In an industry dominated by excess packaging and synthetic ingredients, Lola Arnao is carving out space for what the brand calls “slow beauty”, a movement focused on simplicity, sustainability, and self-care that’s good for both people and planet.
Founded by a mother-daughter duo in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Lola Arnao creates concentrated, plastic-free skincare products designed specifically for people with sensitive skin.
Each product is handcrafted in small batches, formulated with plant-based ingredients, and wrapped in sustainable, low-waste packaging.
We spoke with Angela Gargano, Lola Arnao’s co-founder, a wellness entrepreneur and lifelong advocate for cleaner living, about the inspiration behind the brand, what slow beauty really means, and how they’re proving that mindful growth can be just as powerful as scaling fast.
Q&A with Angela Gargano, the Co-Founder of Lola Arnao
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of Lola Arnao?
The idea really came about organically from my own frustration trying to find clean shaving products that didn’t come in plastic packaging.
I have ultra-sensitive skin, and everything I found was either full of chemicals or wrapped in plastic—usually both.
I mentioned this to my mom one day, and being the chef she is, she said, “Let me see what I can do in the kitchen.” After lots of trial and error, she created this incredible shave bar filled with oat oil and mango butter that actually worked for my sensitive skin.
That was the lightbulb moment.
We realized we might be onto something that could help others who were struggling with the same problem.
It started as a personal solution, but quickly evolved into a mission to rethink how beauty products are made and packaged.
What is Lola Arnao’s mission and vision?
Our mission is to create cleaner skincare with less environmental impact, especially for the 60% of women who suffer from sensitive skin like I do.
We keep our formulations as clean and simple as possible, no synthetic fragrances, no essential oils, no harsh chemicals—while never sacrificing effectiveness.
We call ourselves a “slow beauty” brand because we prioritize values over rapid growth.
Sustainability is a journey, not a checkbox.
Everything we do comes back to one question: Can we make products that feel good on your skin while doing less harm to our planet?
How does Lola Arnao make a positive impact?
The beauty industry creates more than 120 million units of packaging every year, most of it plastic. We’re tackling that waste head-on by creating concentrated, plastic-free skincare that actually works better.
For example, one of our 6-ounce shave bars replaces four tubes or cans of conventional shaving cream. There’s zero plastic waste, no toxins, and it’s gentler on your skin.
We’re proud members of 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of all revenue to environmental causes, and every shipment is carbon-neutral through our partnership with Sendle.
But the impact goes beyond sustainability, it’s deeply personal
We hear from customers who’ve struggled with irritation and breakouts for years, and for the first time, they’ve found something that doesn’t cause a reaction.
That kind of feedback reminds us why we do this.
“We’re tackling the skincare industry’s massive plastic waste problem by creating concentrated, plastic-free products that actually work better.”
What’s your business model?
We’re a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business—just my mom and me, handcrafting every product in our converted barn in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
We’ve chosen not to go the traditional wholesale route, though we do work with a small number of retail partners who truly align with our values.
Our approach is intentionally small-batch and artisanal because that’s how we maintain quality and authenticity.
We’re not trying to be the next massive beauty brand.
We’re focused on building something sustainable, in every sense of the word.
The premium pricing reflects the concentrated formulas, globally sourced ingredients, and longevity of our products compared to conventional alternatives.
How have you funded the company?
We’ve been completely self-funded from day one.
No investors, no venture capital.
This is actually my third business, and I’ve always been comfortable starting on a shoestring budget. We used personal resources and reinvested revenue as we grew.
Being bootstrapped allows us to make decisions based on our values, not investor pressure to grow fast or chase profit at all costs.
It means we move more slowly, but that’s the point, we’re a slow beauty brand inside and out.
What tools and partners power Lola Arnao?
We keep our tech stack simple and aligned with our values:
- Squarespace powers our website and online store.
- Sendle handles carbon-neutral shipping.
- We’re certified Leaping Bunny cruelty-free and partner with TerraCycle for hard-to-recycle items like shave brush components.
- As 1% for the Planet members, we support vetted environmental nonprofits.
Everything else, product formulation, customer communication, fulfillment—is handled by the two of us. Keeping things lean means we stay close to our customers and maintain full control over quality.
Closing Thoughts
In an industry often obsessed with speed and volume, Lola Arnao is proving that slower can be better.
From handcrafted formulations to zero-waste packaging, the brand’s mother-daughter team is reshaping the meaning of modern beauty, showing that sustainability and self-care can go hand in hand.
