Imago Beauty & Holistics

There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes before I can put a new skincare product on the shelf... 🌿

When I formulate a completely new product, it isn't simply a case of making a cream I like and deciding to sell it.

The finished formulation requires a cosmetic safety assessment, carried out by a qualified safety assessor.

That means all sorts of information about the formulation, ingredients and intended use has to be considered before the product can go on sale.

And then there’s something I do with every batch I make.

I have every batch tested for safe levels of bacteria and mould.

It's probably not something most people think about when they pick up a little jar of skincare!

But for me, it's an important part of making products properly.

I make everything in small batches, and I want to know that what I'm sending out to customers is safe as well as something I'm proud of.

There is rather more to a little jar of handmade skincare than you might think. 😊

And I actually find this side of making skincare quite fascinating.

There’s a lot of science behind what I do — even if I’m usually more interested in the ingredients and the formulation! 😂

Pauline x

So, what does “handmade skincare” actually mean? 🌿
I think we sometimes use the word “handmade” without really thinking about what it means.
For me, it means that I don't just come up with the formulations and then send them off somewhere else to be made.
I formulate them.
I make them.
I fill them.
I label them.
And I check them.
Every batch is made by me, in small quantities, and I know exactly what has gone into it.
There is a lot more to making skincare than simply mixing a few ingredients together, though!
Hygiene is incredibly important to me, so when I'm making products I always wear my hair net, gloves and lab coat, and I follow careful procedures to make sure everything is clean and properly prepared.
It might not look particularly glamorous 😂 but it gives me confidence that I'm doing things properly.
And after more than 20 years of making skincare, I still wouldn't want it any other way.
That's what handmade means to me. ❤️

And it doesn't stop there.
I also ensure that I commission the appropriate testing and safety assessments for my products, because making skincare isn't just about choosing lovely ingredients and putting them in a jar. I need to be confident that the finished product is safe and suitable for use.
Pauline x

Ingredients have to earn their place

So, how do I choose the ingredients that go into my skincare?

It's a question I don't think I've ever really answered properly on here.

I don't choose an ingredient simply because it's the latest trend, or because everyone else seems to be using it.

I want to know what it can bring to a formulation, how it behaves alongside other ingredients, and whether it genuinely has something useful to offer the skin.

Sometimes that means quite a lot of research.

Sometimes it means trying something and deciding it isn't right.

And sometimes an ingredient I've used for years is changed or discontinued, and I'm back to the drawing board looking for a replacement! 😳

I actually enjoy that part, though. I love the challenge of finding the right combination of ingredients and seeing how they work together.

For me, every ingredient has to earn its place.

After more than 20 years of formulating skincare, that's something I haven't changed my mind about.

And I'm still learning. 😊

Pauline x

It all started with a little gift from my husband...

It was decades ago now, but my husband has always loved buying me little stocking fillers at Christmas.

One year, way back then, he bought me a little set of essential oils.

They were tiny bottles, a little like the ones in the photograph, and I was fascinated by them.

I had no idea at the time where that little Christmas present would lead me!

It sparked my interest in essential oils and holistic therapies and sent me off on a journey of learning that eventually led me to skincare formulation.

One thing led to another, and here I am, all these years later.

I'm still learning.
Still researching.
Still experimenting.
And still getting excited when I discover an ingredient that I think could make a formulation better.

The little bottles have long since disappeared, of course. These days I buy my essential oils from a reputable specialist wholesaler, where I can be confident about their quality and provenance.

But that little Christmas present really did start something.

I wonder if my husband realised what he'd started! 😂

I've recently updated The Imago Skincare Story on my website, and while working on it I realised I'd almost forgotten to tell you where it all began.

I'd love you to have a read. 🌿

https://imago-skincare.co.uk/the-imago-skincare-story/

Well... I've been a bit quiet! 😂

I had all sorts of plans for the website, more articles and lots of things I wanted to share with you.

And then... I got a bit stuck with the website! 🙄

I have decided that I need some help with that one, because I seem to spend more time trying to work out how to do things than actually doing them!

But anyway... I'm still here!

Still making skincare, still researching ingredients and still thinking about what I can make next. Some things never change. 😊

I've got lots I'd like to share with you, so I thought I'd stop worrying about everything I haven't done and just get on with it!

So... what would you like to hear about?

Ingredients? How I choose what goes into my products? How I formulate? Or is there something about skincare that you've always wanted to ask?

Let me know!

Pauline x

A little website hiccup!

I had a phone call from a lovely customer today to let me know that there was a problem with my website and, unfortunately, it wasn't taking payments properly.

Needless to say, I was horrified! 😳

I've now got to the bottom of it and the problem has been fixed.

So, if you've tried to place an order recently and weren't able to complete it, I'm really sorry. I had no idea there was a problem, and I certainly wouldn't want you to think I'd ignored your order!

Everything is working again now. 🎉

If you were trying to order something and gave up when the payment wouldn't go through, please do try again—or if you'd rather, send me a message and I'll be happy to help.

And thank you to the customer who took the time to phone me and let me know. You may have saved me from losing a lot more orders! ❤️

Pauline x

Many of you know Imago through the salon, but you may not know the story behind the skincare I make.

I'm finally getting around to updating the Articles on the Imago Skincare website, and the first one I've tackled is about hyaluronic acid.

It wasn't an ingredient I chose because it was the latest skincare trend. I was actually looking for a replacement for an ingredient I'd previously used, because it had been changed in a way that no longer fitted with my formulating values.

After quite a lot of research, testing and reformulating, I decided to combine hyaluronic acid with cucumber extract.

That combination worked so well that I still use it in all of my moisturisers and eye treatments today.

I've also explained something that is often misunderstood—the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin.

If you'd like to have a read, here's the article:

Why Hyaluronic Acid Earned Its Place in My Formulations

I'd love to hear what you think of the article. I'm going to be working my way through and updating all of my older articles, so there will be more to come!

Pauline x

One of the things I've missed most over the last few months is talking about skincare.

Not just products... but why I choose the ingredients I do.

Some people might assume I choose an ingredient because it's the latest trend. The truth is, that's never been how I formulate.

Sometimes I choose an ingredient because years of research and experience have shown me it has earned its place in a formulation.

Sometimes I stop using an ingredient because I've found something that works even better.

And sometimes I'm forced back to the drawing board because an ingredient I've relied on is no longer available. That means more research, more testing and often a better formulation than the one I started with.

That's one of the things I love most about creating skincare. There's always something new to learn, and after more than twenty years of formulating, I still enjoy learning.

Over the coming weeks, I'd love to share more of those stories with you. Not just what goes into my products, but why.

Because every ingredient has a purpose. 🌿

— Pauline, Imago Skincare

Hi everyone! 😊

I've been very quiet over the last few months, and not by choice unfortunately. Following a fall, I've been under the weather and recovery has been much slower than I'd hoped. Four months on, I'm still not quite there, but I'm determined to keep moving forwards.

One thing I do know is that I'm not giving up on my skincare!

If you've followed me for a while, you'll know I often say my skincare is my life's work, and that's still true. Behind every jar and bottle are years of research, reformulating (sometimes because an ingredient I relied on was discontinued!), plenty of trial and error, and a genuine love of creating plant-based skincare that I'm proud to put my name to.

Being forced to slow down has actually reminded me just how much I've missed sharing what I've learned about skincare. So, over the coming weeks, I'm going to get back to writing more articles and posts. I want to share some of the science behind the ingredients I use, explain why I choose them, and hopefully help you understand your skin a little better along the way.

So... watch this space!

And, to borrow a certain famous line...

"I'll be back!" 😉

Beautiful!