How working with a purpose can change a life

The effects of dermatological skincare are not just skin deep. The believe in its life-changing power is what drives employees of the Beiersdorf’s Derma brands Eucerin and Aquaphor.

One of them, Karina, experienced this power first-hand. In this interview, she explains how the right skincare has helped her to live out her passion to run triathlons.
She also reveals how working with a purpose motivates her in her job as Pharmacy Director and how her story has made her the testimonial for a global brand campaign.

I have been competing in triathlons for over ten years. I love this sport because it requires a lot of endurance and discipline to meet the challenges of all three disciplines: swimming, cycling and running. The feeling afterwards is indescribable, and the sport helps me to not only train my body but also my mind. For me, it’s the perfect balance to my everyday work. That’s why I’m so happy to be able to continue pursuing my passion.

Yes, basically already during my first triathlon. I remember it very well. I trained and prepared my muscles for the competition, but I had no idea that I also should have prepared my skin. Maybe you can imagine: When I came out of the water, I was soaking wet. I ran barefoot to my bike on stones and sand. My triathlon suit was chafing everywhere: on my chest, neck, thighs – just everywhere. When I was running, I felt every plaster and every blister on my feet from the training. Everything hurt and the last five kilometers were a nightmare. It was so painful that I almost stopped the competition.

Exactly, I’m very determined and didn’t want to give up. However, after this experience I knew I had to change something. There was no way I could have continued participating in triathlons under those conditions. Fortunately, I found a solution to properly prepare my skin for the competitions with a healing ointment from our Eucerin Aquaphor portfolio. For some people it might only be an ointment but for me it’s the opportunity to follow my passion. And actually, a lot more, because the experience I’ve had always encourages me to be just as motivated and persistent at work as I am at a triathlon.

At Derma, we have a very strong purpose: “WE BELIEVE IN THE LIFE-CHANGING POWER OF DERMATOLOGICAL SKINCARE”. I could experience this life-changing power myself! What could be more motivating than this? As the Pharmacy Director of Spain and Portugal I clearly know that I work for a purpose that I can relate to from my very personal experiences. This helps me to put everything I do into the right context: What I am doing helps people’s skin and therefore can change their lives for the better! No one should have to hide because of their hyperpigmentation, no one should feel uncomfortable because of continuously itching skin, and no one should have to give up his or her hobby because of chaffed skin. I can help them to show off their skin, to stop the itch and to run a triathlon. I couldn’t imagine a better purpose for my work.

Carolin is responsible for our Pharmacy and Selective Brands within the Corporate Communications team. In this way she takes care of international communication projects of brands like Eucerin, Aquaphor, Hansaplast and La Prairie.