Ultrasun and Skinsense reveal first-ever recipient of initiative to support black-owned skin care brands

By Austyn King | Published: 5-Nov-2020

Natural, organic and vegan brand Freya + Bailey will receive free business support from the ARCLight initiative

ARCLight, the initiative created by sun care brand Ultrasun and skin care brand Skinsense to support black-owned skin care brands, has chosen Freya + Bailey as its first recipient, receiving access to free business support for a year.

Launched earlier this year, the annual initiative aims to support change by providing a mainstream platform for brands owned by black entrepreneurs.

Abbie Oguntade

Abbie Oguntade

Freya + Bailey, founded by Abbie Oguntade, is a vegan, natural and organic skin care range designed to tackle the effects of stress, pollution and the challenges of modern life on skin, said to combine premium grade essential oils with plant-based skin care actives to protect the epidermal skin layer from outside stressors.

Oguntade was inspired to create the brand after suffering from an outbreak of cystic acne due to stress from her life commitments, and used her industry experience from a previous leadership role with a skin care company to develop the products, which include Slay Face Scrub, Glo'Up Face Cleanser and LIT Decongest Face Toner.

Now, she will work with Abi Cleeve, Ultrasun and Skinsense's founder, to grow the brand, choosing from a selection of tailored support including retail strategy, distribution and warehousing, marketing and PR advice and support sessions.

Oguntade said: “I’m delighted to be ARClight’s first recipient and to work with Abi to take Freya + Bailey to a wider audience with their support.

“I’m passionate about skin care being so much more than just vanity, and truly believe it contributes to identity, self-esteem and empowering us all to know the INCI and choose exactly what works for our skin type.”

A force for change

Freya + Bailey was chosen from the final shortlist of four black-owned beauty brands, seeing off competition from Naturally Tribal, Adesha Beauty and Natural Origin.

Speaking about the initiative, Cleeve added: “It is of no surprise that the ARClight applications received were of an extremely high standard, showcasing talent, expertise and innovation in the skin care space.

“The process only further illustrated how vital it is that the disparity in support, access to market and exposure be consistently addressed by us all in the industry to achieve change."

She added: “Abbie Oguntade is an incredible beauty entrepreneur who’s created a brand that’s powerful in ingredients, results, design and inclusivity of all skin types.

“Myself and the team are incredibly honoured and excited to work alongside her over the next 12 months.” 

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