Formulae Prescott Makes The Grade In Travel Retail.
Founder Pauline Prescott Interviewed.
Formulae Prescott Makes The Grade In Travel Retail.
8 minutes read
Introduction by: Peter Marshall
Pauline Prescott is an extremely impressive woman. As you will read from today’s blog, her success to date for her iconic, award-winning Tri-Balm range is because of her utter commitment to creating a uniquely-formulated, multi-tasking, sustainable beauty product that delivers.
Since launch, Tri-Balm now enjoys listings on 11 airlines and is to be found in high-end stores and boutique spas. According to Pauline “travel retail is a natural fit for us because our products are perfect for on-the-go lifestyles”. She is now looking to partner with more airlines and premium travel hubs.
When you read this straight-shooting interview and better understand why Formulae Prescott is one of the leading brands in the ‘skinimalism’ movement, there is little doubt that the Tri-Balm product range will find its way onto airport travel retail shelves. “I’ve learned that pioneers take all the arrows and the first through the door is normally bloodied”, she says. “But consumers will drive this change”. She is right.
Peter Marshall (PM): Pauline, welcome to TRunblocked.com. With your background as a ballerina and a successful career in insurance, whatever prompted you to leap into the skincare business?
Pauline Prescott (PP): Thank you! My journey into skin care has been an unusual one since I studied ballet as a child and young woman and trained to be a professional ballet dancer. After finishing dance school however, the business world, which I had always found fascinating, beckoned to me and so instead I explored other opportunities. Fast forward some years and I found myself as an international business executive working for a large American corporation. I was running a multi-million-dollar division of an international insurance company living in HK with a home office in NY and family in London, so I was constantly flying around the world. Like so many business travellers I wanted to streamline my skincare routine but couldn’t find high quality skincare that offered combined skincare functions and benefits to allow me to do that. So, I set out to solve this problem myself by creating a luxury multi-tasking natural skincare collection based on a 3-in-1 innovation approach for each formulation.
Whilst working in insurance, I was in the health and wellness sector, so it’s not a stretch to apply all those interests to the skincare business. I have always been interested in nurturing and supporting people which translates into helping develop products that are healthy for people to use. In the business world I interacted with people and their family members at their most vulnerable – so have always been mindful to help and support consumers and the public to educate them about the choices available to them in the skincare field.
All our products are designed to deliver multiple benefits through scientifically researched formulations that offer the ideal balance of nutrient dense, sustainably sourced, natural ingredients to deliver skin improving results. This forward-thinking concept has made Formulae Prescott one of the leading brands in the growing ‘skinimalism’ movement focused on optimising skin health.
I think my ballet training taught me the importance of looking after my body and later in my business career, I honed a disciplined, problem-solving mindset. Combining these two worlds, I created something authentic and practical – skincare that delivers results without overwhelming people with endless steps. It was about merging my appreciation for simplicity with my love of innovation.
PM: What was the most challenging part of creating Formulae Prescott? I understand it took a long time to develop Tri-Balm. This product is a one-stop-shop as it cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturises. It’s all about multi-tasking. What challenges did you face on the way?
PP: The biggest challenge was staying true to the vision. I wanted Tri-Balm to be more than a multitasking product – it had to be genuinely effective and luxurious, too. Finding the perfect balance between simplicity and performance took time and perseverance. I remember testing and tweaking the formula repeatedly until it met my standards. There were moments of frustration, but I was determined to create something that made life easier without compromising on quality.
The overall consumer skincare market is valued at €180 billion in annual sales worldwide. Yet, it is a market that has been relatively staid in terms of innovation over the past few decades. Traditional skincare regimes/approaches have not progressed significantly from the historical routines of the 1920’s, where dedicated, single-function products (cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, toners, etc) are sold separately and applied sequentially by consumers to achieve desired levels of efficacy overall in a wasteful, expensive, and time-consuming process. Formulae Prescott is dramatically disrupting that process by allowing consumers to achieve better results with less products being necessary. Being an outlier presents a big challenge as it means educating everybody on the benefits of ‘skinimalism’. I heard a great new phrase recently when Tri-Balm won best cleanser in this year’s Marie Claire awards and was quoted as one of 18 incredible Marie Claire UK Award Winning ‘skinnovations’! I’ve learned that pioneers take all the arrows and the first through the door is normally bloodied, but consumers will drive this change.
PM: So how do you balance this simplified approach with ensuring that each function is genuinely effective?
PP: It’s all about thoughtful formulation. Every ingredient has a purpose – whether it’s cleansing, exfoliating, or moisturising. For example, Tri-Balm uses natural plant oils for cleansing, fruit enzymes for gentle exfoliation, and wax esters to lock in moisture. The result is a product that’s simple to use but doesn’t cut corners on performance. Fewer products, better results. We’ve all heard the buzz about superfoods in our diets – those nutrient-packed powerhouses that boost overall health and well-being. Over the past decade, as the self-care and wellness industry has flourished, the importance of these wonder foods has been spotlighted. We’ve been onto the superfood trend from the very beginning, long before it became the beauty industry’s buzzword. In the world of skincare, these ingredients are transformative. Think of superfoods as beauty foods for the skin, offering a variety of skin-loving benefits. We do not put anything in our formulas that isn’t necessary and doesn’t provide a benefit to the skin.
PM: Just developing this, do you actually think that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is relevant in today’s marketplace?
PP: I don’t think it’s about one-size-fits-all. All skins benefit from vitamins, gentle enzymes, amino acids and fatty acids – it’s more a focus on clever combinations of healing soothing and nourishing ingredients in an easy to use and understandable balm format. 95% of these ingredients are extracts from foods, the powerhouse being your body’s energy. I’m just applying them topically to the skin. Tri-Balm adapts to different skin types and needs because it focuses on the basics every skin requires. It’s ideal for people who value simplicity but still expect results. Our products are also versatile enough to fit into anyone’s routine but leaves room for customization with other products if needed.
PM: What’s interesting is that your products are positioned as luxury items. How do you justify premium pricing when the market is largely saturated with affordable, multi-use products?
PP: Our premium pricing reflects the quality of our ingredients, the ethical production processes, and the time invested in creating something truly effective. We’re not competing with mass-market products – we’re offering a luxurious experience that aligns with modern values of sustainability and simplicity. You can buy fast food to nourish your body or you can be a supporter of less processed food – that’s an easy comparison and we are most definitely in the latter camp. When you remove the excess products from your routine you can find we are very affordable which was always our mission. Everyone should be able to afford healthy nutritionally dense skincare.
PM: Well, listening to your answer, it’s quite clear that you have found the right niche in Travel Retail and for consumers, especially those that travel a lot. Where are you currently listed and what are your strategic plans for expansion?
PP: We’re currently listed on 11 airlines, in high-end stores, and boutique spas. Travel retail is a natural fit for us because our products are perfect for on-the-go lifestyles. Expansion-wise, we’re looking to partner with more airlines and premium travel hubs, as well as expanding into hotels and wellness retreats – SPAs and, of course, retail stores. I want the consumer to be able to buy and use our products wherever they want to buy them.
PM: Let’s move onto sustainability, something very close to your heart. How does the brand balance sustainability with luxury?
PP: For us, sustainability and luxury can go hand in hand. We use ethically sourced, cruelty-free ingredients and minimal, recyclable packaging. While we don’t have refills yet, it’s something we’re actively working on to further reduce waste. We also don’t use water in 90% of our products. Water is drying and often used as a filler since it’s cheap but that’s not how we work. We don’t use fillers of any kind. If it has no skin benefit it does not make it into our skincare range. Even our partners are running family-owned businesses, and we choose partners in each market so our message of a low carbon footprint is also important to us. I can share a story about our filler in the UK and the small town her company works in. She is sustaining a local community of people who have gone to school, lived and have all their friends and relatives close to hand and that struck me as a lovely new approach to sustainability. People can live and work in the communities they grew up in if they wish.
PM: In your discussions with retailers, do you think they are on the same page on matters of sustainability?
PP: Many are starting to prioritise sustainability, but there’s still a way to go. We’re having honest conversations about the importance of transparency and practical solutions, like reducing unnecessary packaging and promoting refill options but multifunctional products are still a long way behind from where they could be.
However, we believe our segment is starting to gain traction and we expect very high take up and adoption of this category given the focus on conservation, no water and high-quality natural skin care. We have a broad market appeal because our products are beneficial to such a wide range of consumers and as such, we consider ourselves sector agnostic. We are attractive to busy, time-poor people on the go, be it young parents or travelling businessmen and women. We are gender neutral and suitable for all ages and skin types and we appeal to those looking for eco-conscious and wellness solutions to skincare. In that way we are extremely diverse in our customer segments and believe all these needs transcend cultures and sectors.
Never have people been more focused towards zero carbon, recycling and sustainability and we are proud that our products fulfil this brief, being waterless and using 95% of ingredients that are food-based, the foundation of good health and wellness. Our range is essentially topical nutrition for your skin. We are thrilled to be establishing an early footprint in this exciting market.
PM: Developing this, are you now working towards B Corp certification? How much of a leap for the business is this?
PP: Yes, B Corp certification is definitely on our radar. It’s a significant step, but we see it as an extension of what we already do – balancing profit with purpose. It’s about formalising our commitment to people and the planet.
PM: Onto a more general question now. What do you see as the key skincare trends that will shape the future?
PP: I see a move towards multitasking products, like Tri-Balm, that simplify routines. There’s also growing demand for transparency – consumers want to know what’s in their products and how they’re made. Transparency and ethical practices are no longer optional, they’re expected. Lastly, sustainability will continue to shape the industry, from packaging to ingredients. Indie brands are the fastest growing sector in the skincare world, and I don’t see that stopping. Health & wellness is always important and, when married with innovation and conservation, is a uniquely powerful force for good.
PM: One last question, Pauline. If there are three things you want to communicate to the industry, what would they be?
PP: First, sustainability isn’t a trend – it’s a responsibility. Second, consumers are craving simplicity without compromising on results. And third, luxury today is about ethics and authenticity, not excess. It’s hard to out-do mother nature with all the nutritional benefits associated with it.
