refinery29 – When I met Scarlett Johansson at The Outset HQ in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, she exuded cool boss vibes, power-walking from a conference room to a rustic leather couch in the entryway. She sported a freshly-chopped haircut styled with a subtle wave, which she tells me is a byproduct of wearing sunglasses on her head while her hair dried — the epitome of effortless.
Leaning into the leather-backed cushion, Johansson and I chat about The Outset, the skincare startup Johansson co-created with beauty veteran Kate Foster Lengyel. Ahead, we get into why she started brand, everything she uses on her skin, and my personal favorite topic: accessories (including the story behind her Irish finger tattoo.)

Refinery29: The obvious question: You’ve been a working actor, and also a producer, for so long — what made you want to move from the film industry into beauty?
Scarlett Johansson: I’ve always been interested in skincare. When I talk to friends, they’re like, ‘Of course you’re doing skincare.’ Because I had problem skin, it’s something I’ve been conscious of forever. When I was in my late 20s and after having my daughter, everything kind of narrowed, and I started thinking about how I wanted to spend my time because I have less of it. I thought, what would be fulfilling to me? The idea of having a startup and learning a new industry seemed like an exciting prospect.

R29: How was your skin problematic?
SJ: When I was adolescent, there were a couple of brands that I was using; Clinique was a big deal. When I started getting acne, I tried Proactiv and those skin-care systems with so many actives stripping my skin. It wasn’t until I started using a gentle routine — like, micellar water and gentle moisturizer — that my skin rebalanced and it was the best version of itself.

R29: What does your skin-care routine look like today?
SJ: I use the Gentle Micellar Water anytime I wash my face. I used to use a drugstore brand, like Cetaphil, but I found that those cleaners were made with so many [ingredients] — so this was our answer to the daily cleanser. It’s fragrance-free, made for sensitive skin. Then I use our Prep Serum and Daily Moisturizer. That’s my whole prep for everyday. I wanted to take the same amount of time as my husband.

R29: Your husband [Colin Jost] uses The Outset products, too?
SJ: We do the same steps. He uses the same products, plus the eye cream. I only use the eye cream at night. And I put on my cuticles. I was like, if we’re going to make an eye cream, I want it to be more of an ‘everywhere’ cream.

R29: Do you supplement your skincare routine with other things, injectables or facials?
SJ: I have a little boy, he’s one. After I gave birth, my hair was shedding and my skin got all patchy and dry. My girlfriend told me to start taking liquid collagen and it has made the biggest difference in my skin and hair. I got a hippie-dippy one from Amazon, but it has really worked.

R29: I love this blunt lob, too! How do you style it? What do you use to create this soft wave?
SJ: Nothing [laughs]. I just recently cut it all off — so that’s what I did for it — and I don’t really do anything. I sometimes put sunglasses on my head as it dries and I get a wave.

R29: What about makeup? What are your go-tos?
SJ: I curl my eyelashes. I use the Shiseido mascara. A little concealer and a highlighter, both from NYX Professional Makeup, and I’m out the door.

R29: You call The Outset, the ‘white t-shirt of skincare’ — how would you describe your personal style?
SJ: I feel feminine because I’m breastfeeding. Recently, I’ve been into wearing things that are feminine and flowy. I’m a jeans girl, too. When you don’t have to wear an elasticated waistband anymore, you’re like, whoo-hoo. I’m functional, too. I grew up in the city so my clothes are reflective of that. I wear footwear that I can walk 40 city blocks in.