How did Chery Lin come about?
I have always made my own skin care and my original inspiration came from a book on natural skin care I'd read when I was 13. I would make my own 'potions' and face packs made out of fresh fruit and vegetables and commandeer friends for a beauty treatment!
My interest in nutrition and complementary therapies came later after I fell ill with ME (Myalgic encephalomyelitis) in my early 20's. The illness lasted a long time, and whilst debilitating and frustrating, it gave me the opportunity to understand and manage the illness, and by using aromatherapy, homoeopathy and nutrition I fought my way back to health with a renewed appreciation of life and the things that truly matter. I started to live better by improving my lifestyle, and became particularly interested in nutrition and aromatherapy. As the illness seemed to reveal allergies and intolerances, commercial skin care caused my skin to react so I started to make my own again.
What is the ethos behind the brand?
I create skin care that naturally treats the skin, body and senses as a holistic whole.
As I'd suffered with ME and allergies, I wanted skin care that reflected my holistic approach to living and wouldn't cause my skin to break out in rashes or spots. I took nutrition and aromatherapy courses and started making skin care that treated the skin as part of the 'whole'. I looked at the concept of developing skin care that was fresh and fed the skin using organic and healing ingredients that were easily and safely absorbed by the skin. I researched the nutritional value of all the ingredients I used and through trial and error, developed skin care recipes that delivered 100% therapeutic care.
So I developed specialist and tailor made skin and body care that 'naturally treats the skin, body and senses' for family, friends and eventually local customers through word of mouth before finally developing the on-line business.
What is unique about the brand?
Many of us buy skincare that professes to 'cure' a problem e.g.: wrinkles, sagging or reactive skin. But the miracle cure approach does not work in harmony with skin and body. My skincare has been designed to naturally treat the skin, body and senses so that optimum enjoyment and benefit is gained through use. It therefore feels, smells and replenishes the skin wonderfully. The products are made only upon receipt of the orders as it is important that every product has maximum therapeutic value, freshness and aroma. Every ingredient used in each product is nutritious and beneficial to help the skin reach and maintain maximum health and vitality.
How are the products made?
Skincare balms are made by measuring the required ingredients (such as the oils, butters and wax) and melting them over a gentle heat in a bain marie so as not to destroy any of the nutritional value. Once melted, this base is left to cool to the point were it starts to turn opaque. This is when the additional plant extracts and essential oils can be added, particularly as the heat can kill the nutritional and therapeutic properties . The mixture is then poured into jars and left to cool completely before packing and finishing.
The rest of the skin and body care such as the bath salts and body exfoliators are hand blended in large bowls without the need for heating. For example dry ingredients (such as the Himalayan salt, sugar, seaweed and clays) are blended before oils and butters are added. Finally essential oils and other therapeutic extracts are added before packing and finishing.
Preparing my skincare is like a natural therapy. I tend to prepare products 4 days a week but this can vary depending on how busy it is. I shut the world out, put on calming music (a favourite being Excalibur by Medwyn Goodall) and immerse myself in the gorgeous aromas.
What are your best sellers?
Luxury rose night balm £26.00
Nourishing cleansing balm £18.50
Lavender skin toner £15.90
Grapefruit and lemon cleanser £16.50
Replenishing facial oil £27.00
Rose and lavender bath salts £16.30
Sweet mint bath salts £12.90
Rose and lavender body exfoliator £28.95
Do you have any future plans for the brand?
I have recently developed a small range of skincare that is made with organic natural ingredients that are sourced in the UK. I hope this will be released shortly.
I am currently experimenting and testing a number of aromatic blends which I hope may be the basis for a skincare range for men.
I would like to develop a baby skin care range that again reflects my ethos and use of ethically sourced organic ingredients.
