Join us behind the scenes as we squeeze in a quick-fire catch-up with our Founder Gemma Atkinson. From her original Gem & Tonic lightbulb moment and personal product tips to her favourite me-time rituals and, yes, even her ultimate guilty pleasure… grab a cuppa and settle in for a feel-good read.

1. You’re an actor, radio presenter, health & fitness ambassador, mum… life’s busy! What prompted you adding beauty founder into this mix?! 
   I realised that beauty routines were becoming more and more complicated. I’ve never been one for a 10-step skincare routine - I’m constantly on the go and don't have the time anyway!
   
   I wanted to create products that were fuss-free and didn’t compromise on results - and I knew that other women would relate. Gem & Tonic keeps everything simple, effective and easy for women who are constantly spinning plates, because that’s the reality for so many of us.
   
   
2. Beauty is a really competitive industry. What sets Gem & Tonic apart?
   I wanted to create hardworking products that use the benefits of mother nature plus make beauty and self-care routines simpler, but a huge part of our brand is our community. Being in the public eye and having an online community of my own, it made sense to ask women what it was they actually wanted from their skincare.
   
   Before we launched, we sent out a newsletter and asked really practical questions like “Do you prefer a cream or a gel texture? How much time do you realistically have for your morning routine? How important is fragrance to you?” These conversations shaped our products from the very beginning. It meant we weren’t just creating what we thought women needed, but what they were genuinely asking for.
   
   
3. What different dynamic did starting a beauty brand bring to your usual day?
   Well my days are definitely a lot busier! Gem & Tonic runs 24/7 so, whether it’s having a team meeting, shooting our social content, trialing products, choosing packaging or replying to customer DMs, I’m across it. I pack it all in between 9.30am and 2pm as, pre-9am, I have school runs and walk Benji our dog then from 3-7pm, I’m at Hits radio hosting my drive time show.
   
   
4. What do you love most about Gem & Tonic… and what do you find most challenging?
   Customer feedback and reviews. Seeing people’s before and after pictures since using our products, and how happy they now feel, makes all of the above worthwhile.
   
   The most challenging is making sure everything is running to plan. Even areas like shipping and deliveries - which aren’t ultimately in my control - feel my responsibility as it’s in my name.
   
   
5. What’s been the biggest surprise to you about creating a beauty brand?
   It’s been a real eye opener seeing just how much work goes into building a brand. I’ve had opportunities in the past to just put my name to a brand and let everyone else run it… it would have been a lot easier but so less rewarding.
   
   Knowing I’ve been involved from the very first meeting two years ago, trialled samples, visited warehouses, made decisions and hosted meetings. It’s a lot but it’s so much more fulfilling.
   
   
6. Are there any beauty myths you’ve come across on the way that you’d like to bust?
   That we need a 10-step beauty regime that costs hundreds of pounds. Clearly, with Gem & Tonic, we’ve proven that less is more when it comes to our skin and that simply using mother nature’s ingredients works.
   
   
7. These four products are your daily go-tos. Is there anything else you like to add on to your routine, maybe every week or so to boost results? How long does your usual morning and evening routine take you?
   As well as my Gem & Tonic I use a red light mask a few times a week and also have an ice bath and a sauna. I treat them as my “me time” - a reset and reboot. I’ve used red light therapy for a while now, even on my muscles… post-training, I sit in front of my big light stretching.
   
   
8. Do you have any top personal tips on any of your four products?
   Use our Energising Body Lotion in the evening as well, especially if you’re training. The magnesium in the formula really does help with muscle aches.
   
   
9. What’s your guilty pleasure?
   Bread. I love a huge chunk of warm sourdough with olive oil and sea salt. If I could, I'd eat that every single day.
   
   
10. Can you give us any sneaky hints as to what you’re working on next for Gem & Tonic?
    We’re working hard on our night cream right now and plan to launch it later this year. Plus, as so many of our Glow Getters are repeat purchasers, we’re also introducing a subscription service soon to make it easier for you to get the products you love.