Just like we listen to our mental health, it’s important to listen to what our physical body needs. Is your skin too dry? Too oily? Are your skin’s needs shifting depending on your menstrual cycle? You’re not overthinking it – it most likely is.

Turns out, our menstrual cycle dictates our skin’s needs more than we may think. And instead of fighting it or ignoring it, Miami-born Peruvian entrepreneur Alexia Coutts’ skincare brand Muhza is at the forefront of connecting our skincare to the needs of our body’s menstrual cycle. Because, believe it or not, every cycle’s need is different. 

Modern Muze spoke to the 27-year-old Latina creative about Muhza’s foundation and goal for it to not only be about skincare, but a “a deeper sense of connection” with your body. Here’s how the conversation went.

How do your Peruvian roots influence Muhza?

Peru is full of rituals that honor nature’s rhythms, and that way of living has always stayed with me. From an early age, I saw care modeled as something slow, grounded, and intentional. That shaped how I think about wellness, especially for women. Muhza carries that influence in how we formulate, how we think about cycles, and how we connect care back to the body in a meaningful way.

How long have you been working on Muhza’s products? When was it officially formed? 

We spent over two years developing the formulas in collaboration with a certified manufacturing lab and launched the brand earlier this year. It was a research-heavy process focused on how the skin shifts during each phase of the menstrual cycle. Every decision was intentional, from ingredient selection to how each formula flows into the next. The goal was to create a complete system that works in sync with your body week by week, not just as individual products.

What’s your skin care routine like and how do you incorporate your product into it?

My routine moves with my cycle. During menstruation, I use Muna to hydrate and support the skin barrier with ingredients like peptides, probiotics, and hyaluronic acid. In the follicular phase, Puri gently exfoliates using fruit acids and mandelic acid to encourage renewal. Ovulation is when I turn to Qori to balance oil and protect the skin with bakuchiol and licorice root. In the luteal phase, Ayni helps calm inflammation with salicylic acid, lactic acid, and soothing actives. I created the line so each formula responds to what the skin is naturally doing, rather than working against it.

What have you learned in your skin care journey?

That healing starts with awareness. My skin was what pushed me to get diagnosed with PCOS. I was breaking out constantly, inflamed, and exhausted. Once I began tracking my cycle, I noticed patterns in my mood, energy, and especially my skin. That is what led me to cycle syncing and eventually to starting Muhza. The biggest shift was learning to listen, because our skin is always communicating. When you pay attention, it becomes easier to support it with intention.

What makes Muhza different from other skincare brands?

Most skincare routines are static, but Muhza is built to be dynamic. We formulate based on what your skin actually needs at each point in the menstrual cycle. That means exfoliating when skin is more resilient, calming when it is inflamed, and hydrating when it is thin or dry. Each product is formulated with clean, vegan, hormone-safe, and clinically supported ingredients, and is gentle enough to use throughout every phase of the cycle. But just as important, they work together. The system flows in sequence, respecting what came before and preparing for what comes next.

What challenges as a Latina entrepreneur have you faced? 

As a young Latina founder in the beauty space, it can be hard to be taken seriously at first glance. I’ve had to make sure every decision is backed by strategy, research, and intention because I know I’m not always going to get the benefit of the doubt. But I also think coming from a different lens is an advantage. It lets me build differently, from a place that’s both personal and precise.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs as a Latina in the skincare industry?

Trust your perspective. You don’t have to conform to how others have done it before you. The beauty industry needs new voices, new ideas, and new ways of thinking. Your background isn’t a barrier, it’s a foundation. Lean into it, even when it feels uncomfortable. And know that being underestimated can sometimes be your greatest advantage.

Tell us about your goal with Muhza and what you hope the audience gets from the brand.  

Muhza was created to do more than treat hormonal skin concerns. Each product is designed to help women reconnect with their bodies and embrace the cycles that shape them. Our skin is constantly shifting, just like we are, and instead of working against that, Muhza encourages us to work with it.  At the end of the day, I hope women walk away feeling more in tune, more empowered, and more supported in their skin.