Nicci Trudgeon: Glazing Care in a Complex World

For more than twenty years, beauty therapist Nixie Trudjun has been putting her hands on people’s skin. In the quiet of the treatment room, she saw day by day that the beauty industry was becoming more complex, more demanding, and more detached from the simple act of self-care. He asked himself the same question over and over again: Do we really need all these products? Is anyone getting the promised results? When did cleansing become a chore to shave our skin rather than a way to restore it?

InnerHer collection of small aromatherapy skin care was born out of that quiet desperation. But its true origins are even more personal. This is the story of a therapist who wanted to take the caring energy of the treatment room and put it into a bottle for people to enjoy at home. This is the story of a founder who learns to turn his self-confessed “people-pleasing” nature into a business superpower. And it’s a story of creating a brand that fits life, not the other way around.

Ritual, not work

Nicci’s vision began not with complex formulas or trend-driven ingredients, but with a simple observation about modern life. Time has become our greatest luxury, and the daily routine can often feel like just another task on a long list.

“When you have a job, a family, sometimes you only have a few minutes to shower and that’s your time for yourself, or you only have time to wash your hands before dinner,” she said. “So it’s really important to make the most of it.”

Innerlather is designed to bring a moment of sensual pleasure back to those fleeting pockets of time. Rather than a multi-step regimen, the range is built on multi-faceted therapeutic products that respect the skin’s biology. The approach is about doing less, but with more care. “People love our head-to-toe wash because it’s multi-purpose,” Nicci says. “It’s hand wash, shower gel or bubble bath. One bottle, less waste and less bathroom cleaning.”

The brand’s flagship product, Nourish & Glow Skin Oil, embodies this philosophy. Developed with his two decades of knowledge as a therapist, this is a versatile blend designed for real life. “It’s great for your face, but you can also use it on your body, your cuticles, massage it into your scalp and a little on the ends of your hair,” she says. “It’s just really versatile.” At a time when the market is flooded with disposable products, Innerlather offers simplicity, honesty and a return to gentle efficiency.

Small Business Realities

The transition from therapist to brand owner was, in Nicci’s words, “a huge learning curve.” With no outside investment, Innerlather is fully funded by revenue from its beauty treatments. Every penny earned in the therapy room is poured back into product development, one customer, one bottle, one bar of soap at a time. It is a slow, steady and sometimes difficult path.

There were early batches of soap that weren’t set up properly, late nights spent on suppliers and constant negotiations between quality, ethics and cost. Packaging was one of the biggest challenges. “I’m very lucky to have the most amazing friend, Perla, who is a graphic designer, and in the last two years she’s taken me by the hand, and I think our brand is really strong now,” says Nicci.

His commitment to durability and beauty meant no compromise. The brand switched from plastic to glass bottles, introduced refillable bags to reduce waste, and sourced compostable cellophane from day one. However, some details stubbornly remained withheld. “This brand is about everyday luxury,” he notes, which led to a very unconventional decision: “we’re going to print our own tissue paper.” It takes time, but for Nicci, the integrity of the experience is something she refuses to compromise.

The lesson of liberation

Building a business on such a personal foundation can feel more like failure. Nicci remembers the moment her lack of industry experience hit home financially and emotionally.

“We had a really great Christmas season and the bank balance looked pretty good,” he said. “I thought, ‘Oh, fantastic. I’m going to start working on a body scrub,’ or ‘Should we do face creams?'”

Then came the email that changed everything. The main driver was changing the formula. This news had an immediate and costly impact. “Everything we make has to have its formula tested and certified by a toxicologist,” Nicci said. “So that had a knock-on effect and we had to re-certify all of our top-to-toe wash and wipe bars. That meant all the labels had to be reprinted and all the online listings had to be changed.”

It was a humbling moment that revealed the hidden vulnerability of a small brand in a large supply chain. “I think it was my lack of experience that really showed,” she reflects with hard-earned wisdom. “I know now that anything can change and I have to plan for it.”

Another important lesson came after she finally perfected her Skin Nourish & Glow Oil. He created his “new baby” who loved and trusted this product. But the work is not finished. “Just because I did something great, everyone doesn’t already know about it,” he says. “That’s when the hard work begins. Sales and marketing are still skills I’m learning. I also have to be brave and budget for sales and advertising.”

Community education

Recently, Innerlather was chosen to provide the perfect visitor experience for a cultural presentation at the British Film Institute (BFI) on London’s South Bank. While the commercial impact is still ongoing, the collaboration aligns perfectly with Nicci’s values. “It was really important to me that we support this event as it was the launch of the FilmEast book. Art/Film,” he says. “Young founders need everyone’s support, and if we can all support each other, then I think that would be an ideal world for me.”

This instinct for training depends on how he leads his small team. Nicci is open about her natural inclination as a people pleaser, a trait often seen as a weakness in business. But he has learned to balance it with focus and clarity.

“I hope that even though I’m more balanced, I’m not a total crowd pleaser right now,” she says. “I’m a very careful person to work with. I focus on the tasks that need to be done, and I know exactly how I like to do things. But I try to tailor the workday to people’s strengths.”

He cites the example of a recent work experience student with a talent for art and photography. “She’s embraced the media and she takes a lot of photos and is very creative.” Nicci’s role became one of gentle guidance and support. “I’m like, ‘How’s your job?’ Do you want any help? Do you have any questions? And then at the end I’m all like, ‘What part of today did you like?'” It’s the therapist’s touch that goes back to leadership: creating a space where people are seen, supported, and able to grow.

The future is custom

Looking forward, Nicci’s vision for Innerlather remains intimate and practical. She is excited to expand into custom aromatherapy consultations that involve people directly in the creative process. He has already tried several sessions as a fundraiser for local charities.

“We spend an hour or more learning essential oils, not just how they smell, but how they make people feel,” he says, his voice lighting up. “I love how strong smell and memory are.” Participants leave with a unique blend, which Nicci then uses to create a truly personal batch of their own head-to-toe wash, body lotion and cleansing bar. It’s the ultimate expression of her mission: skincare that’s not just prescribed, but co-created.

For other founders hoping to break into the booming market, Nicci’s advice is grounded and realistic. “You have to love what you do. You probably won’t get rich. I’m not going to be a millionaire,” he says. “But you’re going to make a big difference in a lot of people’s lives.”

His goal is not to rule the world; it’s a quiet, stable connection. “I’m still working to find all my people,” he said. “But I need a few at a time, and then I really take care of them, and they come back again and again.” In a world crying out for attention, Nicci Trudgeon and Innerlather are gentle reminders that sometimes the most profound impact comes from a quiet, consistent, deep personal touch.

Discover: www.innerlather.co.uk