeting. We hailed a cab, still shaken but adrenaline-fueled, and arrived just in time. Covered in mud, jet fuel and with a wild story to tell, I somehow managed to deliver my presentation. And you know what? We ended up making the investment! That experience taught me a lot about resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of staying focused even in the face of extreme adversity. It also solidified my passion for the beauty industry — even a plane crash couldn’t deter me!

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

1. Courage to Embrace the Unconventional: The beauty industry can be quite traditional. Early on in my venture capital career, I saw a shift happening — consumers were craving authenticity and connection, particularly with the rise of social media. I recognized the potential of creator-led brands to disrupt the established beauty landscape, even though many saw it as a risky bet. It took courage to go against the grain and invest in what I believed in, but that conviction ultimately led to the creation of Volition Beauty.
2. Tenacity in the Face of Challenges: Building a business is never a smooth journey. We faced numerous hurdles in Volition Beauty’s early days, from securing funding to navigating production challenges and building brand awareness in a crowded market. There were times when it would have been easier to give up, but my tenacious spirit pushed me to persevere. I learned to embrace obstacles as opportunities for growth and innovation. For instance, when faced with supply chain disruptions, we found creative solutions by sourcing ingredients locally and streamlining our production process. This not only solved the immediate problem but also made our business more sustainable in the long run.
3. Collaborative Spirit: I firmly believe that success is a team effort. Volition Beauty’s unique model thrives on collaboration — between our team, the creators we work with, and our engaged community. I foster a culture of open communication and mutual respect, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives. One example is our product development process. We actively involve our community in every step, from ideation to testing and feedback. This collaborative approach has resulted in some of our most successful products.

What are your “ 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin”?

1. Listen to Your Skin: Your skin is constantly communicating with you. Pay close attention to how it feels and looks. Are there dry patches? Breakouts? Dullness? These are signals to adjust your routine. For instance, I once had a persistent dry patch that wouldn’t go away, no matter how much moisturizer I used. It turned out I needed to incorporate a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid into my routine. Now, my skin is perfectly balanced.
2. Consistency is Key: Just like you wouldn’t expect to see results from the gym after one workout, skincare requires consistent effort. Establish a morning and evening routine and stick to it. I travel frequently, and even with a hectic schedule, I never skip my cleansing and moisturizing routine. It’s the foundation of healthy skin.
3. Hydration Inside and Out: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is crucial for skin health. Think of it as internal irrigation. Also, choose hydrating skincare products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to draw moisture to the skin. I love starting my day with a large glass of water with lemon, followed by my skincare routine that includes a hydrating serum. It makes a noticeable difference in my skin’s plumpness and glow.
4. Sun Protection is Non-Negotiable: UV rays are the number one culprit for premature aging and skin damage. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every single day, rain or shine. I learned this lesson the hard way after a beach vacation where I didn’t reapply sunscreen diligently. Now, I never leave the house without it, and I always keep a travel-sized sunscreen in my bag.
5. Nourish Your Skin with Antioxidants: Antioxidants protect your skin from environmental aggressors like pollution and stress. Incorporate serums or moisturizers with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or green tea extract into your routine. I’m a big fan of our Strawberry-C Brightening Serum. It’s packed with Vitamin C and leaves my skin looking radiant.

What are the most common misconceptions about daily skincare routines that prevent people from achieving radiant skin?

1. More is Always Better: Overloading your skin with too many products or harsh ingredients can irritate and disrupt its natural balance. Focus on a few high-quality products that address your specific concerns.
2. Skipping Sunscreen on Cloudy Days: UV rays can penetrate clouds, so daily sunscreen application is essential, regardless of the weather.
3. Ignoring Your Neck and Chest: These areas are just as prone to aging as your face, so extend your skincare routine down to your décolleté.
4. Expecting Overnight Miracles: Skincare is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient and consistent with your routine to see long-term results.

Could you share your insights on how diet and nutrition directly affect skin health, and perhaps suggest some superfoods for skin radiance?

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is essential for radiant skin. Superfoods like avocados, blueberries, spinach, and salmon provide antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids that promote skin health. I always make sure to include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in my meals, and I try to eat fatty fish like salmon at least twice a week.

How do you recommend individuals tailor their skincare routine to address the unique needs of their skin type and environment?

Consider your skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive) and environmental factors like climate and pollution. For example, those with oily skin may benefit from lightweight, oil-free products, while those in dry climates may need richer moisturizers. Volition Beauty offers a variety of products to address different skin concerns and types.

What advances in skincare science or new ingredients are you most excited about that promise to enhance skin health and radiance?

I’m particularly excited about the use of peptides in skincare. Peptides are chains of amino acids that can stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. We’ve incorporated peptides into several of our products, and the results have been incredible.

Can you describe a holistic approach to skincare that encompasses not just topical treatments but also lifestyle and wellness practices?

Skincare goes beyond topical treatments. Prioritize stress management, quality sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. I find that meditation and yoga help me manage stress, which in turn, benefits my skin.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I could start a movement, it would be to promote self-acceptance and body positivity. True beauty radiates from within, and embracing our individuality is empowering. I believe that everyone is beautiful in their own unique way, and I want to encourage people to celebrate their authentic selves.

How can our readers further follow you online?

Follow us on Instagram at @volitionbeauty. We have daily skincare tips and tricks — we are always sharing ways to improve your regimen.

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.