By Miranda Robertson

A Tarrant Monkton woman who launched a gorgeous natural skincare range after years of suffering with rosacea and super sensitive skin is celebrating after her products were accepted for a major new department store.

Catherine Thomas, 57, had enjoyed a varied career before making the leap into starting her own business.

Then just as she got going with her range of soaps, moisturisers and creams the pandemic shut off many avenues for getting her products out there.

Undaunted, she set about making nourishing hand creams to donate to NHS workers whose skin was left raw with the rigorous hand washing and sanitising.

With the help of her friend Julie McKendrick she also made soaps – a time and space-consuming exercise: “It’s a bit of alchemy, soap-making,” says Catherine. Naomi Booth from Sixpenny Handley designed beautiful packaging: “Presentation is so important, and we didn’t want to overdo the packaging as our motto is kind to your skin, kind to your world.”

The only thing that was missing was a major outlet to sell their wares and once life started to return to something approaching normality Catherine contacted Bobby’s, who were set to open a new department store in Bournemouth in September.

Now Pip Skincare is rapidly making a name for itself, with a particular favourite being the Hard Working Handcream with lavender and geranium – one devotee is Catherine’s partner, who is both a landscape gardener and a mechanic, who says the product is miraculous. Macmillan nurses who tried it on their clients said it was the most effective cream they’d used,

Catherine said: “I’ve always been interested in more natural ways of everything, keeping thing more plant-based and keeping nasty chemicals out – particularly petrochemicals, which are so widely used in skin products because they feel nice and they’re cheap. However skin doesn’t breathe very well covered in them. I’ve tried to put my prices low, while not using any of the nasties.”

She added: “I have very sensitive, troubled skin myself, so I’ve really enjoyed creating these products and believe in them.”

Catherine and Julie recently had a great weekend promoting their products at Bobby’s, and they are starting to see some repeat business, which is very encouraging.

“When we found out we could sell our products at Bobby’s, we thought oh my goodness,” said Catherine. “We have had great support from local people – our products are also on sale at Rawston farm shop in Tarrant Rawston, who have been lovely.

“And I’m at Shaftesbury Country Market every Thursday morning.

“Our products are also on sale at the Forget-me-not Walled Garden in Blandford.”

Go to pipnaturalskincare.com to find out more.