News in brief: a round-up of industry stories

We visit different corners of the industry to bring you a selection of stories in bitesize form.

Faace founder seeks buyer

Jasmine Wicks-Stephens, founder of skincare brand Faace, is seeking a buyer for her beauty business after announcing the news to social media followers today.

Calling it the ‘hardest decision’ she’s had to make, Wicks-Stephens said: “After five years of thinking about Faace every single day, working full time hours for free, investing hundreds of thousands of pounds of my own money for this dream, I just can’t do it anymore. I still believe in the brand wholeheartedly. We’ve achieved so much that I’m so proud of, from 13 incredible award wins to securing brilliant retailers … and getting the seal of approval in Dragons’ Den. There’s so much more to do but I just can’t be the one to do it day in, day out.”

Appealing to her audience to help recruit a buyer, the founder said she hoped the right person would keep the brand she loves alive, while allowing her to play a small role.

Beauty Kitchen triple win

Beauty Kitchen is celebrating a triple win for its Pure Source Collagen range: at the CEW Responsible Beauty Awards the Serum scooped the Responsible Beauty Award for Innovation and the Responsible Beauty Award for Excellence; and at the Pure Beauty Awards, Best New Supplement was awarded to the Gummies.

Jo Chidley, brand co-founder, comments: "We're ecstatic [and] overjoyed with the recognition of these products featuring our groundbreaking microalgae skincare complex, which offers remarkable skin benefits. Coupled with our innovative returnable packaging, it’s an undeniable choice for both efficacy and sustainability.”

NPD aimed at brain health

Wiley’s Finest’s latest NPD takes aim at brain, heart and eye function with a product designed to help people ‘live better for longer’: Peak DHA.

The wild Alaskan fish oil supplement blends several omega-3 fatty acids, certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, and is presented in two soft gels offering a ‘potent combination’ of 580mg DHA and 115mg EPA.

Paul Farquhar, MD of Wiley’s Finest UK, explains that the SKU joins current best-seller Peak EPA (focused on heart and joint support) to answer consumer needs for a product which ‘amplifies omega-3 intake to support the whole body’. “Peak DHA is set to become a staple in health and nutrition routines across the UK.” 

New trio of haircare

To address common hair concerns such as brittleness, dryness and lack of volume, Green People has unveiled a new range of haircare.

The new Protein Boost Hair Collection is formulated with high quality natural ingredients tailored towards strengthening, nourishing and rejuvenating all hair types.

The collection includes a shampoo, conditioner and hair serum, each product enriched with hydrolyzed proteins and botanical extracts which the brand says ‘ensures powerful, visible results while adhering to Green People’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and purity’.

Powered by the nine essential amino acids contained within quinoa protein, the products seek to enhance shine by 50%, penetrate each hair shaft for improved vitality and limit colour fade by 20%. 

Graham Keen honoured

Graham Keen (pictured left), retired executive director of the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) has been commemorated by former colleagues with the Maurice Hanssen Award of Honour, in ‘recognition of a lifetime of outstanding contribution to the industry’.

Martin Last, HFMA director general, calls Keen a ‘well-deserved winner’ for ‘putting the HFMA on the map.’ The latter part of his 15 years at the helm saw Keen campaign to Government for health food stores to remain open during lockdown and for their staff to be given key worker status.

“I’m very happy to be the 29th winner of this important award, and fiercely proud of this wonderful industry and the role I played in helping it become the dominant and positive force that it now is,” comments Keen.

Introducing Sweet Tart

Disruptor dark chocolate brand FATSO has launched new flavour Sweet Tart, pitched as a ‘pulse racing combination of cherries and almonds, lovingly caressed by buttery shortbread’.

Co-Founder Ella McKay, explains the brand’s proposition: “We pride ourselves in our no-compromise approach to sourcing the very best single-origin cacao through our partnership with the future focused, family-run Luker Chocolate in Colombia. As we continue our mission to prove that dark chocolate doesn’t have to be all seriousness and restraint our latest launch is girl-powered, bakewell inspired, chunky and downright delicious. We can’t wait to hear what our customers think.”