Predicted to reach an estimated value of nearly $25bn by 2024, the UK skincare market is one of the country’s most thriving industries. The UK market is incredibly saturated and consists of everything from multinational corporations with wide ranging product lines through to micro-SMEs looking to challenge the status quo.
Given the sheer volume of businesses operating within this space it is vital that UK skincare brands have something that sets them apart and that they communicate this across all of their marketing channels. Influencing consideration amongst a consumer audience with high brand loyalty is a significant challenge for businesses and having a story that sets you apart can be an effective way of fighting off the competition.
Here we shine a spotlight on five of the leading UK skincare brands and the stories behind them:
Pai Skincare: Sarah Brown
Launched in 2007 based on founder Sarah Brown’s own sensitive skin issues, Pai Skincare was born to give consumers with sensitive and difficult skin a premium option to help boost their confidence. Having struggled with both Urticaria and Acne and the lack of products on the market that wouldn’t intensify these existing issues, Brown founded the business to help people in her shoes and help them take charge of their skin.
Formulated by a team of organic cosmetic specialists, all of the brand’s award-winning products are made from clean ingredients and are Soil Association, Vegan Society and Leaping Bunny certified.
Neal’s Yard Remedies: Stephen Tobitt
Underpinned by the belief that the Cosmetics industry should be transitioning away from synthetic ingredients and moving towards a more sustainable, natural model, since the business was founded in 1981 it has grown to become one of the industry’s most pioneering natural Cosmetics brands. Using ethically sourced herbs and botanicals combined at their Dorset HQ, the brand’s products all contain the highest possible concentration of natural ingredients and are only ever made in small batches to ensure that they are as fresh and effective as possible.
Neal’s Yard were the UK’s first certified organic health and beauty brand and since then have helped to ban plastic microbeads, never tested on animals as well as receiving 100/100 for ethics by The Ethical Company Organisation. Owned by the Kindersley family and led by CEO Stephen Tobitt the business is now a global leader in the sector and one of the brands helping drive real change for the industry.
Tropic Skincare: Susie Ma
Operating at the forefront of natural ingredient research, Tropic’s product range employs the very latest in sustainable technologies and contain a plethora of truly innovative ingredients. The business was founded by Susie Ma whose Australian upbringing surrounded by nature has had a significant bearing on the work Tropic carry out. Most of the brand’s ingredients are sourced from locations such as the Amazon and Australasia, based on the belief that the sun-soaked climes that produce these substances is immensely beneficial to the health of their end-users.
As well as the brand’s impressive cruelty free credentials, Tropic have also pledged to double offset all of their carbon emissions, offer consumers the option to refill all of their products and have also partnered with United World Schools so that every Tropic purchase helps fund education for children living in some of the world’s most under-privileged countries.
REN Clean Skincare: Arnaud Meysselle
Delivering industry-leading performance using some of nature’s most powerful ingredients, REN’s clinically proven products are all made in the UK and focus on those with sensitive skin. Co-founded by Antony Buck and Robert Calcraft back in 2000, the business is now spearheaded by CEO Arnaud Meysselle, ex-Liz Earle, Bacardi and THG Executive.
Having shown impressive growth over the last two decades as one of the trailblazing ‘clean beauty’ brands, the business was acquired by Unilever in 2015 and continue to lead the way with their range of best-selling products.
Susanne Kaufmann: Jess Clark
Underpinned by a philosophy of transparency, sustainability and a commitment to supporting the skin’s natural functions, Susanne Kaufmann’s products combine leading biotechnologies with carefully selected natural ingredients such as Alpine Flora sourced in Austria.
The firm’s commitment to nature and sustainability goes way beyond just using best-in-class natural ingredients. The business has made significant investments in minimising its environmental impact, deploying eco-friendly production processes, sustainable packaging as well as innovative manufacturing solutions. The firm’s manufacturing is powered by solar and thermal energy and is all part of a broader belief in a deep respect for nature.
If you’d be interested to find out more about our work launching the world’s first zero-waste beauty brand Ethique you can read our case study here. Or, if you’d be interested in discussing how our award-winning team could help set your beauty brand apart why not get in touch today.
