Sabrina Elba, cofounder of the skincare brand S’Able Labs and a UN Goodwill ambassador, has always been acutely aware of the frustrations that come with finding beauty products that truly cater to her needs. As a woman of color, she often felt that many skincare lines were not only ineffective for her sensitive, melanated skin but also failed to speak to her directly. This deep-seated frustration, coupled with the encouragement of her husband, actor Idris Elba, sparked a mission to create the change she wanted to see. The result was S’Able Labs, a joint venture that launched in 2022 with a clear mission: to develop skincare inspired by ancestral African traditions, formulated with the needs of melanated skin first, thereby creating products that can be a benefit to everyone.
From Personal Frustration to Purpose
Sabrina Elba’s journey into entrepreneurship was born out of a deeply personal and relatable experience. She admits that she never saw herself as a business owner until she was inspired by her husband’s constant stream of big ideas and his ambitious dreams. It was during a conversation with him that the powerful realization came to her: to find a solution to a problem, sometimes you have to be the one to create it. For Elba, that problem was the lack of inclusive skincare on the market. She was tired of feeling like an afterthought, and she knew she wasn’t alone in that experience. This became the driving force behind S’Able Labs, a brand built on the principle of inclusivity and respect for ancestral traditions.
The brand’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that by formulating for the most sensitive subgroup—melanated skin—the products will ultimately be effective for all. This approach is what has allowed S’Able Labs to create a loyal community of customers who appreciate the brand’s thoughtfulness and efficacy. The initial streamlined collection of core products, including a cleanser, serum, mask, and moisturizer, was a direct reflection of this philosophy. Recently, the brand expanded its offerings with the Moringa Lip Salve, a product that Elba is particularly excited about, as it took years to formulate. This product combines powerful ingredients like antioxidants and castor and marula oils with tyrosinase inhibitors to not only provide supreme hydration but also address concerns like hyperpigmentation, a common issue for many people of color. The launch of this new product, like the others, is a testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to creating intentional, effective, and inclusive solutions.
The Simplicity of a Streamlined Routine
Elba’s self-care and beauty philosophy is guided by a simple mantra: “do less.” She advises people to scale back their routines, a lesson she learned the hard way. Prior to launching her brand, she was using a lot of harsh actives and a complex regimen, believing that more would deliver better results. This approach, however, ended up damaging her skin barrier and causing more problems, like irritation and hyperpigmentation. She has now adopted a more holistic and minimalist approach to her skincare. She loves using the S’Able Labs Qasil Cleanser in the shower as an all-over body wash, finding it to be gentle and effective. She also uses a soft sea sponge instead of a loofah because it is less abrasive and helps her use less product.
This philosophy of doing less also extends to her personal care products. She loves the scented body washes from Le Labo, which she can share with her husband to reduce clutter in their shower. For her hands, which get dry easily, she avoids harsh sanitizers and opts for hydrating ones from Haan, and she uses Josie Maran’s body butter as her go-to hand cream. These simple, yet intentional, choices reflect her broader belief that a streamlined, gentle approach is the most effective way to care for the body. By focusing on products that work with, rather than against, her skin, she is able to maintain a healthy and balanced routine that supports her overall well-being.
Fueling Body and Mind
To combat work fatigue and stay focused, Sabrina Elba relies on a combination of wellness practices and targeted supplements. She is a big fan of lion’s mane mushroom capsules, which she says have been a great way to pull back from her old habit of drinking a lot of coffee. She believes that the benefits of this supplement are often underestimated. She also takes vitamin D every day, especially living in London where there isn’t a lot of sun. She feels that a consistent dose of vitamin D has done wonders for her focus and overall mood, a fact she believes many people underestimate.
Her physical routine is just as intentional. She is a huge fan of Lagree Pilates, which she attends at a studio near her home in London. She finds that Lagree is the perfect combination of Pilates and weight training, giving her a challenging workout that leaves her feeling strong and energized. For her, exercise is not just about physical fitness; it’s a crucial part of her mental health and a way to combat stress. When she feels overwhelmed, she reminds herself that things can wait until tomorrow and that prioritizing her well-being, including getting enough sleep, is essential for her overall balance and sense of peace.
A Confident, Bare-Faced Approach
Sabrina Elba has reached a point in her life where she feels confident enough to go without makeup, a milestone that was a long time coming. For years, she would use spot-concealer and do a no-makeup makeup look to cover her hyperpigmentation. However, her long skincare journey has given her the confidence to let her skin breathe. She says that going without makeup allows her to play around with her skincare products more easily and to reapply sunscreen as needed, which she admits is tricky to do when you’re wearing a full face of makeup. She believes that embracing a bare-faced look has not only simplified her life but has also allowed her skin to reset and heal.
This confidence also extends to her love for lip balm. She describes herself as a “lip-balm fanatic” and says that if she were on a desert island, the one beauty product she would take with her is the Moringa Lip Salve from her brand. She simply “can’t deal with dry lips.” This simple nonnegotiable item speaks to her larger philosophy of prioritizing the basics and finding peace in the small, consistent acts of self-care. Her journey from frustrated consumer to confident founder and advocate is a powerful testament to the idea that true self-care begins with listening to your body and doing what makes you feel your best, from the inside out.
