We interview José Miguel Cabello Escribano, CEO of MC Actives GmbH.
A young Germany-based company dedicated to the development and marketing of active ingredients for the cosmetics industry. With a focus on sustainability, innovation and proven efficacy, the company works to offer natural actives to the global market that combine science, technology and respect for nature.
Name, position and company
José Miguel Cabello Escribano, CEO of MC Actives GmbH, based in Germany.
Tell us about the company you work for. What is its story?
MC Actives GmbH was founded on July 15, 2022 — a young company created with the idea of offering its own active ingredients to the cosmetics sector and marketing them worldwide.
The idea arose after already being active with another company, MC Beauty Science GmbH, dedicated to distributing several partners’ actives since 2016 in German-speaking countries. Being a distributor offers many opportunities, but it also involves certain risks. Therefore, the creation of MC Actives was driven by the desire to build something with its own value and future, leveraging our long experience in this sector.
Product development is carried out in collaboration with partner companies in which we hold shares, allowing us to ensure a solid future for both MC Actives and the associated startups.
What does your day-to-day work involve?
In addition to my responsibilities as CEO, my main focus is on sales and managing relationships with our distributors around the world. This involves numerous international trips and client visits alongside our distribution partners in different countries.
I also participate in trade fairs and events related to our industry.
Another part of my role is collaborating in the development of future products, contributing market insight and understanding of demand trends.
What differentiating value do you offer?
We started with two products already in our partner’s range and have since developed a line of six, all with a strong sustainability story and highly natural ingredients — yet with proven efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.
This has generated great demand and exceptional year-on-year growth.
We offer something that did not exist before in this form or with this technology, respecting the laws of nature without altering or excessively modifying them.
What challenges do you think you will face in the coming years?
One of the biggest challenges comes from the growing uncertainties caused by extreme policies and conflicts in nearby countries, which create concern among end consumers, making them more cautious in their spending.
Another constant challenge is the need to be better, more creative and more competitive compared to competitors who, in many cases, are much larger and more powerful than us.
What does being part of the Beauty Cluster bring to your company and to you as a professional?
It gives us visibility within the Spanish market and the opportunity to interact with clients and potential clients, making use of the platform and network of contacts that being a Beauty Cluster member provides.
In fact, we were among the first to join.
Going back to you. How did you enter the beauty sector?
I have worked in the chemical industry since a young age. I started at 16 in a multinational called Hoechst — today known for companies that emerged from that group, such as Clariant — completing professional training in chemical plant and laboratory processes.
Over the years, I continued my education thanks to the opportunities offered by the company, until I was hired by others, including Repsol, where I ended up as Commercial Director. Later, Lipotec recruited me as Managing Director for its German subsidiary, and from there I continued to grow until reaching my current position.
Speaking of “beauty”, how would you define it?
As the importance and responsibility of maintaining a youthful, energetic appearance through skincare — from youth to advanced age.
Our world revolves around the great desire not to age; while this is impossible, we can at least age more slowly and gracefully. That’s where we come in — to provide the means to help achieve that goal!
Any hobby, superpower or hidden passion you’d like to share?
Since childhood, I have been self-taught in flamenco guitar and singing. It’s something I’ve done since I was young on many small stages.
What is the last book you read or movie you watched?
“When the Storm Passes” by Manel Loureiro.
Business is based on…
Developing and manufacturing highly effective yet sustainable active ingredients, bringing them to the world through distribution and also through direct sales.
