The secret’s out

Earlier this summer local residents Lorna and Graeme Veal were awarded a prestigious prize at the international Free From Skincare Awards for their Bath Jelly, one of the eco-friendly brand’s hero products. SO chats to Lorna to discover why she and her husband are on a mission to deliver beauty products that are good for your skin – and your wellbeing

Photos Rose Bainberidge

How long has No Secrets been going and Was it relatively easy to transform it from a what gave you the idea to start your own kernel of an idea to an actual business?

beauty business? The one thing I didn’t know was how long it No Secrets, was born out of my own takes to develop something properly. Once frustration with the beauty industry. In you have a prototype, it then needs to be 2010, my GP suggested that I tested for a minimum of six months consulted a private doctor, who and sometimes more. Every specialised in complementary detail from a colour scheme, to and holistic medicine, to “No Secrets makes the size of a gift box has to be help resolve a number of niggling health issues. At one point I was faced with a plant-based products with the luxury feel of carefully thought through before you go into production as mistakes list of ingredients in high your favourite high would be costly! street beauty products that I was advised to avoid. I came end brands” Why did you decide to go home and literally had to throw down the natural beauty route away the entire contents of my and have you found your journey bathroom cabinet! As I tried to replace so far relatively easy? my favourite bath, shower and body There has been a lot to learn, which I love. I products, I realised there was nothing out was committed to following a natural there that I really enjoyed using or made me pathway as it quickly became clear to me that feel special. The No Secrets dream was born regular beauty products included many of and we started selling in 2018. the ingredients I was told to avoid. The bottom line on Bath Jelly

“It is ‘set’ so it doesn’t make such a mess and doesn’t float round the bath. We’ve had great feedback so far and, it won a Bronze in the ‘Free From Skincare Awards’, so we hope people will really take to it. It’s a huge treat and like a spa treatment to enjoy in your own home boasting the reviving aroma of bergamot, petitgrain, eucalyptus, juniper and lavender essential oils.

Tell us a little bit about the ethos of the brand?

We make plant-based products with the luxury feel of your favourite high-end brands. Whilst being natural, everything can still be fabulous and beautiful to look at! We have invested in expertly blended essential oils to give our range the feel of a 5-star spa.

How did the name No Secrets come about?

I’m passionate about honesty in beauty. It annoys me that a brand will advertise natural or organic on their label when only a small amount of the ingredients fits that description. The name No Secrets stemmed out of a commitment to share information on the ingredients to help people make an informed decision.

Where are the products made and do you use any local natural ingredients?

The products are all made in England. There are different expert makers for the different

items. We are not a ‘kitchen table’ company. Everything is produced in a professional, sterile environment and complies with UK and EU regulations.

How many product lines are there and are there any that are particularly popular with customers?

We currently have 15 items in our range. The most frequently purchased are our shower creams, and this year our Hand Cleanser has been very popular. We had some nurses let us know it had totally helped to rescue their hands from the overuse of harsh chemical based hand washes. This was incredible to hear.

How did it feel to win at the Free From Beauty Awards?

Last year we were nominated for our Shower Creams and Hand Cleansers, so this year to actually make it to the next stage and scoop a Bronze for our Bath Jelly, is thrilling. We had just won another award from the Beauty

Shortlist for our Bath Sugar, so to have both of our bath products as award winners in the same year is so special for us.

Has this accolade helped you significantly grow your business?

People are familiar with the Free From movement for food and the Free From Skincare Awards is therefore a great signpost for people. It places our products within a recognisable landscape. It is also a real confidence boost for customers, who aren’t Why do you believe it’s so important to use natural ingredients where possible for our skin?

It is really only in the last 70 years that we have all started to rub cocktails of chemicals into our skin on a daily basis and, from my own experience, it is not clear what the potential long term effects may be. One of the main ingredients in every shower gel and handwash in the supermarkets - and even more expensive brands - is called Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS); it is actually an incredibly drying ingredient and can bring on skin conditions such as eczema. There are other common ingredients which potentially can affect your hormones and, although they are all passed as totally ‘safe’, there is a school of thought that, used on a daily basis, they can build up to a toxic level in our bodies. This is what happened to me.

“Some nurses let us know it had totally helped to rescue their hands from the overuse of harsh chemical based hand washes. This was incredible to hear.”

Where you can find No Secrets

Facebook: @NoSecretsBeauty Instagram: @NoSecretsBeauty Blightys in Cranbrook Local therapists: www.dmtherapist. uk and Hadlow Health and Beauty (01732 850555).

familiar with our brand, to know that the products have been through a rigorous competition and have shone through.

Do you have any well known (or local) customers you can tell us about?

We have some lovely loyal local fans who continue to re-order and tell us that the scents are just addictive and they can’t get enough. We have also been featured in publications such as The Lady and Harper’s Bazaar. Both journalists who interviewed us were particularly interested in how our products create a Home Spa feeling, which was so important as a treat during lockdown.

How would you sum up your brand in three words?

100% Natural – 100% Vegan – 100% Gorgeous