MUSES Convo with: Claire, Founder of Pioupiou Cosmetics

My journey began when I was pregnant with my first child. Like many moms-to-be, I became more conscious of the ingredients in the products I was using. I was working in the cosmetic industry for great brands but I struggled to find skincare that was both safe and effective for myself and my baby, which inspired me to create Pioupiou Cosmetics. As a mom and a professional in the cosmetic industry, I wanted products that aligned with my values—gentle, natural, and trustworthy. Pioupiou was born from this personal need and my passion for offering solutions to other parents facing similar challenges.

I already have 2 boys and I'm pregnant with my 3rd boy - due in Jan :-)  It's a balancing act, and I won’t pretend it’s always easy as I have challenging pregnancies. Prioritizing is key—I focus on what truly matters, both at work and at home. I’ve learned to delegate tasks and set priorities, which allows me to spend quality time with my family. The most important thing for me. I also try to stay organized by planning my weeks carefully and carving out moments of rest when I can.  

Patience and adaptability are two big lessons. As a mom, you learn that things don’t always go as planned, and you need to stay flexible. This mindset helps in business, especially when facing challenges or pivoting strategies of a small company. I’ve also learned the importance of empathy, which I apply to understanding my customers’ needs.

Not an easy thing, but really important. It might be a quick skincare routine with my Pioupiou products, a walk in Swiss nature, or even a few moments of quiet with a cup of tea.

For my family, I hope to nurture a happy, healthy, and loving environment where my children feel supported and inspired. For Pioupiou, I envision growing the brand globally while staying true to our values of sustainability and transparency. I’d love Pioupiou to be a trusted name in family skincare worldwide.

My day usually starts early with my small ones, it’s our special time before the day gets busy. Once at school, I focus on work, whether it’s meetings, product development, communication or marketing strategies. My days are quite packed and busy. Evenings are Family mainly - all about play time, dinner and bedtime routines.

I want my children to value kindness, empathie, sustainability, and taking care of themselves and the planet. By using natural, safe products and leading a healthy lifestyle, I hope to set an example they can carry forward in their lives.

My oldest is still young, but I try to involve him in small ways, like smelling new product samples or packing gift boxes. It’s important to me that my children see the love and effort behind what I do and understand the importance of creating something meaningful, especially as a woman, and as a working mum.

Balancing societal expectations can be challenging—there’s pressure to give 100% to both roles, which is unrealistic. I overcome this by setting boundaries and focusing on my priorities.

I dream of Pioupiou continuing to grow as a trusted family brand. If my children show interest in the business one day, I’d love for them to be part of it, but only if it aligns with their own passions. For now, I hope they see it as an example of following one’s dreams.

Start with a clear purpose and trust your instincts. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s okay to grow step by step—progress is better than perfection. Most importantly, remember that you’re setting an incredible example for your children.

I hope Pioupiou inspires families to embrace safer, more natural skincare choices and creates moments of care and connection between parents and children. Environmentally, we aim to minimize our impact through sustainable ingredients and packaging, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.