Athena Hewett: Acne Story, Skincare Wisdom & Monastery Brand Rise

What connects renowned figures like Sofia Coppola, Chloë Sevigny, Greta Lee, and Kirsten Dunst? Beyond their remarkable achievements in the creative industries, these accomplished women turn to expert esthetician Athena Hewett whenever they seek that enviable, luminous complexion. Hewett's meticulou

What connects renowned figures like Sofia Coppola, Chloë Sevigny, Greta Lee, and Kirsten Dunst? Beyond their remarkable achievements in the creative industries, these accomplished women turn to expert esthetician Athena Hewett whenever they seek that enviable, luminous complexion. Hewett's meticulously crafted brand, Monastery, draws inspiration from her enchanting 'kitchen-witchy' summers in Greece during childhood, where she immersed herself in the world of aromatic toners and luxurious oils, all blended right in-house with natural precision. She incorporates these treasures into her treatments at the legendary Hotel Chelsea in New York, serving as its dedicated esthetician, and also applies them backstage during fashion week to prime models' skin for the catwalks of prestigious labels like Khaite, Kallmeyer, and Victoria Beckham.

Remarkably, despite her impressive clientele and the allure of her ethereal skincare line, Hewett and Monastery have maintained a subtle presence, almost intentionally elusive. This isn't by chance. Rather than chasing visibility through aggressive social media campaigns, Hewett builds her community organically through personal recommendations—passing the torch from one stylish woman to the next, particularly those navigating acne challenges.

With nearly a decade of hands-on experience in the aesthetics field, Hewett faced an unforeseen setback: severe stage three acne. Even with unlimited access to premium skincare lines, she struggled to restore balance to her skin. Deeply frustrated by the conventional beauty sector's formulations and components, she abruptly halted all commercial products and embarked on creating her own remedies from scratch. The outcome was transformative—her skin achieved a glassy, vibrant, and healthy glow. Over several years of meticulous testing and perfecting her recipes, Hewett introduced Monastery to the world, steadily expanding its reach from her Hotel Chelsea residency to innovative ventures like the recent Skin Sanctuary pop-up in Paris, in collaboration with Semaine.

In the following conversation, Hewett opens up about her personal history, reveals her skincare insights, and explains why embracing authenticity stands as the ultimate expression of coolness in her world.

Recalling Your First Skincare Memories

Athena Hewett: My mother and I made it a tradition to travel to Greece almost every summer to visit my Yiayia and Papou. My Yiayia, along with her six sisters, were extraordinary cooks—Yiayia especially left a profound mark. Looking back, I realize how deeply their influence shaped me, though it took years to fully appreciate. I cherished the glass bottles we filled with holy water from ancient monasteries; I believe I still have a collection of them tucked away at home. There was something magical about the ritualistic, almost mystical craft of it all, with those peculiar little vessels sparking my imagination.

Transitioning Childhood Passions into a Professional Skincare Career

AH: I entered the field of esthetics without a clear intention of becoming a full-time esthetician, but I was drawn irresistibly to that same enchanting realm from my youth. I enrolled in the rigorous CIDESCO program, which demanded a comprehensive thesis for completion. Mine focused on essential oils—their profound impacts on both skin health and mental well-being. I delved deeply into the science, exploring various terpenes and quantifying limonene levels in different oils, partly to expand the depth of my paper.

Upon finishing, I seized the first opportunity at a medical spa, committing nearly ten years there. I advanced to lead esthetician and eventually spa director, gaining invaluable expertise. We stocked the top pharmaceutical-grade brands of the early 2000s—elite products typically found only in clinical environments.

Then came the turning point: I developed severe stage three, verging on stage four, acne. This prompted me to revisit ingredient analysis, much like my thesis days. Scrutinizing the lines we offered, I discovered striking similarities—across multiple brands, differences were minimal, often just one varying component. It begged the question: why stock so many if they were essentially interchangeable?

Worse, I noticed overlapping surfactants and preservatives with everyday household cleaners. The realization hit hard—I was applying these to my skin and advising clients to do the same, which felt untenable. Anxious, I initiated a complete detox: zero products, not even shower water on my face. Absolute bare minimum contact.

The Dramatic Skin Transformation That Followed

AH: Within roughly six weeks, my skin shifted dramatically from intense stage three acne, nearly stage four, to completely clear of breakouts. This ordeal left me profoundly disillusioned with the industry, contemplating an exit entirely. Uncertain of my path, I rummaged through old belongings and rediscovered my thesis. It reignited my original passion—the true spark that drew me to esthetics. That moment inspired me to experiment with formulation once more.

The Inaugural Monastery Formulation

AH: My debut creation stemmed from a sweltering 95-degree day in San Francisco when sunscreen was non-negotiable. Using SkinCeuticals UV Physical Defense, I worried about removal without disrupting my skin's microbiome. Distrustful of existing cleansers, I crafted a gentle, large-molecule cleansing oil—the precursor to our signature Rose Cleansing Oil. Soon after, I developed Monastery Gold to address the pigmentation and scars left by acne. These marked my initial duo.

Concurrently, I pursued perfume certification, immersing myself in formulation and perfumery studies. While many gravitate to herbalism, I learned it alone doesn't craft exquisite products; mastering accords is key. As a luxury esthetician blending medical precision with sensory delight, I prioritized beautiful experiences while minimizing irritants like limonene or linalool.

About a year post-Rose and Gold, my medspa employer endorsed my venture: a modest space nearby. I relocated with my loyal clients and homemade elixirs, keeping formulations under wraps initially. This secrecy yielded pure, unsolicited insights, guiding me. Nights blurred into pouring two or three test batches, iterating hundreds of variations. Client responses crowned six standouts, refined over five to six years in-spa before Monastery's official debut.

Guidance for Acne Sufferers Reluctant to Overhaul Routines

AH: It may seem unconventional, but incorporate a touch of oil. Seamlessly integrate Rose Cleansing Oil as your initial cleanse, standalone, or blended into your current one. Invariably, acne stems from over-drying and hyperactivation. Neutral oil provides essential nourishment, benefiting nearly everyone I encounter.

The Must-Try Monastery Essential for All

AH: Hands down, the Rose Cleansing Oil—my groundbreaking first formula that vanquished my stage three acne. It's my ultimate survival pick. Key: match oil volume to facial residue for physical, non-chemical removal.

Monastery's Underrated Star Product

AH: Rei, our retinol, deserves more spotlight. Amid countless options, ours excels in potency and hydration. Resuming it after lapses always astonishes—immediate brightness and plumpness.

Cultivating Monastery's Luxe Yet Discreet Aesthetic

AH: Our team comprises fashion-savvy, design-driven women. We drew from personal observations, translating them into a unique identity. Vibrant box packaging set us apart from ubiquitous white alternatives. We've pioneered this colorful trend, predating the current wave—recall Bottega's green, but whites dominated.

Embracing Bold Choices Amid Uncertainty

AH: Candidly, colorful boxes daunted me visually appealing yet risky; some spas rejected us for clashing with neutrals. Yet, a talented designer friend, my superior in taste and longtime ally, championed it. Surrounding yourself with visionary collaborators smarter than you proves invaluable.

The Power of an Exceptional Team

AH: Absolutely central to our triumphs. We boast all-stars, including pros who volunteered expertise—drawn to our artisanal ethos amid mass-produced fatigue.

Securing High-Profile Gigs Like Khaite and Hotel Chelsea

AH: Lacking funds for conventional ads, we aligned organically with indie-cool, elite brands for exclusivity. Opportunities unfolded naturally, feeling perfectly synergistic.

Discerning Intuitive Fits

AH: A contact at Hotel Chelsea mentioned the owner's wife adored Monastery. I pitched directly, then trained with spa director Alexis—intuitively sharp. Mere minutes in, she proposed residency boldly; her insight was immediate and respected.

Khaite's founder sought us out, bridging our indie roots with their elevated edge. We adored their vibe, mirroring our customers' tastes—seamless alignment.

Artistic Synergies Driving Decisions

AH: Undoubtedly. Data experts might critique my gut-led choices, but our high-caliber team trusts instinct. Our refined palates ensure selections remain exclusive and desirable.

The Joy of Crafting Beauty

AH: Creating exquisite experiences alongside top talent—that's the thrill.

Athena's Daily AM and PM Regimens

AH: Mornings begin with our forthcoming serum, followed by pressing Monastery Gold in, allowing it to absorb before a light Attar veil. SPF caps it—often blended with Attar; Dr. Kim's Light Saver shines lately. On peak days, a 10-minute LED mask on bare skin starts things off.

Evenings: Rose Cleansing Oil removes makeup, SPF, daily buildup. Rei retinol next, sealed with Attar. This trio guarantees refreshed, radiant mornings.

Aspiring Collaborations on the Horizon

AH: Just one thus far—with Coppola Hotels in Belize, yielding a stunning result.