For over 70 years, Ella Baché has believed that skincare is more than skin deep, it’s deeply personal, evolving alongside every stage of life. In 2025, that belief takes on new meaning with the Empowered in My Own Skin campaign, a celebration of beauty that evolves with time, experience, and confidence. To further this mission, Ella Baché has partnered with Emsee, Australia’s leading Perimenopause and Menopause health centre, to support women as they navigate the physical and emotional changes of this transformative life stage; breaking taboos, fostering open conversations, and providing real solutions that honour their unique needs.
In this special feature, Adeline Chu, Managing Director at Emsee, shares her perspective on empowerment, pro-ageing, and the power of embracing your story, unapologetically and confidently. Adeline transforms menopause care and empowers women with compassionate, personalised support and innovative health solutions. Guided by the belief in making the invisible visible, she champions open conversations around menopause, so no one has to navigate it alone. Through our Empowered in My Own Skin campaign, she helps educate women in perimenopause and menopause, providing the right community, guidance, and treatments to support them through this important life stage.
If I said the sentence “Empowered in My Own Skin”, what does it mean to you?
Being comfortable with my imperfections rather than self-conscious about them. We often fixate on flaws and miss opportunities to enjoy the present. Taking time to pause and reflect on our positive contributions to others' lives and our community helps shift this perspective.
How does someone show up like that?
Mindfulness and reflection is something I picked up from one of my mentors, Karthik. Hands down some of the best advice that nudged me to think differently and changed the way I look at myself. We often spoke about being authentic and not wearing a "mask," so I guess being empowered in my own skin means finding the bit that is really me and not covering that up. By the way, I applaud the creative brief for the photo shoot—that was the most minimal of makeup!
Do you see yourself as part of the “Pro-Ageing” movement? What does it mean to you?
Oh yes, definitely. From another mentor conversation, I learned that one thing that consistently holds us back is often... ourselves. We excel at talking ourselves out of opportunities, and regret it later. So if something feels a bit scary but someone you trust believes you can do it, perhaps they're right?
Can you tell us how those personal experiences inspired you to lead a movement in menopause care and how that informs the way you’d want a pro-ageing skincare brand to speak to women?
I'm glad you asked that question. These are good questions, by the way.
Advocating for others and championing change is my happy space. During my perimenopause years, I didn't find the right solution immediately. It was definitely a process of trial and error to discover what felt right for me. Emsee approached me after I had started researching this space. We joined forces, and here we are...
I would not be the first person to point out that few brands or products are designed for peri/menopausal women. Recognising that this stage of life isn't a lesser version but a new phase with different needs (and we're not apologising for that!) is important.
Can you tell us what your top three habits are for maintaining health and success as you navigate this?
Right now? Sleep, laugh, sensible lifestyle. Celebrate the wins, be kind to yourself, no-one is writing a report card on your life. That was way too many….
How are hormones, gut health and skin health connected?
It's all interconnected. Looking after yourself involves managing stress, eating a diverse diet, getting enough sleep, and sometimes consulting with professionals. I have occasionally tried to self-diagnose minor problems with some success if I make sensible tweaks but most times it's best to leave it to the experts. I have an Ella Baché story about skin health if you’re interested? I overdid the serums a while back when my skin started to change during peri menopause. One of your skin therapists gave me good advice and I was back to calm skin in a fortnight (thanks, Christine).
How have you celebrated your own skin’s story?
Respect for the largest organ in the human body? Easy … I try to drink lots of water, moisturise, sunscreen, do the basics well.
You work with so many women going through menopause. What are the three top tips for maintaining overall health and skin health during this time?
Some Emsee advice from one of our leading nutritionists …
- Prioritise sleep
- Drink adequate water (and if I could add my personal skin tip … SPF and a really good moisturiser)
- Eat a wide variety of nutritious food, staying away from processed foods where possible.
Have you ever looked at your story and realized there was something holding you back?
Absolutely, when I try to do too much at once and nothing progresses. I recall a quote from a mentor: "You can't be the General Manager of the Universe—the title doesn't exist." It was said with love and respect, and I had to laugh because it was so true at the time!
How do you embody your story at this time, enough to get other people on your journey?
Ah, you mean like turning up to a photoshoot standing next to two supermodels? It wasn't so intimidating once we began the shoot, but the prospect was quite daunting.
I've found that sharing authentic experiences—whether it's being a 40-year-old intern at a startup or navigating unexpected challenges—tends to resonate more with people than polished success stories alone.
Putting yourself out there as an expert at times can be what’s required. Is that something you’ve naturally been good at or something that you’ve had to work at?
I believe there is a teacher in most of us. Helping others is a great way to discover your strengths while building deeper connections. When I mentor others, I often learn something new — I enjoy how it keeps my brain active, adds to my portfolio of experiences, and I get to meet interesting people all the time. It is a great way to hone my skills and I like sharing people’s stories to inspire others. I think that’s a win-win.
In the beginning you had a vision, and a story, what gave you the courage to step out into this space for other women?
I felt it was important to lead by example, focusing on what matters to me. Many women appreciated that I could speak from personal experience and intuitively understand their challenges. The encouragement I received from friends, family, and even new connections was amazing—so many people offered help. It's crucial to ask for help (but be specific about what you need), remain intentional, and act on feedback. Following this daily leads to results.
What is the one thing you would do right now if you had the courage to really feel Empowered in your Own Skin?
…If something feels a bit scary, but someone you trust believes you can do it, perhaps they're right…
Adeline Chu’s inspiring journey and the Empowered in My Own Skin campaign remind us all that menopause is not an end, but a powerful new chapter to embrace with confidence, knowledge, and support. If you’re ready to take control of your skin health and wellbeing during perimenopause and menopause, don’t miss out on the exclusive opportunities we’ve created just for you.
Sign up for the Ella Baché VIP List and the Emsee VIP List today to get first access to expert-led content, exclusive in-person events with wellness leaders, and special salon benefits at participating Ella Baché salons.
Empower yourself with knowledge, community, and skincare that evolves with you because your story deserves to be seen, celebrated, and cared for.