INTERVIEW W/ PLUM-P Skincare

We sit down with our dear friends Rachelle and Simon, founders of PLUM-P, the brand re-defining skin hydration with science-backed formulas and a passion for radiant, healthy skin. Founded on the belief that skincare should be both effective and effortless, PLUM-P harnesses the power of clean ingredients to deliver deep nourishment and long-lasting glow.

Join us in reading the full interview below as we explore their journey, commitment to sustainability, and the secret behind their signature "plump" effect.

ZALAYASWIM: What inspired you to create PLUM-P, and what problem were you looking to solve in the skincare industry?

PLUM-P: For us, nature is always the starting place—it’s where we return to listen, to feel, to respond. The Davidson Plum appeared at a moment that felt divinely timed. We felt an immediate, embodied recognition of its wisdom, and from there, everything unfolded with quiet clarity. We had the tools, the intuition, and the desire to craft something that resembles life and light—something that honoured the skin’s natural rhythm rather than interrupting it.

We wanted to address the disconnect in skincare: many products—though beautifully packaged—contain harsh preservatives and synthetic stabilisers that compromise the skin’s ability to self-regulate and repair. PLUM-P was born from our desire to offer a reclamation—to self, to integrity, to nature, to simplicity. To bring forward a truly living formulation, slow fermented, that supports the biome, honours the body, its connection to the earth, and remembers the soul.

ZALAYASWIM: Can you take us back to the very beginning of PLUM-P? What challenges did you face when starting, and how did you overcome them?

PLUM-P: We began over eight years ago, guided by intuition and relentless curiosity. Each trial was a prayer, a learning, a conversation with the plant world. The process was not linear—it asked for our patience, devotion, and trust. With only a short fruiting season, we often waited for the plums, experimenting with other native fruits in between. We discarded more than we kept, but we always listened. The skin taught us. The ferments taught us. Life, in all its mess and magic, guided us.

We were navigating personal health crises at the time, and yet it was that experience that deepened our bond with the land and reaffirmed our belief that nature truly knows how to heal. PLUM-P became not just a product, but a practice—of persistence, of prayer, and of presence.

ZALAYASWIM: What makes PLUM-P different from other skincare brands on the market? What's your unique selling point?

PLUM-P: PLUM-P is not just clean—it’s alive. It’s rare to find water-based products without harsh preservatives, but this was non-negotiable for us. We honour the intelligence of the skin and the integrity of what we apply to it. Our tonic is rich in natural alpha hydroxy acids, antioxidants, and vibrant phytonutrients derived directly from the Davidson Plum and our fermentation process. Our serum acts as the perfect support for healing and protection.

Every colour, every scent, every feel is derived from nature herself—nothing is stripped, nothing is masked. It’s pure alchemy in a bottle, created to restore balance and awaken radiance. We don’t compromise on purity, because we know the skin (and soul) can feel the difference.

ZALAYASWIM: PLUM-P seems to place a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices. How do these values shape the products you create and your company culture?

PLUM-P: We’re a small company, but we pour in a vast amount of heart. From harvesting the plums ourselves to small-batch fermenting, every step is intentional and infused with loving care. It’s not just about results—it’s about reciprocity.

We know our farmers. We support them through illness and hardship. We love the land. We walk it, we thank it. We believe that what we tend to with love returns tenfold. For us, sustainability isn’t a trendy buzzword—it’s our way of being, an everyday devotion to something bigger than us.

ZALAYASWIM: Can you speak to the importance of transparency in the beauty and skincare industry and how PLUM-P embodies that through your ingredient lists and production processes?

PLUM-P: Transparency is one of the ways we build trust. Our ingredient lists are intentionally minimal, each wholeheartedly chosen with reverence and purpose. We believe less is more—not only for the body, but for the mind. Simplicity allows space for the body to breathe, function, and flourish.

We never hide behind complicated jargon or filler ingredients. What you see is what you feel—real, alive, unadulterated nourishment. It’s skincare you can understand, and more importantly, skincare you can feel a relationship with and trust.

ZALAYASWIM: What is your philosophy when it comes to skincare?

PLUM-P: Our skincare philosophy is guided by the same values that shape our lives—slowness, integrity, and presence. Skin is not something to fix—it’s something to understand, to honour, to support.

Our formulations are an offering, not a quick fix. They’re here to invite you into ritual, to reconnect you with your body in a way that feels grounding and beautiful. Skincare becomes a ceremony—where healing meets pleasure, and presence becomes the true medicine.

ZALAYASWIM: How do you balance luxury with everyday, effective skincare routines?

PLUM-P: To us, true luxury is found in presence. In those small, sacred pauses in your day. In feeling your own touch, your breath, your belonging and your brilliance.

PLUM-P brings luxury into the ordinary—not as excess, but as essence. It’s skincare that slows you down, that feels deeply nourishing and healing, while being incredibly functional. Each application is a moment of remembrance—that your body is sacred, and worthy of beauty and care, every single day.