Interview with Nikki Benett, founder of Spilanthox
You are the organic Botox pioneer and have enjoyed success on the market for nearly 10 years. What initially motivated you to found Spilanthox? Why expressly natural cosmetics?
All my life, I have used only natural cosmetics and I’m also a nature lover and “country girl”. My family and I appreciate nature and own many horses and dogs. Nothing would be further from my mind than to produce things that might be bad for someone’s health, or bad for the environment or animals. I also wanted to do something meaningful. And when you’re convinced of a vision or idea and firmly believe in it, it will work.
What makes the products special? What sets them apart from other natural cosmetics?
We keep our promises. The effectiveness of the products can be seen and felt, and it has been proven in independent clinical in-vivo studies (involving a group of women aged 35 to 65). The results were groundbreaking! After four weeks of consistent use, wrinkles are reduced by up to 82%. It’s remarkable. I also develop and thoroughly test everything myself before I release a product for production. I don’t know of a single company that has an owner who is involved like this to such a large degree. It’s really a genuine “owner-managed family business” that still vouches for the quality with its name. And that isn’t a marketing gimmick, it’s real.
How did you come up with spilanthol as a miracle ingredient against wrinkles and lines?
I discovered spilanthol by chance at my dentist’s. He was the one who told me about it. I haven’t been able to tolerate anesthetics since my cardiac arrest and spilanthol is basically an herbal anesthetic. In England, it’s called the toothache plant, for example, and the plant is also chewed for toothaches in South America. It anesthetizes the nerve receptors reversibly, which means that the effect wears off after some time. I then did a lot of research and found numerous studies, including some that covered its effect on skin texture. That’s when I came up with the idea of a natural cosmetics range with spilanthol, as I no longer looked quite as fresh due to my illness. I thought, wow, this is a great natural alternative to Botox or fillers.
What is behind the natural active substance of the jambu plant?
Paracress, which is another name for the jambu plant (botanical name: Acmella oleracea), contains the active substance spilanthol. If the dosage is sufficient, it immediately smooths expression lines and relaxes the facial features. Long-term use also reduces the depth of wrinkles. Its effect on the dermis is generally well known and valued. By now, it has become a popular active substance for the visible and rapid reduction of facial wrinkles. It’s wonderful for relaxing crow’s feet, forehead lines, or lip lines. But the dosage must be pretty high to result in visible smoothing. And that’s what we did.
In what way are spilanthol and paracress the same thing?
Spilanthol is an extract from the paracress plant.
Does it make sense to call the active substance organic Botox?
The media coined this term, more or less. And I like it because it wonderfully conveys the effect of the paracress. Ultimately, this is a gentle and natural way to smooth expression lines and the overall skin texture. Just not as strongly and without a mask effect, and, of course, it’s reversible.
Are products containing spilanthol more like smart instant helpers or do they also provide long-term results?
I can only confirm the long-lasting effect of my products. But yes. With continuous use of highly dosed products, you can minimize wrinkles for a long time.
How easy was it to implement Spilanthox as a business idea? What was the biggest challenge?
Establishing a company in Germany is a challenge overall. Especially as a woman. I could probably fill a book if I had to list every single challenge. But aside from the challenging business climate here, I myself was one of the biggest challenges. Because I founded the company at a time when I hadn’t recovered yet. I was still battling heart problems and the resulting panic attacks. Also, I was still physically ailing in general. But I made it.
Your products are available Europe-wide and now you are also expanding into the United States?
Yes, starting at the end of 2024, our products will also be available in the US, which makes me immensely proud. I’ve never been someone who seeks a lot of attention. I prefer to work quietly and then present everyone with successfully completed facts. No, seriously: the US market needs a product range like Spilanthox. We will also be pioneers there in the field of natural cosmetics with active substances, so we’re opening up a new market there.
How do you work when you develop products?
I think about what could help me look fresher and better, and what might save me time in my skincare routine. After all, my needs are the same as those of many other women. I also keep looking around for natural raw materials that have a scientifically proven benefit for the skin. I don’t care for new skincare products with trendy ingredients that don’t actually benefit the skin at all. And as soon as I have an idea, I go to our chemists in the lab.
What are your personal beauty favorites
Definitely our Extreme Night Repair. This is my knight in shining armor, no matter at what time of year or how little I’ve slept or how stressed I am. With the Night Repair cream, I still look fresh and “de-crinkled”. I also carry our hand cream with me at all times – especially when traveling. It’s the first hand cream in the world with smoothing power that has been proven in clinical in-vivo studies. It’s also great as an emergency lip balm or facial care. An absolute must-have at every polo tournament …
What do you like most about your job?
I love being able to implement my visions and ideas and work for all of our futures and hopefully be able to leave a mark. But being independent also means being responsible for everything and ultimately working 24/7. It’s a lot of pressure and a great responsibility.
How and where do you recuperate?
Definitely in nature. Whether it’s at my house on the Baltic Sea or in the stable with our animals. All that matters is fresh air, quiet, and nature.
Text & Photography Spilanthox
