Elizabeth Grant is the founder of global skincare brand, Elizabeth Grant Skin Care. She has an incredible story beginning with a career as a MUA to golden-age Hollywood film stars to suffering a major injury from a WWII bomb blast. It was this tragedy that spurred her on to find a solution, which ultimately led her to founding what is now a global skincare brand.
Now at 102 years old, she is still very much a part of the business, which is now run with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
Can you tell us a little about your background and your company?
I began my career as a makeup artist at Elstree Studios in London, working with some of the biggest stars of the time. But during World War II, my skin was badly damaged from a bomb blast, leaving me feeling like my career, and my confidence, were over. That experience led me to discover Torricelumn™, a powerful blend of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, amino acids, and specialty sea kelp. What started as a personal journey to restore my own skin soon became a beauty revolution. Today, Elizabeth Grant Skin Care is a globally recognised brand, built on the philosophy that skincare should be powerful, luxurious, and accessible to everyone, no matter their age.
This journey has been deeply personal, but also one I’ve been fortunate enough to share with my family. My daughter-in-law Marion saw the potential to expand the brand beyond the UK and brought it to Canada, where we grew into an international beauty empire. And with my granddaughter Margot joining in 2005, we’ve made the brand even more approachable for a younger audience, proving that great skincare transcends generations.
What inspired you to start your business?
I never set out to create a beauty brand, I was simply trying to heal my own skin. When I was being treated at the doctor’s office, I came across a medical journal that detailed how a certain ingredient was used to treat war wounds. The doctor dismissed me when I asked about it, but I wasn’t willing to accept that answer. I took matters into my own hands, commissioning a friend who was an analytical chemist to formulate a serum using that ingredient. That serum became the very first sample of what is now our best-selling Supreme Essence of Torricelumn™.
I went back to work at Elstree Studios, and one day, the film star, Vivien Leigh, I was working with complimented my skin. When I told her about the serum, she immediately wanted to try it. That was my lightbulb moment, I realised I had something worth sharing with the world.
How did you create awareness for your brand?
It started with word-of-mouth. The film star who first tried my formula loved it, and soon, her friends did too. Before long, I was receiving requests for more, and I knew I had to make it widely available. I launched the brand, and before I knew it, we were stocked in Selfridges, proudly displayed in the front windows.
Years later, when we expanded to Canada, Marion helped us grow through home shopping networks like QVC, where we could connect directly with customers and share our passion for skincare. That personal touch, being able to tell our story and show real results, was a game-changer.
What strategies helped you secure funding and scale your business?
I’ve always believed that the best investment you can make is in yourself. In the early days, I reinvested everything I had into the brand because I truly believed in it. But I also learned the hard way that financial control is critical. In the ‘50s, I made mistakes by trusting others to handle the finances, and I quickly realised that I needed to take charge.
Marion played a key role in scaling the business when we moved to Canada. What was so interesting is when we wanted to expand into business, most banks in Canada did not choose to support women owned businesses and Marion was turned away from almost every single bank, except for one RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) who believed in Marion, believed in me, and more importantly believed in Elizabeth Grant Skin Care. She secured a loan of $5,000, which helped us set up manufacturing, secure retail partnerships and positioned us for global distribution, ensuring that our products reached customers in North America, Europe, and beyond.
What have been your biggest successes so far?
One of my proudest achievements is seeing how we’ve grown from a small, personal skincare solution into an internationally recognised brand. Having our products loved by women (and men!) around the world is incredibly rewarding.
But for me, success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about legacy. Building this business with my family, working side by side with Marion and Margot, and seeing our customers feel beautiful and confident in their skin is what truly matters.
What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
I’ve faced many challenges, from being a woman in a male-dominated business world in the ‘50s to navigating financial struggles and market shifts. But I’ve always believed that resilience is key.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was to trust my own instincts. In the early days, I second-guessed myself because others told me I didn’t know what I was doing. But I did know, I just needed to believe in myself. Now, I lead with confidence, and that’s something I hope to pass on to every woman who dreams of building something of her own.
What are your plans for the future?
Elizabeth Grant Skin Care will always be about innovation and inclusivity. We want to continue expanding our global presence while staying true to our roots, providing high-performance skincare that makes people feel beautiful at any age.
And, of course, I want to keep working with my family. Margot has been in my makeup chair since she was five years old and seeing her bring fresh energy and vision to the brand makes me so proud. Our customers are part of this family, too, and I want them to feel like they’re on this journey with us.
What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Believe in yourself before anyone else does. If you don’t, why should they?
Never be afraid to take control, whether it’s your finances, your vision, or your future.
Surround yourself with people who lift you up, but trust your own instincts above all.
And don’t be afraid of failure. Every mistake is a lesson that will make you stronger.
Don’t forget to be charming versus too hard or cynical and always be yourself. Don’t try to be a version you think should enter the room, enter the room with confidence in who you are and what you are doing. Because if it’s not that room that takes you seriously, you will find the room where you belong and stand out.
What are your top three tips for entrepreneurial success?
- Your first customer is always yourself. If you don’t believe in what you’re creating, no one else will.
- Keep good financial records. A great idea isn’t enough, you need to be financially savvy to make it last.
- Have a sense of humour. People connect with authenticity. If you’re approachable and memorable, your brand will be too.
Who are five people who inspire you the most, and why?
- Elizabeth Taylor – This woman defined it all, grace, wit, charm, intelligence, beauty and was so incredibly strong and determined.
- Marion Grant – My daughter-in-law is my biggest supporter, and the reason Elizabeth Grant Skincare became an international brand.
- Margot Grant – Seeing my granddaughter’s passion and dedication reminds me why I started in the first place.
- My customers – Every woman who has shared her skincare journey with me inspires me to keep going.
- Myself – I didn’t give up, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
What are your favourite inspirational or motivational quotes?
- “People will treat you how you let them.”
- “Be charming, be charming, be charming.” – Myself
- “In business, never take no for an answer. If someone closes the door, go through the window.” – Myself
- “Today is a good day to have a great day.” (Meaning be in charge of how you see a situation, no matter how difficult the power is in your hands to decide how you are going to let it affect you.)
Where can our readers connect with you?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egskincare
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elizabeth-grant-international-inc./
Website: https://www.elizabethgrantuk.com/
