This International Women’s Day, we want to celebrate brands founded by women.

International Women’s Day exists to forge women’s equality by celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness about discrimination, and taking action to drive gender parity. On March 8th 2024, we can celebrate that women entrepreneurs are launching more companies than ever before, and that women in the workforce are more valued, appreciated, and treated more equally. There’s still plenty of work to be done, but things are improving.

In fact, here at Gorgeous- 80% of our workforce are women, 80% of our managerial workforce are women, 50% of our workforce are mothers or expectant mothers, and 70% of our female managers are mothers!

With this year’s International Women’s Day Blog, we wanted to highlight some of the businesses founded by women that inspire us every day.

Ultrasun & SkinSense

Abi Cleeve, MD of SkinSense and Ultrasun has been in the beauty industry for over 25 years. Her first foray into the industry began with a chance encounter with a bottle of sun cream whilst on holiday. 

The brand was Ultrasun, and was the only SPF she’d found that worked without irritation for her and her young, red-head twins’ sensitive skin. When she discovered it wasn’t available in the UK, she tracked down the founder, and over the next 20 years with training from a team of Swiss formulators and chemists, has built Ultrasun to be one of the most trusted SPF brands in the UK. Abi’s twins, the original mini testers of that one Ultrasun formula, are now 21!

Abi later launched her own skincare brand SkinSense in 2016. Using her vast knowledge of formulating with lamellar structures in UV protection, she decided to use this skin delivery system to encapsulate ingredients and provide effective, affordable skincare for all skin-types.

Abi’s independent company employs over 80 staff – the majority of whom are women, including the senior leadership team. She extends her knowledge and expertise to other women in business, regularly supporting women entering the industry who are seeking advice before taking the plunge to launch their own businesses. In 2020, she also launched the Arclight initiative, which offers independent, UK-based, Black-owned skincare brands the chance to boost their business with a suite of business support assets and personal mentoring from Abi.

Ultrasun and SkinSense both utilise advanced, long-lasting technology to deliver highly effective ingredients into the skin for results you can see and feel. We’ve listed a few products that we think you deserve to try this International Women’s Day.

Ultrasun Anti-Pigmentation Face Fluid SPF50+ 40ml

The importance of daily sun protection can’t be overstated, which is why we recommend this SPF50+ face fluid. Suitable for all skin types (including the most sensitive skins), this all-in-one primer, moisturiser, targeted treatment and SPF is enriched with advanced Rainbow Algae to target pigmentation and help brighten the complexion.

SkinSense Collagen Gummies 60 pcs

These gummies help to replenish the healthy formation of your skin, hair, and nails. As we age, the formation of our own collagen production begins to decrease. This leads to more visible signs of ageing. These include loss of skin elasticity, tone, and hydration. skinSense Collagen Gummies are high in readily absorbed marine collagen, Vitamin C and Vitamin A (Retinol) to support and replenish the healthy formation of skin, hair and nails. These gummies are soft and easy to chew, and have a delicious fruity pomegranate flavour.

Balance Me

Balance Me was co-founded by sisters Clare and Rebecca Hopkins back in 2005. Created in response to the long term stresses and 21st century fast paced living that was taking its toll on their health and skin, Clare and Rebecca were eager to begin using natural skincare to balance their skin, and created Balance Me. With the aim to solve skin concerns without creating others, Balance Me formulations work to deliver balanced, happy skin naturally to every skin type.

These founders take pride in having established a company that has attained B Corp certification, which helps contribute to the healthy balance of people, our planet, and profit.

For this International Women’s Day, we wanted to shine a self-care spotlight on skincare products that can help women of every age and skin-type. Which is why we asked Balance Me for Clare & Rebecca’s top skincare picks for women’s top skin concerns! They recommend…

For Acne-Prone Skin : BHA Exfoliating Concentrate

“Our Salicylic Acid-rich Concentrate is a fast-action, fast-absorbing leave-on chemical exfoliant. It gently removes dead skin cells, reduces blemishes, targets enlarged pores, and improves hydration to reveal softer, brighter, more balanced skin, as a result, without causing redness or inflammation.”

For Oily Skin: Pure Skin Face Wash

“Our Pure Skin Face Wash works for everyone, but it works particularly well for those with oily and congested skin. It cleverly brings the skin back into balance with its gentle foaming action and deeply cleanses the skin without stripping or irritation, leaving instantly brighter, calmer, clearer results.”

For Dry Skin: Vitamin C Repair Serum

“Touted as a cult product for a reason, our Vitamin C Repair Serum, one of the most effective natural Vitamin C formulas on the market, is formulated with an expert blend of high-performing actives that not only brighten your complexion, but also target pigmentation, hydrate, plump and smooth your skin. Recently put to the test by a panel of 58 women aged 18-65, 95% agreed their skin felt more hydrated and 85% noticed a more even skin tone.”

For Dehydrated Skin: Super Berry Cleansing Balm

“Dehydrated skin is often overlooked more than dry skin, perhaps because it is less obvious initially. However, left alone, dehydrated skin will make your skin look rather dull! Not only does our Super Berry Cleansing Balm provide an instant mood-boost (we dare you not to swoon over the spa-like scent and luxurious texture), it also leaves your skin nourished, glowing and super-smooth. After it’s melted onto your skin, ingredients like jojoba and rosehip oil get to work on purifying, refreshing and deeply hydrating it, leaving it looking anything but dull.”

For Skin During Menopause: Tripeptide Plumping Cloud Cream

“As we approach midlife, hormonal changes usher in a new era for our skin. The reduction in oestrogen levels can lead to a loss of collagen, elasticity, and that coveted bounce. Dryness, sagging, and wrinkles become more prominent, accompanied by concerns like breakouts, redness, pigmentation, and sensitivity. To counteract these effects, it’s essential to replenish what age and menopause take away.

The Tripeptide Overnight Cloud Cream is your ultimate companion in this journey of skin transformation. It’s more than just a cream – it’s a nourishing elixir that works tirelessly while you sleep. This lightweight yet deeply nourishing formula packed full of Tripeptides, Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid addresses the key signs of ageing – loss of collagen and elasticity, dehydration and fine lines and wrinkles, rejuvenating your skin and restoring its luminosity.”

For Mature Skin: Bakuchiol Smoothing Serum

“Looking for a wrinkle-smoothing, pigmentation reducing, collagen boosting, gentle alternative to retinol? Meet bakuchiol. Like retinol, bakuchiol encourages cell renewal and enhances collagen production to prevent and treat fine lines and wrinkles to rejuvenate your skin. Our plant-powered Bakuchiol Smoothing Serum smooths and hydrates skin whilst enhancing collagen production to reduce fine lines and give you a radiant complexion without any sensitivity.”

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Happy International Women’s Day! Make March 8th your day to do what you can to help create a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable world – to make a positive difference for women everywhere.

#InspireInclusion