MOJEH: What drove you to create Thy Skin?
Athina Theodoridi: Thy Skin was born from both my personal experience and scientific curiosity. When I moved to the UAE, my skin, which had always been stable, suddenly became reactive, tight and prone to eczema. With a background in data science and formal training in cosmetic chemistry, I began analysing the situation systematically. I asked myself what had changed.
First, I considered emotional factors. Relocating brings a certain level of stress, but nothing significant enough to justify the severity of the reaction. Then I examined environmental differences. In the UAE, water quality can vary dramatically; hard, mineral-heavy water alone can compromise the skin barrier. Air-conditioning was another major shift. I had never spent such prolonged hours under continuous indoor cooling. Constant exposure accelerates trans epidermal water loss and weakens barrier resilience. During summer months, the air carries trapped pollution alongside one of the highest UV indexes globally. Together, these create an ongoing oxidative stress environment for the skin.
The third factor was skincare itself. Dubai has a strong aesthetic culture where multi-step routines are common and in-clinic treatments such as lasers and peels are frequent. When layered onto environmental stressors, this intensity can overwhelm the skin.
All of these variables disrupt the skin’s microbiome, which is as unique as a fingerprint. It is influenced not only by what we apply topically, but also by gut health, diet and overall exposure. When I looked at the entire ecosystem rather than a single trigger, the picture became clear and this prompted me to create Thy Skin with a unique ethos to support skin within its environment, not in isolation from it.
What are the unique skincare concerns faced by residents in the UAE?
The UAE presents a very specific skin stress profile.
Chronic air-conditioning exposure, extreme UV levels, dehydration from heat, mineral-heavy water and the popularity of aesthetic treatments all place continuous pressure on the skin barrier.
The result is persistent tightness, dullness, increased sensitivity and, for those already on the dry side, worsening dryness or even eczema flare-ups. When environmental stress is layered onto naturally dry or sensitive skin, it accelerates water loss and weakens barrier resilience. If you are already predisposed to dryness, these additional environmental aggressors can lead to environmentally dehydrated, barrier-compromised skin.
Is there a visible difference between concerns that are a result of environmental aggressors versus skin that is damaged by other causes?
When the skin barrier becomes disturbed, the visible signs are often similar regardless of the trigger. You may notice tightness, flaking, redness, increased dryness, sudden sensitivity to products that previously felt comfortable or small inflammatory flare-ups. The skin can feel thinner and less resilient.
From appearance alone, it is very difficult to determine whether those symptoms stem from environmental aggressors, internal imbalances or other causes. The differentiation comes from observation and analysis. What changed before the skin changed? Was there increased exposure to sun, air-conditioning, pollution or different water quality? Were new products introduced or aesthetic treatments performed? If no external stimuli shifted, it becomes important to examine diet, gut health and stress levels.
Our skin is the body’s largest organ. It communicates when something is not aligned. Understanding the surrounding context is often more important than analysing the symptom alone.
Have you found that UAE residents often don’t realise that climate is the root cause of their concerns?
This happens very often indeed. Many people assume they need stronger actives or more aggressive treatments. In reality, what they often require is barrier reinforcement and environmental adaptation.
The climate continuously draws moisture from the skin and influences microbiome balance. Once individuals recognise that environment is a constant variable, their decisions become more measured and less reactive.
This becomes particularly important when travelling. Returning to a colder, drier climate requires adjustment. Adjustment does not necessarily mean adding more products. It may mean layering existing products more thoughtfully, reducing harsh exfoliation or introducing an occlusive step such as a balm or facial oil to reinforce barrier protection.
Skincare should evolve with environment.
Why was it important to you to create small-batch formulations with minimal ingredients, and what are the benefits and challenges of doing so?
Small-batch formulation allows precision, freshness and control. When ingredient lists are concise, every component must serve a clear functional purpose. There is no room for filler or trend-driven additions. This increases skin tolerance and reduces unnecessary layering.
The benefit is transparency and performance integrity. The challenge is scalability and cost. Small-batch production demands careful sourcing and quality oversight. For me, long-term skin health is worth that discipline.
Thy Skin uses both scientifically developed ingredients and natural ingredients. Why did you choose to combine the two, and how do you ensure they work harmoniously?
I do not see science and nature as opposing forces. They are complementary tools.
Scientifically developed actives such as ceramides or stabilised niacinamide provide measurable precision and predictable outcomes. Many synthetic ingredients have been studied for decades and supported by extensive independent research. A formulation being “100 percent natural” does not automatically make it safer, just as synthetic does not make it harmful. Safety and efficacy depend on concentration, compatibility and formulation integrity.
Natural extracts and plant lipids contribute complex fatty acid structures and phytonutrients that support resilience in a way that feels balanced and elegant.
At Thy Skin, the objective is to strike the right balance between performance and naturalness. Not because natural is inherently safer, but because I believe in minimal intervention where possible. If a well-formulated botanical oil can support barrier repair effectively, there is no need to over-engineer it. If a clinically studied active delivers reliable results, it has its place.
Every ingredient is selected based on compatibility, pH stability, lipid alignment and microbiome safety. When approached with discipline, scientific precision and botanical complexity work harmoniously.
Thy Skin offers a customised skincare regimen. What is the process of tailoring the routine to each customer?
Customisation at Thy Skin does not begin with diagnosis. It begins with listening. We are not a medical clinic, and we do not diagnose skin conditions. Instead, we listen carefully to each client’s observations and experiences.
The first step is analysing the current routine in detail. We review every product being used and examine how they interact collectively. Often the issue is not one individual product, but how multiple actives are layered together. We also take lifestyle into account. How much time can you realistically dedicate to your routine? Do you prefer simplicity or ritual? Skincare must fit into your life, not complicate it.
Based on this, we develop a formulation that works toward your specific skin goals while integrating seamlessly into your existing routine. The objective is to enhance what already works rather than discard everything you own.
Skin evolves, and so should skincare. Every six months, we reassess and, where appropriate, refine formulations with adjusted or rotated actives to ensure continued responsiveness and optimal results.
We are careful not to overpromise. Skincare can deliver visible improvement, but it requires consistency and time. What you apply today takes approximately one full skin cycle, around 60 days, to fully surface. Skincare is a tool, not a miracle. Discipline, especially with daily sunscreen use, remains essential. Shop now
