Alison’s skincare venture is in it for the long run

Alison Brodie works in probably one of the most scenic laboratories in the country.

The former forensic scientist has converted her spare bedroom, which has spectacular views of Galphay Woods near Ripon, into a lab where she has created a new moisturiser aimed specifically at sportspeople.

“I have always been very into exercise and always had a problem with my skin afterwards,” explains Alison.

“Exercise generally does great things for your skin. The increase in blood flow gives you that fresh, post-exercise glow. Sports and exercise also help to detoxify your skin and promote cell renewal for anti-aging benefits.

“But exposure to the elements combined with heat stress, sweat and dehydration can cause redness, sensitivity and acidic build-up, leaving you with a dry, sore, dull complexion.

“I had talked for years about creating a rehydration cream with just the things in it your skin needs for years.”

But it wasn’t until she was made redundant from the Wetherby-based Forensic Science Service after more than 20 years service in March last year, that Alison got the chance. She went from analysing the DNA from crime scenes to developing her own skin care range.

“I was suddenly spending a lot more of my time running and doing other sporty activities. I find that when I run, the heat and sweat makes my skin sore, with dry patches.

“My skin takes ages to cool and calm down after exercise. I love exercising but was struggling with the effects it was having on my face. I just couldn’t find a good moisturiser and so I set about devising my own. It really started out as a personal crusade.”

So with the help of her husband Pete, and some lab furniture auctioned off from her old place of work, Alison set about creating Brodie Skincare and the Recovery Phase Rehydration Cream in the spare bedroom of her home in Galphay, near Ripon.

Being a scientist, Alison first embarked on extensive research into the effects of exercise on skin and then put herself on a host of courses to ensure the had the skills, training and qualifications to run her own skincare company.

Alison did a biology degree at Nottingham University before working for the Forensic Science Service. She started off working in DNA at the Wetherby lab, before redundancy changed her career path.

Alison was passionate that her cream should contain “no nasties” and only be made from natural ingredients.

She uses Harrogate Spring Water, packs it full of essential vitamins, antioxidants and ultra-moisturising ingredients. It is 100 per cent alcohol, fragrance, paraben, SLS and petroleum free and aimed at men and women.

Alison and Pete, who is a keen triathlete, even designed the packaging and marketing themselves and the entire business is run from the Galphay home, with Pete also helping to stick on the labels.

“I decided to start from scratch,” she explains. “I am passionate about skin and I wanted to come up with a skin care product that had all the nice things your skin needs without any of the nasties. Whatever you put onto your skin is absorbed so you have to be careful what you put in your products.

“The packaging is designed so that it doesn’t look like a beauty product; because it isn’t one. We wanted it to look medicinal and natural which is what it is.”

It was while creating her hydrating Recovery Phase face cream that she was approached by a friend who spends a lot of his time in the water.

“He works with children with disabilities and so spends a lot of time in the pool, which can cause real problems for your skin. He said he had tried all different types of creams but nothing helped.”

So Alison set about creating Recovery Phase Swim which is a body cream for use before and after swimming. “Some people don’t swim because of the affect the chlorine has on their skin,” she adds.

“This could really help those people to get back into the water.”

And it has already received the support of some top names including Harrogate Olympic diver Jack Laugher.

Having launched in November Alison is now working hard to get her products into sports clubs and gyms.

“We really like to get our message across personally which is why we are going to 10k races and giving out samples. We believe if people try it they will really like it.”
The products are also available on her website and even from the local pub.

“We have lots of support locally and it is so lovely to be able to work at my own lab at home. Eventually I would like to have a bigger lab and employ some staff but at the moment it is just great to be able to go upstairs to work.

“It doesn’t really feel like work; I’m having too much fun.”

And as I look out over the North Yorkshire countryside from her spotless laboratory window, who can blame her.

Alison has many other products up her sleeve, including a wipe, swimming shampoo and body wash to name but a few.

She is clearly very enthusiastic and the excitement about her fledging business and 
what she has created is clear for all to see.

“We are passionate about our products. What you see is what you get,” continued Alison.

“We have a very clear ethos – we wanted to create something which was quality and affordable and sticking to our principles. Everything in our creams is good for you. ”

And at £9.95 for a 50ml tub it seems good value for money.

Diving stars back new product

Alison Brodie has some top calibre support for her skin care products – especially from those who spend a lot of time in the swimming pool.

Four times junior world champion diver and London 2012 Olympic diver Jack Laugher from Harrogate 
says: “Recovery Phase is fantastic for anyone who swims for sport of exercise.

“It protects against the effects of chlorine and soothes your dried-out skin straight afterwards.

“I use the Recovery Phase Moisturiser every day to protect my skin from the chlorine in the pool.”

She also has the support 
of Leeds-born diving star 
Yona Knight-Wisdom who is hoping to be the first diver 
to represent Jamaica at the Olympics in Rio 2016.

He said: “I’ve been using Recovery Phase Skin rehydration cream to stop 
the effects of chlorine on my skin, now it feels 
great; it stays supple and 
not dry.

For more information about the range of Brodie Skincare products visit www.brodieskincare.co.uk