The Key to Balancing Profitability & Sustainability
Feb 20, 2025
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Danielle Close, the founder of My Skin Feels and former member of the Charlotte Tilbury team, dives into the world of sustainable beauty by transforming food waste into luxury skincare. She shares her journey of creating innovative, eco-friendly products that are both profitable and fun. Danielle emphasizes the importance of intuition in partnership decisions and details the challenges of forging a unique brand identity. Balancing independence with investment opportunities and embracing self-care in the entrepreneurial landscape are also key topics she addresses.
My Skin Feels exemplifies how sustainable practices can be integrated into luxury skincare, transforming food waste into high-quality products.
Engaging with customers through real-life events fosters trust and loyalty, providing essential feedback that aligns products with consumer preferences.
Deep dives
Embracing Unconventional Branding
Launching a brand today requires a distinctive and unconventional approach to stand out in the crowded beauty market. The emphasis is on creating a brand that feels engaging and personal, rather than scripted and corporate. Consumers are drawn to brands that communicate in a unique manner and resonate with their values, especially regarding sustainability. By focusing on these aspects, entrepreneurs can capture the attention of potential customers who are seeking authenticity.
Innovative Use of Food Waste
The innovative skincare line My Skin Feels utilizes rescued food waste as key ingredients, transforming products made from organic orange juice, tomato skins, and breakfast oats into luxury items. This sustainable approach addresses the staggering amount of food waste produced annually while creating effective skincare solutions, a concept that is both revolutionary and marketable. The brand’s ethos was born from the desire to not only offer high-quality products but also to demonstrate that sustainability can coexist with luxury. This unique angle has garnered attention from notable publications, increasing the brand’s visibility and credibility.
The Importance of Formulation and Science
Finding a skilled formulator is crucial for successfully launching a skincare line, especially when utilizing unconventional ingredients. The expertise of a formulator in creating effective and safe products from food waste cannot be overemphasized. Collaborating with knowledgeable suppliers who understand the principles of ingredient interactions ensures that the final product meets both cosmetic and efficacy standards. By prioritizing scientific knowledge, brands can develop unique products that not only stand out but also deliver real results for consumers.
Hands-On Market Research
Engaging directly with customers in real-life settings has proven to be an invaluable strategy for testing product concepts and understanding audience preferences. By participating in pop-up markets and events, founders can not only gauge customer reactions but also foster trust and build relationships in their communities. This approach allows brands to gather crucial feedback that informs their marketing and product strategies, ultimately leading to more tailored offerings. Additionally, personal interactions create an emotional connection between consumers and the brand, enhancing loyalty and repeat purchases.
A former Charlotte Tilbury founding team member revolutionized sustainable beauty by turning food waste into luxury skin care. See how My Skin Feels proved eco-friendly brands can be both profitable and fun.