What inspired you to start your beauty brand?
After over a decade developing skincare products for global brands, I saw a gap in the market for formulas that are not only rooted in science but also crafted with intention, with sustainability, and real skin needs in mind. I wanted to create a brand that empowers people to understand what’s in their skincare and why it works. Beauty Favours is my way of blending clinical knowledge with conscious formulation, turning skincare into a meaningful ritual rather than just another step in the routine.
2. How does your brand define beauty, and how has that influenced your product development?
At Beauty Favours, we define beauty as confidence in your skin’s natural rhythm. It’s about feeling good in your skin, not conforming to unrealistic ideals. This philosophy deeply informs how we develop our products: we prioritise skin and hair health over trends, use ingredients with proven efficacy, and formulate with intention and transparency. Every product is designed to support the skin’s own intelligence.
Can you tell us about the story behind your most popular product?
Our most popular product is the 2% Advanced Bakuchiol concentrate face and neck oil. I developed this product because there is a lot of science behind this active ingredient. It has been shown to be superior to retinol which we know is the gold standard ingredient for skin texture and skin health. I have worked with retinol in the past and have tried it myself but as with many other people, could not get through the transition/reaction stage. Bakuchiol does not give a reaction like retinol so is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. I found this idea exciting! I blended it with other natural oils which in themselves bring extra skin benefits including soothing jojoba oil, vitamin rich avocado oil and antioxidant rich rosemary extract for the ultimate skincare treat. I also launched this with our crystal Gua Sha’s to provide an effective and relaxing moment of selfcare and wellness. The Gua Sha’s additionally bring skin benefits by encouraging improved circulation to the skin, helping skin cells to work better. It’s also very relaxing just before bed. I personally sleep so much better when I do this which again is a skin benefit.
4. How do you approach inclusivity when developing shades and formulations?
Inclusivity means considering all skin tones, types, and concerns at the development stage—not as an afterthought. While we don’t offer makeup, our skincare and hair care is designed to be effective across a broad range of tones, sensitivities and hair types. Our range of shampoo bars are formulated for different hair types. For example, our tropical fruit bar contains moisturising mango butter and jojoba oil which we know is a great ingredient for curly/afro hair and our purple shampoo bar contains pigments in combination with castor oil to prevent both brassiness and damage in blonde hair.
5. What role does sustainability play in your packaging and ingredient sourcing?
Sustainability is built into every step—from selecting biodegradable ingredients to using glass or recyclable packaging. We favour UK suppliers who are transparent about their sourcing and support regenerative practices. It’s not just about being ‘green’—it’s about being responsible and future-focused.
6. Have you made any decisions to avoid certain ingredients or processes?
Yes, quite a few. We avoid unnecessary fillers, microplastics, and harsh ingredients. Every ingredient must earn its place in a formula. We also don’t formulate with fads—we focus on well-researched actives that offer long-term skin benefits. When we developed our Charcoal shampoo bar, we decided to use a UK sourced high quality activated charcoal which is from coconut shells that would otherwise be a waste product. We research every ingredient.
7. Can you share how you ensure the materials or production processes used in this project are cruelty-free, and why that aspect is important to you?
All our formulations are leaping bunny approved through cruelty-free international, this is the gold standard in cruelty free approval because it also means that we work only with suppliers who meet the same ethical standards. As a scientist and animal lover, I believe that innovation should never come at the expense of compassion. There’s no excuse in today’s world for testing on animals.
8. What are some challenges you’ve faced as a beauty brand in today’s market?
Cutting through the noise. There’s a lot of beauty marketing that prioritises aesthetics over substance. Our challenge is to educate gently—showing that science, sustainability, and soul can coexist without the gimmicks. There is also a lot of misinformation that spreads on social media regarding ingredients and the industry. It’s a shame as this is clearly making consumers anxious over what they should buy and who they should trust etc. Another big challenge is marketing. It’s extremely hard for small businesses to be seen or heard against the big players who have big budgets for this.
9. How do you stay innovative while remaining true to your brand values?
I approach innovation through a scientific lens—by staying on top of emerging ingredient research, patent literature, and consumer feedback. But we only adopt what’s aligned with our ethos: gentle, effective, honest skincare that respects the skin and the planet.
10. What do you believe sets your brand apart from others in the industry?
Beauty Favours is where formulation science meets emotional beauty. We don’t just make products; we craft skin rituals with purpose—designed by a real scientist, made for real people, rooted in knowledge and care.
11. How do you connect with your community or customers beyond just selling products?
I like to connect with consumers through education and at events. I also like to give skincare and haircare tips on my social media. Additionally, I offer skincare consultations. I like to discuss skin concerns with customers, but I look at this with a holistic view. We discuss lifestyle and diet as well as skincare practices. In this process I can talk directly about suitable ingredients and personalised skincare routines which is helpful in guiding consumers in the right direction for them. I like to expand on how the ingredients work and why they are suitable for their skin/hair concern.
12. What upcoming launches or initiatives are you most excited about?
I am so excited right now because I have just started offering product development services to help people who may want to launch their own skincare or cosmetics brand.
My NPD (New Product Development) services and connections will mean that I am able to help brands launch on both a small scale as well as for large scale. It’s rare that a manufacturer will develop products with a low MOQ (Minimal Order Quantity) so I hope this is helpful and that we will see more indie brands popping up in this way.
13. How do you see the future of beauty evolving in the next few years?
I believe beauty will become even more personalised, transparent, and wellness-driven. People are craving deeper connections with the brands they support—less about filters, more about function and feeling.
14. What kind of impact do you hope your brand will have on the industry or on individuals?
I hope we help redefine what ‘luxury’ means in skincare—not just expensive packaging, but thoughtful formulation, real results, and ethical responsibility. I want our products to be a source of confidence, not confusion.
15. How do you navigate beauty trends without compromising your identity?
We pay attention to trends, but we don’t chase them. If a trend aligns with solid science and our values, we explore it. If not, we pass. Our focus is longevity and skin integrity—not 15-second TikTok fame.
16. Can you share a moment when you realised your brand was making a real difference?
I had several customers feedback to me about my shampoo bars that they had really noticed their hair had less fall out when they were using it. This is exactly the kind of reason why I do what I do! The shampoo bars were designed to be gentle and effective at cleansing and without stripping but with high levels of organic oils butters and actives to help keep the hair and scalp more moisturised and healthy. To me, that feedback helps confirm that they work just as they are supposed to. I want my customers to have confidence in my products and to feel good using them.
Dr. Leanne King, Founder of Beauty Favours
Double cleanse your skin before applying your actives to give them the best chance of working.
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