Studio Last’s brand for SKŌUD Cosmetics artfully balances scientific precision and natural goodness

Made by cosmetic scientists in Germany, SKŌUD Cosmetics – dedicated to effective and natural skincare – stands as the first-ever luxury skincare brand of its kind. As such, it achieves the perfect balance between beauty and scientific expertise, innovation and elegance. Crafted by the Berlin-based creative practice, Studio Last, the brand’s identity is as meticulous and eloquent as the products’ scientific formulations, where every detail represents SKŌUD’s high quality yet natural and approachable image. In addition to the impressive products, Studio Last were also inspired by the two Visionary women who founded the company, Dr. Nini Nielson and Dr. Julia Mader. “It was all about crafting an authentic vision that not only resonated with the emerging brand but also with both founders,” says Creative Consultant Nicole Zepter, who worked with Studio Last to build the brand world. In the early stages of the brand’s development, it was clear that the product needed to diverge from traditional medical-skincare brands as well as gendered aesthetics. Instead, SKŌUD was positioned as an unisex brand, distinguishing itself in a competitive market. “The goal was not only to create a brand but also a lifestyle where every gender could see themselves,” Creative Director & Founder Matthias Last explains. “This is reflected in both the imagery and the product design which are highly streamlined and focused.” The team sought inspiration from fashion brands like TOTEME, admired for their clarity, elegance, and minimalist sensibilities, and wanted to bring these traits to the German beauty market which hadn’t seen such a take before. They chose a visual language that merges the brand’s narratives of nature and science into a unified theme which spans the branding, packaging, and print materials. “Nature plays a significant role in SKŌUD products, and it was essential to showcase that,” explains Art Director & Project Manager Federica Habara and Last. “Alongside the stunning campaign images by Nadia Del Dò, Stephan Abry and Quirin Siegert captured beautiful shots of plants, landscapes, scientific close-ups, and stills in various elements.”