Beauty: Meet the founders of three way-paving natural brands

Sharing a desire to create products that are as kind to people and the planet as they are to our skin, Alice Ryan meets the local founders of three natural beauty brands

House of Glow: Suitable for the most sensitive of skins, House of Glow’s plant-based products include a trio of superhero oils which cleanse and care for both face and body. Founded by Jo Tanner, the brand is based in Bury St Edmunds

How, when and why did your beauty line begin? I launched the range in 2021, but I actually started formulating skincare for myself just before lockdown in 2020. During Covid I had much more time on my hands to accelerate the brand.

Introduce our readers to the product range? I have four products available with a new one coming soon: Cocktail Hour Face Oil, Nourished Cleansing Oil, Tangerine Silk Body Oil and Mint Velvet Lip Conditioner. All products are 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free. I have specially designed them for sensitive skin, but they are suitable for everyone.

What makes your formulas one of a kind? We know natural ingredients are key, but they're equally impressive from a performance POV, aren't they? What makes them unique is the blend of ingredients, and also the quality of ingredients. Each formula has ingredients that complement each other and promote healthy, plump and supple skin. Cocktail Hour in particular really helps soothe sensitive skin; I've had fantastic feedback from customers who all attest to this.
Nourished Cleansing Oil is fantastic at removing all traces of make-up and SPF without any harshness. Tangerine Silk Body Oil was designed for those of us that might neglect bodycare but need to tackle dry skin; basically, if you apply it onto wet skin after a shower you are good to go, it's so quick and easy. Mint Velvet Lip Conditioner is formulated the same way as a facial moisturiser to help seal in moisture and protect the skin barrier.

Which single hero product would you recommend as we transition from winter into spring? Cocktail Hour Face Oil: using it before moisturising really helps protect the skin and soothe it from the harsh winter weather.

Where can we buy and what's the starting price? You can buy at houseofglow.net. Our mini sizes start from £10; a great price if you are looking to introduce one of our products into your skincare routine.

Apothekelly Skincare: Inspired by a childhood spent foraging in the Suffolk countryside, Kelly Clark’s natural and vegan Apothekelly Skincare is formulated to “harness the full potential” of plants. They are made in Stowmarket

How, when and why did your beauty line begin? Being made redundant back in 2019 gave me the chance to launch my brand, something I'd always loved the idea of, but being a single mum meant time and money were not disposable. I have always enjoyed plants; growing up in the Suffolk countryside gave me a good knowledge of foraging. I then started making herbal remedies which then transpired into basic skincare.

Introduce our readers to the product range? I offer a curated selection of skincare essentials designed to meet your daily needs:
Facial Skincare: Our range includes daily moisturisers like the Kelp Help Daily Moisturiser, formulated for oilier skin types and doubling as a makeup primer with mattifying Niacinamide (Vitamin B3).
Sensitive Skin Cleansers: The Soothing Cleansing Balm, made with UK lavender essential oil, is a favourite among our community for its calming properties.
Vegan Body Butter: Luxurious Body Cream is an emulsified body cream that absorbs effortlessly, leaving a subtle natural scent.
Vegan, Cruelty-Free Lip Balm: Our lipcare is an ethical and effective way to keep your lips nourished.
Zero-waste Body Pebbles: These are an eco-friendly bodycare option that minimises environmental impact.

What makes your formulas one of a kind? We know natural ingredients are key, but they're equally impressive from a performance POV, aren't they? Our commitment to natural ingredients goes beyond mere inclusion; it's about harnessing their full potential to deliver exceptional performance. Firstly, I source only the finest natural components, incorporating as many UK-based ingredients as possible. Our formulations incorporate natural ingredients with proven benefits, ensuring you don't have to compromise between purity and performance. I avoid scent where it's simply not needed.
I am driven by a personal journey towards ethical skincare, so planting trees via Ecologi and being verified by Ethy as being a 100% vegan, plastic-free, UK-made and female-led company, as well as all of our ingredients being named as 'clean', means every product reflects a commitment to honesty and sustainability - and defiance against industry norms.

Which single hero product would you recommend as we transition from winter into spring? I would switch the heavier products out for lighter ones. So if you’re an avid Up-The-Anti moisturiser user, perhaps just use this at night and switch to mattifying KelpHelp in the daytime to give you a lighter finish for the day.

Where can we buy and what's the starting price? You can purchase online at apothekellyskincare.com. Prices start from as little as £3.50.

Cow on the Ice: Her Scandi lifestyle store - Ely’s Cow on the Ice - is known for nature-inspired collections of everything from cards and clothing to home fragrance. Now Eva McConnell has launched a skincare line, which is fast winning fans

How, when and why did your beauty line begin? I still vividly remember the day I stood in my bathroom, holding a newly purchased jar of face cream. It wasn’t cheap, so I was excited to give it a go. But the moment I opened it, my heart sank — it stunk! That not-so-great fragrance prompted me to flip the jar and check the list of ingredients. What I found only added to my disappointment. My excitement turned into a full-blown stampede of frustration.
In that moment, I knew I wanted something better. A product without preservatives, harsh chemicals, or suspicious ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. I craved genuine, natural goodness — something that feels different and truly makes a difference. So, a few herbalist courses later, and with my years of experience in the fragrance industry to guide me, I made one.

Introduce our readers to the product range? Initially, I created these products just for myself, but the results were so remarkable that my family and everyone I roped into testing them fell in love too. That’s when I realized I had something special to share with my customers. They already adored my fragrances — I hoped they’d trust me enough to try the skincare products as well.
The first product I introduced was GLOW: Natural Face Serum. It’s an all-rounder that simplifies your routine and eliminates the need for a basket full of half-used products. You can use it in the morning, at night, on your face, lips, and even around your eyes. It’s insanely nourishing, gives you a cheeky glow, and leaves you with that healthy, head-turning appearance.
Next came the LEMON SHERBET range, featuring a natural body cream and hand balm. These products are absolute showstoppers — their performance, scent, and unique texture will have you hooked from the first use. And I’m just getting started! Soon, I’ll be adding an incredible oil to the GLOW range, as well as a cleanser, a LEMON SHERBET face cream, and a deodorant.

What makes your formulas one of a kind? We know natural ingredients are key, but they're equally impressive from a performance POV, aren't they? I’ll be honest: performance-wise, I’ve never had anything better. And I can say that with confidence because it’s true. These products are something I’m genuinely proud of. There are three things that set them apart:
The scents: I’ve carefully formulated these blends to elevate a simple skincare routine into something truly special. One of my customers, Jo Jobbling - she owns two wonderful cafés in Ely - sent me a message at Christmas that perfectly captures this. She said: “I love them. I often can’t find the words to describe what they do for me, but somehow, the natural fragrances give me peace. Breathing them in, taking time to really process the scent — it’s like meditation. For those moments, I feel a precious sense of calm.”
The textures: These are not your ordinary products. Their unique, natural textures make them an absolute joy to use. You’ll know instantly that you’re treating your skin to something exceptional.
The simplicity and purity – I know what you’re thinking, “Of course, they’re natural!” But here’s the thing: even some natural products use fillers or stabilisers to make things easier or cheaper. With COW ON THE ICE, when I say ‘natural’, I mean 100% natural. Every single ingredient is there to nourish your skin — even the ones responsible for the scent.

Which single hero product would you recommend as we transition from winter into spring? Grab the LEMON SHERBET: Natural Body Cream. It’s invigorating, nourishing, and the ultimate antidote to hibernation mode. One use, and you’ll feel like spring has arrived.

Where can we buy and what's the starting price? You can visit us in person at our shop in Ely, located at 32a High Street, or order online at cowontheice.co.uk. Prices start at just £7 for the GLOW roll-on, and we offer samples too — perfect if you want to dip your toes in before diving headfirst.