We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leah Matthews and Mary Peck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mary below.
Alright, Leah and Mary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
Our “first job” in skincare didn’t come through the traditional route of recruiters or résumés—it started with a conversation over coffee. We were two friends, busy moms and professionals, comparing notes on our skincare routines (or lack thereof). We realized we were both at that stage where nearly everyone we knew was getting Botox—but it just didn’t feel right for us. And when we looked at the endless skincare options on the market, so many were overwhelming, overly complicated, or packed with questionable ingredients. We wanted something simple, clean, effective, and beautiful. When we couldn’t find it, we decided to create it.
Leah brought her background in dance and entrepreneurship—she built a successful business, Studio Go, a mobile dance studio. Mary came from the IT world. We’d already become friends through volunteering and running countless events together, so we knew we worked well as a team. Blending those experiences made us confident we could approach skincare in a fresh, meaningful way.
It didn’t feel like a traditional “job”—it felt like building something we wished already existed. And because we knew so many other women felt the same overwhelm, it was energizing to create something that could truly meet those needs. From the beginning, listening to our customer shaped everything we’ve built.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We’re the founders of Holy Grail Skin Co., a woman-owned skincare company on a mission to simplify beauty without sacrificing results. We formulate multitasking skincare that is clean, effective, and sustainable—products that help women cut through “skincare overwhelm.” Our debut product, Elixir no. 1, is an all-in-one serum packed with science-backed actives like niacinamide, bakuchiol, peptides, and CoQ10. It hydrates, firms, brightens, and protects in a single step. It’s pH-balanced and designed to play well with everything else in your routine, so it enhances results without irritation.
What sets us apart? We believe skincare should be as joyful as it is effective. Our packaging is heirloom-inspired and refillable (because beauty shouldn’t come at the expense of the planet). Every purchase supports women in need. And we don’t hide behind complicated jargon or 12-step routines—we’re radically transparent about what goes into our formulas and why.
What we’re most proud of is that women tell us they finally enjoy their skincare again. They feel confident in what they’re putting on their skin, and they see real results without having to overhaul their whole routine. That’s the heart of Holy Grail Skin Co.—giving women back time, confidence, and a little joy. Our customers tell us again and again how much they love the products, and our re-buy rate is remarkably high. One of our favorite reviews said, “For the first time, I finally feel like myself again.” That kind of feedback fuels us—it’s not just skincare, it’s helping women feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Curiosity and empathy. You can know the science of skincare inside out, but if you’re not genuinely curious about people’s lives and empathetic to what they’re going through, you’ll miss the mark. The most helpful thing for us has been truly listening to women—hearing not just what they want in a product, but what they don’t want in their daily lives: overwhelm, clutter, confusion, waste. By listening with empathy, we’ve been able to create products that don’t just “work” on skin, but also fit beautifully into real, busy lives. And since neither of us came from a skincare background, we sought out experts who were willing to truly be our partners—people who could take our vision and make it a reality, ensuring our products delivered results women could actually see and feel.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy has been community over campaigns. Instead of leading with hard sells, we’ve focused on building trust, educating our audience, and having real conversations. We share why our formulas work, what’s in them, and how they can simplify routines—always with honesty and a touch of humor. Word-of-mouth and authentic storytelling have been our biggest growth drivers.
At the end of the day, women trust women. When a customer tells her best friend, “This serum actually makes my skin look brighter and I don’t need three other products,” that’s more powerful than any ad we could buy. That’s the magic of building a brand that resonates—your customers become your best advocates. And it shows in our numbers too: our re-buy rate is high, because once women try our products, they don’t just like them—they love them. One customer shared, “My skin hasn’t looked this radiant in years, and I actually look forward to my routine now.” That loyalty and joy in the everyday ritual is the true engine behind our growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://holygrailskinco.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/holygrailskinco
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/holygrailskinco
