LAURA ZACKARYA GALIYEVA, Skincare Formulator, Integrative Nutritionist, and Founder, Prosto and Laura Zackarya Skincare
They say beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder—but isn’t it odd how most beholders seem to see it the same way? Flip through any magazine, or turn on the TV—you’ll see how the idea of instant glow and flawless skin is sold like a magic trick. You must have seen those ads where a single cream miraculously turns a woman into a fairer and more confident, and desirable version of herself (At least, that’s the illusion they’re selling). It’s not just ads and magazines that swear by this definition of beauty. Even social media subtly pushes the same old ideals. How can we miss the buzz around Korean glass skin that is taking over our feeds, driving a global obsession with poreless, luminous complexions? With an endless list of beauty trends or sheer number of products flooding the market, it’s tempting to think that what worked for someone else might just work for you too, and give that instant glow we all secretly hope for.
But amid the glow-up frenzy, what we don’t realize is that beauty is diverse, and so is the skin. When no two people are the same—when their skin, their stories, their roots, genetics, and even their climates differ—why do we expect the same formulas to work for all? This very question began to stir in Laura Zackarya Galiyeva’s mind when she moved from Kazakhstan to Dubai, stepping into a climate that made her rethink everything she thought she knew about beauty and formulation. Laura spent years specializing in European and Asian skin types. But she faced a completely new challenge when she had to formulate skincare that thrives in the intense desert climate.
Formulations That Transcend Climates and Geographies
In Dubai, Laura witnessed the unparalleled cultural diversity and genetic variations in skin. The city is home to people from vastly different backgrounds—Arab, Indian, and African, all living under the same intense sun. But what caught Laura’s attention was how differently their skin responded to the very same climate due to genetic nuances—something rarely considered by mainstream skincare brands. “For instance, Arab skin naturally adapts to desert heat yet possesses a distinctive structure demanding tailored solutions. Similarly, Indian and darker skin types remain insufficiently studied by major European and Asian R&D labs,” Laura explains. This realization planted the seed for LAURA ZACKARYA™— a pioneering adaptive skincare brand that celebrates, understands, and deeply respects diverse beauty, rather than conforming to a narrow, Eurocentric vision.
Over the past decade, Laura has seen skincare trends grow more aggressive, with heavy reliance on strong acids and quick-fix formulas that promise instant results or that elusive “glass” skin. While these trending formulations might deliver that temporary result in moderate climates, they often do more harm than good in harsher environments like Dubai, where sun exposure intensifies skin sensitivity and accelerates photo-aging. “A recent GWSN study revealed that 71% of consumers across 18 countries identify themselves as having sensitive skin, marking a dramatic increase of 55% over the last decade alone,” Laura points out. Clearly, skin sensitivity is a rising global concern, and with LAURA ZACKARYA™, she set out to offer an alternative. “Most skincare fails because it’s made for perfect lab conditions. Your skin deals with actual weather, stress, and hormones. I build for that reality. My formulations work in your actual climate with ingredients that deliver real results and are tested on real people in real conditions,” she elaborates.
It All Started With A Simple Question
Laura’s fascination with the world of beauty began with a deeper question: Why do we age—and do we really have to? It wasn’t just curiosity. It was a spark that shifted something in her. “In our twenties, we live on the energy gifted to us by nature, rarely questioning the future. But after 30, we begin to feel the consequences of our habits. And by 40, the body starts to speak louder—through the skin, digestion, fatigue, and other signs we can no longer ignore,” she asserts.
That awakening inspired her to study Integrative Holistic Wellness and dive deep into the science of longevity and skin health. As a formulator, she focused on cosmeceutical skincare—clinically studied, science-backed, and biologically intelligent solutions that deliver visible results without compromising the skin barrier. “My products are not just ‘clean’ or ‘luxury’—they’re intelligent, effective, and designed to respond to the skin’s needs at a cellular level. I believe in the power of formulas that truly work,” she emphasizes.
Beauty That Starts Beneath the Surface
While the rest of the world is running behind the surface-level beauty, Laura has always believed that true radiance always starts from within. As a certified integrative nutritionist, she sees skin as a reflection of overall wellness. That belief led her to develop a holistic 30-day skincare protocol that goes far beyond serums and creams. It combines personalized topical care with nutritional guidance and mindful lifestyle practices— designed to nurture the skin from the inside out—no matter where you live or what climate you’re in.
But her work doesn’t stop at formulations. Through her platform and social presence, Laura speaks about the deeper layers of beauty—what goes beyond skincare—how food, stress, hormones, and daily choices impact our glow. No cream can outwork a poor lifestyle,” she often says. That’s why LAURA ZACKARYA™ Skincare follows a twofold approach: deliver high-performance topical care, and empower people with the knowledge to support their skin from within.
Success without Balance Is Just Noise!
While Laura is renowned for her biologically intelligent skin formulas, her creative reach extends into two other deeply personal ventures: UMAY, a mindful fashion label, and ZENTALES, a podcast exploring the human experience through honest conversation. “What ties all my projects together? Honestly—it’s just a loud, unapologetic expression of who I am,” she says.
For years, Laura chased success in the way most ambitious people do—through achievements, milestones, and constant motion. But somewhere in her forties came a turning point that made her realize: Success without balance is just noise. That’s when everything changed. Today, as a Skincare Formulator, Integrative Nutritionist, and Founder of Prosto and Laura Zackarya Skincare, Laura is reshaping the world of beauty, wellness, health, and personal growth. “Science keeps me grounded. Fashion gives my creativity a voice. My family reminds me what really matters. And my community—this beautiful mix of diverse, inspiring souls—keeps me curious. I’ve stopped chasing titles. Now, I build things that help others return to themselves,” she adds.
Breaking Barriers and Conquering Challenges
From questioning beauty norms to now building a globally-minded skincare brand, Laura’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—but it hasn’t been all glossy milestones and perfectly filtered wins. She had to overcome several hurdles along the way to get to where she stands today. Just before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura found herself wondering: “How do we reinvent ourselves—again and again—in a world that feels increasingly unstable?” Amid the geopolitical shifts, economic turbulence, and the overwhelming speed of modern life, she was looking for ways to build meaning, to thrive amid the chaos. These experiences reshaped not just her mindset but also her entire approach to entrepreneurship, pushing her to build something agile, borderless, and deeply rooted in values.
One of Laura’s favorite questions is: “Where is your skincare from?” She smiles when it comes up—because her answer tends to break that old, box-shaped way of thinking. For decades, beauty was defined by origin stories—French elegance, Korean innovation. But the world has changed, and she wants to change this notion with LAURA ZACKARYA™ Skincare. “My team operates remotely. Our clients are global. And from my base in Dubai—one of the world’s smartest logistical hubs—we deliver not just products, but a philosophy that belongs to the future: intelligent, adaptable, and limitless,” she shares with quiet conviction.
Next on the Horizon
As Laura prepares to launch her new skincare line in the UAE this September, she’s approaching it with the kind of perspective that only comes from experience. She believes that the most valuable insights don’t come during development—they come after launch, when people start using the product. Still, she shares one key insight that shaped her entire approach: skincare can’t be built for just one “ideal” customer. It needs to perform across skin tones, textures, and lifestyles—especially in a market as diverse as the UAE. That philosophy shaped her very first creation: the NextGen Smart SPF 50. “It’s a high-performance daily sunscreen that adapts to any skin tone with a beautiful tinted, glowing finish—no white cast, no greasy film. It’s breathable, lightweight, and suitable for everything from oily and acne-prone to dry and sensitive skin. I’m genuinely proud of it because it represents both function and elegance in one step,” she elucidates.
Shortly after developing her first professional-grade cosmeceutical ampoules for home use, targeting the most common skincare concerns, Laura saw a common issue among women in this region—dehydration, dullness, sun damage, and sensitivity. So, she set out to create formulas to better support skin exposed to the desert climate and deliver results without overwhelming the skin. “It’s only the beginning, but I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be,” she opines.
Skincare, as a Way of Saying: You Matter
Laura often calls herself “an old soul with a young spirit.” “There’s a stillness in me that seeks meaning, and a fire that never stops asking what’s next? That duality has shaped everything I do,” she shares.
If there’s one thing Laura’s learned through it all, it’s that nothing happens by accident in life. The detours, the delays, the dead-ends— it’s all part of a bigger picture we don’t always see at first. This perspective has grounded her through the uncertainty of entrepreneurship, and that same belief is what fuels her deep involvement in her brand today. She still reads every message from women looking for answers. She replies when she can. She listens. Because for Laura, skincare has never just been about ingredients or innovation. It’s a language. A way of saying: I see you. I care. You matter.