Irish Mom Quits Music Career to Develop Hormonal Skincare Solution

For many Irish women, our ever-changing hormones bring more than just tiredness and cravings- they also introduce unpredictable and often distressing changes to our skin.

Breakouts, sensitivity, inflammation, and dryness can suddenly take hold, leaving many feeling frustrated and unsure where to turn.

Sara Stokes, a mum of two from Shankill, Dublin, knows this all too well. Suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum - the severe morning sickness that famously affected Princess Kate - during her pregnancies, it was the drastic change in her skin that shook her most.

Speaking to EVOKE, Sara, who previously worked for a decade as a business manager for huge acts including the Arctic Monkeys, Imelda May, Fontaines DC, and Miles Kane, said that pregnancy brought on a breakout so bad, she believed she had a fungal infection on her face.

‘My skin, from the day I got pregnant, was just like being a teenager again. It was like all of that hormonal acne. It was like all underneath my skin. It was just really reactive to everything,' she said.

The 36-year-old, who had always taken pride in her clear, healthy complexion, suddenly found herself in a lot of pain dealing with her hormonal outbreaks. Trusted products that had served her well began to irritate her skin and cause discomfort.

Seeking some sort of cure, she visited her GP to see if there was something she was missing, but he dismissed her concerns as something that was totally normal in pregnancy.

‘GPs only have eight days of training on skin,’ she said. ‘So when you're telling a client or a customer to go speak to their GP, you're not getting the expert advice that you should be getting.’

Her journey led her to an eye-opening discovery during a visit to a facialist: many of the skincare products she had been using contained high levels of retinol, ingredients that not only aggravated her skin but could also pose risks during pregnancy.

'We all know what we can and can't eat and drink during pregnancy, but very little is widely known about what we can put on our skin- it's the largest organ in the body and absorbs everything,' Sara explained.

She added: 'The pregnancy skincare aisle in pharmacies was basically stretch mark cream next to nappies. I felt invisible.'

Shocked by the lack of clear, accessible guidance on safe skincare during pregnancy, Sara realised there was a significant gap in the market- especially in Ireland, where so many women face similar struggles without straightforward support.

Driven by determination and a desire to help, Sara connected with Dr Caitriona Ryan, founder of the Irish Institute of Dermatology.

What started as a simple consultation evolved into a powerful collaboration dedicated to creating skincare that truly supports women through hormonal changes.

The result was Skn To Skn, a revolutionary Irish skincare brand designed to accompany women through every stage of life where hormones affect their skin - from pregnancy and postpartum to monthly cycles and menopause.

She said: ‘After childbirth, it can take up to two years for hormones to settle. Your body and skin change, and so do your needs. We want women to have access to real, effective, and safe solutions; no fear, just care.’

What sets Skn To Skn apart is its unique approach. The products are formulated with medical-grade, pregnancy-safe ingredients that don’t sacrifice effectiveness.

They tackle common hormonal skin concerns such as acne, pigmentation, dryness, sensitivity, and excess oil without using harsh chemicals that might cause irritation or harm. The range offers women the confidence to nurture their skin without compromise or worry.

Backed by clinical research, Skn To Skn’s products deliver impressive results. In trials, users saw a 29 per cent boost in hydration in under a month, and wrinkle depth decreased by 16% in the same time – Sara’s formulation was outperforming some leading retinol products that take much longer to show effects.

Unlike retinol, these formulas nourish and soothe the skin without stinging or stress, leaving it balanced and glowing.

Many women, including Sara, have noticed clearer, smoother skin, fewer flare-ups during their cycles, and improved texture after childbirth, helping them feel confident and comfortable in their own skin again.

Sara’s vision caught the attention of major retailers, leading to an impactful pitch to Boots in September 2024. The conversation quickly went beyond the usual sales talk as Sara revealed that over half of women don’t know retinol isn’t safe during pregnancy—a fact even the skincare buyer didn’t realise.

This highlighted the urgent need for brands like Skn To Skn, and Boots quickly signed on to bring the range to Irish shelves, with a launch planned for July and an online store already available.

The website features an innovative product-matching tool to guide women through their unique skincare journeys, whether navigating pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, or routine hormonal changes.

More than just skincare, Skn To Skn embodies support, science, and sisterhood. Sara’s mission is to ensure women feel truly seen and cared for throughout the hormonal shifts that mark their lives.

As Sara put it: 'It started with pregnancy, but we realised very quickly - we were creating something for every stage of a woman’s life.'

Find out more about the new Skn To Skn skincare range here.