Today, the skincare industry can essentially be divided into two camps, with brands typically harnessing either the power of science or the wonders of nature in their products. One company that defies this categorization is Dr Jackson’s, where cutting-edge research is combined with the indigenous experience of traditional healers and shamans to produce a unique, all-natural line that, as revealed by the Financial Times’ How To Spend It, counts fashion’s Clare Waight Keller among its devotees.
It was while studying for his PhD in Pharmacognosy that Dr Simon Jackson was inspired to set up his eponymous brand. Specialising in African medicinal plants in the treatment of malignant melanoma and solar keratosis, and witnessing both the terrible impact of skin cancer and the dangerous levels of ignorance surrounding the condition, he embarked on a quest to create a single natural, unisex daily moisturizer that would deliver for all skin types and all ages, and most importantly, would contain the highest quality SPF.
Believing that it was extreme, hot, harsh and varied conditions that would yield plants with the most effective regenerative, healing and protectant properties, Dr Jackson travelled to the rainforests of the Amazon and Indonesia and across Sub-Saharan Africa, living with local tribes and learning about the indigenous plants from traditional healers; knowledge which he then combined with his own extensive scientific studies. And following over 20 years of research, he launched his 01 Day Cream.
The Dr Jackson's brand now includes a range of organic tea blends.
Debuting in the UK in 2012, the Bristol-based Dr Jackson’s brand, which is currently under the direction of Chief Scientific Officer Dr Lori Bystrom, PhD, now features a comprehensive range of oils and creams for the face and body, as well as a line of organic teas. Available via the company’s own website, and stocked at outlets worldwide, it is also among the brands carried by Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter, cementing its fashionable status.
Dr Jackson's multi-tasking 04 Coconut Melt.
Part of the appeal of these cutting-edge botanicals, which aren’t tailored to either men or women, is their multipurpose approach. The 04 Coconut Melt, one of Carmen’s particular favorites, is a coconut oil-based balm that can be used to moisturize lips, soften hair and smooth out lines. But it’s the brand’s ethical credentials that resonate with many.
Formulas are free of synthetics, and the active, organic ingredients are sustainably sourced. The minimalist, gender-neutral packaging is either biodegradable or recyclable, including the tea bags which are made from corn starch that biodegrades within 30 days, and a percentage of Dr Jackson’s profits is channelled back to the communities that surround the supply chain to ensure they too benefit from the company’s success.