Q&A with our chairman, Sakina Buoy

Tell us about The Somerset Toiletry Company

Located in the heart of Somerset, The Somerset Toiletry Company (or STC as we often call it) is a family-run toiletry company in its twenty-fourth-year of business. We like to think we are known for our diverse range of bath, body and home fragrance products that appeal to a plethora of retail outlets and customers. Within each range you will always find the best ingredients affordable. This falls in line with our ethos; exquisitely made, honestly priced. Fundamentally our desire has and will always be to offer products to our customers that are not only beautifully designed, but also packed with the very best ingredients and finished with a competitive price-point. We believe that’s the service a business should provide. 

Born in 1999, The Somerset Toiletry Company was the brainchild of myself and husband, Roger Buoy. Following the sale of our initial bath and body business, we identified a gap in the market to produce beautiful, honestly priced luxury toiletries. The early years of STC brought success producing body care for private labels but we went on to develop our own brands. Trade Fairs all over the world have been used to build brand awareness and develop valued customer relationships.

The idea for the Somerset Toiletry Company was born out of wanting to create beautiful, well-priced products for all to enjoy. We helped each other along the way, but all in all its been a journey that is still as exciting as it was in the first few years of business.

What has been your biggest highlight and why do you love what you do? 


There has been no singular, greatest highlight. The thrill we chase at STC is the pure rush of joy we experience when we see our latest product featured in a customer’s store or within their home. It’s impossible to beat that feeling. Especially after so many months of hard work from our wonderful team spent designing, formulating and producing. The final product is always our baby that every one of us here has put time and energy into in order to make the product our version of perfect. It’s a feeling we love and keep seeking out. It’s a continuum of excitement.

We release new products every year. This year we are especially excited to offer a few exciting new ranges and expansions to our offering. We are proud to introduce our new Repair range which was created to ensure a spa like experience when looking after yourself at home. With ‘the new normal’ in mind, Repair and Care uses essential oils and active ingredients designed to bring the essence of a spa retreat into any living space. Bath and body products, pillow sprays, diffusers and candles will bring a sense of tranquillity into your home, mind and body. Candles, diffusers and toilet drops also feature in this range and are made using rich essential oils, to fill your space with aromatic wonder. 

We are proud to have continued along our journey of sustainability, ensuring our products have more sustainable credentials and offerings. An example of this is our new Naturally European Hand Wash Refills, which promise 75% less plastic. We have also added new designs and products to our Ministry of Soap line, which are made in Clutton, Somerset to limit our carbon footprint. Ministry of Soap products use RSPO certified ‘segregated’ sustainable palm oil, 100% traceable from locations where endangered species such as orangutans are never at threat.

Finally, we are pleased to announce a new pet care range (due in October) to our line-up. Doggy Styling offers four products that will keep your furry friend smelling paw-fect. We think this line is adorable. We all had a good bit of fun creating it.