Charlie Denton & Tracy Dubb of Isla Beauty
Among the many buzzwords that have emerged as of late, “authentic” is the word of the moment. But Isla Beauty has a distinct way of reinvigorating it: by challenging problematic manufacturing, ingredients, and marketing in the skincare industry.
Charlie Denton and Tracy Dubb are — authentically — a dream team. Tracy grew up treating her own skin by voraciously studying products, frustrated by a lack of transparency from beauty makers. Charlie is part of three generations of contract manufacturers — in which formulas and ingredients made for typical dinner table conversation. Introduced by a mutual friend, the two developed a skincare line that was formula-first. The brand emphasizes essential skincare instead of overconsumption, and even promotes skincare education through connecting the buyer to the ingredients and science behind each formula.
Meanwhile, Isla’s marketing is gritty, with an aesthetic as an ode to their authenticity: direct flash photos of their products in bathrooms replete with familiar products — the kind of clutter we can all relate to. It’s not about achieving perfection through one product and looking like the ad, rather, it’s a celebration of what’s real: great formulas and the people that love them.
FORMULA #1: These co-founders give their community fundamental skincare knowledge — and they’re applying every day.
NAME: Charlie Denton
CITY: New York City
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SKINCARE MYTH YOU’VE HEARD OR DEBUNKED? There is this common perception that price = quality, which isn’t the case. There are so many things that go into pricing a beauty product and generally the main thing people are paying for is packaging and marketing. This is a major part of the reason why we are fully transparent with our pricing, it’s to show you that you’re getting an A grade quality product - for what is a fraction of the price.
TELL US YOUR FORMULA PHILOSOPHY, AND YOUR FAVORITE ISLA PRODUCT: My philosophy when it comes to skincare is, keep it simple. I don’t have a complicated routine, depending on how my skin is at anytime - it’s generally 3 / 4 products - then I’m out the door. If you’re using products that are quality and work for your skin, there’s no need to overcomplicate it. Also drink a lot of water.
My favorite product is the Tone Balance Elixir, I go through so much of this stuff. It clears all my redness, blemishes and putting Whipped Dream on right after this means all that moisture is sealed in and my skin stays super hydrated throughout the day / night.
AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE ISLA BRAND: Great, effective product. Being from 3 generations of beauty manufacturing, this is really where is all starts for us. The products at Isla truly stack up when compared to the most premium in the beauty category.
I think many people may be surprised if they truly knew how many beauty brands prioritize marketing / branding over great product. Everything we develop and even consider developing has to perform and improve the skin!
WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WEARING LATELY: I’m real simple. I really like Acne jeans - I for sure own way too many pairs.
TRACY’S SECRET SUPERPOWER: She’s really funny actually, which is kind of great. Especially in startup life, you need to be able to laugh at all the tough times - so I'd say humor.
NAME: Tracy Dubb
CITY: New York City
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SKINCARE MYTH YOU’VE EVER HEARD OR DEBUNKED? There are so many! The current biggest myth in beauty is clean beauty. It implies that everything else is dirty. Skincare crafted by people who know what they’re doing will not be dirty or harmful. And skincare crafted to be “clean” can very well be irritating and harmful. It's all a big, swirly mess of buzzwords and people are so confused.
TELL US YOUR FORMULA PHILOSOPHY, AND YOUR FAVORITE ISLA PRODUCT: There are two things that Isla can do that no other brand our size can do. 1 - We go to the absolute best lab with the highest area of specialty for what we want to produce so that we can make a product that’s never been made before, and 2 - We can guarantee that every key ingredient is in our product at active levels because we print the concentration right on the label.
My current favorite: the Whipped Dream moisturizer because niacinamide + ceramides are a beautiful combo for clear skin
AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE ISLA BRAND: Trust. We wanted to create a company that people chose because they know what they’re getting and they know that thing is really great product at a fraction of the cost that others would charge for it.
WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WEARING LATELY: My favorite Gucci x Northface jacket, furry Birkenstocks, lots of wide leg pants and button downs and a Doona stroller because I just had a baby boy :)
CHARLIE’S SECRET SUPERPOWER: He has really good taste
Explore isla-beauty.com
Follow @islabeauty