As part of World Wellness Weekend, Positive Luxury is celebrating the visionary brands in our certified community that are shaping a more conscious future for beauty and wellbeing. For 111SKIN, wellness is more than skin deep – it’s a science-led, purpose-driven philosophy that unites clinical innovation with social and environmental responsibility. Born from a desire to enhance healing and empower confidence, the brand has grown from a Harley Street clinic into a global skincare leader without compromising its core values. From advancing sustainable packaging and ethical sourcing to supporting women in conflict zones through long-term partnerships, 111SKIN is a luxury brand driving impact. We spoke with the team to discover how their commitment to people and the planet is helping to create a more sustainable path for the wellness industry – and what’s next on their journey of transformation.
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Can you please tell us about 111SKIN and how it all began?
111SKIN was born in 2012 at 111 Harley St., where founder, Dr. Yannis Alexandrides MD, still practices today as a triple board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Dr Yannis didn’t set out to create a global skincare brand – he simply wanted to help his surgical patients by getting their skin into its best condition possible, with or without professional treatment. But most formulas available in the market were unsatisfactory due to their irritating and abrasive properties. Knowing that optimal skin health before and after surgery could make the difference between a good patient outcome – and an extraordinary one – Dr Yannis leveraged his experience across decades and thousands of surgeries to develop what is now 111SKIN’s proprietary ingredient complex: NAC Y2TM.
The remarkable results experienced by Dr. Yannis’s patients quickly gained attention beyond the clinic. Through word of mouth, a buyer at Harrods discovered the products, paving the way for the brand’s first launch into retail. From there, 111SKIN has grown into a leading global luxury skincare brand, available at top retailers and spa partners worldwide, and trusted by skincare experts, beauty insiders, and some of the world’s most recognisable faces.
From the beginning, our mission has never wavered. Each product is grounded in clinical insight, scientific innovation and a genuine passion for empowering people to feel confident in their own skin. We don’t follow trends or believe in ‘fast beauty’ – true innovation and science are, and always will be, at the heart of everything we do.
How would you describe 111SKIN’s mission? How do sustainability practices fit into the brand’s values?
At 111SKIN, we’ve always focused on helping people – it’s in our DNA. We approach each customer with a similar level of care, attention and service as if they were a patient at 111 Harley St. – in the hopes of making a positive difference to their skin and their lives. Our mission is not just to create high-performance skincare, but to do so responsibly, in a way that contributes positively to society and the environment. Beauty isn’t just skin deep – for us, it means acting ethically, giving back and ensuring that the way we operate leaves a lasting, profound impact.
That’s why sustainability sits at the core of our brand values. We think about it in two ways: from a social sustainability perspective which prioritises ethical practices, inclusivity, transparency, plus community impact. In terms of environmental sustainability, it’s everything from how we innovate with ingredients and packaging to how we manage our supply chain.
How does your brand define the link between wellness and sustainability? Why is it important that the wellness industry embeds sustainable values?
At 111SKIN, we see wellness and sustainability as naturally connected. Wellness is about creating balance and looking after yourself: in skin, mind and body – but that sense of care feels more meaningful when it also extends to the wider world. For us, that means giving back to those in need, being mindful about how we develop our products, from the ingredients we choose to the way we package and deliver them.
We believe the wellness industry has a responsibility to consider sustainability a core value because people seek brands they can trust to support their long-term health and happiness. That trust should include knowing that a brand is making thoughtful, responsible choices towards greater transparency, inclusivity, and reducing impact where possible.
Ultimately, the link between wellness and sustainability is about alignment – ensuring that the pursuit of feeling great personally also contributes positively on a broader level within communities and the environment.
In what ways has your sustainability strategy evolved since first becoming Butterfly Mark-certified?
We’re extremely proud of our certification, which we’ve held since 2018. But our work doesn’t stop here – it is an ongoing commitment and responsibility. As society and better practices continue to evolve, so do we – by challenging ourselves and seeking new ways to do better every single year.
We look at this from two perspectives. First, how do we improve on the packaging and production front. Indeed, we’ve already taken some positive steps forward over the past few years. Then, for us, it’s about constant progress. Every change, big or small, adds up – and together, these steps are moving us closer to becoming a more circular, future-proofed business.
What is Women for Women International and how did 111SKIN come to partner with them?
Women for Women International is an extraordinary organisation that supports women living in some of the world’s most dangerous and marginalised environments, from warzones to refugee camps. What makes their work so powerful is that they don’t just provide aid, but they offer 12-month vocational training programmes that give women the skills, confidence, and resources to rebuild their lives, care for their families, and even start small businesses. It’s about long-term empowerment.
We first partnered with Women for Women International in 2019 because their mission resonated so deeply with our own values. Since, we’re proud to have raised close to £230,000 for women affected by conflict and helped more than 230 women join the Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme.
During our partnership, we have worked on some incredible fundraisers, such as the #SheInspiresMe lunch in 2019. Since then, our support has grown significantly. In 2024, we helped launch their Adolescent Girls programme. We also participate in other fundraising activities throughout the year, such as the now extremely popular Selfridges Car Boot Sale. On an ongoing basis, 100% of profits from the sale of our Black Diamond Hand Cream are donated to the cause.
How does this collaboration reflect your wider social sustainability commitments?
True sustainability goes beyond the environment – it’s about people, communities, and creating a positive, lasting impact. Our partnership with Women for Women International is the perfect expression of that belief. Alongside this partnership, we’ve also supported causes including the NHS, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and No Kid Hungry. We will always champion causes that align with our mission.
How do your employee-focused initiatives align with your broader environmental and social commitments?
People are at the heart of everything we do, so it’s essential that our internal culture reflects the same values the company brings to its external environmental and social initiatives. We’re committed to the wellbeing and growth of all employees and are proud of the collaborative, nurturing and positive culture we’ve created within our international team of over 100.
A shared sense of purpose is key, ensuring everyone is aligned with our mission to innovate and work responsibly whilst having fun along the way. At 111SKIN, we’ve built a culture rooted in caring collaboration, entrepreneurial mindset and determination to succeed. By embedding these values internally, we ensure our sustainability commitments aren’t just external initiatives but practiced and lived every day within our own workplace.
We also continually review and expand our benefits according to employee feedback which now include reduced summer hours, flexible working, access to 111 CRYO to enhance employee wellness, plus leadership development programs. Just as we support communities externally, we strive to create an environment internally in which our team can thrive!
What steps has 111SKIN taken to innovate product and packaging development in line with your sustainability goals?
Innovation is central to 111SKIN, and that applies as much to packaging and processes as it does to formulations. On packaging, we’ve moved the majority of our key SKUs into glass, which has one of the highest recyclability profiles. We’re also incorporating PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials into our caps and deluxe samples. Even small details, like adding anti-scratch varnish to secondary packaging, have had a real impact by reducing damage, waste, and unnecessary returns. We’re also proud to have replaced plastic trays for our eye masks with compostable potato starch holders.
From an ingredient perspective, all products are free of parabens, toxins and beeswax. Moreover, all sourcing is ethical, and we remain committed to never testing on animals. Across our supply chain, we’re pushing further by developing alternatives to single-use masks and by planning a broader expansion of PCR materials into glass packaging.
What challenges have you encountered on your sustainability journey, and how have they shaped your approach moving forward?
Like many luxury brands, one of our biggest challenges has been balancing the customer experience with sustainability goals. Luxury is about performance and detail – the sensorial experience is key. The challenge lies in innovating packaging and materials that meet our high standards while also minimising environmental impact. This is why we’ve invested in new solutions, such as compostable alternatives, that allow us to maintain luxury while reducing waste.
Another challenge is the complexity of supply chains. True sustainability requires transparency at every step, which can be difficult in a global network. By moving production of core SKUs to a Swiss supplier with advanced sustainability tracking, we’ve been able to increase accountability and measure progress more effectively.
These challenges have shaped our philosophy: sustainability is a journey, not a single destination. Every hurdle pushes us to be more creative, to collaborate more closely with partners, and to view innovation as a responsibility as much as an opportunity.
How does 111SKIN work with suppliers to ensure ethical ingredient souring?
Supplier relationships go far beyond transactions – they’re partnerships built on shared values. We’ve always been clear that we won’t compromise on ethics for the sake of convenience. As part of the Ethical Trading Initiative, we’re held to strict standards; but we also go further by engaging suppliers in conversations about how we can innovate together.
We’ve also adopted circular economy principles with suppliers, exploring biomimicry in formulation design and cradle-to-cradle thinking in packaging. These are complex projects, but they ensure we’re not just reacting to industry expectations but setting higher standards ourselves. Ultimately, our suppliers are an extension of who we are as a brand, and we choose to work only with partners who share our vision of innovation with integrity.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for creating positive change, and what milestones are you most excited about in the next few years?
One of our biggest sustainability goals as a brand is to extend the use of PCR materials into glass packaging, not just plastic. Glass is already highly recyclable, but integrating PCR into this category would represent a significant leap forward for luxury skincare and one we’re determined to pioneer.
Another priority is addressing the challenge of single-use masks. These have always been an important part of our collections, but we recognise the environmental impact they can have. We’re actively looking into developing alternative solutions and while it’s a complex challenge, we’re committed to finding a solution that meets both our sustainability standards and customer expectations.
Finally, we’re currently undergoing our Positive Luxury recertification, which is always an important milestone for us. The process is rigorous, but it pushes us to continuously raise our standards.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on combining scientific innovation with ethical responsibility – proving that luxury and sustainability can not only coexist but also inspire meaningful change.
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