Location

London, England, United Kingdom

Founded

2015

Price range

£18 – £125

Shipping

Worldwide

Catalogue

99 products

New arrivals

3 this month

Votary Beauty Brand Logo

Votary

Independent brand — verified
About

Votary is a luxury UK beauty brand founded by makeup artist Arabella Preston and entrepreneur Charlotte Semler, and it has become one of London's most respected plant-oil-led skincare houses. The brand builds its formulations around clinically proven botanical actives, lipid-rich plant oils and low-irritation delivery systems, working from the belief that skin, when properly understood and supported, becomes calmer, stronger and naturally radiant rather than merely resurfaced. Products are made in the UK in small batches, with the single exception of the Vitamin C Glow Serum, which is made in Switzerland, a distinction the brand states openly. Votary is 100% vegan, containing no animal-derived ingredients whatsoever, and does not test any ingredients, formulas or finished products on animals. Several products are formulated free from fragrance allergens, including the Super Seed Facial Oil and Super Barrier Balm, and a number of SKUs are entirely essential-oil-free for reactive skin. Hero products include the Super Seed Cleansing Oil, the best-selling Brightening Hyaluronic Serum, the Intense Night Oil, the Super Seed Facial Oil and the Intense Overnight Mask. Packaging uses recyclable materials and FSC and PEFC certified cartons, with glass bottles chosen to protect actives; the brand is candid that its plastic pumps are not currently recyclable. Palm derivatives are RSPO certified. As a female-founded, independent brand, Votary sits distinctly within UK beauty. For anyone researching UK beauty brands, vegan beauty, cruelty-free beauty, women-owned beauty or luxury natural facial oils, Votary offers small-batch British craftsmanship with genuine formulation rigour behind a cult reputation built almost entirely on word of mouth among facialists and beauty editors.

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Brand Details

Small-batch
UK
FSC
PEFC
RSPO
Recyclable
Yes — select products
Last reviewed
Oct 2026
Independent brand
Verified
A
Arabella Preston
C
Charlotte Semler

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Frequently asked questions

Who founded Votary?
Votary was founded by makeup artist Arabella Preston and business partner Charlotte Semler, after Preston's own facial oil blends became a eureka skincare discovery.
When was Votary founded?
This London skincare brand launched in 2015, trademarking its name within a week of its eureka moment and debuting exclusively at Liberty London.
Is Votary good quality?
Yes, this skincare brand favors lipid rich plant oils over harsh actives, formulating for sensitive, reactive skin with a no nonsense, ritual based approach.
Is Votary cruelty free and vegan?
Yes, Votary states it is proudly vegan and cruelty free, reflecting its founders' commitment to gentle, plant based facial oils and skincare formulas.
Where is Votary based and made?
This skincare brand is based in London and makes most products in the United Kingdom in small batches, apart from a serum produced in Switzerland.
What is Votary known for?
This skincare brand is known for its Rose Geranium and Apricot Cleansing Oil, sold with a muslin cloth, and its facial oil led anti aging rituals.

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