Cleo zu Oettingen-Spielberg in an interview with This Place about self-care, self-esteem - and choosing the right cosmetic product.
Hi Cleo - tell us something about yourself!
I was born in Bern Switzerland but grew up mainly in Santiago de Chile until I was eleven. I then embarked on an adventure of boarding schools and haven‘t stoped moving countries ever since. I was still young when I stopped living with my parents but I remember vividly my mother taking great care of her skin and always carrying around a variety of creams, serums, masks and constantly trying out new products. It played an important part in her day to day and had an impact on me ever since.
She bought me my first beauty case at an airport when I was only about eight. It was huge and I carried it around everywhere with my two little pharmacy creams for children. For a long time I had very easy skin and I loved trying out as many different products as possible, until I overdid it and my skin started to react. Some of the creams I had been using were too rich or too harsh on my skin. I was mid 20 and had been trying out everything including anti-aging products. As a result few years ago I developed perioral dermatitis also known as the “stewardess illness” which often comes from overusing make up or skin care, leading to your skin not being able to regulate itself and causing it to break out.
This meant I had to start using as little skin products as possible and being extremely cautious about the ingredients because almost anything could make it worst. A very frustrating situation for a face cream addict like me so I began my journey of “less is more” and realised that natural skin care with few ingredients was very effective and worked wonders without intervening with the natural hydration process of my skin.
What does self-care mean to you and do you "practice" it? Why is it important to you or why perhaps not?
The older I get the more I enjoy and appreciate self care. Once you become a mother especially in the early years, time for self care isn’t a given. Nowadays taking a yoga class, going to a spa or having an undisturbed evening face routine is a luxury and I appreciate the time I have to myself much more than when I had all the time in the world.
«When you shift your mindset into appreciating the little things, moments of happiness appear almost daily.»
An afternoon with a girlfriend doing sports or nails could be almost considered a holiday, which might sound exaggerated but it’s actually wonderful. When you shift your mindset into appreciating the little things, moments of happiness appear almost daily. This might sound cliche but for me its very real.
Self care is about self respect and also a way of keeping your mind and emotions in balance. It can be a cup of tea by the fire or a wonderfully smelling face cream before sleeping, the list is endless…
«Self care is about self respect and also a way of keeping your mind and emotions in balance. It can be a cup of tea by the fire or a wonderfully smelling face cream»
Has self-care helped you to achieve certain goals, overcome challenges or get through bad times?
In moments of stress or sadness I feel like a routine can be very helpful and the fact that you honour this routine as often as possible, is the definition of “self care”. I try to do some kind of physical activity almost daily, I take care of my skin twice a day and never skip it, I diffuse oils at night in my room to promote healthy sleep and keep the air humid especially when the heaters are on all winter. I take a warm bath every evening and sometimes I list the things I’m grateful for when I feel anxious or moody.
«In moments of stress or sadness I feel like a routine can be very helpful and the fact that you honour this routine as often as possible, is the definition of “self care”»
This Place - where do you feel the most relaxed? What is your This Place ritual / moment or how do you feel with This Place and CBD?
I feel the most relaxed in my bed after the kids have gone to sleep and I try to keep it tidy, dim the lights and put on the fire. I cream by body head to toe, I spray my pillow with mist, read a book or watch tv mostly with a hot water bottle on my stomach. I love the feeling of being freshly bathed with a fresh Pyjamas in fresh sheets. I’m a bit of a freak when it comes to cleanliness so the cleaner the room and especially the bed the more relaxed I feel.
«That's why I'm so excited about "The Good Night", the sleep cream from This Place: it's exactly what you need when you have a restless night's sleep.»
I have been trying CBD and melatonin for a long time and I have had great results which is why I am so excited about “The Good Night” cream from “This Place” which is exactly what someone who is anxious and wakes up worrying at night needs! It’s also wonderful that my sensitive skin responds positively to it and I feel like I have gained a wonderful addition to my daily ritual.
