A BUSINESS formed four years ago has beaten off competition from hundreds of entries from across the country to clinch two national beauty awards.

Beatitude lifted awards at the FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2015 and the Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards 2015 at The Love Natural, Love Organic Show at Olympia last month.

Beatitude Peace Bath Oil was awarded silver in the Body Care – wash off category and the Joy Bath Oil was similarly awarded silver in the Best Bath Treat with the Green Parent Awards 2015.

The Gullane-based business was founded by Rebecca O’Connor, who was delighted to lift the awards and said: “I am thrilled that Beatitude is receiving these awards; it is very rewarding and encouraging to get such high praise from leading industry experts.” The awards were formed in 2012 to encourage and reward manufacturers of skincare products that are ‘free from’ many of the allergens, chemicals, additives and fragrances associated with skin sensitivities, allergies and ethical, environmental and health concerns.

Mrs O’Connor, of Saltcoats Road, who has more than 20 years of experience as a beauty therapist and aromatherapist, was delighted with the recognition after years of hard work.

She said: “We launched in a really small way in 2011.

“I took the products to a country living fair in Glasgow.

“My children were just pre-school age when I started in the smallest way I could.

“It’s been growing ever since.

“It’s a huge honour, especially these awards, which really recognise the best of the best in the organic world.” Mrs O’Connor felt that there was a growing industry for organic and free from beauty products.

She said that people were wanting more natural products, which in turn saw the industry creating more for the consumer.

“The standard was far higher this year, and all winners and medallists performed exceptionally well and demonstrated terrific free from properties,” said Alex Gazzola, Free From Awards co-ordinator.

“Like last year, it was particularly encouraging to see many smaller or boutique brands holding their own among the big guys – and often beating them.”