SCOTTISH skincare brand Stoer was launched in 2013 with a clear focus on the male market.
The business was founded by Scots skincare expert Marianne Morrison, who had been inspired by her career in a mainly male-dominated industry.
Morrison originally trained in beauty therapy, but had developed a career in the oil and gas industry where she worked in a commercial and development capacity.
During her six years in the profession, Morrison worked her way up to a senior position, however she wanted to pursue a career which satisfied her passion for skincare.
By combining her beauty and business backgrounds, Stoer skincare was born.
During her time working in the oil and gas industry, Morrison found she was regularly questioned by male colleagues about the appearance of their skin and it soon became apparent that there was a gap in the market for effective products for male skins.
Morrison said: “Stoer skincare has been created to address the need for an effective, male-specific skincare range that focuses on prevention and protection, while improving skin health.”
The Stoer brand is named after the place in Sutherland where Morrison spent much of her childhood and where her father is now buried.
The contemporary wild red stag logo was chosen to represent strength, resilience and masculinity.
As Morrison began to take the brand from concept to market, she faced the challenge of raising business funding. Determined to create a high-quality collection comprising bespoke formulations which didn’t rely on stock ingredients, Stoer required investment of more than £700,000. Throughout the brand’s journey, Morrison received support from Barclays Bank.
Stuart Brown, head of SME Scotland and Ireland at Barclays, said: “Barclays is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs like Marianne who are a great inspiration to others."
Using the knowledge gained during her time as a beauty therapist and market researcher, Morrison began to create the basis for product formulation.
She joined forces with a leading creative chemist and biotech company to combine five key active ingredients with cosmetic drone technology, a technique which mimics the targeted drone technology used in the medical field.
The brand’s cosmetic ingredient delivery system is based on seven years of research and allows the active ingredients to be released in the areas they are specifically needed, resulting in a low yet effective dose.
After extensive research, development and market trials, Stoer skincare officially launched in March this year in partnership with luxury retailer Harvey Nichols. With its contemporary men’s skincare department and passion for supporting new-to-market and niche brands, the retailer proved the perfect fit to stock the brand.
Discussing the future of Stoer skincare, Morrison said: “Over the next decade I believe male grooming will continue to grow steadily, while evolving even further as the male skincare and ‘beauty’ boundaries become blurred.
"I believe there is a real space here to do something unique.”
www.stoerskincare.com
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