Introduce yourself

My name is Claire Brett and I’m the founder of Dublin Herbalists, an Irish natural skincare brand. I’m also a proud mother of three young children — a boy and two girls, Lemmy, Robin and Stevie — who love coming into the office and trying the products! My husband has supported me every step of the way and has been endlessly patient throughout the journey of building the business.

I started Dublin Herbalists in 2012 after developing a real fascination with skincare ingredients and how they can support healthy skin. What began as a personal interest in formulation and experimenting with different ingredients gradually grew into something much bigger. I loved the creative process of developing products and seeing how thoughtful formulations could make a real difference to people’s skin.

Over time that passion turned into Dublin Herbalists. Today we produce a wide range of skincare products designed for different skin types and needs, with a particular emphasis on supporting mature skin and helping people maintain healthy, radiant skin as they age.

Building the brand while raising a young family has been a huge part of the journey, and it means a lot to me that my children get to see the business grow and feel proud of what we’ve created.

What inspired you to join the natural health sector?

My interest really began with skincare and how ingredients can support the skin as it changes over time. I became fascinated by how nourishing oils and plant-based ingredients can help improve hydration, support elasticity and maintain healthy skin. That curiosity led me to start formulating products myself and eventually to launching Dublin Herbalists.

Where did you get the idea for your brand?

When I was studying to become a herbalist, we completed a module on formulating creams so that we could introduce herbal tinctures into a base cream to help support different skin conditions. When I realised how straightforward it was to create a base cream, my brain exploded with ideas — I suddenly realised this was where my creativity truly lay.

The brand really grew from that moment, combined with my own search for natural skincare that was both effective and beautifully formulated. I wanted to create products that felt luxurious to use but were also designed to genuinely support the skin, particularly as it ages.

I also wanted to truly understand what was in the skincare I was putting on my own face. The idea of creating a brand that reflected my values — where I could choose the ingredients, develop the formulations and create something beautiful — quickly became something I felt deeply passionate about. From that point on, building Dublin Herbalists was all I wanted to do.

What makes your brand unique?

At Dublin Herbalists, our philosophy is to support the skin rather than over-treat it. We focus on balanced formulations using high-quality natural ingredients that help maintain hydration, vitality and long-term skin health. From the beginning, I wanted to create a skincare range that felt luxurious but was still accessible, while also bringing a sense of creativity and enjoyment to everyday skincare. I’m not afraid to be a little daring with the look and feel of our products, and I love introducing a touch of alchemy into the process — blending ingredients in thoughtful ways to create skincare that is both effective and beautiful to use.

What are your company’s core values?

Quality, integrity and simplicity guide everything we do. We believe skincare should work with the skin, not against it.

How do you support your community?

Supporting our local community is very important to me. We take part in Daffodil Day in our village every year, running the cake stand for the day and taking turns to help out. Last year we also sponsored the LGFA kits across three age categories, which was something we were very proud to do.

We regularly support local organisations such as the playschool, community centre and primary school. I was Chairperson of the local playschool for four years and I am currently the Secretary of the Parents’ Association at the primary school, so being involved in the community is something that means a lot to me.

We also donate spot prizes whenever we are asked for local raffles and fundraisers.
Earlier this year, a friend and I started a new village event called “The Little Village Festival.” It’s a family fun day for the whole community and last year we had over 5,000 people attend. The festival helps raise funds for the different groups and associations in the village and brings everyone together.

Supporting our community is something I care deeply about, and I want my children to grow up feeling proud of where they are from.

What has been the most rewarding part of your brand’s journey?

One of the most rewarding things is hearing from customers who feel their skin has genuinely improved after using our products. Over the years we’ve received hundreds and hundreds of positive reviews, and it really makes our day when we see an email come into our inbox from a customer thanking us or telling us how a particular product has helped their skin.

Seeing the business grow and being stocked in so many stores across the country, and even internationally, has been incredibly humbling. Getting to do something that I truly love every day is a privilege.

It also means a lot to me to show my children that if you follow something you’re passionate about and work hard at it, it doesn’t feel like work at all.

What in your opinion makes Irish brands unique?

Irish brands often have a strong focus on authenticity and craftsmanship. Many are small independent businesses where the founder is closely involved in the products being created. That care and attention really comes through in the quality of what we produce.

What is your favourite product from your brand?

That’s always a difficult question, but the Everyday Cleansing Gel is the one product I couldn’t live without. I absolutely love everything about it. I’m especially delighted with it since we changed the packaging and moved it into a sugarcane tube, which makes it more sustainable and much easier to travel with.

I’ve been away quite a bit recently and it’s been so convenient to bring with me. It’s also one of those products where people tend to fall in love with it straight away — anyone who tries it usually comes back to buy it again. It has also performed incredibly well in judged awards, winning every one that it has been entered into so far, which has been wonderful to see.

Tell us about something that has shaped your brand

The growing awareness around skin health and natural anti-ageing skincare has really shaped our journey. More people are looking for products that support their skin long-term rather than quick fixes, and that aligns perfectly with how we formulate our products.

What do you hope to accomplish in the future?

We hope to continue growing Dublin Herbalists while staying true to our values. Our goal is to keep developing thoughtful skincare products that support healthy skin and help people feel confident in their skin at every stage of life. We want to continue to keep the range fresh and fun!