Simple Skincare

Simple Skincare

Simple Skincare is a British brand of soap and skincare products, designed for sensitive skin.

Company History

The brand was developed in 1960 by the Albion Group. In the late 1980s the business was acquired by Smith and Nephew. In June 2000, Smith and Nephew divested its consumer products division; a management buyout, led by CEO Geoff Percy and Finance Director Peter Hatherly, for £140m resulted in the formation of Accantia, owner of the Simple brand. Accantia rapidly grew the Simple brand, expanding into all the major toiletries & skincare categories.

In January 2004, a secondary buyout was completed. Following an unsolicited approach, the board of Accantia sold the company to Duke Street Capital for £225m. Accantia's existing senior management team remained in place.

Net sales for 2008 were £61.4m, up 11.4% over 2007 at £55.1m. Turnover for 2008 was £72m, up 9% over 2007 at £66m. In April 2009 Accantia, changed its name to Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited.

In December 2009, Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited was bought by the US company Alberto Culver Alberto-Culver for £240 million.

Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited is based in West Midlands, UK, and has distributorships in the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and The People’s Republic of China.

The group also owns the Cidal and Wright's soap brands.

Simple now has products for almost every health and beauty need: facial skincare, [from teens to anti-wrinkle], sun protection, baby, and for men, as well as soaps, bath & shower, deodorants, talc and the range of Simple Derma products for very dry problem skin prone to eczema and dermatitis.vvvvvvvvvv

Product History

Product History

1960: Simple soap is introduced. This first ever perfume- and colour-free soap was recommended by doctors for sensitive skin.

1978: Simple introduces the UK's first 'cleanse, tone and moisturise' skincare regime.

1982: First Simple TV ad is aired, and features the tagline: "It's the Simple things in the life that count".

1992: The company moves towards a more beauty approach by expanding into toiletries.

1999: Launch of Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – now the UK’s No1 Facial skincare product.

2001: Simple introduces the Skin Defence for Men, Simple Oil Control and Simple Regeneration lines.

2005: Simple Sun for babies and kids is launched.

2009: Repair Anti-Wrinkle range is launched while the Simple Kind To Skin range is extended.

The Simple Advisory Board of experts is created to provide holistic advice on skin health to consumers. It includes skincare expert and make-up artist Caroline Frazer Caroline Frazer, psychologist Dr Christine Bundy, fitness expert [ref: http://www.moveyourbutt.com/trainers.htm Julia Bishop] and nutritionist Fiona Hunter.

Simple also creates the Simple Junior Board of Skincare Advisors. Teenagers competed for seats on a board that would advise the company on product development, while in return they would learn about the beauty industry. The first advisors were: Caitlin Strike, Emily Chandler, Emma Owens, Georgia Dowler, Hafsa Ayaz, Helen Price, Jemma Holton, Joanna Darnley, Lauren Barden, Megan Maunder, Rebecca McGrattan and Suzannah Leigh.

2010: Simple's 50th anniversary. To celebrate Simple launches a competition to find two members of the public to represent the brand online (one over 18 and the other under 18). The winner of Search For A Simple Star 2010 is Charlotte Samuel and the Search For A Teen Simple Star 2010 winner is Tegan Kensa Davies.

Simple Kind To Lips range and Simple Radiance Eye Make-Up Remover Pads are launched.

Simple Spotless Skin range is launched, generating growth in the key teenage target market.

In terms of number of packs sold in 2010 Simple continued to strengthen its position as the UK's No.1 Facial Skincare brand. [ref: * IRI UK Non Medicated Facial Skincare, unit packs sold 52 w/e 27th November 2010]. Also in this year, Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes remained the biggest-selling facial skincare product in the UK. [ref: * IRI UK Non Medicated Facial Skincare, unit packs sold 52 w/e 27th November 2010)

[edit] Simple Awards won:

Simple wins many consumer accolades for products across its ranges – in 2010 the brand won a total of 25 awards, including Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes winning The Cosmopolitan Readers Kiss Of Approval Award for the third year in succession. Latest awards include:

User:Idealogyltd/Sandbox

Company History

The brand was developed in 1960 by the Albion Group. In the late 1980s the business was acquired by Smith and Nephew. In June 2000, Smith and Nephew divested its consumer products division; a management buyout, led by CEO Geoff Percy and Finance Director Peter Hatherly, for £140m resulted in the formation of Accantia, owner of the Simple brand. Accantia rapidly grew the Simple brand, expanding into all the major toiletries & skincare categories.

In January 2004, a secondary buyout was completed. Following an unsolicited approach, the board of Accantia sold the company to Duke Street Capital for £225m. Accantia's existing senior management team remained in place.

Net sales for 2008 were £61.4m, up 11.4% over 2007 at £55.1m. Turnover for 2008 was £72m, up 9% over 2007 at £66m. In April 2009 Accantia, changed its name to Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited.

In December 2009, Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited was bought by the US company Alberto Culver [1] for £240 million.

Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited is based in West Midlands, UK, and has distributorships in the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and The People’s Republic of China.

The group also owns the Cidal and Wright's soap brands.

Simple now has products for almost every health and beauty need: facial skincare, [from teens to anti-wrinkle], sun protection, baby, and for men, as well as soaps, bath & shower, deodorants, talc and the range of Simple Derma products for very dry problem skin prone to eczema and dermatitis.

Cosmetics Directive

The directive defines a "cosmetic product" as "any substance or preparation intended for placing in contact with the various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or principally to cleaning them, perfuming them or protecting them in order to keep them in good condition, change their appearance or correct body odours." (Art. 1.1)

The main part of the directive is the different lists of substances in the annexes:

• substances that are banned from use in cosmetics (Annex II)
• substances that are subject to restrictions on their use (Annex III): such substances might only be permitted for certain types of cosmetics, or in certain concentrations, or subject to warning labels, etc.
• permitted colourings (Annex IV)
• permitted preservatives (Annex VI)
• permitted UV filters (Annex VII)

The annexes are regularly amended (57 times up until April 2008) to take account of new data on the safety of particular substances.

MLE (Multi-Lamellar Emulsion)

A. Lamellar structure of skin lipid
( * under electron microscopy )
B. Lamellar structure of MLE
( * under electron microscopy )
C. Maltese cross of skin lipid
( * under cross-polarized microscopy )
D. Maltese cross of MLE
( * cross-polarized microscopy )

MLE (Multi-Lamellar Emulsion) is an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion showing multi-lamellar structure and an original technology developed by NeoPharm in South Korea.

MLE is made with NeoPharm's proprietary pseudoceramide PC-9S. Lamellar structure, also observed in stratum corneum, is defined as a thin plate or membrane of skin lipids. MLE shows multiple layers of this lamellar structure, and as a moisturizer, MLE offers long-lasting skin moisturizing effects through reinforcing the skin's natural barrier function.^[1]

Under cross polarized microscopy, skin lipids and MLE show the similar cross-like structure, termed as Maltese cross structure, and under electron microscopy, lamellar structures are observed. Stratum corneum, as the outermost layer of skin, is responsible for the various barrier function of skin and protects our body from external harmful things.

Stratum corneum lipids are elaborately organized into lamellar structure, which plays the most important role for skin's barrier functions. Unlike the conventional moisturizers made with humectants or emollients, MLE can restore and improve the barrier function of skin, with its distinctive structural similarity to the native human skin's lamellar structure. Restoring the skin barrier function can improve skin hydration and protect skin from external irritants.

The efficacy of MLE on skin barrier was proven by several clinical studies performed in independent University Hospitals and reported in peer-reviewed academic journals, including Journal of Investigative Dermatology, one of the most renowned journals in the field of dermatology. Along with its therapeutic benefits, MLE also shows non-sticky textures, allowing quick absorption after application.^[1][2][3][4]

As an O/W emulsion, MLE can be also used as a vehicle (carrier) for topical drugs. The multiple layer of MLE offers stabilization of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and efficient penetration of API into skin.

Nasolabial fold

The nasolabial folds, commonly known as "smile lines" or "laugh lines", are facial features. They are the two skin folds that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They separate the cheeks from the upper lip. the term derives from Latin nasus for "nose" and labium for "lip".

Cosmetology issues

With ageing the fold may become more pronounced and become cosmetically undesirable. The most significant factors that contribute to the prominence of the fold are excess skin, skin thinning, excess cheek fat, and ptosis of cheek fat.

Most common cosmetic treatments are anatomical removal, liposuction, facelift, or dermal filler injections.

Perfect Skin

Perfect Skin

Spotty, oily skin could ruin an otherwise perfect prom, so your preparations should begin well in advance of the big night. Make sure you drink plenty of water to flush out impurities, and embark upon a thorough cleansing, toning and moisturising regime.

Remember to have fun.

Avoid over cleansing too close the the actual night, as that tends to irritate the skin and produce a red rough appearance. A couple of days before, only employ a mild facial cleanser twice daily, to keep face clean and fresh.

When it comes to choosing foundation, the most important factor is to find one that matches your skin tone. To do this, go foundation shopping in natural daylight, and test foundation against your jaw line, not the backs of your hands! The skin on your hands won't necessarily be the same color as the skin on your face, so make sure you don't make this common mistake! Apply a couple of shades on your face near your jaw, take a mirror and head outside to double check the perfect color to match your neck.

Next, research that your foundation matches your skin type. If you have oily skin, you'll want to select a matte foundation that will soak up extra moisture; if you're lucky enough to have dewy skin already, a light, shimmery foundation will be all you'll need.

For an event like a prom, you may also want to try out a skin-highlighting product such as Benefit's High Beam, or Revlon's Skinlights. These give your skin that dewy, fresh look - straight out of the bottle!