First off, how are you and how is your 2021 going?
I’m good! I’m definitely feeling more positive now that the world is opening up again and I think everyone feels the same. We all seem to be taking things slower, enjoying the small moments, spending time in the sun and seeing our friends and family again.
Can you tell us about Scientia and the products you produce?
Results-driven and radiance-boosting, Scientia [see-en-cha] is here for the beauty junkies and skincare lovers. Made to battle tired, dull, stressed-out skin and offer supercharged and feel-good skincare that’s proven to balance, brighten and plump whatever your age.
Blending innovation with accessibility, high performing ingredients with aesthetic. I can honestly say that Scientia uses some of the most premium actives in the skincare world, bringing the best of science and nature. We combine that with playful and luxurious packaging that acts as an expression of style, proving that serious skincare doesn’t have to equal stuffy or unrelatable. Focusing on making that beautiful packaging sustainable too, Scientia offers an indulgence experience without the waste.
You’ve also founded plenty of other beauty businesses, what drives you to create something new?
With each product we create, I always want to push to make it do more and work harder. I won’t just make something for the sake of it – it’s all about being creative to bring something new and exciting to the market. Whether that’s finding a new ingredient and getting lost in what I can turn it into, travelling the world (pre and hopefully post covid!) to discover new innovations, or meeting with my lab team to work out how to solve a specific skincare problem, creativity is key!
We love that Scientia has such a big focus on cruelty-free, vegan skincare. What would you say is the ethos of the brand?
Apart from being vegan and cruelty-free, ingredients are so important to Scientia. Forget about the natural vs synthetic debate, we blend the best of beauty innovation in both nature and science. Our globally sourced glow-giving ingredients are chosen to do good and work hard, whether that’s tranexamic acid whipped up in a lab, or a locally farmed avocado fresh from the tree.
I also think the idea that skincare being self-care is a big part of the brand, and why I personally love skincare too. That act of sitting down and applying a carefully chosen routine each morning, the feeling you get when you see the results from your skincare. Investing in yourself – that’s self-care. From the results you get, to the aromatherapeutic blends, Scientia is all about feel-good rituals, giving you your glow from the inside out.
Plus, we have a big focus on sustainability too. Thoughtfully designed, formulated, marketed, manufactured and distributed all in the UK, we’re Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty free, Vegan Society approved and offer sustainable glass and FSC certified packaging printed with soy ink.
Why do you think it’s so important to look after your skin?
Apart from the long term benefits to how your skin looks and feels, like I said before, skincare should really be treated as self-care. I think it’s really important to treat your skincare routine as a ritual, making it a moment to switch off and focus on you, whether that’s 5 minutes or 50. When you put time and dedication into anything, seeing those results and reaping the rewards really does feel great, especially when you’re working on yourself.
What is the process like for creating a new product?
I’m lucky that I work for my family business and that as a family we have the capability to do every step of the process in house, bringing a product to market very quickly.
I could think of an idea over breakfast and by lunchtime I’m in the lab with my team whipping something up. Plus, since we’re fully vertically integrated, we do everything else in-house too, from packaging design to the actual fulfilment, quality control to the marketing. This means we can be totally absorbed in every step to make all our products perfect!
What are your top 3 tips for starting a business?
Not everything will always go to plan and that success doesn’t happen overnight. You’ve got to take the knock backs, learn from them and then carry on pushing forward to get to where you want to be.
Find your niche, what are you passionate about? Look for your area of the market, look at what competitors are doing, how can you do it better, give the consumer a reason to buy from you.
What are you currently working on?
We have an amazing new product launching for Scientia in just a matter of weeks! Our new Sunshine & Sea Aqua Tanning Serum is here to bring a little sunshine to your complexion… A blend of naturally derived tanning actives, skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and youth-boosting Shiitake Extract rich in Vitamin D, it’ll give skin a healthy dose of glow no matter how much (or little) sun you get this Summer!
Then, for the middle of this year we’ve got an incredible trilogy of products launching with some of my favourite ingredients ever. With a big focus on clarity and breakout-prone skin, I honestly can’t wait to share this one with you all, it’s been a real personal journey for me.
Who are some of your favourite follows online?
I simply love Michelle Driscoll (@michellemdriscoll), she has such an elegant and effortless style. With a timeless feel to both her interiors and personal style, she’s one of my favourite people to follow.
For interiors, I’m more than a little in love with House that Colour Built (@thehousethatcolourbuilt) it just couldn’t be more me! There’s something so joyful about colour, it can literally rewire the way your brain works, making you feel more positive, confident and full of creative energy.
I’ve also followed Astrid Wilson (@astridwilson) for years and it’s been amazing to see her grow, especially since she did a collab with Rixo my favourite dress brand. Plus, is there anything cooler than a beautiful Scandi artist?
What does your perfect weekend look like?
For many years now, the weekends, especially Sundays have always been about taking a step back from daily life which can often feel quite hectic and sometimes utterly relentless, so taking time to completely switch off in preparation for another week is so important to me. It’s one of the reasons I created another of my brands, Soak Sunday, a sustainable, sensorial and indulgent bath and body care brand. I wanted to capture that emotion connected to a long, lazy, slow Sunday and bring back bath time as ritual to revere, whatever day of the week you indulge in it.
With weekends being all about family, I do love curling up in bed with the kids for an early morning snuggle, sitting down to cook breakfast together, going on a long walk with my dog Reggie, sinking into a hot bath with a face mask for some self-care. With busy schedules during the week, over the weekend I really savour and soak up those small special moments of family life.
What do you always carry with you?
An obvious one nowadays, hand sanitiser! Apart from that and lip balm, I always have a water bottle to hand, since keeping hydrated is so important for your skin and overall health too.
What would your last ever meal be?
Ooo that’s a tricky one! I’d pop to the Le Petit Maison in Mayfair for a long alfresco lunch. I love all their nibbley tapas bit, especially the tomato burrata, and maybe a cold Rose.
What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Put yourself out there, even if it makes you feel a bit silly, because no-one knows absolutely everything and that’s the best way you learn.
