Spots, blemishes and acne are a skincare concern that affects millions of people. While there are ways to cover them up and tackle one or two pesky whiteheads, discovering the right products that deliver results without causing additional issues can prove challenging.
This is what Nic Taylor, founder of 47 Skin, faced when he battled with ‘painful’ spots across his body that affected his life from approximately the age of 15.
I met with him to learn how his personal struggles with spots and blemishes inspired the creation of hit skincare brand 47 Skin, which has impressively been recognised as one of the UK’s fastest-growing privately owned companies by The Sunday Times 100 List – for the second consecutive year.
Since its founding in 2018, 47 Skin has transformed the skin and in turn confidence of over half a million individuals. And according to Nic, it all stems from a single gesture of compassion.
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The secret behind 47 Skin’s transformative skincare products is Silver Chitoderm, which is antibacterial and antimicrobial.
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Having grappled with spots and blemishes since his teenage years, Nic shared: “I remember times where I’d get ready for a night out, then look in the mirror and go ‘I can’t go out tonight because I’ve got big spots and blemishes’. And then I literally wouldn’t go out. With nights out where they’d photograph the clubs and then upload it on Facebook the next day, I really didn’t like the way my skin looked.
“This really started to impact me. Then I went to my first graduate job coming out of university and I always thought I’d take my career super seriously. I walked into a buyer meeting and the buyer turned to me and said ‘oh I can see they’ve sent a baby to do their bidding’ – referring to the fact that I had spots and blemishes on my face. It completely knocked my confidence.”
Nic added how it wasn’t just spots on his face that affected him: “I remember things like not being able to wear white shirts because I had spots on my back and people would be able to see them. It was impacting me on a daily basis. The other thing about spots that people don’t talk about is that it actually physically hurts, so it’s not just uncomfortable or impacts your confidence, but it’s actually painful. At that point I thought, right, enough is enough, I can’t have it impacting my career.”
In his quest for clear skin, reports the Mirror, Nic tried everything from pricey high street products to clinical treatments, recounting how he was given ‘three different products, all with names that I couldn’t pronounce, and said “that’ll sort out your spots and blemishes”. The bill was around £300’.
Despite his efforts, Nic found no relief and felt ‘hopeless’ and in ‘agony’. That was until he received a package from his grandmother, who had worked as a nurse for 50 years.
“I opened it and there’s a little pot of cream and it had a handwritten note and it said ‘To Nick, this is a local formulation, apparently it’s fantastic for spots and blemishes’. I used it day and night and to my surprise, my skin cleared within 4 days. I was shocked that my skin had cleared within 4 days, but part of me still thought, well, they’ll come back, right? I continued to use it. The spots and blemishes never came back. My skin was soft and hydrated and kind of firm. It just completely transformed the condition of my skin.”
Following this remarkable discovery, Nic sought out and collaborated with the scientist responsible for creating the formula found in the unlabelled pot, whose hero ingredient was Silver Chitoderm. This ingredient is now the key base to 47 Skin’s products, featuring in its top-selling Anti-Blemish and Scar Repair Serum to the Body Moisturiser.
Nic elaborates on how this unique component contributes to the effectiveness of 47 Skin products: “Silver is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. The chitoderm, which is bonded to the silver, is mucoadhesive, which means it’s sticky. Essentially, if bacteria comes into contact with your face, the Silver Chitoderm will adhere to the bacteria and the silver will eliminate it. As long as you’re wearing the serum or any of the products, you’re effectively maintaining an antibacterial shield on your skin.”
To establish the brand, Nic invested his own funds to kickstart 47 Skin, with the product line now stocked at prestigious retailers including Harrods, Boots, Amazon, and through the brand’s own website. The Anti-Blemish and Scar Repair Serum has garnered over 5,000 five-star reviews, with one customer describing it as a ‘miracle in a bottle’.
Discussing the serum, Nic said: “I genuinely believe it is the best skincare product in the world. I have used it every day since I came across it when I was 26. I would always say try the serum. It will work for you or someone that you love, if it doesn’t, we’ll give you your money back.”
For those seeking alternative blemish solutions, spot stickers offer another option. The CeraVe Blemish Barrier Patches are priced at £7.20 from Boots.
Meanwhile, The Body Shop’s Skin Clearing Night Mask, £12, harnesses tea tree oil to help diminish the visibility of spots.
Whilst spots and blemishes are commonly linked with adolescence, Nic emphasises that 47 Skin caters to a remarkably diverse customer base, with ‘no one story more important than another’. Highlighting the range of testimonials the products receive, he recounted feedback from a mother regarding her teenage son.
“One review was a mum and she was saying my son is 15-years-old, he started suffering with skin. It’s been really impacting his confidence. He’s not been going out and he’s been using the serum and his skin’s completely cleared. His confidence is transformed.
“I loved that review because I had suffered with my skin from about 15 to about 26, so it cut that boy’s experience of suffering down by about 10 years, assuming that he’d had the same length of it. So, grandma’s kindness has done that.”
He continued: “The second review was a lady in her twenties who said, I’ve suffered with my skin since I was about 17 or 18. I’ve been with my partner for 2 years and he’s never seen me without makeup on. Thanks to 47 Skin, my spots and blemishes have gone, and I’ve seen him for the first time with no makeup, and it just feels amazing.”
Nic shared another testimonial, saying: “A lady who wrote I’m 71 years old. I’ve suffered with my skin all my life, never thought it would go, and thanks to using 47 Skin, my skin’s clear.”
When asked about his grandmother, Nic responded: “Grandma was a nurse that helped for 50 years. It just shows one small act of kindness has gone on to a butterfly effect and we’ve helped well over half a million people. You hear all these stories and it’s all thanks to that one domino of her just being kind.”
47 Skin products can be purchased on their website.
