Introducing Q+A: Taking The Stress Out Of Skincare
We recently interviewed Faye Purcell, Head of Research and Development at Q+A and Freddy Furber, Founder and CEO of Q+A, about women in STEM, natural skin-friendly ingredients and the future of Q+A...
1. Your mission statement is ‘on a mission to demystify skincare’ Can you expand more on what this means to you and how this benefits your customers?
FF - Since launching Q+A in 2019, our goal has been to take the stress out of skincare - and I’m proud to say we’ve done just that! Navigating the beauty aisles can feel overwhelming, but our on-pack checklist makes shopping for skincare super simple by clearly highlighting each product’s benefits and the skin types it’s best suited for. This helps our customers make informed decisions, take control of their skincare, and confidently build a regime tailored to their skin concerns.
2. As a feminist and mother to a young girl who wants to be a scientist, I love that you champion women in STEM. Why was creating products in-house by a team of incredible women important to you as a brand, and how has this been received.
FF - Women have been underrepresented in STEM workplaces for years, but change is happening, and we’re proud to be part of it. I believe in equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender. Over 80% of our lab team is female, with Faye heading up research and development. Our incredible female-led team is the driving force behind Q+A, bringing unmatched expertise in ingredients and formulations to every product we create.
3. What are some of the biggest challenges you faced when developing your line of natural ingredient-focused skincare products?
FP - One of the main challenges was delivering optimal performance through plant-powered active ingredients while ensuring the formulations were gentle enough for sensitive skin. This allows multiple active-led products to be seamlessly incorporated into a regime without irritation.
For example, Q+A Retinol Facial Serum has achieved outstanding user trial results with no reports of sensitivity or irritation. This was down to a careful formulation process that not only selected high-performing actives, but also mitigated any potential concerns that could arise from using a strong active like Retinol.
4. I personally love your products and use them daily, finding the accessible language really easy to understand, especially as someone relatively new to skincare. Why was this important to Q+A?
FF - Skincare doesn’t have to be confusing, and no one should need a dermatology degree to figure out which products to use! I wanted to develop a brand that cut through the noise of the beauty industry and strip it back to what skincare is all about - effective regime-building products that target key skin concerns.
Education is at the heart of Q+A, and that’s why we keep our language simple and straightforward. We want our customers to understand exactly what they’re putting on their skin and how to build a regime that works for them using active ingredients.
5. Q+A products are affordable yet really effective, targeting and soothing a range of skin concerns without breaking the bank. Why was it important to you that transformative skincare was available to everyone?
FF - Accessibility is at the core of the brand in terms of price point and inclusivity. We strive for premium-quality formulations without the premium price tag, and thanks to our in-house manufacturing, we are proud to be able to achieve this. Effective products shouldn’t have to break the bank!
6. Your aim is to take the stress out of skincare. Can you share a moment when you’ve felt particularly stressed or overwhelmed by skincare?
FF - Q+A was actually born from a simple observation my wife made while shopping for skincare - it was incredibly overwhelming! Did she need Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, Vitamin C, or all three? With countless products and little clarity on what would work for her skin type, she found the experience frustrating and inaccessible.
We worked to develop the Q+A Skincare Checklist, which helps to combat this problem, making it possible for skincare beginners to know where to start or for skincare enthusiasts to effectively expand their regime.
7. Your skincare range is brimming with natural skin-friendly ingredients. Why was this important to you as a brand?
FP - Incorporating natural ingredients into our range was crucial because we believe in promoting skin health, with a focus on enhancing your skin naturally as opposed to simply ‘covering up’ skin concerns. Natural ingredients are as effective and often more gentle than their synthetic counterparts, making them suitable for diverse skin types, including sensitive skin.
8. With so many pre-teens hopping on the skincare trend, why, as a scientist, would you advise them to wait until they're older to start experimenting with stronger products? What advice would you give to their parents in encouraging a more natural skincare approach?
FP - I advise pre-teens and teens to wait until they are older to experiment with stronger skincare products because their skin is still developing. At this age, the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) is thinner, and the skin barrier is not fully matured, making it more sensitive and susceptible to irritation from potent ingredients. Additionally, hormonal changes can affect skin sensitivity and oil production, leading to concerns like acne.
Instead, I recommend a simple routine with gentle cleansing and moisturising products, which are less likely to disrupt this delicate balance. For any major skin concerns at this age, it would be advisable to seek medical advice before trying to self-treat with cosmetics which may contain unsuitable actives.
For parents, promoting healthy habits like cleansing in the evening and moisturising twice a day can help to build a routine and feel more ‘grown up’ whilst taking care of sensitive, young skin. This minimises risks associated with harsher products and supports the skin's natural development, ensuring better long-term skin health.
9. Can you share anything exciting that’s in the pipeline for the future of Q+A?
FF - There are always exciting things in the pipeline! In 2025, expect to see some brand-new ingredients join the skincare range, plus new formats of bestselling Q+A ingredients. Keep an eye out for some bodycare launches, as well as an exciting range that we can’t wait to share…
10. You share that you’re proud to be a UK-made brand. Why is this important to Q+A?
FF - All Q+A products are expertly formulated and manufactured in Norfolk, UK, at our on-site lab and production facility. We made the decision to bring all manufacturing in-house during the 2020 pandemic, which we felt was an important step in the development of Q+A to ensure we can continue to deliver the highest quality products at an affordable price.
As we have full visibility and control of our supply chain, it means we are able to be more agile as a brand, as well as keep our prices lower than competitors, maintaining our accessibility promise to customers.
11. Can you tell us about some of the most innovative ingredients or technologies used in Q+A skincare products?
FP - One of my favourites is our innovative encapsulation process of Vitamin C. Our Ascorbic Acid is encapsulated in a biopolymer complex made from Volcanic Soil and Hyaluronic Acid, meaning the Vitamin C remains stable with no discolouration, something that commonly occurs in Vitamin C products.
Also, our three Daily Sunscreens are particularly innovative as the formulas have been developed with an amazingly low inclusion of UV filters, reducing the likelihood of white cast, stickiness, and other common SPF issues. Through our team’s innovative work, we are still able to deliver an incredibly high SPF 50 with high UVA + UVB protection. Many SPF 50s contain high levels of UV filters, which can negatively affect the sensory profile of the product and make it thick and gloopy. This therefore reduces the likelihood that customers will wear their SPF every day, meaning they miss the most important step of their skincare regime! Our formulas are super lightweight and non-greasy, making them perfect for everyday wear.
12. What advice would you give to someone looking to improve their skincare routine?
FP - Don’t just buy what’s trending - look to see what is going to target your specific skin concerns and shop according to your skin type. Once you have decided what you want to improve about your skin, read the product descriptions to decipher if a product will work for you. Q+A makes this super easy, thanks to our checklist on every product!
13. What inspired your passion for creating skincare, and how has it evolved over time?
FP - When I was a teenager, I used to watch a lot of videos about makeup and skincare - I once saw an interview with Charlotte Tilbury, who spoke about working with a chemist to create the formula for her new mascara. I was studying and enjoying chemistry at school, and it inspired me to explore this pathway more. After graduating with a chemistry degree, I was lucky enough to land my dream job at Q+A and have since developed hundreds of formulas. At the moment, I’m particularly interested in achieving silicone-like textures using natural ingredients - it’s quite a challenge as silicones are brilliant at creating attractive textures, and they’re hard to replace.
14. What's your go-to Q+A skincare product or ingredient, and why do you swear by it?
FP - My favourite product is the Q+A Niacinamide Facial Serum! Along with Niacinamide, which is a hero ingredient for all skin types (even dry skin), it contains a brightening complex which is upcycled from the food industry in Sicily. Mediterranean plants are extracted to create the complex and it is amazing at reducing pigmentation and giving skin a healthy glow - it’s so effective I have actually stopped using Retinol!
15. Can you share a game-changing skincare tip or hack?
FP - The best skincare tip you could receive is to wear facial SPF daily, even on cloudy days. SPF is your skin’s best defence against premature ageing, sun damage, and harmful UV rays. Make it the final step in your morning routine for healthy, radiant skin all year round! Check out the Q+A Daily Sunscreen range, packed with active ingredients tailored to each skin type.
Also, make sure to moisturise oily skin! It’s a common myth that oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser, but skipping this step can actually cause your skin to produce even more oil to compensate for dehydration. I recommend opting for a lightweight moisturiser like Q+A Amino Acid Oil-Free Moisturiser that hydrates without clogging pores to help balance your skin’s natural oil production.
16. As a scientist, which skincare trend or innovation are you most excited about, and why?
FP - I am super excited about the Biohacking innovation, which is the concept that you can ‘hack’ biological functions with active ingredients. It focuses on enhancing processes in the body to reduce skin concerns such as the formation of fine lines/wrinkles and dullness. It’s particularly exciting as it relies on high-performance ingredients with lots of data behind them to demonstrate effectiveness.
17. How do you see the future of skincare evolving, particularly in terms of science, technology, sustainability, and inclusivity?
FP - I see two general directions that the market is moving in. Firstly, products that solely bring enjoyment to the customer when using them, either through the sensory of the product e.g. touch or fragrance, or through the packaging. Secondly, just clear and effective products - due to the cost-of-living crisis, consumers want products that deliver on their claims, live up to performance, and offer good value for money.
Shop Q+A
Rejuvenate your complexion with Q+A Azelaic Acid Facial Serum which reduces the appearance of pores and treats congested skin and blemishes.
Ideal for mature skin, Q+A Caffeine Eye Serum treats the signs of skin ageing, reduces the appearance of dark circles, and minimises puffiness under the eyes.
Using a vegan-friendly squalane alternative, Q+A Grapefruit Cleansing Balm effectively removes make-up and impurities, whilst also hydrating the skin.
Utilising a unique blend of marine actives and hyaluronic acid, Q+A Marine Hyaluronate Toning Lotion provides intense hydration, makes the skin more supple, and brightens the complexion.
Cleanse, hydrate, and rejuvenate the complexion with Q+A Oatmilk Cream Cleanser, which leaves skin feeling moisturised and invigorated.
Rejuvenate your complexion with Q+A Super Food Facial Oil, which evens skin tone and reduces redness.
