Sanbera: Dear Irena, we are so happy to have you as part of the Sanbera community. With your background as a Skin Therapist, Nutritionist, and expert in holistic practices such as hormone yoga and face yoga, you embody the values we deeply care about: balance, simplicity, and inner–outer wellbeing. It’s an honor to connect with you and learn more about your philosophy, daily rituals, and journey with Sanbera. Our readers will have the opportunity to meet you and get to know you.
Irena: Hello. First, I'd like to thank you so much for the invitation. It is a true honor to be able to share my philosophy and perspective on a holistic, healthy lifestyle—or as I call it, my longevity protocol. In the end, it’s not a rigid protocol at all, but rather a way of living that becomes a habit, a daily ritual that is always a little different, and that’s what makes it so interesting. I am truly flattered to be a part of the Sanbera community.
Getting to know you
1- You have such a rich background – from being a Skin Therapist and Skin Expert at Guerlain to founding My Food Philosophy. Could you tell us a little about your personal journey and what led you to this holistic approach to beauty and wellbeing?
My dreams as a child were completely different from what I do now. My father was a paratrooper in the army, and I wanted to be one too. Of course, that was out of the question; my mother was firmly against it, so I had to choose a different path. Since that was all I had ever wanted, I didn't know what to choose for my studies. My school teacher suggested Hotelier school, knowing how much I loved to cook, something I had been doing since I was six years old. When my teachers in Hotelier school discovered I was very talented, they began sending me to various junior competitions.
Later, after I started working, I happened to discover the world of cosmetics when I was 23 and immediately fell in love with it. I decided to change my path and trained as a Skin Therapist, which over the years also led me to become a nutritionist. Just two years later, I began collaborating with Guerlain, and 30 years later, I still work for them.
My holistic approach to beauty and well-being began very early in my childhood, even before I was fully aware of it. I spent my childhood in the pristine forests of the Slovenian Alps, near Austria. Life was incredibly simple, and we only ate what we grew ourselves. I never ate processed food and never even had the need for it. It was normal for us to be outside all the time, so we were very active. Later, I also took up athletics.
When I later moved to the coast, that habit stayed with me. However, about twenty years ago, my husband's diabetes essentially forced me to look at healthy eating in a completely new way. We completely eliminated sugar from our diet, with the exception of fruit. Then, ten years ago, after surgery for uterine cancer, I began to take a serious interest in what I call the longevity protocol. I started noticing incredible results, not only in my overall well-being but also in the youthful appearance of my skin.
2- Your motto with My Food Philosophy is “Find love in simplicity. Eating with heart.” What does simplicity mean to you, and how do you translate that into your daily life and work with clients?
My motto with My Food Philosophy, “find love in simplicity - eating with heart," is truly simple: when you begin to respect and enjoy even the simplest things in the world, that's when you start to talk about love. And when you find that love, you truly begin to enjoy even the most basic meal.
For example, take a simple potato boiled in its skin. If you cook it just right and season it with only a touch of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of good sea salt, and a little pink pepper crushed between your fingers, the richest flavour you can imagine will come alive in your mouth. Your taste buds will dance with joy, and your body will be filled with immense satisfaction. I call this "eating with heart."
This philosophy applies just as much to skincare. You must find pleasure in the simple things, and here, I'm talking about your daily cleansing ritual. When you master this simple routine, you begin to truly enjoy your skincare.
3- Living in Milan, how does the city influence your lifestyle, wellness routines, or even the way you connect with beauty and self-care?
Living in Milan takes quite a bit of effort, as it's unfortunately one of the most polluted cities in the world. Yes, you heard that right—it's a city that never sleeps and moves at a fast pace.
Luckily, I'm not someone who's easily influenced by trends. Instead, I've built my own lifestyle and I stick to it. This means that my mental and physical well-being are incredibly important. In a city like this, psychological fitness comes first, followed by physical fitness, to keep up with the pace. That's where a proper diet and supplements play the most important role.
Your practices & expertise
4- You are trained in face yoga and hormone yoga, which are such fascinating practices. What role do these play in your own life and the way you guide others?
Yes, it's true. I am trained in both face yoga and hormone yoga, and these practices play a huge role in my daily life. I started this journey for myself 15 years ago because I wanted to improve my health and appearance naturally, through a holistic approach.
Because I've been consistent—practicing almost every day (with a well-deserved break now and then, because we must listen to our bodies)—the results are truly visible. Now, at 55, I can finally prove that these methods work. This has motivated me to guide others and teach them how to achieve their own desired results through these specific exercises. It is never too late; you just have to be persistent.
5- As both a Skin Therapist and Nutritionist, how do you see the connection between inner health and outer beauty?
Inner health and outer beauty are deeply connected. If we want to achieve healthy, radiant skin, we must first start with a healthy lifestyle. There are no miracle creams that will make us look younger; it depends on us and our habits.
I'm aware that I chose a more challenging path, as it requires dedication. But when I see the results at my age—that I'm still in excellent physical and mental condition and have the energy of a much younger person—I know this approach has been worth it.
My timeless skincare tip is to cleanse, always cleanse, no matter what. The use of a good lotion is also fundamental and, for me, a top priority, along with consistent masking.
For wellness, my tip is to stretch your body every single day. As we age, our muscles begin to shorten and lose elasticity. To avoid pain and to still look tall and graceful in our later years, we must keep our muscles supple, which in turn provides crucial support for our joints.
Sanbera experience
7- You’ve been using Sanbera’s Daily Essential Women and Nightly Reload Women. Could you share how these supplements fit into your routine?
I started using Sanbera supplements over a year ago, and what pleasantly surprised me was that, just like with skincare, they have a "daily and nightly regimen." Our bodies need essential nutrients at night for complete regeneration. Once I felt and saw the results, I started taking them with even greater satisfaction.
Typically, when I change or start a new supplement, I pay close attention to its effects. I began with just the Daily Essential Women and noticed I had just the right amount of energy throughout the day and was also more focused. When I added the Nightly Reload Women, the effect was perfect, as they work together incredibly well. I slept through the entire night without sweating and woke up more rested. After some time, I also noticed my skin was more radiant.
Since they contain natural ingredients that act as a powerful antioxidant for the body, this also means excellent support for the liver, which has to continuously cleanse toxins and heavy metals from the body. This, in turn, leads to a more efficient production of new hormones and better hormonal balance.
Yes, of course, Sanbera aligns perfectly with my philosophy in every way. I truly believe in nature's natural power to heal itself, that a holistic approach can achieve great results, and that simple things—without unnecessary additives—are often the best.
10- What motivates you to continue reaching for Sanbera as part of your daily and nightly routines?
What keeps me committed to Sanbera is, first and foremost, their dedication to nature. Their philosophy aligns perfectly with my own (mindful nutrition) and, of course, the remarkable results.
More about you
It's hard for me to design what my perfect self-care day in Milan would be because I believe I already have an excellent one, no matter where I am.
My morning begins before six o'clock with a glass of lukewarm water mixed with pollen and fresh lemon juice, which I drink along with amino acids. I start with ancient Tibetan exercises to awaken the entire body and spirit, followed by hormone yoga and then the "Tibetan Fountain of Youth." I finish this with sun salutations. After a brief break, I take my natural supplements for liver cleansing, and then I do a new set of exercises from Chinese practices that stimulate circulation, awaken energy, effortlessly activate organs, relax the body, and erase stress, encouraging the body to heal itself.
Next is breakfast preparation (I take my daily Sanbera supplement). All the recipes for my healing breakfasts are on my My Food Philosophy Instagram. While preparing breakfast, I start my face yoga. I always prepare lunch for work as well. Since I am on my feet for nine hours, my meals consist of raw fruits and vegetables, proteins, and a fair amount of dried fruits, seeds, and nuts. When it's time for lunch, I take 20-30 minutes to eat while seated, and then I go outside for a walk to clear my head.
I usually get home around eight in the evening. This is quite late for dinner, so it's always a bowl full of vegetables with fruit and fish, or just raw vegetables with goat feta. This is when I take my nightly dose of Sanbera. Before bed, I drink a special ancient longevity healing drink from the Caucasus made with kefir and other ingredients (for now, that's a secret) and do exercises to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, and improve sleep. Of course, I must not forget my daily skincare ritual, both morning and evening. The morning routine includes a short facial massage with a Ridoki Imu-roller, while the evening routine involves Gua Sha or facial cupping.
The only thing I miss is being able to go swimming and do Pilates, which my current work obligations do not allow.
12- What role do mindfulness or small rituals play in keeping you balanced, especially in a busy city like Milan?
In short, everything I do is to achieve that wonderful feeling of being in a Zen state, which I like the most.
When you feel good, you are happier and more joyful, so you quickly find a source of motivation everywhere and almost every day. And if we go back to the beginning: when you succeed in "finding love in simplicity," you have found your source of inspiration.
14- If you could give one piece of advice to women in their 40s and 50s who want to feel energized, youthful, and balanced, what would you tell them?
Start to appreciate yourselves more, to love yourselves more. That's when you'll be ready for anything, even the criticism of envious people.