This year we’re marking International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month with Love Your Unique Power, a series celebrating female founders and thought-leaders. In this installment, we meet Sarah Chapman, Facialist and Founder of the Skinesis Clinic and Skinesis skincare. From best advice to most empowering moments, it’s the face-to-facialist you’ve been waiting for…

I’m Sarah Chapman and my unique power is enabling people to understand their skin better. I love it because it can have a huge impact on their confidence and self-image.

What’s your unique career story?

I started out working for two very different brands in the skincare industry: one was plant-based, and the other was cosmeceutical. Over time, I began mixing the formulas I was working with – I started to think, ‘Why can’t there be a product that’s cosmeceutical in its performance, but also smells good and is aesthetically pleasing?’ I studied cosmetic science to gain a deeper understanding about formulas and to give me the knowledge to develop products that combined these elements. So the heart of my Skinesis range is exactly that: a fusion of the scientific, with high levels of actives and omega oils, in a base that’s paraben-free, and fragranced with natural essential oils. It wasn’t an easy balance to strike; the formulas were four years in development. My ‘luxury meets efficacy’ ethos focuses on product and treatment development to target the skin concerns I see every day, pushing the boundaries of skincare and always thinking outside the box.

When do you feel most powerful?

When a customer or client tells me my advice, treatments or products have really helped them. That is always my goal and it is so rewarding to make a tangible difference.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Stay true to your vision and don’t let people tell you things are not possible. I was given this same advice at the beginning of my career and I have always carried it with me. You can achieve whatever you want to, you might just need a new approach or a different way of thinking. Trust your judgement and that you know what you are doing. This attitude will take you a long way.

The theme of this year’s IWS is #BreakTheBias, have you ever felt a bias towards you as a woman in business?

I’m very fortunate in having never noticed a bias towards me purely due to being a woman. Beauty is quite a female-led industry, which probably helps.

What do you wish you’d been told the beginning of your journey?

I don’t tend to look back; I am always looking to the future. I am a big believer in the fact that entrepreneurs have a certain naivety, and it is this that enables us to take the risks we do. I started my business with a very clear vision of what I wanted to create but very little thinking about the actual business side of things – but I wouldn’t change that, as it evolved along the way.

Who is the most powerful woman you know?

My mum! My parents were always very supportive of my ambitions and encouraged me with my training.

How will you be marking International Women’s Day and month?

I’ll be doing my best to lift up the women around me – whether that’s my team in the office and Clinic, or disadvantaged women across the UK as part of our work with The Prince’s Trust’s #ChangeAGirlsLife campaign. We will be donating £5 from every purchase of our Glow elixir to help educate and empower women from disadvantaged backgrounds. We will also be highlighting a collective of amazing, powerful women to inspire a new generation of career women.

Shop All Sarah Chapman