Skin Food X Val Garland

Legendary make-up artist Val Garland is partnering with Weleda throughout 2026 as an official ambassador for our Skin Food Centenary, bringing her expertise, bold creativity, and sense of fun to the party as we celebrate this incredible milestone for our iconic Skin Food: 100 years of loving skin. Instantly recognisable and a household name for BBC viewers as the judge and host of the television series ‘Glow Up’, and beloved by the beauty industry as a skilled professional and authoritative voice, Val herself a long-time fan of Skin Food, which makes the partnership even more authentic and credible.

Val featured in Skin Food celebrations and events, including a summer Make-up Masterclass, with the launch of a special-edition ‘VALidated Skin Food’ marking a special moment for both Weleda and Val. This year-long collaboration will really reinforce Skin Food’s status as the multi-tasking beauty essential. For over a century, Weleda Skin Food has been a trusted go-to, loved by beauty insiders and celebrities alike. In a recent survey of 700 UK make-up artists, 99% confirmed Skin Food as a staple in their kit. Globally, one Skin Food Original sells every 6 seconds - testament to its evergreen appeal. Weleda’s partnership with Val this year will shine a glowing spotlight on Weleda Skin Food, to honour its legacy while cementing its place at the heart of contemporary fashion and beauty culture.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT SKIN FOOD?

"For me, Skin Food is such an all-round, multi-tasking product. I love using it before, during, and after make-up. It’s truly one of those rare products that does everything and it does it well."

WHO IS SKIN FOOD BEST FOR?

"The beauty of Weleda Skin Food is that it’s for everyone. No one is excluded. It adapts to different skin types and needs, which is why it has such universal appeal."

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO USE SKIN FOOD AS A MAKE-UP ARTIST?

"In my work, I’m constantly adapting to different skin types, textures, and individual needs. I use Skin Food to hydrate and prep the skin, creating a healthy, nourished base before make-up. I’ll also use a small amount to add a subtle glow to the high points of the face, or to bring skin back to life at the end of a long shoot day. It’s incredibly versatile and always delivers that fresh, natural finish."

SKIN FOOD HAS REACHED CULT STATUS OVER 100 YEARS - WHAT DO YOU THINK GIVES A PRODUCT THAT KIND OF LONGEVITY?

"It works. And more importantly, it has never compromised on the quality of its ingredients. When a brand stays true to that, it builds real trust. Over time, it becomes a product people quietly rely on, and continue to come back to."

YOU'VE WORKED ACROSS DECADES OF BEAUTY BRANDS - WHY DO YOU THINK SKIN FOOD STILL FEELS SO RELEVANT NOW?

"It still feels relevant because people are far more in tune with a holistic approach to skincare now. Skin Food has always embodied that philosophy - simplicity, nourishment, and skin health - so it resonates naturally with today’s consumer."

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF DISCOVERING SKIN FOOD?

"I remember discovering it through other artists — it was always one of those products quietly passed around on set. Once you try it, you understand why it has such a following."

HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY USE SKIN FOOD IN YOUR ROUTINE - ARE YOU A FACE, BODY OR EVERYWHERE KIND OF PERSON?

"I use it everywhere. And with the different versions now, Skin Food Light and the body lotion it’s even easier to incorporate into a routine, depending on what your skin needs."

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE, UNEXPECTED OR BACKSTAGE USE FOR SKIN FOOD?

"I love using it as a highlighter. It gives that lit-from-within, healthy gym-skin glow, never glittery, just beautifully fresh."

DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE 'VAL GARLAND GLOW TRICK' USING SKIN FOOD?

"I like to press a small amount onto the high points of the face after make-up. Cheekbones, temples, even a touch on the eyelids. It brings everything back to life and gives the skin a natural, healthy luminosity."

WHERE DOES SKIN FOOD SIT IN A MODERN MAKE-UP ROUTINE - PREP, HIGHLIGHT OR FINISH?

"It can sit anywhere, prep, highlight, or finish. That’s the beauty of Skin Food. It’s a true multitasker. But at its core, it’s about nourishment and skin health, which is what has made it such an enduring, iconic product."

"For me, skincare isn't just something you do before make-up – it's something you do for your skin. The reality is that good skin prep makes everything look better. Foundation sits better, concealer creases less and you simply need less make-up. As a make-up artist, I don't want to cover skin up. I want to bring skin to life. That's why I love products that work both ways: as part of a skincare routine and as part of a make-up artist's kit. The three things I'm always looking for when prepping skin, are: nourish, repair and glow. Let me tell you exactly how I prep skin using some of my Skin Food favorites:"