Our Story

OUR STORY

Affordable luxury for moments of self-care

Hello, I'm Shona, and Skin Elixir is just me.

Not a team. Not a corporation. Just one person – a single mum to twins – handcrafting every single product in my Nottingham studio with care, intention, and a deep commitment to natural skincare that actually works.

I started developing Skin Elixir in 2016, after years of searching for products I could trust. As a single mum to twins (now 13!), I needed a creative outlet – something that was mine, something that fed my soul beyond the beautiful chaos of raising two children.

But my journey to natural skincare became urgent when I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

Suddenly, everything I put on and in my body mattered more than ever. I realised how much our skin absorbs, how chemicals accumulate, and how important it is to choose products that support our health rather than compromise it.

I couldn't find what I needed, so I created it myself.

Between school runs and managing my health and having been laid off from a job, I started experimenting with natural ingredients in my kitchen. What began as a creative outlet and a personal need became Skin Elixir – a business built on the belief that skincare should be pure, effective, and honest. I now work fulltime and run Skin Elixir - the dream is to JUST run Skin Elixir - perhaps year 10 next year - will be the year!

HANDMADE IN NOTTINGHAM, ONE BATCH AT A TIME

Every jar, every bottle, every product is handcrafted by me in small batches in my Nottingham studio. This isn't mass production – it's careful, intentional formulation with premium organic botanicals sourced from ethical suppliers.

I mix, pour, label, and pack every single order myself. When you receive your Skin Elixir products, you're receiving something I've personally made for you.

Often late at night, after the twins are in bed, and definitely first thing in the morning you'll find me blending oils, pouring creams, and doing what I love.

MY PHILOSOPHY

I believe skincare should be simple, honest, and effective. No synthetic fragrances. No parabens. No sulfates. No harmful chemicals.

Just pure, natural ingredients that work with your skin, not against it.

Living with Crohn's disease taught me that what we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in them. Our skin is our largest organ, and it deserves the same care and respect we give to the rest of our health.

Being a single mum taught me resilience, time management, and the importance of self-care – even when (especially when) life is overwhelming.

WHAT MAKES SKIN ELIXIR DIFFERENT

• 100% natural, organic ingredients – nothing synthetic, ever
• Vegan and cruelty-free – always
• Small-batch production – made fresh, not sitting in warehouses
• Transparent ingredient lists – you deserve to know exactly what you're using
• Formulated by someone who truly understands sensitive skin and busy lives
• Made by hand with care and intention
• Created by a mum who knows how precious those moments of self-care are

Every product is formulated to work with your skin's natural processes. I use botanical actives like bakuchiol (nature's retinol alternative), organic oils, and plant extracts that have been trusted for centuries.

AWARD-WINNING, CUSTOMER-LOVED

My Organic Frankincense & May Chang Moisturiser has won multiple awards, and the bakuchiol collection has helped scores of people achieve healthier, more radiant skin without the irritation of traditional retinol.

But the real reward? The messages I receive from customers – often other mums, people managing health conditions, anyone seeking a moment of calm in their day – telling me their skin has never looked better. That they finally found products that work. That they feel confident in their skin again.

Those messages keep me going on the long days juggling the studio, the twins, and everything in between.

FROM MY HANDS TO YOUR SKIN

When you choose Skin Elixir, you're not just buying skincare. You're supporting a single mum building a business, sustainable practices, and a commitment to doing things the right way – even when it's harder, even when it takes longer.

Every order is packed with care. Every product is made fresh. Every customer matters to me personally.

Because this isn't just a business. It's my creative outlet, my passion, my purpose, and my way of sharing what I've learned about natural skincare that truly works – while showing my twins that you can build something meaningful from the ground up.

WHAT'S NEXT?

I'm constantly dreaming up new formulations (watch out for the Skin elixir True Daily Derma Defence coming in 2026), listening to your feedback, and finding ways to make natural skincare even better. The journey continues, and I'm so grateful you're part of it.

Thank you for trusting me with your skin, and for supporting a small business built by a mum who believes in the power of natural, honest skincare.

With love from Nottingham,
Shona x

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