Active Aussie Skincare, a new Australian skincare brand, is on a mission to transform more than just skin.

Launched in January 2024 by Jay Williams, the brand aims to make a significant social impact by donating 15 per cent of its profits to organisations supporting children and young people in out-of-home care.

“Our goal is to build skin resilience and safeguard its health while supporting vulnerable youth,” Jay said at the recent launch event, held at Dolce Fiori restaurant in Randwick, Sydney.

“We want to shine a light on the struggles faced by disadvantaged children and young people, many of whom are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

Jay’s impressive career and journey into social entrepreneurship is deeply personal and driven by a challenging childhood. Jay grew up in an underprivileged area in North Wales, placed in out-of-home care at birth, and was surrounded by drug and alcohol abuse while his father was in and out of prison during his teenage years.

 “I grew up in a disadvantaged community with a 16-year-old mother and a father who made poor life choices. My childhood was marked by instability and trauma, including being placed in out-of-home care and experiencing sexual abuse, first as a nine-year-old and then again at 13, ” he shared.

These experiences have fuelled a passion for helping others facing similar challenges. “I wanted to make a positive change, especially for young people,” he explained. “Abuse or trauma doesn’t have to define who you are, or the journey that you go on. This led me to work in community services, where I saw firsthand the incredible work done by organisations like The Burdekin Association and the Red Cross Young Parents Program.”

The decision to launch a purpose-driven brand was a natural progression, especially when coupled with his stellar career in beauty – he has previously held roles including Head of Sales at Cosmax Prestige Brands, National Sales Manager at Dermalogica Australia, Sales & Marketing Manager at Ceres Organics, and various positions at both L’Oréal and The Estée Lauder Companies.

 “Using my skills from the health and beauty industry to help others felt like the right path,” he said. “By partnering with organisations that support disadvantaged children, we can make a real difference. The Burdekin Association is doing amazing work supporting young mums and children in out-of-home care.”

Jay emphasised the importance of community support. “We want to empower young people to rise above their circumstances and realise their potential. It’s about giving them the opportunity to heal and thrive. By purchasing from Active Aussie Skincare, customers are contributing to this mission and helping vulnerable children.”

The brand’s commitment to social impact is unwavering. “Our mission is to transform your skin while supporting young Australians facing homelessness and trauma. It’s a cause that’s very close to my heart, and I’m passionate about making a difference,” Jay said.

Justene Gordon, CEO at The  Burdekin Association, also spoke at the event and explained how the organisation housed, case managed, and overall supported children from the ages of ten to 18 who are living in out-of-home care. The Burdekin also offers ongoing case management support after eighteen years of age, supported independent living care, youth housing support, and foster care placements.

Designed and made in Sydney, Australia, the Active Aussie Skincare range of products feature potent antioxidants such as Kakadu Plum Extract, Lilly Pilly Fruit Extract, Bilberry Fruit Extract, Lavender Oil, Resveratrol, and Vitamin E as well as active ingredients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, and Heptapeptide-8.

Images from the launch event below:

Read the current issue of our digital magazine below:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *