Skin expert Debbie Thomas on building her new brand Cellis around 'intelligent simplicity'
For more than 25 years, the skin-focused laser treatment expert and British Beauty Council Advisory Board member Debbie Thomas has been quietly shaping what healthy skin should look like. Now, she’s bringing all that expertise beyond clinic walls to our bathroom counters with Cellis, her first skincare brand. Thomas sat down with TheIndustry.beauty to explain how Cellis is designed to do less, but do it better.
"Real skin results come from consistency, not complexity or aggression… too many products, too much friction, not enough patience. Cellis was born from that perspective," Thomas tells TheIndustry.beauty. This was the foundation for her debut skincare line.
Thomas’ approach is refreshingly straightforward. After working hands-on with tens of thousands of clients at her South Kensington clinic, she distilled everything she’s learned into what she calls The Longevity Trifecta - a skincare line supporting the barrier and microbiome, protecting cellular DNA and reducing inflammation. "These three pillars underpin every formula and every treatment philosophy we follow in the clinic… they truly determine how well your skin will age," she explains.
Cellis launched with a four-product Universal Edit, a line that simplifies routines without compromising results. Forget the 10-step rituals that leave your bathroom looking like a chemistry lab. Cellis’ formulas are multi-functional, barrier-led and professional-grade, designed to fit into real life.
"I’ve watched so many clients damage their skin trying to keep up with complex routines. More products don’t mean more results, often it’s the opposite. I wanted to focus on the essentials - Reveal, Defend and Restore."
The Reveal step, Everyday Cleansing Gelée, is a water-activated cleanser that lifts impurities while protecting hydration and microbiome balance.
The Defend step, Everyday C Complex, is Thomas’ hero product. It's a multi-level antioxidant powerhouse with Vitamin C, E and Astaxanthin.
The Restore step, Overnight A Complex, is a retinol-forward night formula that encourages cellular renewal without irritation. It's fortified with peptides, ceramides and mushroom extracts.
Then there are the Everyday Cleansing Microfibre Cloths. Yes, even the cloths are curated, eco-conscious and friction-free. Every detail, as Thomas puts it, is designed with "the skin’s longevity in mind, not short-term results".
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But why was 2025 the right time for Thomas to launch a skincare line? She explains: "I’ve wanted to create skincare that genuinely complements advanced treatments for a long time, but I didn’t want to add more noise to an already crowded space… Skin health has become the focus again, not just instant results. That shift felt like the perfect moment to introduce a brand built on longevity and intelligent simplicity".
In a strategic move, Cellis launches direct-to-consumer online first. Thomas wants to control the education, ensuring people understand why each formula exists and how it works. "Physical retail will come, but only in spaces that align with the brand’s ethos - somewhere where skin expertise and meaningful conversation still matter more than shelf space."
The early response has been overwhelmingly positive. "It’s been incredible. People are telling us their skin feels great, and they love the simplicity — one product giving multiple benefits. Comments on the product feel have been fantastic, everyone loves the packaging (even more so when they know it’s recycled). For me, that’s the best validation, that something created to make life easier is genuinely making a difference", she says.
Looking ahead, Cellis will expand, but selectively. Thomas is exploring targeted treatments and advanced tools that enhance absorption and performance without disrupting the skin’s barrier.
For Thomas, this isn’t just a brand launch; it’s the culmination of decades of hands-on experience and a philosophy built on intelligent simplicity. Cellis isn’t here to dazzle with gimmicks. It’s here to deliver measurable results without overcomplication.
