7 Secrets of Beauty & Wellbeing: Laura Rudoe of Evolve Organic Beauty
This is the first time we’ve featured an individual for the second time in this ‘7 Secrets’ section of the website, which we know you really enjoy. Why so? Because it’s an illustration of the ways in which, as we age, our health, beauty and wellbeing priorities shift somewhat. Natural beauty world dynamo Laura Rudoe shares with us how she now finds balance in a super-busy life.
We’ve known Laura for longer than any of us cares to admit, first through her work on the skincare range NUDE. She’s a bit of legend in the natural beauty world, actually, as the behind-the-scenes creator of ranges for other companies.
Laura Rudoe founded Evolve Organic Beauty in 2009 with a mission to make products that deliver effective results and are healthier, greener and kinder for you and the planet, making it ‘easier for you to live better’. One of our long-term favourites, Evolve is winner of several Beauty Bible Awards, and we were delighted to celebrate the skincare brand’s 15th birthday, just a few months ago. (Our most recent love is their Evolve Beauty Intense Hydrating Mask, which we reviewed here.)
As Laura puts it, ‘At Evolve Organic Beauty, we are committed to creating skincare that works with your skin, not against it. Our products are free from unnecessary synthetic chemicals and are crafted in small batches at our eco studio to ensure the highest standards of purity and efficacy. We use natural, organic ingredients and proudly display our certifications, including B Corp, COSMOS Organic, COSMOS Natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. Our transparent approach means that what you see on the label is exactly what you get: clean, effective skincare that’s safe for both you and the environment.“ says Laura.
Read on for more about how Laura found her path and what keeps her healthy and happy.
1. Switching to a natural lifestyle was a game-changer. From my teens onwards, I really struggled with my skin due to chronic cystic acne. I started seeing a naturopathic dermatologist in my early 20s who helped to resolve my skin problems and balance my hormones gradually, over the course of a decade. I still see her to this day for my overall health and wellness. She is like a second mum!
A key switch was adopting a natural lifestyle and removing my exposure to as many synthetic chemicals as possible. I mostly eat raw food or home-cooked dishes made with ‘real’ ingredients rather than processed or refined foods. I choose organic food wherever possible to reduce exposure to glyphosate, the herbicide (weedkiller) that’s widely used on conventionally grown crops, in order to lessen the burden on my liver.
Also, I only apply natural products on my body because they are more biocompatible. We’ve evolved alongside many of these natural ingredients and our bodies recognise them and use them. For example, the friendly bacteria on our skin break down natural oils into useful compounds that benefit skin.
2. I’ve designed my own age-defying products. Like many, I strive to age gracefully. As someone fortunate enough to create cosmetic products, I have the unique opportunity to design solutions that work not only for me but for others as well.
Our biomimetic formulas are thoughtfully crafted to work in harmony with your skin, fostering visible improvements in radiance, tone, and overall wellbeing. We incorporate naturally derived ingredients such as peptides, niacinamide, and bio-retinol to minimise the visible signs of ageing, alongside antioxidants that guard against free radical damage, and I’m always researching promising naturals.
3. My hero product is always evolving, as I’m constantly testing our latest creations. That said, a few favorites consistently stand out. Kalahari Dream Cleansing Oil is my go-to for effortless make-up removal and deep cleansing. It leaves no oily residue, nourishes the skin, and delights the senses with its fruity scent—making it my ideal fuss-free daily cleanser.
I’m also a big fan of our Resveratrol + Niacinamide Serum, which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation, brightens my complexion, and supports the skin barrier. Finally, my routine wouldn’t be complete without the Daily and Nightly Renew Facial Creams, which keep my skin deeply nourished and glowing around the clock.
4. Compassion and care are the most important qualities I try to show in my everyday life, and which I look for in others. At Good Ventures (the name of my company), compassion is integrated into our CARE philosophy. Caring deeply about our planet and the people in it and trying to make a difference in what we do, caring for each other in the way we interact, and helping people learn to care for their own bodies and skin.
5. I’m inspired by the strong loving women in my family. My mother always had her own business and worked incredibly hard. Growing up with her showed me that women can be entrepreneurial and businesslike without needing to be masculine. My Romanian grandmother instilled in me her fascination with natural medicine and the more spiritual side of life. She truly embodied love in everything she did.
6. I draw a line under the work day. I always make it a rule to do some exercise between my workday and the evening. It acts as a sort of buffer between the two where my mind can unwind. Often it’s yoga in my home studio but sometimes I swim, do Pilates or HIIT [High Entensity Interval Training] spinning. I find that this helps me transition my mind from busy mode into relaxation mode. It also helps keep my activity level high, as I have a fairly sedentary existence. I love taking a walk between meetings too, especially when the sun is shining!
7. I rarely wear make-up, but when I do, I turn to delilah products. I love them because they’re vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free; gentle on my skin and aligned with my values. For my lips, I choose our Bio-Retinol Glossy Lip Oil, knowing that what we put on our lips often ends up ingested. This luxurious lip oil plumps, hydrates, and adds a beautiful hint of pink colour, making it my perfect go-to for effortless beauty.
