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The awards recognize accomplished female entrepreneurs across Ireland's fashion, technology, beauty, lifestyle and wellness sectors. This year's featured founders include the creators of Bánór, SKN TO SKN and Nunaïa, whose brands draw on farming heritage, pregnancy-focused skincare and nature-inspired wellness.
These awards celebrate the best and brightest female entrepreneurs in Ireland, across the worlds of fashion, technology, beauty, lifestyle, wellness and more! The winners, decided by an expert panel and awarded at an exclusive lunch in Dublin’s Anantara Marker Hotel on November 20th, will be profiled in VIP Magazine.
Nicola Lyons, a pharmacist with extensive experience bringing dermatology products to market, and Elaine Crosse, who has spent more than 10 years working in the Irish food industry with a focus on dairy, joined forces to create Bánór. Both from farming backgrounds, the pair drew inspiration from Elaine’s family sheep farm, where her brothers work as shepherds.
Bánór celebrates sheep’s milk as their ‘white gold’, combining farming heritage and skincare expertise to create simple, purposeful products inspired by the journey from grass to glow. Sara Stokes founded SKN TO SKN after experiencing severe acne, dryness and heightened sensitivity during her first pregnancy in 2020. Her own experience highlighted a gap in the market for effective facial skincare specifically designed for women navigating pregnancy, postpartum and hormonal change.
SKN TO SKN is built around a mission to provide clinically proven, biotech skincare that supports women through every chapter of life, recognising that hormonal changes can have a significant impact on the skin. The brand aims to give women safe, effective and science-led solutions when their skincare needs change. Nicola Connolly is the founder of Nunaïa, a skincare brand born from a decade of living and working with communities across the Galápagos, Ecuadorian Amazon and Andes.
Inspired by ancestral wisdom, nature and the importance of daily rituals, Nicola created Nunaïa’s raw, living superfood skincare around a ‘Soil to Skin’ philosophy, encouraging greater connection, balance and self care. Michelle MacDonald co founded Sásta Skin in 2021 alongside Cosmetic Chemist Dr Brian O’Rourke, with a mission to bring microbiome supportive skincare to the market. Sásta focuses on the relationship between the skin barrier and microbiome, developing products designed to support skin health.
The brand became the first product in Ireland to receive MyMicrobiome’s Microbiome-Friendly certification, recognising products that meet its independent testing standards for microbiome compatibility. Mary Mitchell co founded Green Angel in 2006 with her husband Chris after identifying a gap in the market for a natural Irish skincare brand that truly worked. Combining the ancient traditions of Thalassotherapy and Aromatherapy, Green Angel was created around the benefits of seaweed, seawater and essential oils.
The brand has since grown into an established Irish natural skincare name, combining botanical ingredients with modern formulations across its range of products. Catherine Morgan is the founder of Biofresh Skincare and skinRESCUE and has more than 20 year’s experience in the beauty and skincare industry. A qualified aesthetician, Catherine trained in London and went on to work with leading skincare brands before developing her own ranges.
Drawing on her experience as a skincare consultant, entrepreneur and product creator, Catherine has helped thousands of customers achieve healthier, glowing skin. Her passion for industry continues to drive the development of products focused on effective, practical skincare solutions. Tracey Ryan and Cosmetic Chemist Caoimhe Donoghue founded Doctrine Skincare along with Mark O’Sullivan with a straightforward ambition: to create high performing skincare based on effective, evidence-led formulations.
With products developed in house by Caoimhe, Doctrine uses active ingredients at considered, evidence based levels with every ingredient selected for a clear purpose. The brand combines skin science with enjoyable textures, scents and rituals, while championing informed skincare choices and a ‘buy less choose better’ approach. Joanna Gardiner leads Elave, a fourth generation family skincare brand with Irish rooted dating back to 1934.
Continuing the legacy of her grandfather Joseph Gardiner, Joanna has helped carry the family business into a new generation while retaining its focus on safe, effective skincare. Elave combined decades of formulation expertise with modern science, using ingredients including restorative vitamins, hydrating actives and soothing botanicals to support the skin barrier. The brand offers skincare and haircare for all ages, with a particular focus on sensitive skin.
Female Entrepreneurs Ireland Skincare Wellness Business Awards
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