Elina Fedotova is the Founder and Chief Formulator of Elina Organics. The Fort Lauderdale-based cosmetic chemist and master licensed esthetician founded the holistic and clinical skincare spa in 1998. She founded the Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners (AHSCP) in 2007 and is the president of the organization, which provides holistic skincare training and education for professionals. Fedotova answered questions about her journey as a cosmetic chemist, licensed esthetician and founder and president of AHSCP.
Skin Inc.: What led you to becoming a cosmetic chemist?
Elina Fedotova: My mother was a chemist and attorney, and my father held a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Although my parents had strong scientific backgrounds, my mother always emphasized natural living. We wore natural fibers, avoided artificial colors in our food, and embraced a clean, healthy lifestyle. Growing up with those values had a profound impact on me.
As a teenager, I struggled with oily, acne-prone skin and became determined to find a solution without relying on harsh medications. I turned to the herbal remedies I had grown up with in Russia and was amazed by how effectively nature helped restore my skin. That experience inspired me to combine science with nature in my search for effective skincare solutions. I went on to study chemistry so I could better understand how botanical ingredients work and combine the wisdom of traditional herbal medicine with modern cosmetic science. That passion ultimately led me to create Elina Organics, where I continue to handcraft every product in small batches using fresh, organic ingredients and scientifically proven methods.
SI: How did you decide to develop your own skin care line?
EF: After studying chemistry and seeing firsthand how powerful natural ingredients could be, I realized there was a gap in the skincare industry. I worked with another skincare company, and while I gained valuable experience, I wasn't satisfied with the products I was using professionally. I wanted cleaner formulations that could penetrate the skin effectively, deliver active ingredients where they were needed most, and produce real, lasting results. Many products relied on synthetic ingredients, preservatives, and fillers that didn't truly nourish the skin. I wanted to create something different—fresh, handcrafted skincare made with organic botanicals and highly active ingredients that work in harmony with the skin. I began formulating products in small batches, combining traditional herbal wisdom with modern cosmetic science. As more people experienced healthier skin and shared their results, my passion grew into what is now Elina Organics. My goal has always been to create skincare that is both holistic and results driven, helping people achieve healthy, beautiful skin naturally.
SI: Why is it important for you to hand make Elina Organics in small batches opposed to having someone else handle the making of the products?
EF: It is very important to me that every Elina Organics product is handcrafted in small batches because freshness and quality directly affect performance. Many natural ingredients lose their potency over time, especially without heavy synthetic preservatives. Our formulas are very delicate and are preserved naturally, so making them fresh in small batches helps ensure they remain as effective as possible. I often compare it to dining at a restaurant that prepares fresh meals versus eating frozen food. Fresh is almost always better, especially when you're working with organic ingredients. By handcrafting our products in small batches, I can ensure that every formula contains the highest concentration of active botanicals at their peak effectiveness. I also personally oversee every stage of the formulation process to maintain the quality and consistency I expect. I have spent decades perfecting these formulations, and I don't believe they should be mass-produced or outsourced. Small-batch production allows us to carefully select seasonal ingredients, make adjustments when nature varies, and create skincare that truly nourishes the skin with the freshest, most effective ingredients possible. I believe skincare should be made with the same care and attention as preparing a healthy meal—fresh, purposeful, and made with integrity.
SI: What products are included in the skin care line?
EF: My product line includes sulfate-free cleansers and toners made from botanical extracts and essential oils. I offer a variety of treatment serums containing natural peptides, as well as acids and enzymes derived from fruits and plants. I also incorporate marine ingredients, along with spicules and extracts from both freshwater and oceanic sponges.
I created a unique category of skincare products called Elixirs, which originated from my gemstone collection featuring genuine amber extract, amethyst powder, and other mineral ingredients. These corrective serums have the lightweight consistency of a lotion while delivering highly concentrated active ingredients. They can be used alone as a moisturizer for normal to oily skin or paired with a richer cream for drier complexions.
My line also includes day and night moisturizers, as well as makeup formulated with zinc oxide. Zinc oxide not only provides natural coverage but also helps protect the skin from UV damage while calming irritation and supporting the skin's healing process. It is well known for its soothing, antibacterial, healing, and broad-spectrum UV-protective properties.
In addition, I offer a wide variety of masks and scrubs for home care, along with an extensive professional treatment line. Many of my professional masks and acids are available in concentrated powder form, allowing estheticians to activate them with water and customize the strength of each treatment. These powders can also be blended together to create unique, personalized formulas tailored to each client's individual skin concerns and desired results.
SI: What is the most popular product in the line?
EF: We have champion products in every category. For example, in our serum collection, Oil Control Formula is one of our most popular products. It is incredibly effective for acne-prone complexions and contains natural salicylic acid derived from black willow bark, blended with cooling and calming herbs to help balance the skin.
Those with extremely dry and sensitive skin often can't live without Angelite Elixir, which contains tremella mushroom extract and copper peptides to deeply hydrate, soothe, and support skin repair.
In our Elixir collection, Ambra Lift Elixir is one of our best sellers because it delivers real, visible results while helping stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness. It contains Baltic amber extract and has been scientifically proven through gene expression testing to increase the activity of Sirtuin-1, a key anti-aging gene associated with cellular longevity. Independent testing also showed a significant increase in collagen production after just two applications over 48 hours, along with the activation of genes responsible for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-wrinkle effects. This is one of the reasons Ambra Lift has become such a favorite among both skincare professionals and clients looking for natural products backed by science.
We also can barely keep Super Antioxidant Night Cream and Skin Smoothie Moisturizer. on our shelves. Both are deeply hydrating and protective while infusing the skin with powerful antioxidants that help reduce hyperpigmentation without relying on acids. Antioxidants help balance melanocyte activity and restore the skin at the cellular level, leaving the complexion healthier, brighter, and more resilient.
SI: How have people responded to the Elina Organics products?
EF: We still have clients who first started using Elina Organics in 1997, and nearly 30 years later, these women look absolutely beautiful and love how their skin has aged naturally. Many of our clients live a holistic lifestyle and choose not to rely on surgical procedures or injectables. Instead, they visit us regularly for our corrective herbal facials and advanced holistic skincare treatments, allowing them to maintain healthy, youthful, glowing skin naturally.
When we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Elina Organics, we interviewed several clients who had been with us since the very beginning and shared their stories and unretouched photos. Several were in their 70s and 80s, and everyone could see their beautiful, radiant complexions. They were proud to share their natural results, and we were honored to celebrate their skincare journeys.
Everyone at Elina Organics, including our employees and contractors, uses the products we create. One of my favorite examples is the 90-year-old grandmother of my employee, Nina. She has faithfully used our Ageless Riché Liposome Face Cream and has never had cosmetic surgery or injectables. She spent her life working hard and raising her family, and today she has beautiful, healthy skin that truly reflects a lifetime of good care and her lovely personality.
While we love helping our clients age gracefully, our products are not only for mature skin. We also work with many teenagers struggling with acne, as well as clients dealing with hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and other skin concerns. It is incredibly rewarding to see people of all ages achieve healthier, more balanced skin through natural, corrective skincare.
SI: You are also the President of the Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners. How does that organization fit into the work you do as a cosmetic chemist and a master esthetician?
EF: In 2007, I founded the Association of Holistic Skincare Practitioners to help distinguish truly holistic skincare from conventional skincare and treatments. My goal was to create an educational organization for professionals who want to learn the principles of holistic beauty and wellness while gaining a deeper understanding of the skincare benefits of botanicals and other natural ingredients.
I didn't want this education to be available only to Elina Organics spa partners. I wanted all estheticians and skincare professionals to have access to this knowledge, which is why I chose to establish the Association as a separate organization from Elina Organics.
Education has always been one of my greatest passions. For many years, I have hosted conferences, workshops, and advanced training events featuring some of the leading experts in holistic health and skincare. One of those experts was Dr. Alan Dattner, one of the first holistic dermatologists, who was a speaker at our educational events. My goal has always been to create a community where professionals can continue learning, growing, and elevating the standards of holistic skincare.
SI: What do you advise other estheticians on the most when it comes to caring for their clients’ skin?
EF: I love when estheticians have an analytical mind and critical opinion. They must be able to truly evaluate the skin and have enough knowledge to choose the most effective approach for each individual client. For example, a client may complain of dry skin, when in reality the skin is inflamed and needs gentle exfoliation rather than a heavy/oily cream. Applying a rich cream without addressing the underlying cause can actually make the problem worse.
Estheticians also need access to a comprehensive treatment line that allows them to address a wide variety of skin conditions. It is important to work with professional products that you truly believe in, use yourself, and understand thoroughly. The deeper your knowledge of the products, the better you can customize treatments and home care recommendations for each client. It is very difficult to confidently recommend products to your clients if you don't personally use and trust them yourself.
SI: Are there any product launches coming down the pipeline that we should be aware of?
EF: I will be introducing a brand-new product at my Annual Association of Holistic Skincare Practitioners Professional Conference in Fort Lauderdale on October 26th and 27th, 2026. It is a new skincare elixir specially formulated for extremely sensitive and reactive complexions. This deep-delivery treatment lotion contains a unique blend of peptides and minerals designed to calm, soothe, cool, and strengthen inflamed skin while supporting the skin's natural healing process. I can't wait to share it with everyone!
