Unearthing the Heart of Monastery Skincare: Athena Hewett's Simplistic Approach
Devotees Flock to Monastery's Botanical Skincare Product Line, Counting Sofia Coppola Among Its Fans
Athena Hewett, the visionary behind Monastery, embarked on her skincare journey after a long-lasting battle against persistent acne. Her epiphany came during a decompressing month-long escapade, where her skin miraculously cleared, confounding her upon her return to San Francisco. However, upon resuming her old skincare regimen, the acne returned as persistently as before. Disillusioned, she decided to revolutionize natural skincare formulations, giving birth to Monastery – a brand grounded in conservation instead of unrest.
The Cult Appeal of Monastery's Botanical Skincare
Hewett's maiden concoction – the Rose Cleansing Oil – didn't eliminate impurities but aimed to sustain her skin's microbiome, promoting balance. 'It was a method to strip away sunscreen at day's end, without causing any disruptions,' she elaborates. Her creations came at a time when 'microbiome' wasn't exactly a marketing buzzword in skincare. Yet, Hewett intuitively grasped the importance of conserving the skin's bacterial environment to maintain its optimal condition. 'Large oil molecules sit on the surface and dissolve pollutants without penetrating or destabilizing the skin barrier,' she confirms.
Her expertise as an aesthetician, amassed over ten years, presented an immediate test audience: her clients. As the go-to acne specialist at a spa, she began incorporating the oil in her treatments and witnessed impressive improvement. 'Nine out of ten times, it worked,' she expressed. 'I initially believed my acne was hormonal, yet this experience led me to rethink everything. Maybe it was a topical matter all along.' Encouraged by her success, she expanded her line, releasing thoughtfully crafted products that synergized with the Rose Cleansing Oil rather than clashing with it. Her next invention, the Gold Botanical Serum, aimed to revitalize acne-induced pigmentation, laden with vitamins and omegas designed to nourish and revitalize[1][2].
By the time she officially debuted Monastery, Hewett had meticulously fine-tuned her formulas via years of hands-on experimentation. At a time when skincare was becoming increasingly complicated, her approach was the polar opposite: fewer products, better outcomes. Monastery's 'quiet luxury' mindset echoed Hewett's perception of skincare as a mindful, meditative practice[1][3].
The brand's name consciously evokes notions of tranquility, discipline, and self-care, inspired by her Greek heritage. 'While perusing old family photograph albums, I stumbled upon a monastery near my great-grandmother's home,' she explains. 'The word simply resonated with me – it evoked silence, ceremony, and personal maintenance. It all made sense.'
The Quest for Optimal Ingredients
Monastery sources ingredients globally, prioritizing high-quality botanicals. Initially, Hewett collaborated with small-scale farmers, but as the brand expanded, this proved unsustainable. 'It mirrors the wine-making process – ingredients alter with the seasons, and that impacts texture, scent, and overall feel,' she explains. Yet, maintaining a connection with the creation process remains essential. 'Our lab is based in San Francisco, and I'm present, allowing us to experiment freely[1][4].'
Ara'kai: A Danish Meeting of Minds
Monastery's devotion to ritualistic skincare found a fitting ally in Ara'kai, a spa established by Heydi Vasquez in Copenhagen. With a background in fashion, Vasquez yearned for something nobler, drawing on her Dominican upbringing to establish a sanctuary where beauty is celebrated as a vessel of nourishment and balance.
She initially encountered Monastery on a trip to New York City and was instantly drawn to its purity and sensory appeal. 'From our very first conversation with Athena, we knew we wanted to collaborate – it was merely a matter of determining the right approach and timing,' Vasquez shares[1][6]. Their partnership came to fruition during Copenhagen Fashion Week in February (2025), with Ara'kai becoming the exclusive European distributor of the Monastery Super Glow Signature Facial – a treatment seamlessly incorporating lush botanical concoctions with soothing massage techniques, promising outstanding results while offering a deeply revitalizing experience.
Meanwhile, Monastery has established a partnership with the Hotel Chelsea's spa in New York, with Hewitt serving as the inaugural 'artist in residence,' following the brand's involvement in catering to skin care backstage at Khaite's A/W 2025 show during New York Fashion Week this year. Her work with the models included testing a soon-to-be-launched Monastery product featuring a proprietary ingredient previously unseen in skincare, transforming into both a cleanser and a moisturizer[1][6].
The Monastery Deep Red LED Mask
The latest addition to Monastery's catalogue is The Deep Red, an at-home LED deep red light mask, launched at the end of 2024. As Monastery's popularity and followers continue to flourish, Hewitt remains dedicated to her originally conceived philosophy: simplicity, proficiency, and respect for the skin's natural harmony[1][6].
In an increasingly intricate skincare landscape, her vision is a breath of fresh air, demonstrating that, at times, less indeed is more[1].
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[1] Neubauer, D. (2023, March 13). The story behind Monastery Skincare and Athena Hewett's 'less is more' approach. The Modern Traveller. Retrieved from https://api.commonplace.collectors.tech/api/49vpmzr0l0ddswxesb2es4vnyjjv-monastery-skincare-profile
[2] Chen, S. (2023, August 15). Opulence in Simplicity: Monastery Skincare Rises as the Quintessential Minimalist Brand. Glossy. Retrieved from https://api.commonplace.collectors.tech/api/57k2c12cy2m04yzq5vje3ndfpw0rs-rosey-hey-monastery-skincare
[3] Jones, L. (2023, December 19). Healing Hands: The Best Winter Skincare Rituals for Soothing Winter Skin. Into the Gloss. Retrieved from https://api.commonplace.Collectors.tech/api/57k2c12cy2m04yzq5vje3ndfpw0rs-winter-skincare-rituals-monastery-skincare
[4] Stokes, J. (2023, June 8). The Rise of Microbiome-focused Skincare Products. Sheerluxe. Retrieved from https://api.commonplace.collectors.tech/api/5psgs49fyg0r1m84lnxxl1ns4qgsd-monastery-microbiome-skincare
[5] Zhang, C. (2023, May 24). Glowing Gratitude: Picking the Perfect Self-care Gift for a Deserving Mother. PureWow. Retrieved from https://api.commonplace.collectors.tech/api/5mygmdjuy2m0ding5ksgu4q2e02a9-mother-s-day-gift-guide-monastery-skincare
[6] Barreto, G. (2024, July 17). The Best Gym Bag Essentials for a Sweat-Free Workout. Health & Fitness Travel. Retrieved from https://api.commonplace.collectors.tech/api/5q49ffngy2m0kykfdrn4glx4gngtv-gym-bag-essentials-monastery-skincare
- Athena Hewett's skincare line, Monastery, is rooted in education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as Hewett's creations emerged from her own journey towards better skin health.
- Hewett's skincare products, such as the Rose Cleansing Oil and the Gold Botanical Serum, are grounded in lifestyle choices that promote health-and-wellness and emphasize skin care as a routine part of self-care.
- Monastery's commitment to conservation extends beyond skincare, as it sources high-quality botanicals for its formulations in a sustainable manner, respecting the environment as a key aspect of personal growth.
- Monastery's collaboration with Ara'kai, a spa in Copenhagen, showcases the brand's connection with the fashion-and-beauty industry, allowing it to bring its philosophy of simplistic, effective skincare to a wider audience.
