Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark: Episode Summary
Title: Collagen Powder Dos & Don'ts + Is the Birkin Over?
Guest: Jenna Cavello, Founder of Agent Natur
Release Date: February 21, 2025
Introduction to Jenna Cavello and Agent Natur
In this episode, host Alex Clark welcomes Jenna Cavello, the visionary behind Agent Natur, a pioneering brand in the luxury clean beauty and wellness industry. Jenna shares her inspiring journey from battling endometriosis to establishing an international brand renowned for its natural, eco-certified skincare and supplements.
Notable Quote:
"Agent Natur is now an international brand featured in some of the most exclusive spas around the world, resorts and stores like Air1 and Net A Porter."
— Jenna Cavello [00:55]
The Problem with Current Collagen Powders
Jenna critiques the prevailing collagen powders in the market, highlighting issues such as the use of cheap marine collagen from farmed fish and the presence of synthetic fragrances despite "all-natural" labels.
Key Points:
- Many collagen products contain low-quality marine collagen sourced from farmed fish like tilapia.
- Labels like "clean" from retailers such as Sephora are often misleading, as products may still contain synthetic fragrances.
- Jenna emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing ingredient lists to ensure true natural composition.
Notable Quote:
"A lot of people are getting disgusting, cheap marine collagen that is coming from farmed fish and tilapia. Sick. The label clean in Sephora does not mean much."
— Jenna Cavello [00:04]
Agent Natur’s Groundbreaking Approach
Jenna delves into how Agent Natur emerged as a response to her personal health struggles, particularly her battle with endometriosis. Frustrated with conventional treatments, she turned to natural remedies, which eventually led to the creation of Agent Natur's flagship product, the Holy Stick Deodorant.
Key Points:
- Jenna was diagnosed with endometriosis at 23, enduring years of pain and multiple surgeries.
- Her journey towards natural healing inspired the development of effective, eco-friendly beauty products.
- Agent Natur has expanded its product line to include luxury skincare and supplements, leveraging high-quality, natural ingredients.
Notable Quote:
"Jenna is not just a CEO, she's a muse and a thought leader in the beauty industry, advocating for independent thinking and research."
— Alex Clark [00:55]
Controversies and Industry Challenges
Jenna discusses the backlash she faced from the beauty industry when she voiced concerns about ingredients like aluminum in deodorants and vaccines. She explains how her stance led to the cancellation of her partnerships with major retailers and brands like GOOP.
Key Points:
- Agent Natur was one of the first natural deodorant brands to highlight the dangers of aluminum as an endocrine disruptor.
- Jenna faced significant pushback, including being dropped by retailers and facing personal attacks.
- Despite these challenges, Jenna's commitment to her principles resulted in increased brand loyalty and sales, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable Quote:
"With every cancellation, my sales just kept going up and up and up. And then during COVID my sales were up like 3,000% or something, like insane."
— Jenna Cavello [12:09]
Defining "Clean" in Beauty Products
Jenna elaborates on her dissatisfaction with the term "clean beauty," arguing that it often misleads consumers into believing all synthetic ingredients are harmful. She advocates for a more nuanced understanding based on scientific standards, particularly referencing European regulations.
Key Points:
- The term "clean" is frequently misused, allowing products with synthetic ingredients to be marketed deceptively.
- Europe and Japan have stricter cosmetic standards compared to the U.S., providing a better framework for truly clean products.
- Jenna emphasizes the importance of individual ingredient analysis over blanket categorizations.
Notable Quote:
"I do not like the word clean because I think it gives all synthetics a bad rap. And I don't use synthetics."
— Jenna Cavello [14:03]
Agent Natur’s Collagen Powder: Holy Mane
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Agent Natur's collagen powder, Holy Mane. Jenna explains the unique formulation of their product, which includes multiple types of collagen and avoids synthetic additives, distinguishing it from competitors.
Key Points:
- Holy Mane contains types 1, 2, 3, and 4 collagen, enhancing its efficacy for hair, skin, nails, joints, and more.
- The collagen is sourced from kosher, wild-caught fish like cod, pollock, and haddock, ensuring high quality.
- Jenna cautions against processed collagen powders that dilute potency and include undisclosed synthetic ingredients.
Notable Quote:
"We have types 1, 2, 3, and 4, which makes the marine collagen really special."
— Jenna Cavello [37:38]
Navigating the Beauty Industry and Future Trends
Jenna shares insights into the evolving beauty landscape, including collaborations with retailers like Erewhon and navigating fashion trends. She also touches on her skepticism towards beauty awards and the authenticity of product claims in the industry.
Key Points:
- Successful partnerships, such as with Erewhon, have positioned Agent Natur as a top-selling supplement in exclusive markets.
- Jenna criticizes beauty awards as often being influenced by financial incentives rather than genuine merit.
- She offers fashion advice, reflecting her background in the industry and emphasizing timeless, high-quality pieces over fleeting trends.
Notable Quote:
"And with every cancellation, my sales just kept going up and up and up."
— Jenna Cavello [12:09]
Personal Reflections and Closing Thoughts
In the concluding segments, Jenna reflects on the importance of healthy relationships in healing cultural and personal ailments. She underscores the value of having supportive romantic partners to navigate societal challenges.
Key Points:
- Jenna advocates for nurturing healthy romantic relationships as a remedy for broader cultural and personal issues.
- She emphasizes self-reliance and trusting one's intuition over external judgments from friends and family.
- The episode wraps up with Jenna expressing gratitude for the platform to share her story and insights.
Notable Quote:
"I think that having a healthy romantic partner can heal a lot of things, whether it's familial or societal."
— Jenna Cavello [76:32]
Conclusion
This episode of Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark offers a comprehensive look into the challenges and triumphs of building a clean beauty brand in a skeptical industry. Jenna Cavello's candid discussions on product integrity, industry controversies, and personal resilience provide valuable insights for listeners interested in health, wellness, and authentic beauty solutions.
Follow Jenna Cavello and Agent Natur:
- Instagram: @JennaCovello | @AgentNatur
Subscribe to Culture Apothecary:
- YouTube: Real Alex Clark
- Instagram: @CultureApothecary
This summary aims to encapsulate the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions and insights while providing context for those who haven't listened.