Origin Story
Born to engineer parents in a small town in southern Albania, I spent most of my days among rolling olive fields and fragrant lemon trees. During the winter months, I found myself running around my mother's laboratory, surrounded by beakers and the company of strong, remarkable women. And in the golden embrace of summer, the seaside provided endless inspiration for my curious mind.
At the age of 10, after the Albanian war, our family embarked on a journey to Toronto seeking a brighter future. Yet, this transition, like many immigrant tales, held its share of challenges. The embrace of my family and the familiar thrill of tree-climbing adventures were left behind, replaced by a new and unknown landscape.
With the onset of youth and a new climate, the cold winters triggered lasting eczema and a long battle with acne. Trying every product on the market with no success, I knew I had to do something different. I begged my mother, a cosmetic chemist, to help me find real solutions to my skincare problems—inspired by the nature we left behind but backed by the scientific know-how my mother knew so well. The products we began to create actually worked at solving my problems, and they became a symbol of care to friends and family alike, and a mutual desire to heal those around us.
Everyday Chemist embodies the culmination of my journey across two profoundly divergent realms—bridging the gap between scorching heat and icy cold Toronto, a quaint European upbringing and a bustling metropolis, nature's embrace and scientific discovery. I continue to interweave these two realms through unwavering curiosity and boundless exploration. Everyday Chemist stands for the profound realization that 'home' resides wherever you find yourself.
Beyond Everyday Chemist, we are the team behind EC Studios, a cosmetic R+D studios that provides 360-degree support for other boutique brands in the beauty space.
Flavia, Founder