On the Way to Products

On July 20, 2026, Katarina Fajfar, founder of the cosmetics company SkinFairytale based in Naklo, celebrated receiving a regional innovation award for her product, Growth Serum. The gold prize was presented at a ceremony organized by the Regional Council of Gorenjska, which recognizes innovative achievements in the region. Fajfar emphasized that the award was a recognition of the entire team’s efforts throughout the year, highlighting their dedication, research, and perseverance. Fajfar, who has long been interested in developing products for sensitive skin and hair loss issues, explained that the creation of Growth Serum stemmed from personal experience. She described how she had struggled with androgenetic alopecia, one of the most common forms of hair loss among both men and women. “I’ve known for years the feeling of searching for a solution, only to find that there are many promises but very few well-thought-out products,” she said. This frustration led her to begin researching and developing her own formulations. The story of SkinFairytale began even earlier, rooted in Fajfar’s concern for her daughter’s eczema. When she could not find effective treatments, she decided to explore and develop her own formulas. Today, the company employs seven people and focuses on creating products tailored for individuals with sensitive skin, eczema, hair loss, and other natural skincare concerns. Fajfar stressed that despite being a small business, they handle all aspects of product development, customer support, marketing, sales, and logistics internally. “Our small size allows us to be highly adaptable, to listen to our customers, and to dedicate significant time and attention to each product,” she said. “We don’t create products just to expand our offerings, they aren’t driven by marketing trends, but rather by real needs we observe in people.” The development of each product can take anywhere from one to several years. Fajfar detailed the process: reviewing scientific literature, experimenting with new active ingredients, collaborating with suppliers and experts, and preparing numerous formula variations before finding the right one. Once a formulation is finalized, it undergoes stability testing, user trials, and in some cases, clinical studies. “It’s a meticulous process,” she said. The Growth Serum itself took more than two years to develop. Fajfar aimed to create a product that didn’t rely on a single active ingredient but instead combined multiple clinically tested components targeting different causes of hair loss. The final product underwent an independent clinical study, which is relatively rare in the cosmetics industry. The results showed a 52% increase in hair density after three months of use and an 80% increase after six months. Users have also confirmed its effectiveness. “The satisfaction of users is the greatest confirmation that we’ve created something that actually helps people,” Fajfar noted. Receiving the gold award was a significant milestone for Fajfar, especially given the challenges faced by smaller Slovenian companies competing against larger international brands. “When you develop products as a small local business, you quickly question your place in the market,” she said. “This award was a pleasant surprise and a strong validation that we’re on the right path.” She believes the award reinforces the idea that innovation isn’t limited to large corporations. “Developing products differently, slower, more thoughtfully, and with extensive research, is worth it,” she added. “As someone who is both a formulator and the founder of the company, I experience this deeply, it’s a message that even a small Slovenian company can create a product recognized by professionals.”