Lipstick brand Albus & Flora secures £50k investment on Dragons' Den

Skincare entrepreneur Rachel Williams secured a £50,000 offer from fashion retail entrepreneur and investor Touker Suleyman for her specialist lipcare brand, Albus & Flora, on last night's episode of BBC's Dragons' Den.

The science-led brand Albus & Flora is dedicated exclusively to the lips and the delicate skin surrounding the mouth, focusing on supporting the skin’s natural barrier function, promoting longevity and protecting against UV damage and photo-ageing.

These are areas that have been overlooked by mainstream skincare, according to the founder, who secured a deal from Suleyman of £50,000 for 30% of the business.

Williams founded the brand in 2017, after stepping away from an academic and elite sports career. Since then, she has grown the brand independently into an established UK skincare company stocked in over 400 aesthetic clinics and professional settings nationwide.

The founder spent over a decade in academia as a senior lecturer and researcher, publishing scientific papers and contributing to peer review within her field, specialising in stress, acclimatisation, and comparative physiology. She also held senior roles within elite sport, supporting sports science and medicine teams across both Olympic and Paralympic cycles.

She says her scientific training and expertise in skin and longevity directly informed the creation of her brand, and that she is planning to launch new products beyond lip care in the future.

Reflecting on her experience, Rachel said: “It’s incredibly exposing standing there on your own. Every number is challenged and every decision you’ve made over the years is put under a microscope. I’ve built Albus & Flora step by step, so it was intense, but I was ready for those questions.”

“Securing an offer felt significant. This brand has been years in the making, shaped by my scientific background and professional experience. To walk away with an offer was a defining moment.”