Science & Research | The Evidence Behind Nourish London Skincare

Research at the heart of formulation

Skincare Shaped by Scientific Curiosity

Scientific research has shaped Nourish London from the beginning.

Before founding the company, Dr Pauline Hili spent decades working across chemistry, food science, cosmetic formulation and botanical ingredient research. That experience created a simple but demanding standard: skincare claims should be grounded in evidence, ingredients should have a clear purpose and formulations should be considered as complete systems rather than collections of fashionable actives.

Research does not provide one final answer that never changes.

New evidence can challenge old assumptions, improve our understanding of skin biology and reveal better ways to combine ingredients. Our responsibility is to remain curious, follow the evidence and apply new knowledge carefully where it offers a genuine benefit to the skin.

How research informs our work

The Evidence Behind Every Formulation

Ingredients

Ingredient Research

We examine the available evidence behind botanical extracts, actives and supporting ingredients before deciding whether they belong in a formulation.

Skin

Skin Biology

Formulations are developed with an understanding that skin is a dynamic organ affected by age, lifestyle, environment and overall wellbeing.

Formulation

Compatibility and Synergy

Ingredients are considered in relation to one another, including how they interact, support stability and contribute to the performance of the finished product.

Evidence

Published Research

Pauline’s doctoral work into essential oils was published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and helped shape her evidence-led approach to natural skincare.

Testing

Ongoing Review

Research is revisited as new papers, technologies and ingredient data become available.

Future

Responsible Innovation

Emerging ideas are explored carefully, without assuming that every new trend or technology automatically improves a formulation.

A scientific journey

From Laboratory Research to Nourish London

Scientific foundations

Chemistry, Biochemistry and Human Physiology

Pauline studied at Melbourne and Monash Universities, graduating with a Bachelor of Science specialising in chemistry, biochemistry and human physiology.

Early career

Brewing, Fermentation and Natural Chemistry

Her career began in the brewing industry, where she learned about precision, formulation and the way natural materials interact.

Cosmetic science

A Move Into Skincare Formulation

After moving to the UK, Pauline completed a Diploma in Cosmetic Science and began focusing more deeply on botanical ingredients and skin health.

Botanical research

Research at Neal’s Yard Remedies

Pauline spent many years leading research into plant extracts and how natural ingredients could support healthier skin.

Doctoral research

Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity

She completed a five-year PhD investigating the antimicrobial properties of essential oils and their potential role in skincare.

University collaboration

Collagen, Elastin and Plant Extracts

Pauline established and supervised a PhD research programme at Kingston University exploring how natural plant extracts influence collagen and elastin production.

2011

Founding Nourish London

Nourish London was created to bring together scientific research, natural ingredients and hands-on formulation under one independent brand.

Today

Research That Continues to Evolve

The team continues to follow developments in skin longevity, pollution, pigmentation, the microbiome and emerging botanical technologies.

Natural ingredients under scrutiny

Why Botanical Ingredients Deserve Proper Research

Natural ingredients are often described in broad or romantic terms, but their value should not be taken for granted.

Pauline’s doctoral research reinforced her belief that botanical ingredients deserve the same scientific scrutiny as any other active material. Their origin may be natural, but concentration, purity, stability, extraction method and compatibility all affect how useful they are within a skincare product.

This is why we do not select ingredients simply because they are fashionable or familiar.

They must have a role within the complete formulation and contribute to the product in a way that is relevant, stable and appropriate for the skin.

Explore Our Ingredients

Good science is not about confirming what we already believe. It is about questioning assumptions, following the evidence and being willing to improve when understanding changes.
Dr Pauline Hili

The importance of synergy

Why Ingredients Must Work Together

One of the most important ideas in Pauline’s research career has been synergy.

A skincare product is rarely effective because of one ingredient acting alone. The finished result depends on how actives, emollients, humectants, antioxidants, preservatives and texture-forming ingredients behave together.

Vitamin C and ferulic acid are a useful example. When formulated carefully, the combination may offer enhanced antioxidant support compared with either ingredient considered in isolation.

The same principle applies across skincare.

Compatibility, concentration, pH, stability and delivery all affect what a formulation can realistically achieve. This is why Nourish London focuses on complete products rather than relying on one headline ingredient to carry the entire claim.

Research beyond the laboratory

Exploring the Skin’s Changing Environment

Our research interests extend beyond individual ingredients.

Over the years, Nourish London has collaborated on work exploring algae-derived alternatives for safer sunscreen technologies and botanical ingredients that may help defend the skin against modern environmental pressures such as air pollution.

These areas remain complex and the evidence continues to develop.

That is part of what makes them interesting. Environmental exposure, UV radiation, pollution and lifestyle all influence the way skin behaves, which means future skincare will need to consider more than appearance alone.

The aim is not to chase every new discovery. It is to understand which developments are genuinely useful and how they might be applied responsibly within real formulations.

Read Our Formulation Philosophy

Looking to the future

Where Skincare Research May Go Next

Advances in regenerative medicine, skin longevity and the microbiome continue to influence how scientists think about ageing, resilience and skin health.

We are particularly interested in the role of cellular senescence, environmental exposure, pigmentation, barrier function and emerging natural technologies.

Some of these areas are still developing and may not translate into immediate product changes. That uncertainty is important to acknowledge.

Research should improve understanding before it improves marketing.

Our commitment is to keep learning, remain connected to the wider scientific community and use new knowledge carefully so future formulations can become more effective, more responsible and better suited to the real needs of the skin.