If you’re wondering about the secret behind the ethereal glow seen on red carpets everywhere, the foundation always starts with a thorough skincare routine. Master esthetician Joanna Czech understands this better than most. Not only does she have over 35 years of experience in beauty, she also boasts a roster of celebrity clients that includes Kim Kardashian (and advising on her brand SKKN by Kim), Hailey Bieber, and Jennifer Aniston.
A former competitive runner who hails from Poland, Czech was inspired at a young age to learn more about the inner workings of the body. She applied to medical school to pursue work as a doctor but later decided that her true interest lay in discovering more about skin. “I have every scientific book [on skin] in English and in Polish,” she tells Bazaar. While still living in Poland, she pivoted from pre-medical school studies to aesthetics training—accumulating over 12,000 hours of study in the process—and never looked back. Czech later opened a smaller practice in her home country before relocating to the United States at age 25.
“I don’t do anything halfway—I would rather do nothing. And it’s not easy: It’s a high bar always,” Czech explains. That includes the creation of her own skincare brand. Built on her years of experience as an esthetician, Joanna Czech Skincare launched in 2021 with a travel-friendly seven-piece essential set known as the Kit, a sampling of the products offered at her eponymous facial spas in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
“Somebody was offering a tremendous deal on my products those five years ago, when we started thinking about raising money. They said, ‘Oh, we’re going to do this! You’re going to get this! We’re going to put everything in plastic—it’s going to be good enough.’ And my husband said, ‘Oh, we’re done here with this conversation. If you say ‘good enough’ to Joanna, she will walk away.’ ” Along with building a successful skincare company, Czech has also partnered with several luxe companies over the years to further bolster her empire, including Chanel Beauty, Biologique Recherche, and Augustinus Bader.
Bazaar caught up with the expert for a more in-depth look at her go-to beauty favorites—which, of course, include products from her namesake skincare brand. She also shared thoughts on growing older. From daily at-home workouts to quality time with family and a comprehensive nighttime beauty routine, read on for a few of the ways Czech continues to get better with age.
If you don’t mind sharing, how old are you?
I’m 60 years old. I consider it a privilege—I’m kind of closer to one direction than the other. So when you really think about it, you might be anxious about the unknown, and fall into this kind of hole. But with how busy I am, and getting relaxed doing sudoku, it’s hard even to think about.
What age do you feel you are in your head?
I think 19. You know why? Because at 21, 22, or 25, we think we know everything and are so smart, but we’re not. And at 19, I’m allowed not to be smart and maybe would be forgiven for everything.
Do you have a beloved beauty product that you’ve worn for most of your life?
Retin-A is one beloved product that I’ve worn for most of my life. I personally believe in skincare products versus skincare lines.
What aspects of your physical appearance do you love more now, as you’ve gotten older?
My calves. I used to be a runner, and I always thought for all these years that I was a slim girl with these huge calves—girls are wearing skinny pants, and I can’t even fit into them. My husband kept saying, ‘Oh my God, sexy legs!’ and all these things, and everyone else asking, ‘Joanna, what do you do?’ I had trainers asking me! What I love about them presently is that my skin could be hanging now, but it’s not—it’s nicely dispersed on my muscles. So, I really like them, and I myself find them sexy.
Which beauty products would you say have aged well?
Environ’s products are formulated with tried-and-true ingredients, versus trendy. Their products truly respect the skin. Clé de Peau Beauté creates products that support the 24-hour cycle our skin goes through. The brand’s staples create comfort for the skin, and I love the sensorial feeling and consistency of what they offer. Clé de Peau products also come slightly scented, which appeals to many people.
Please give us a quick breakdown of your current beauty routine.
Much of my skin and body care routines are done in the evening. At night, I start by applying Environ’s Derma-Lac lotion and then their A, C & E Body Oil using Biologique Recherche’s massage glove. For my face, I’ll typically reach for my toner, followed by Environ’s C-Quence Serum 4 and my balm. I also like to give myself a cold laser treatment with a set of Lyma lasers and the SKNN by Kim Night Oil. I finish my routine with either the Environ Revival Mask or Biologique Masque Vivant, and the Celluma LED light panel.
In the mornings, I do a quick facial cleanse with the Everyday Rosemary enzyme cleanser or just use my cleansing wipes, then I use a rotation of sheet masks: the 111Skin Y Theorem Bio Cellulose sheet mask, our face mask, the Forlle’d Hyalogy BW Intense mask, and lastly BioEffect’s Imprinting eye mask. I also mix our Soothing Serum with the Vitamin C+ serum for a skincare cocktail and finish with the Balm and M-61’s Hydraboost oil-free sunscreen SPF 40. I also like to use their Hydraboost Gradual Tan body butter.
What keeps you feeling vibrant and youthful?
From a physical point of view, the fact that I can work out keeps me feeling vibrant and youthful. Also, my sense of humor keeps me going and keeps me silly. My husband and I don’t have to talk about anything; we just laugh at the same things. Yes, living a healthy lifestyle—since I don’t drink alcohol and can’t get any funnier than I already am. I also think eating the right foods and getting a proper amount of sleep gives me great energy, and I believe recovering twice from cancer and being a forever athlete taught me even more about the value of it.
I’m also a combination of both of my parents. My mom is 86 and a half, and she just gives me hope—she believes in me from a distance. I have a brother—I call him my baby brother, even though he’s 55 years old—we believe in each other. We are a small family believing in each other, so that’s where I get my strength and energy from: from home and where I come from.
Many people fear growing older. In your opinion, what is the best part about it?
As I have gotten older, I think I have become more interesting. I think physically, I gained a certain level of bravery, which is weird, but maybe for Polish Catholics, it takes a long time to say something good about yourself. And all of a sudden these days, I feel more exotic because I look different than 80 percent of people I’m surrounded by. I also care less about what people say about me, and that’s so healthy. If you’re still worried about it, stop now. Some trolls occasionally get me on Instagram, but I’m learning to let it go.
I am as inquisitive and as curious as I always have been, so that hasn’t changed. I do still make sure I focus my energy on learning, and everyday learning, and I learn from the youngest people. I don’t think anyone is ever too old to learn—can be knowledge, behavior, or different things. So again, I’ve now accumulated more stories and knowledge, and I am definitely ready to share it.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
