A cancer diagnosis led to a career change for chemist Clara Challoner Walker whose magic touch makes people look and feel their best
Cosy Cottage may be the name of Clara Challoner Walker’s Malton-based skincare business but the brains behind it come from a very science-led approach that’s as much laboratory as lifestyle.
Clara is a scientist by training and before being diagnosed with breast cancer was a high flying executive with IBM.
Following her treatment, she began researching the impact chemicals have on the body and became increasingly interested in the use of natural products in skincare.
In 2015 Clara started making natural, handmade soap in her 350-year-old cottage in Yorkshire.
Having become aware of the number of harmful chemicals found in skincare and bathing products her mission was to offer consumers an alternative. Using her Chemistry degree, Clara created a range of natural soaps and skin care products that were kind to skin and the planet. To this day, her shea butter facial cleansing soap remains a best-seller.
But the business has moved on hugely since those first soaps sold at a market stall.
Now Cosy Cottage has a thriving manufacturing HQ in Malton as well as a spacious and calming store in the heart of the market town.
It is here where you can explore the products, chat about skincare concerns and find the advice you need from Clara’s dedicated team.
New treatment rooms mean that you can also check in for a facial, which is exactly what we did, trying out the classic Rejuvenating Facial using Cosy Cottage products – at £45 it is a real purse-friendly option as well as skin-friendy one.
Therapist Chloe takes you through the treatment which is an all-natural, additive free, uplifting and nourishing facial, custom designed by Cosy Cottage.
It is designed to improve the appearance of tired, dry or ageing and pollution-stressed skin which is music to the ears!
The restful treatment includes a facial massage to stimulate circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, relieve stress and ease tension in the facial muscles.
You get to experience a selection of the most popular, award winning Cosy Cottage facial products which have been designed and formulated in-house. These include shea butter, coconut oil – a gentle and yet powerful cleanser containing soothing aloe vera – soothing, antibacterial and effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and redness from conditions such as rosacea.
The treatment includes a thorough skin cleanse, facial massage, face mask, neck and shoulder massage. The ‘ta-dah’ moment is the company’s newest product, their first facial serum especially formulated to smooth fine, dry wrinkles, lift and plump the skin and fight the signs of ageing.
The serum harnesses the power of Marula Oil and Frankincense both known to visibly smooth the skin and counteract the signs of ageing.
You leave Cosy Cottage definitely feeling rejuvenated – as though you’ve been given a shot of clean-living goodness.
The new facial serum is one to enjoy at home, handmade in Yorkshire and easily incorporated into a morning or evening skincare routine or applied during the day as a nourishing interim boost. Simply apply to clean, dry skin before moisturising. Use four drops of serum and massage into your face, neck and decolletage with circular motions using your palms or a gua sha. Let the heat of your hands and soft gliding movements disperse the product into your skin. For an intensive overnight treatment, use eight drops and spend a little longer massaging the oil into your skin.
To complement the launch, Cosy Cottage has also added a new Brightening and Sculpting Gua Sha Facial to its list of spa treatments. This curated all-natural facial reduces puffiness, tones, smoothes and sculpts the face.
Says Clara, ‘Our natural facial serums are the icing on the cake for your facial routine. Each carefully blended, active serum melds leading edge natural beauty science with sustainability and value for money.
‘This new anti-ageing formula has been developed in response to our customers’ demand. They have enjoyed using our original facial serum with rosehip and raspberry leaf but requested something that could help with signs of ageing but still be light enough for daily wear under SPF and make up.
‘We’ve chosen to harness the properties of these ancient and well-renowned ingredients, not only are they natural ingredients but they have scientific backing to prove efficacy. Feedback from our testers is incredibly positive, which is even more promising as some of the group suffer with sensitive skin and conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.’
