From eczema to organic success: the Wilmslow story behind LJ Natural

Plenty of beauty brands claim to be born out of a personal mission, but few founders are quite as candid about the journey as Lisa Johnson. The Wilmslow resident is the clinical aromatherapist behind LJ Natural, a handmade organic skincare brand made in small batches in Cheshire.

Lisa's story began far from the workshop. After university she spent years working in sales and marketing, and has spoken openly about suffering from severe eczema that was brought on by stress. Realising that looking after her skin meant looking after her whole self, physically and mentally, she retrained in aromatherapy and skincare.

LJ Natural launched in 2010, born partly out of that need to care for her own skin and partly out of a growing unhappiness in her career. In 2011 she took the leap, leaving the job behind to work on the brand full time.

The result is a range designed with sensitive, dry and reactive skin in mind. Products are handmade in small batches, and the brand places a strong emphasis on natural ingredients, sustainability and kindness to both skin and planet, with plastic-free, synthetic-free and cruelty-free options throughout the line.

The brand's efforts have been recognised by the industry. Its Organic Miracle Goddess Serum, affectionately known as OMG, won a bronze medal at the FREE FROM Skincare Awards in 2015, while the Organic Scratchy Balm was shortlisted at the same awards the previous year.

Lisa's approach has also earned attention in the regional press, with Cheshire Life profiling the success of her plant-based skincare. For those curious to try their hand at it, the brand has also shared make-it-yourself content, reflecting Lisa's enthusiasm for passing on what she has learned.

In a crowded beauty market, LJ Natural stands out for its honesty and its small-batch, made-in-Cheshire credentials, proof that some of the county's most interesting beauty businesses are being built quietly, one jar at a time. There is something reassuring, too, about knowing exactly who is behind the products you put on your skin. With LJ Natural, the founder's own experience is woven into every formulation, and customers buying from the brand are supporting an independent Cheshire maker rather than a faceless multinational.

The LJ Natural range is available to order online at lj-natural.com.