Effortless Skin Entrepreneur 

kiri | 7th February 2018

From an early age Helen became passionate about marketing, encouraged by an inspirational and engaging female business studies teacher. Her career in marketing started at the age of 19 while studying for the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Post-Graduate Diploma. From this point she progressed her marketing career rapidly, becoming Group Marketing Manager of Europe and Asia Pacific for UBM Advanstar by the age of 25. She then went on to work as an Account Director for her husband’s marketing agency where she developed an interest in ecommerce. It was at this point that she decided to launch an ecommerce venture and started to research industries and sectors in which to launch. After 18 months of research, Helen founded Effortless Skin, an online retail company specialising in cosmeceutical and condition-specific skincare. The company launched in 2009, stocking just eight brands, and has grown into a £3.5 million company of more than 120 brands. 

On average Effortless Skin has grown almost 30% year on year and has ambitious plans to grow even quicker over the next five years after Helen was selected to take part in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme in 2017. The programme supports rapidly growing businesses in the UK and US, and has resulted in an aspirational five-year growth plan for Effortless Skin. 

Alongside her business partner and husband, Stephen, Helen is focused on implementing this growth plan and taking Effortless Skin into its next growth stage. 

Helen says: ‘As a woman who was approaching the age where my own skin needed more concern-driven skincare, I became aware that the only method to learn more on this area as a consumer was through limited publicity, and the only way to buy was through aesthetic clinics. I noticed a huge gap in the market where I could help women to find the best products for them, with maximum variety, all with the added help of an expert customer service team with in-depth knowledge. We are the first to offer such a platform and our cosmeceutical brands love that they can reach out to consumers directly and help them overcome some of the most common yet upsetting skin concerns, like acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and one of the most common, sun damage.’

She adds: ‘It was an honour to be invited onto the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme in 2017. The programme offers passionate entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop a growth plan with some of the most well-known, successful business leaders. I recently graduated with an exciting growth plan that includes importing some ground-breaking, results-driven skincare products not currently available in the UK.’

Our picks:

 SPOILED MAMA is an eco-friendly toxin-free vegan range from the USA, loved by mamas around the globe who trust the safe skincare.
Spoiled Mama is made without parabens, preservatives, synthetic fragrances and petroleum derivatives.

Providing easy pregnancy solutions for that ‘pregnancy glow’, the range consists of highly effective, natural products that target common skin concerns that occurring during and post pregnancy; such as stretch marks and blemishes.

The Spoiled Mama provide simple, honest pregnancy products for all women from the first trimester to the last, with botanical ingredients in every product to help improve texture and help maintain moisture levels within the skin.

TUMMY BUTTER FOR STRETCH MARKS

£36 for 4 oz, £56 for 8 OZ, effortlessskin.com

As your stomach starts to expand, your skin needs help promoting the production of elastin to help fight against stretch marks.

This deliciously scented creamy whipped butter has 100 percent organic natural ingredients and a custom blend of pure cocoa butter and oils.

It’s packed full of antioxidants and fatty acids which penetrate the skin helping promote the production of elastin.

INDULGE BODY POLISH PEPPERMINT & VANILLA

£25, 8oz, effortlessskin.com

Help increase blood flow to any areas of the body prone to developing stretch marks and exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. This delightfully scented refreshing exfoliator with pumpkin seed oil, apricot kernel oil, shea butter and a whole host of other nourishing organic ingredients helps to soften and smooth skin.

THE SPOILED MAMA BUMP GLOSS

£36.00, 4oz, effortlessskin.com

If you’d prefer to use an unctuous oil rather than a cream or butter, this gorgeous gloss is also packed full of fatty acids and antioxidants to help promote the production of elastin and collagen in the skin.

Increased collagen means the skin has more elasticity to support the growing bump and help to prevent stretch marks and this is quick, simple to use and effective.

HAPPY LEGS GEL FOR TIRED CANKLES

£15.00, 4.7 oz, effortlesskin.com

A multi-function organic and vegan gel for swollen feet and aching legs during pregnancy with cooling aloe vera and cucumber exact to efficiently rejuvenate tired skin and improve circulation to ease the discomfort of swollen and heavy legs. It also cools down inflamed or sunburned skin, soothes irritation, and hydrates dry patches making it an excellent mummy multi-tasker.