Ideas & Observations
Behind the entrepreneur: Annabelle Hill, Sea the Love
May 22, 2023
About the interviewee: Northumbria University graduate Annabelle Hill (pictured centre) has launched a range of marine-based skincare products, utilising sea extracts to improve the skin and boost self-confidence. Inspired by her hometown of Whitley Bay, and her experience with how the sea healed her skin, she came up with the idea to create a range of skincare using marine actives.
Tell us about the Sea the Love products?
The range currently consists of the beachy clean melting cleanser, the sleepy beach night cream, and the seaweed super serum. All our products are made in the UK, and are full to bursting with natural ingredients, are vegan, cruelty free, and in recyclable packaging. It was really important to me to select ingredients that are sustainably and ethically sourced, as I think we all need to make a conscious effort to make more sustainable choices to protect the planet.
What is the inspiration behind Sea the Love?
Sea the Love Is a range of high-quality skincare products that utilise sea-based actives for indulgent self-care moments. I wanted to create a range of products that use quality ingredients that are clean, natural, and sourced sustainably to give consumers a healthy choice in skincare. Sea the love also brings the healing power of positive messaging to a market that so often promotes unrealistic beauty standards. I created our self-care mantra: “hear the love, feel the love, sea the love”, which inspired our brand name. Your skincare routine should be a moment in your day where you take care of your mind as well as your skin.
Tell us about the marine-based ingredients?
Each product contains two main marine-based actives, as well as other popular skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or avocado oil. The key ingredient across all products in my range is an organic and sustainably sourced sea water extract. The extract contains magnesium and other skin-loving minerals, and has been clinically proven to improve the health of skin from a cellular and molecular perspective. The green micro algae accelerates skin renewal and repair while you sleep, offering eight hours of cellular repair in just four. The cleanser contains a winged kelp which increases the skins natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid so skin appears smoother, firmer, and plumper. The serum contains a blend of two unique red seaweeds which target the top and middle layers of your skin to enhance skin moisturising, restore skin volume, and increase skin firmness.
What makes your brand different to other skincare brands?
I think having the self care mantra as the core of my brand, and promoting using skincare as a self-care ritual is what really makes us different – I really wanted to create a brand that makes people feel good about themselves inside and out. The beauty industry has a lot to answer for, and has promoted unrealistic beauty standards for years now. I think there’s definitely a shift, and I’m seeing more people showing their unfiltered skin which is amazing. So, I decided to be a part of the solution and create a brand which promotes self-love, and skin positivity. Sea the Love isn’t about creating perfect skin but about loving your skin perfectly so you can take care of it and yourself better.
As a small business, what are you doing to give back?
I think it’s super important to give back, and so donate 50p from every sale to Marine Conversation Society. I wanted to show my appreciation for the sea by contributing to an amazing charity which helps to conserve our oceans.
