The Interview: Guapa tells its story

In today’s interview, we discover the journey of GUAPA, a laboratory specialized in contract manufacturing for "white cosmetics" and cleansing products. Founded by two pharmacists and researchers, the laboratory combines scientific study on stability and safety with a flexible full-service offering, capable of supporting both start-ups with batches of 200 pieces and established brands up to 10,000 units. From their first artisanal headquarters to the new technological hub in Palma Campania, this is a story of growth driven by reliability, speed, and the enhancement of natural ingredients.

Tell us about your professional journey. How did the alchemy between you two come to be?

Anna and I share a common root: we both graduated in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies. At the end of our studies, our paths diverged only to intertwine once again, enriched by new nuances. She immediately dedicated herself to the pharmacy world, while I chose the path of university research, obtaining a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. We have specular yet complementary profiles. Anna, naturally guided by empathy and human contact, has an innate talent for understanding the deepest needs of the skin and dedicates herself heart and soul to formulation development. I, on the other hand, bring scientific research into the field: I deal with stability studies and cosmetic safety. Two different souls, one single vision.

How was the idea born to give life to your own production laboratory?

The meeting with Anna was a fortuitous design of destiny, and our laboratory was born under the sign of a happy lightheartedness. We threw our hearts over the obstacle, dedicating ourselves heart and soul to this project while, in the meantime, life gave us the joy of becoming mothers. We grew dreams and children together, and so far everything has flourished in the best way. After all, as Paulo Coelho wrote in The Alchemist: “When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” We believed in it, and the Universe responded.
And Guapa? What is the spell at the origin of the brand?

As with the most beautiful and authentic business stories, our first formulas were born in the silence of a garage! It all started from the extract of Feijoa Sellowiana, a magnificent and generous plant that grows in our lands, keeper of incredibly nourishing fruits. We thoroughly studied this gift of nature, proving its extraordinary antioxidant properties, and made it the beating heart of our first cosmetic line. Since this plant is also called Pineapple Guava, a slight play on words gave life to the name that defines us today: GUAPA.
Who is your target audience today? What is your concept of production?
Today our activity is entirely focused on contract manufacturing. We walk alongside well-known digital cosmetic brands, but we also create exclusive lines for spas and agricultural farms that wish to enclose the beauty of their territory in their typical products. Our watchword is flexibility: thanks to our latest generation equipment, we welcome with the same enthusiasm the start-up taking its first steps with small batches of 200 pieces, as well as established realities that require productions of 5,000 or 10,000 pieces.
What kind of support can you offer to companies?
We give shape to an infinite range of wonders for the face and body. Our expertise spans across all of the so-called "white cosmetics", up to body and hair cleansers, precious oils, sun care products, and scented waters that caress the senses. We offer a full service, providing a wide assortment of packaging in stock and the possibility of tube filling. We transform an idea into a product ready for the market.
What are your "plus factors"? What makes you a safe harbor for those who choose you?
We create formulas based on ingredients of natural origin, preferring the richness of vegetable oils. Anna is a tireless researcher, always on the hunt for innovative and effective active ingredients. But our true added value is the soul we put into our work: we are precise, organized, a partner to rely on with eyes closed. Whoever entrusts us with the production of their cosmetics is putting their future and their reputation in our hands; we feel this responsibility and we honor it every day. In large industrial realities, it often happens that orders get lost in the flow, that communication is cold, or that one waits for an answer for weeks. With us, this does not happen. We guarantee quick responses, attentive listening, and a constant presence. We are not just suppliers, we are custodians of our clients' success.
Why did you choose to become part of the Cosmetitrovo network?
We met Maria at a trade fair several years ago, and from that moment a splendid friendship was born. Beyond the personal bond, we deeply believe in the value of this portal. It is a precious tool for us in the search for the best raw materials, and it is a fundamental compass for clients looking for laboratories of excellence that resonate with their own philosophy and sensitivity.

Looking to the future: can you tell us about the evolution that guided you toward your new headquarters?

Our first headquarters in Nocera was born with the intimate and precious dimension of an artisanal laboratory. Soon, however, the trust of our clients and the volume of orders grew beyond all expectations. We needed a new home, a large space that could contain and protect not only our growth, but also the dreams of those who chose us. In Palma Campania we found our ideal dimension: a modern and bright structure that we fell in love with at first sight. Here, thanks to generous spaces and new technological production lines, we have become a solid and well-structured company. Yet, in our hearts, we have not lost our artisanal vocation: the deep desire to look every client in the eyes, shake their hand, and welcome their goals as if they had always been ours.