Breakout Beauty UK Winners Set to Make Their Mark

With over three hundred applicants, a final cohort of eleven brilliant beauty startups, twelve weeks of expert support including one hundred hours of clinics, workshops, masterclasses, and multiple pitch rehearsals, Growth Studio is excited to announce the final list of 2026 Breakout Beauty UK winners.

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The Grand Finale marked the culmination of the programme and winner’s awards. Now in its second year, Breakout Beauty UK is a first-of-its-kind accelerator designed to transform visionary UK beauty entrepreneurs into global household names.

Boots, the UK’s favourite beauty retailer**, returned as primary anchor partner, alongside expert partners, TikTok Shop, HSBC Innovation Banking and Bird & Bird. The programme also welcomed new business partners IFGlobal, Somerce, Amcor, FDD International, CEW UK and Taylored Consultancy.

With a judging panel from Growth Studio, Boots and investors, JamJar Investments, Vestra  Partners, Venrex and Interline Ventures selecting the final eleven brands, the cohort reflects the diversity shaping the future of beauty, with 63% female founders and over 36% of founders and co-founders representing Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

• Winning Breakout Beauty UK Brand was awarded to  Bsset from Ibrahim Abusamra & Mohammed Yaqub. A men’s haircare brand developed by founder & celebrity barber for curly, coily and wavy hair. The business will receive a retail launch into 50 Boots stores UK-wide as well as gold tier marketing and executive mentorship support. TikTok Shop will provide dedicated business development support including dedicated account management, discounts and incentives*

• Runner Up Breakout Beauty UK Brand was awarded to Skingredients from Founder, Jennifer Rock (“The Skin Nerd”). An education-based skin health system simplifying routines with real results. The business will receive a retail launch across Boots stores UK-wide and silver tier marketing support as well as the same winner level of support for the runner up from TikTok Shop*.

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For the first time this year, two Boots bonus prizes were awarded to Aegles (Founder: Zoe William. Science-led skin health brand addressing the root causes of acne in women) and MAYAH (Founders: Jessica Smith & Rebecca Heywood. Clinically tested,  premium personal care created specifically for mothers). Both startup brands will launch within the Boots Ignite accelerator programme.

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Two special awards supported by expert legal partner Bird & Bird,  were also announced.  These included ‘Best Innovator’ awarded to Selkie -Founder: Cicely Coops. The UK’s only powder to liquid sustainable haircare brand with refillable containers. The  ‘Best Brand’ was awarded to KEATS - Founder: Lucinda Hart. Simplifying and decoding affordable skincare inspired by customers' insights.

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Paul Finch, Breakout Beauty UK Chief Architect says “This year's cohort showcased exceptional creativity, innovation and diversity and our winners were the absolute epitome of these values. Notwithstanding, our entire cohort represents the future of British beauty, creating disruptive products, defining emerging categories and building brands with global potential. We cannot wait to build on this programme and its impact for 2027”.

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Grace Vernon, Head of Boots Ignite, Foresight and Trends at Boots, said: "Breakout Beauty is such an exciting programme that gives us the opportunity to support and champion the next generation of brands. The calibre of this year’s cohort has been incredible, with each brand having a clear point of difference, product or range and founder story. We’re incredibly proud to play a role in supporting these founders on their brand growth journeys and bring disruptive, emerging brands to the Boots customer.”

Expanded into a twelve-week intensive accelerator this year, Breakout Beauty UK provided even deeper commercial expertise, hands-on mentoring and strategic support to help market-ready founders scale into multi-million-pound brands.

2026 also saw extensive support from a legendary group of beauty entrepreneurs. Ambassadors include Tropic Skincare Founder Susie Ma and TV presenter beauty founders Rochelle Humes. They were joined by a world class Beauty Board including Lucie MacLeod, Founder of Hair Syrup, Daisy Kelly, Founder of Glow For It and Beauty Crop Founder, Ning Cheah.

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