Downtime With Hope Dworaczyk Smith

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF

The logistics involved in running a skin care brand seem dizzying at best, but Hope Dworaczyk Smith—mother of Mutha—is in the swing. Her travel calendar is stacked, mixing business (London for VIOLET GREY’s Harvey Nichols opening) and pleasure (Kyoto for peak cherry blossoms). Her product pipeline is humming, as seen in the latest hydrogel eye patches and plumping lip treatment. And her off hours are anything but quiet, with four charismatic children who have already wound up in a Kith for Nike campaign. It’s no surprise, then, that she safeguards her downtime, from her posture-attuned workouts to a dialed-in sleep routine. Here is how the founder unwinds.

YOUR BRAND NAME NODS TO THE OTHER HAT YOU WEAR: MOTHER. WHAT DOES DOWNTIME IN THAT SENSE LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Downtime is a hotel stay. Hotel du Cap in the South of France is one of my favorites. I also love spending time on our boat. I try to keep it brief—I don’t like being away from my kids for more than three nights!

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO BEGIN A SLOW DAY?

I love to start with hydrogen water, followed by the hyperbaric chamber or an hour-long workout. Then I always need a homemade iced latte on the way to my desk.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO MOVE YOUR BODY?

Classical Pilates shows up for me in ways I didn’t appreciate when I was in my twenties. It’s amazing for my spine, and the deep core exercises make me feel inches taller.

IF YOU COULD SPEND A FEW HOURS IN NATURE, WHERE WOULD YOU IDEALLY FIND YOURSELF?

Probably on a hike in Colorado at our ranch or walking on the beach finding shark teeth with my son.

YOU HAVE A POCKET OF TIME FOR A SELF-CARE INDULGENCE: WHAT IS IT?

I love a long bath with a conditioning hair mask and an exfoliating scrub. After drying off, I end with Mutha Body Oil. It’s one of those products that really does feel like an indulgence.

WHAT PIECES OF YOUR WARDROBE SAY DOWNTIME TO YOU?

Lounge clothes that are soft and oversized, or silk PJs and robes at home. I love Olivia von Halle and Lunya.

WHAT BEDTIME RITUALS HELP YOU WIND DOWN?

I’m very against blue light after sunset. I use the red-light setting on my phone and have a red-light lamp on the nightstand. I read a book with the Kindle in dark mode. I will even walk around in my red-tinted glasses—not sexy, but my sleep score is.