Show your mum how much you love her with skincare from a brand conscious of its social and environmental impact

As part of our Meet the Maker series, we speak to the people behind the creations in the Big Issue Shop – a platform for buying ethical products which put people and the planet first. This time, we speak to Rebecca Dallimore, founder of Scintilla.

What can we find on your part of the Big Issue shop?

Under the Scintilla part of the Big Issue Shop you’ll find small batch, plant-based skincare products. Our products are handmade in small batches, using rich, sustainably-sourced natural ingredients to create skincare that’s as good for the planet as it is your skin. 

Our collection includes skincare basics such as lip balms and hand creams, as well as more targeted products such as cleansing milks and serums.

How do your products make a positive difference in the world?

By design, our products are made to be as sustainable as possible, from the sourcing of natural ingredients that have a minimal environmental impact, to ensuring our formulations are created to ensure that a little goes a long way, reducing the regularity with which you need purchase them – saving on resources and our customers’ money! 

However, our social impact is as important to us as our environmental impact, and we donate 10% of our profits to two fantastic charitie.

The first is Mind, England & Wales’ leading mental health charity where our funds help to provide resources and support for both those struggling with mental health issues, and those who are supporting people with mental health issues.

The second is SEED Madagascar, a small sustainable development organisation based in Madagascar delivering projects that include school building, healthcare and livelihoods which aim to reduce poverty, create resilience against climate change and increase access to basic human rights in rural communities there.

What inspired you to start your company and how did it start?

When moving from the glorious British countryside to busy London several years ago for work, I found that within weeks my skin suffered. I had break outs, rashes, inflammation, and I really struggled to find skincare products that ticked all my personal boxes: effective, plant-based and vegan, minimal plastic, and affordable.

Instead of compromising, I got stuck into some research and began by making a few basic skincare remedies at home. I spoke to a friend and colleague about how I was struggling to find the “perfect” skincare brand, and when she expressed the same need, realised there might be a niche.

With a background in sustainability (having previously worked as a business sustainability consultant) and experience in perfumery and retail, I decided to test a few products predominantly in the sustainable skincare sector and had a brilliant response to the first range of products.

When building a customer base and audience, I also wanted to use the brand to support causes that are important to me, and so we have donated that 10% of profits to Mind and SEED Madagascar since the day we launched.

What is the biggest issue everyone should know about at the moment?

It’s impossible to pinpoint just one issue at the present time with unrest, natural disasters, and a cost of living crisis to name a few. At Scintilla, we focus on the impact of climate change as it can create or impact all of the other crises we’re currently experiencing.

I believe it’s important to be aware of the climate crisis and collectively make small changes to drive positive change for our world. By educating ourselves on what the short-, mid- and long-term effects of climate change are, we can make informed decisions about our every day lives, and support causes and actions that protect our planet, and our future. 

What is one thing anyone can do to make a positive difference?

 Be kind. It can seem like an over-used phrase but treating people and nature with kindness truly makes a positive difference.

Kindness can be as simple as saying “thank you” or volunteering your time for a good cause; or it can be a bigger actions like making a donation or sending supplies to those in need. Making a point of undertaking acts of kindness, however simple, impacts those around you.