An Interview with Neada Deters, LESSE Founder
LESSE is a skincare collection rooted in simplicity, integrity, and inclusivity, with a mission to elevate skin health through potent, natural ingredients. Founded by former beauty editor Neada Deters, LESSE was born out of her own experience with sensitive, acne-prone skin and her quest to create effective, clean skincare that truly met her needs. Frustrated by a lack of options that combined efficacy with ethical practices, Deters developed a minimalistic line where “less is more” is more than a tagline—it’s a guiding philosophy.
LESSE’s products harness the power of active botanicals, including adaptogenic mushrooms, Australian super berries, and rare flowers. These ingredients are chosen for their clinically proven benefits and are sourced from ethical farms around the world, aligning perfectly with Pfeffer Sal’s values. Now, Pfeffer Sal is thrilled to welcome LESSE to our shelves, bringing these nature-powered, high-integrity formulations directly to our clients. Each formulation is designed to be gentle on the skin and on the Earth, addressing common and chronic skin concerns with a focus on long-lasting results over quick fixes.
Since launching in 2018, LESSE has remained dedicated to sustainability, transparency, and reducing the environmental footprint of skincare. The Ritual Serum, Bioactive Face Mask, and other staples have earned praise for their effectiveness and thoughtful design, becoming essentials for those seeking mindful skincare. LESSE’s commitment goes beyond skin; it’s a movement towards representation and inclusivity in beauty, championing the diversity and beauty of all skin types. More than just a product line, LESSE represents a reimagined approach to skincare—one that celebrates the individual and values the planet.
To dive deeper into the story behind LESSE and understand what drives its commitment to ethical and effective skincare, we spoke with Neada Deters, the visionary founder. Join us as she shares her journey, insights on sustainable beauty, and the philosophy that makes LESSE more than just skincare—it’s a movement toward inclusivity, representation, and mindful living.
What was the journey that led you to create LESSE?
"I was an editor, so I spent years interviewing the world's leading skin care experts and testing every product on the market. During this time, I was also struggling immensely with my own sensitive and acne prone skin. I spent years searching for solutions that were powerfully effective yet gentle in their application, proving supportive of the skin's integrity long term. After more than a decade, I finally set out to create my own.
From the outset, I wanted to create performance-driven formulas that centred on active botanicals. I started to develop formulas centred on rare ingredients sourced from around the world, from mushrooms and super fruit extracts to sea plants and medicinal herbs, to deliver exceptional efficiency without compromise. I also wanted to create an elevated experience with minimal impact on our irreplaceable planet. This is what led us to using recycled and infinitely recyclable packaging.
Finally, in an industry that has often promoted 12 or 14-step routines, I wanted to simplify the experience of beauty; allowing it to become a more intuitive ritual and an opportunity to come back to yourself morning and night. This philosophy less is more is the foundation of all that we do at LESSE, and is of course inspiration for the name."
What was the first LESSE product?
"The Ritual Serum, which remains my personal hero product. This formulation is powerfully anti-inflammatory with organic turmeric and seaweed but also contains acerola, a source of natural Vitamin C, which works beautifully for sensitive skin. This is the formula that healed my skin and it remains our best seller for those with chronic inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema, dermatitis, and acne."
Ritual, not routine. What does this mean to you?
"Skin care is such a personal, intimate practice. Often the experience comes with an immense amount of pressure and personal judgement, driven by archaic standards set by the beauty industry. This can make it feel like a chore, or a routine.
At LESSE, we instead want people to truly embrace the ritual of skin care; for it to be a moment, morning and night, when you return to yourself. It's an opportunity for each of us to go a little gentler and to show up only with care, not judgement."
What is your LESSE skin care system?
"In the mornings, I begin with the Calming Cleanser to remove any bacteria or sweat buildup overnight. I massage this in, using lymphatic draining techniques, before applying the Regeneration Mist for instant hydration and barrier repair. Then just a few drops of the Ritual Serum, a small amount of the Awakening Eye Cream, and a generous application of the Essential Moisturiser. I like to layer these steps one after the other quite quickly, building hydration. Then I wait a full minute for that to sink in before applying our Every Tone SPF 30.
In the evening, I always use a little more of the Ritual Serum and Awakening Eye Cream and, every second night, I start with the Refining Cleanser, which is a gentle natural exfoliant. Twice a week I'll apply the Bioactive Mask for 15 minutes, for a deeper treatment, and I try to integrate gua sha or some form of facial massage as much as possible. Radiant skin really comes down to consistency; the small things you do every day or every week make a profound difference over time."
You grow some of the ingredients yourself, farming a way that regenerates the land. Was this important to you?
"The ingredients we grow are actually wild grown and wild harvested, by hand, so they grow naturally on the land without the need for integrating any large scale farming practices, which can have repercussions on the local ecosystem. We then harvest only what we need, and do this all on certified organic land. Ingredients that don't naturally thrive in this specific climate, we source from verified ethical and sustainable partners around the world.
Our work relies on the beauty and function of this planet, to deliver us these wonderful botanicals, so growing and sourcing our ingredients in a thoughtful, sustainably-driven way is the very least we can do. I was also born in Sydney and raised with a reverence for nature, so it's also incredibly personal."
This is the start of our collaboration together. What drew you to our clinic?
"I was drawn to Pfeffer Sal because our philosophies are so beautifully aligned. I love how your team is incredibly thoughtful and uncompromising when it comes to the quality of the products, technology, and overall experience in the treatment room. Your clinic sets a higher standard within the industry and yet remains an incredibly warm and welcoming place to return to, again and again."
Favourite facial treatment to have?
"A LESSE facial, of course! I personally love treatments that merge high performance, natural skin care with facial massage and advanced technology modalities, in particular LED."
Favourite London restaurant or pastime?
"I'm from Australia but half of my family is English, so I find it hard to go past a good Sunday roast at the pub. I also love a long dinner with friends at Brat or Jolene, or an afternoon meandering through the Tate."
What is one thing you wish people paid more attention to (lifestyle or skincare)?
"Sun protection. It's essential to wear sunscreen every day, as 95% of the ultraviolet rays that reach the surface of the Earth can penetrate through clouds, fog, or snow. It is such a simple addition to any morning ritual and will make a profound difference on the health and appearance of your skin in the years to come."
Introducing the LESSE is More Facial: A Limited Edition Experience
We’re beyond excited to unveil the LESSE is More Facial, a limited edition treatment available exclusively at Pfeffer Sal from launch day (November 11th) to early January 2025. This bespoke facial is designed to celebrate the beauty of simplicity and harness the power of LESSE’s high-performance, nature-powered products.
The LESSE is More Facial brings together the best of clean beauty and advanced skincare technology, offering a transformative experience that’s as soothing as it is effective. With a focus on hydration, nourishment, and radiance, this treatment will leave your skin glowing, balanced, and beautifully rejuvenated. Using LESSE’s signature Ritual Serum, Bioactive Face Mask, and more, this facial is a true indulgence for those who appreciate skincare that’s both mindful and high-performance.
Whether you’re looking to refresh your skin before the holidays or treat yourself to something truly special, the LESSE is More Facial is the perfect way to experience the brand’s ethos in action. But remember, it’s only here for a limited time, so don’t wait—book your appointment and discover why less is more when it comes to your skincare routine!