Award Winner
Expert Session
Office Hours with Perelel Founder Alex Taylor
October 03, 2025
Photos by: Bliss Kaufman
Tell us about what led you to start Perelel.
My co-founders and I each have our own deeply personal story of what drove us to create Perelel. For me, the seed of inspiration started when I experienced the gaps in women’s health firsthand after navigating an autoimmune diagnosis. My autoimmune would later shape my fertility and pregnancy experience—opening my eyes to the importance of nutrition, optimizing nutrients for my health goals or developmental stage, and pulling together a full 360-routine (with multi, omega, and targeted supplements). Managing all of this left me overwhelmed by the supplement aisle—trying to piece together a routine without real guidance, even with access to doctors. It struck me as unacceptable that women weren’t being offered targeted, stage-specific solutions that reflected our actual needs—created by the practitioners who know best or based on the latest research. That frustration, and the realization that the category lacked credibility and compassion, which my co-founders shared, inspired us to create Perelel: doctor-founded, clinically backed, and truly designed for women.
Where do you see the biggest gaps in women’s health today?
Everywhere—from research to routine care. On a recent trip to DC, I was reminded that less than 8% of federal research funding goes toward women’s health research. That lack of data trickles into every corner of our healthcare system—from how we’re diagnosed, to how products are formulated, to how care is delivered. Women are left underserved and overlooked. At Perelel, we’re committed to changing that by advocating for better research, building products with physicians, and giving women tools they can trust.
Why does “clean” matter to you—in both supplements and beauty?
Because clean is really about trust. Women shouldn’t have to question whether the products they use are safe or effective. For me, clean isn’t about a buzzword or trend—it’s about rigorous sourcing, transparency, and formulas that respect the complexity of our bodies. We already navigate enough uncertainty with our health; our products should be the one place where there’s none.
Which Oak Essentials products are your favorites?
Ritual Oil—I use it at night and it feels like a reset—and Balancing Mist, which is always on my desk. Both are simple, effective, and leave you feeling nourished.
What’s the most unconventional wellness practice you’ve tried? Would you recommend it?
An ayurvedic meditation retreat. At first, it was incredibly uncomfortable, but it taught me the power of stillness and how much clarity comes from stepping away from constant noise. You don’t need a retreat to get there, though—even small moments of daily silence can be transformative.
"For me, clean isn’t about a buzzword or trend—it’s about rigorous sourcing, transparency, and formulas that respect the complexity of our bodies."
As hormones begin to shift, how can women in their 30s and 40s prepare for what’s ahead?
Think of it as training for a marathon. You don’t start the day of the race—you prepare well in advance. Supporting your nutrient needs, focusing on strength training, managing stress, and prioritizing sleep all lay the groundwork for a smoother transition into perimenopause and menopause. Knowledge is power, and the earlier we understand what’s happening with our hormones, the better we can support our bodies through change.
We hear a lot about menopause, but far less about perimenopause. Why do you think that is?
The short answer is: because we don’t know enough about it. The term “perimenopause” wasn’t even codified in medical textbooks until the 1990s, and it’s only recently gained attention as one of the most under-studied life stages—even though the hormonal shifts are as significant, if not greater, than those of adolescence. To put it in perspective: There are 1.2 million studies on pregnancy, nearly 100,000 on menopause, and only around 9,000 on perimenopause. No wonder so many of us feel in the dark. And to make matters worse, women have historically been discouraged from talking about our bodies. As Gloria Steinem reminded me, periods used to be called “the curse,” and were never spoken about openly. That silence was passed down generationally, leaving us without the lived-in knowledge to prepare for this stage of life.
Why was it important to you that Perelel be OB/GYN-founded? And what role does the Perelel Panel play in shaping your formulas and education?
It was at the core of our “why.” The category lacked credibility, and we couldn’t understand why the very doctors and researchers who care for women weren’t the ones formulating these products. From the beginning, it was vital to us to build trust by working with OB/GYNs and experts who understand the nuance of women’s health. The Perelel Panel helps ensure that every product is rooted in clinical evidence and real patient care—not fear, marketing trends, or misinformation. We also wanted something comprehensive—not a one-size-fits-all multivitamin, but routines that meet women where they are, stage by stage. Most of us have been left to navigate the supplement aisle alone, piecing together our own routines without the expertise to do so. Perelel changes that by giving women solutions—built by the clinicians who know their bodies best.
As a founder, what piece of advice do you always give others?
Take the next right step and keep going. The difference between those who dream and those who build is often just that—taking the leap, being scared, and doing it anyway.
What’s next for Perelel?
We’ll continue to push for better research to uplift the entire category of women’s health. That advocacy benefits everyone—and it fuels us to keep building products backed by stronger data and clinical evidence.
