Tara Leader on the moor near her home.
My Beauty Story
I have been a practising beauty therapist on Dartmoor since 2003. My original training and first qualification in this field was in Reflexology. I trained in Covent Garden in London. This has paved the way to me becoming a beauty therapist and eventually starting The Dartmoor Skincare Company.
For several years I was a self employed reflexologist whilst also doing occasional work with Macmillan and The Mustard Tree at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, providing reflexology appointments for cancer patients and their families. At this time I also volunteered at Look Good Feel Better workshops in the hospital, teaching ladies how to use skincare and makeup to combat some of the side effects of their treatment.
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My philosophy
The skin is extraordinarily resilient, but it needs to be treated with tender loving care and pampered with sympathetic ingredients such as natural oils and butters, not with products containing harsh additives that can irritate the skin.
I am very aware of skin sensitivity as both of my children have suffered from eczema. I started researching the ingredients in baby care products and discovered that if I avoided sulphates, their flare-ups would disappear. This is how my passion for skincare originally began.
All my products are made primarily from naturally derived ingredients, including organic oils and butters. As these ingredients are less processed, they contain more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fatty acids which all nurture your skin and are less likely to cause sensitivities.
Natural Skincare
Essential oils are used to create uplifting and refreshing, or balancing and calming blends. I have used organic sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, thistle oil and castor oil to create products naturally rich in skin loving vitamins. Botanical extracts such as rose water and aloe vera add nutrient rich properties that soothe and rejuvenate the skin. Extracts of green tea and cucumber help bind moisture deep into the skin. I have added natural vitamin E to the creams as it helps to heal and improve the appearance of the skin.
My inspiration
The beautiful countryside of Dartmoor is in my soul. I have lived here for almost all my life and I never get tired of walking on the moors and watching the seasons change. The wild, natural beauty of Dartmoor has always had a very special place in my heart and it has provided the inspiration for my range of natural skincare products.