Jane May Graves managed to turn a potential tragedy into pure beauty. After her mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, Jane dedicated her life to lab research and natural alternatives to harmful chemicals. That journey led to the launch of Luxe Beauty, a skincare company unlike any other.
Luxe Beauty was created for ingredient-conscious label-readers just like Jane — people who value soft skin and long-lasting health in equal measure. Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and plastic, these products strike the perfect blend of purity and luxury.
Recently, we caught up with Jane to learn more about her journey and hear her advice for fellow entrepreneurs.
01 Why did you start Luxe Beauty?
After getting my degree in biology and chemistry, I planned to go to medical school. However, my path changed when my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The doctors said she only had a few more months to live. My life took a new direction when I became obsessed with finding natural ways to heal her cancer. I started learning about the importance of avoiding products containing toxins to reduce the body’s toxic load so it can heal.
A book called “Skin Deep: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry” opened my eyes to the widespread use of toxic ingredients in skincare products. I was shocked by all the toxic and unhealthy ingredients in certain skin products, especially since they can reach the bloodstream in approximately 30 seconds. That includes things like petroleum, polyethylene glycol, phthalates, silicones, and parabens, plus synthetic fragrances that can contain up to 220 chemicals by themselves.
Meanwhile, I was disappointed with organic and natural skincare options that had ineffective fillers like glycerin, alcohol, and cheap oil. The beneficial and effective ingredients are often found at the bottom of the ingredients list, meaning their concentration is deficient.
My frustrations turned to inspiration when I realized there was a void in the skincare market that met my health standards and luxurious desires. I created Luxe Beauty to fill that void, spending years to develop unique formulas with the world’s top chemists and dermatologists. All our formulations are proprietary, using high concentrations of effective and exquisite organic ingredients that deliver results.
I am grateful my Mom survived Stage 4 cancer and thankful that her journey inspired me to create a new kind of skincare that delivers proven results you can see and feel.
02 What obstacles did you face along the way?
Sourcing high-quality glass has been challenging. Glass has become more expensive to ship over the last two years, so most skincare companies bottle their products in plastic. Although there is a huge trend with BPA-free plastic containers, that isn’t the only concerning chemical in plastic. Many companies that make BPA-free products replace BPA with similarly harmful chemicals like bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF). These chemicals from plastic containers can migrate from the plastic into the product since the plastic is so porous.
That’s why all Luxe Beauty products are bottled in glass, free of plastic chemicals that can leach into the product. I believe the extra cost and time is worthwhile, for the health of our bodies and our planet.
03 What lessons do you have for other entrepreneurs?
Patience is essential when creating unique products. Everything I create requires the sourcing of natural organic ingredients from around the world, which takes years of work. Rather than reusing and copying existing formulas from labs, our formulas are uniquely developed, proprietary, and perfected with testing from top chemists and dermatologists.
I believe everything has its perfect timing, and it is imperative to trust that there is divine timing for everything.
Also be sure to follow your intuition. I am guided toward my highest good when I listen to my intuition. We must learn to listen for inner happiness and success. Learning to trust one’s heart is monumental.
04 What’s on the horizon for Luxe Beauty?
We are launching a rich collagen-and-peptide night cream in a couple of months. My team and I are also working on an extraordinary organic beauty supplement made with an extremely rare antioxidant. We’ve waited two years for this to become available to us and we can’t wait to share it with everyone.
05 How do you keep work/life balance? What drives/inspires you?
Running long distances in nature inspires me. I find it grounding and uplifting — it’s essential for the balance of my mind, body, and spirit. My most creative ideas come to me while I’m observing and paying close attention to my surroundings.
I am driven by my passion to create beautiful, eco-chic products that are fueled by the power of nature. I get to combine my nerdy, nature-inspired chemistry side with my love for design and beauty. My team and I love to harness the power of nature, high performance delivery systems, and revolutionary technology all at once.
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