Rebecca Spencer’s journey is as inspiring as it is transformative. As the founder of Biome Skin and Beauty and creator of the acclaimed Biome Perfecting Oil, Rebecca has carved a path that combines expertise, resilience, and a passion for skincare. With 20 years in the beauty industry, her dedication stems from a personal battle with acne, which shaped her holistic approach to skincare. In this Q&A, Rebecca shares insights into her career, the meticulous creation of her hero product, and the philosophy behind nurturing healthy, radiant skin.
Continue reading to discover how Spencer’s lifelong passion for skincare led to the creation of Biome Perfecting Oil and a thriving beauty business.
In conversation with Rebecca Spencer
Let’s get up to speed. Please tell us a bit about you, your background and your
career to date.
I was a bit of a ‘study nerd’ at school with a passion for art and drama but I always had a fascination with skincare, mostly due to struggling with my skin from a young age. I pursued university studies but left before completing my degree and after a few years of working in hospitality, I decided to follow my passion and enrolled in Beauty Therapy studies at Wintec in Hamilton. My career then began with roles as a spa therapist, skin therapist, and later as a skincare educator for Dermalogica. After that I ventured into the superyacht industry for a few years, where I would dream of creating my own hero skincare product while spending my days running the interior of busy charter yachts.
When I returned to ‘real world’, I opened a skin clinic in Mapua but soon paused my practice when I became pregnant with my daughter, Billie. To keep the family together, we joined Billie’s father on a superyacht in Sweden where he was captain and it was during this time that I started working on my long-standing dream of creating a skincare product.
Back in New Zealand as a solo Mum, I resumed work at a skin clinic in Mount Maunganui, setting aside one day a week to develop what would later become Biome Perfecting Oil. A move back to Auckland led me to a role at Dermalogica’s head office, and three and a half years ago, I opened Biome Skin and Beauty in Titirangi. With incredible support from the Biome community, friends and family, Perfecting Oil launched just over a year ago, so it was seven years in the making!
Rebecca, with 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, what sparked your interest in skincare, and how has your approach evolved over the years?
My fascination with skincare stemmed from the severe acne I suffered well beyond my teenage years. Skincare ingredients and treatments were a lot harsher years ago and I think there was more of a ‘quick fix’ approach when it came to treating acne and other skin concerns. The reality is that it takes time and consistency to create healthy skin and this is something I now try to educate people on. It’s also really important to take a holistic approach and it’s so great that this is common thinking nowadays. What we put into our bodies and our general wellbeing really does present on our skin so it’s vital to treat the whole person when creating a skincare plan.
Over the years, I have learnt what works when it comes to great skin which has led to a simpler approach, however I still embrace new technology in treatments and skincare, without jumping on every trend. Now at 46, I’ve also had to come to terms with my own aging skin and how to feel good about getting older and most of my clients are in the same space. I don’t use the popular term ‘anti-aging’ anymore as ageing shouldn’t be something we’re trying to fight. As a skin therapist, my goal is to empower my clients to embrace aging as a positive journey by providing effective treatments and education to nurture healthy, radiant skin for the long term.
Your Biome Perfecting Oil took seven years to develop and was born out of your own skin challenges. Can you tell us about the journey of creating this product, from the initial idea to finally finding the perfect formula?
The first step was to learn the basics of business so I enrolled in a small business course online and chipped away at my studies onboard the yacht while my daughter Billie. Along with this I relentlessly researched skincare ingredients online and looked for a cosmetic manufacturer and/or a cosmetic chemist in NZ. Information was so elusive though and it felt as though the product creation process was some sort of well kept secret!
Upon my return to NZ, I engaged with a cosmetic manufacturer and started the sampling process. I lost count of how many versions were made but each little jar of oil got me closer to what would be my super product. My manufacturer closed their premises for six months without notifying me, forcing me to find another company to continue on with. As was the case with the first manufacturer though, communication wasn’t easy and I didn’t feel as though they really understood what I was trying to achieve. Pure luck led me to finding the manufacturer I work with today after a chance conversation with an industry contact. A family owned business in Nelson, the owner has a long history of formulating, having created her own successful skincare line. Their knowledge is extensive and they are always available to talk, offering advice where needed, it was like night and day! They perfected the formula with the second sample.
So I did the scary thing and ordered the star ingredient, Granactive Retinoid, so there was no turning back. After a few setbacks with the packaging, finally In October 2023, we finally raised a glass to celebrate the release of Perfecting Oil with a wonderful celebration in the Viaduct. To say that I felt the love is an understatement, it was the best afternoon!
Working as a solo mum and juggling the demands of business ownership must have come with unique challenges. What kept you motivated?
Being a solo working mum of a toddler at 40 certainly wasn’t what I had planned for myself and it was harder than I could have ever imagined.. It can bring you to your knees at times and feel really lonely. I’d feel constantly torn between work and my role as a Mum and often felt as though I wasn’t doing either justice. Being a skin therapist, you of course can’t work from home with a sick child so as a single parent I would have no choice but to cancel a day (or days) of clients which felt heart-breaking.
Financially things were really tight, but it was my unwavering belief in what I was creating that kept me motivated, I just knew Biome Perfecting Oil would be amazing. As many parents who have been in similar situations would say, I was also driven to create something for Billie that was beyond our current situation. I’m really fortunate to have met my now-husband who is the ultimate hype-man. He’s really bolstered me when I’ve lost confidence with his positive outlook and belief in me and it’s something I don’t take for granted.
Let’s talk about your choice to include granactive retinoid in your nighttime oil. What made you decide on this specific ingredient, and what benefits does it bring to your clients’ skin?
Granactive Retinoid was relatively new as a skincare ingredient, so I did a lot of research before finally deciding it would be the star ingredient. While many people recognise Vitamin A’s transformative effects on the skin, it can often be challenging to use because it may cause irritation. Traditional retinol products need to be introduced slowly to allow the skin to adjust, and even then, some individuals find them uncomfortable. Known as a next generation retinoid, GR provides the same benefits as conventional retinol, such as smoother skin texture from increased cell turnover, enhanced collagen production, more even skin tone, and reduced congestion and breakouts, but with a significantly lower risk of redness and peeling. A retinoid ester, it can bind directly to Vitamin A receptors on skin cells, unlike retinol, which requires multiple conversion steps that can cause irritation along the way.
3 Common skincare myths, debunked:
What are some of the most common skincare myths you aim to debunk through your social media and clinic work?
My aim is to demystify the process of creating healthy skin and I love that there is a real focus on education in this area now. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding skincare, some being;
1. Natural means gentle
There’s a common misbelief that a natural skincare product will always mean a gentler option for the skin. Don’t get me wrong, there are many wonderful natural ingredients and products, some of which I’ve used in Perfecting Oil, which will be fantastic for reactive skins. However, often synthetically-produced ingredients can be safer for various reasons as they are usually formulated to be stable, non-irritating and consistent in their effects. Many are designed to mimic molecules found in the skin and are therefore generally tolerated well.
2. It’s good to switch up your skincare often so your skin doesn’t get ‘used to it’
I know many people believe that this is the best way to make their skincare regime effective and the fact that there’s a constant stream of exciting new products always in our sights makes it a tempting way to go! However, frequently changing up your skincare can do more harm than good. Your skin needs time to adjust to products, especially active ingredients, and constantly switching your skincare can cause irritation, sensitivity and breakouts.
3. Retinoids thin the skin
This myth is one that’s of course close to my heart so one I’m very keen to debunk. Actually the opposite is true! Retinoids work to speed up skin cell turnover, ridding the surface of the skin of dead, dry skin cells more effectively. This will thin the outer layer of the skin (or epidermis) to some degree but it will help to thicken the lower layer (dermis) of the skin, which is an ideal situation.
3 Common skincare mistakes to avoid:
With summer approaching, what are some of the biggest skincare mistakes people make, and what advice would you give for maintaining healthy skin through the warmer months?
Some common missteps I see are:
1. Not taking your skincare down to your chest, especially in summer
Sadly, I’ve been guilty of this one myself in years past and now at 46, it shows! The neck and chest areas are just as prone as your face to signs of ageing and environmental damage. In fact, the skin here is actually thinner than the skin on our face and more easily affected by dryness, loss of firmness and lines.
2. Over Exfoliating
Exfoliating feels good, making your skin feel instantly smooth and bright, so it’s tempting to do it every day! However, exfoliating too aggressively or too often can do more harm than good, potentially stripping away your skin’s natural protective barrier which can lead to redness, reactivity, dryness and can worsen breakouts.
3. Letting social media decide your skincare regime
There is some valuable skincare education found on social media but relying solely on Tik Tok and Instagram for your skincare advice can lead to ineffective routines, confusion and skin damage. These platforms are often filled with sponsored posts, trends and a whole lot of information that isn’t backed by real expertise.
As an entrepreneur in the skincare space, what has been the most rewarding part of this journey for you, and what do you hope clients take away from using Biome Perfecting Oil?
After years of treating skin, it became clear to me that most people were overwhelmed and puzzled by the world of skincare and frustrated by false promises. My aim was to cut through the noise and provide a simple yet effective solution that provided real, visible results for every skin type while offering a bit of luxury. To have so many of my clients and customers tell me that this is exactly what Biome Perfecting Oil has given them feels just incredible. I receive so many beautiful messages and photos from clients telling me that through Perfecting Oil they’ve finally found something that has made them feel confident in their skin.
How do you find work/life balance in your career? Is there anything you do to de-stress or prioritise your own wellbeing?
This is a challenging area for me for sure. I always set my alarm 30 minutes before I have to get up so I can enjoy half an hour in bed with a giant mug of coffee, scrolling on my phone. I know a lot of people will say that those two things aren’t the healthiest but it works for me to help me to feel ready for the day. Billie normally joins me for a snuggle too as an added bonus.
Movement is super important to me, serving as both me-time and to help me feel capable and strong. Most mornings, I jump on my treadmill outside for a brisk walk while watching reality programmes on my phone. My form of meditation is lifting weights at the gym too and I cherish this time to myself with my music in my ears just focusing on me.
Most nights of the week I’ll have a candlelit bath with my husband which may sound a bit indulgent but it’s a really great way for us to unwind and connect without distractions such as phones. Occasionally we enjoy a glass of whiskey while we’re in there!
Quick-fire Q&A
The most cherished item in my home is… A beautiful smiling picture of my Dad who passed away two years ago.
Best place for coffee near me is… Crafty Baker in Titirangi, most beautiful staff and they often give you a bonus little piece of ginger crunch on the side!
A restaurant I return to often… Alma in Britomart
Current favourite dish on the menu… The pork pinchitos, but the cocktails deserve a mention too!
My next holiday destination… A Disney cruise in a couple of weeks which is a surprise for my daughter’s 8th birthday, I can barely contain myself!!
Best fashion purchase recently… A second-hand find from the Titirangi market which is a heavy denim shirt that makes the best spring jacket!
My guilty pleasure TV show or movie is… Below Deck – it takes me back and yes, yachting is really like that!
Favourite season and why… Spring – after the long winter months I love seeing everyone’s mood lift as we see and feel some sun.
Three beauty products I can’t live without… Tocca Florence Perfume – I don’t actually enjoy wearing many fragrances but this one is so soft and feminine and smells like violets, it’s definitely my go-to; Eleven Miracle Hair Mask – As the name would suggest, this rich hair treatment is transformative. It leaves my natural frizzy hair so soft and silky without weighing it down. I hope they never stop making it; Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation – I love a mineral foundation as it contains no toxic ingredients and is often actually great for your skin with a natural form of sun protection which you can easily top up throughout the day. This one is nice and fine and texture so gives the most natural finish, it feels like you’re not wearing make-up at all.
Photos: Supplied
