Listen to the debut episode of ‘Redefining the Flightpath: Women in travel retail and aviation speak’
The Moodie Davitt Report presents ‘Redefining the Flightpath: Women in travel retail and aviation speak’, a new podcast series celebrating the women shaping the future of global travel retail and aviation. Hosted by Brands Director Hannah Tan, the series features candid conversations with female founders, changemakers and senior leaders in the channel.
Each episode explores the pivotal moments, challenges and lessons that have defined these women’s careers and how their leadership is driving innovation, inclusivity and progress within travel retail. The series is about amplifying female voices and shining a light on the creativity, courage and leadership driving progress across the industry.
Founded in 2019 by Singaporean entrepreneur Nerissa Polke, Liht Organics – an acronym of Living in Her Time – was born out of a deeply personal journey. After years battling adult acne and the harsh side effects of conventional treatments, Polke set out to eliminate toxic chemicals from everyday cosmetics and create a line that was both safe and high-performing.
“I’ve always loved makeup and experimenting with beauty, but in my twenties I suffered from a severe acne outbreak that covered my face, chest and back,” she recalls. “It completely destroyed my confidence. I was prescribed steroid injections and oral medication like Oratane, which is similar to Accutane. It dried out my skin, lips, hair and even affected my organs. I had to take regular blood tests to make sure everything was still functioning properly.”
After several years of harsh treatments, Polke decided to take control of her health. “I realised I couldn’t live like that anymore. Through research, I found out that I was allergic to many of the chemicals in skincare and makeup. That was the turning point. I thought, if I eliminate the cause, maybe I can heal my skin. I went fully organic, did a complete detox, and within three months my skin cleared up completely.”
From personal discovery to business mission 
This revelation led Polke to dive deeper into ingredient research and the science behind clean formulations. “I became meticulous about reading ingredient lists and avoiding anything synthetic or misleading. I found plenty of organic skincare options, but almost no makeup brands that were truly clean. That’s when I realised the only way to get what I wanted was to create it myself.”
That vision became Liht Organics, a brand offering high-performance makeup made with up to 90% USDA-certified organic ingredients. Every product is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and completely free from synthetic chemicals, fragrances and nanoparticles.
The line spans face, eye and lip categories, featuring hero products such as the Youth Elixir Liquid Foundation, All Day Perfection Pressed Foundation, Moisture Burst Lip Glaze, Dusk to Dawn Liquid Liner, Illuminating Eyeshadow and Travel Palette.
Each formula blends nourishing botanicals such as rosemary, aloe vera, chamomile and rice powder, while avoiding common irritants such as talc and mineral oil.
“Our formulations are up to 90% organic, which is exceptionally high,” says Polke. “There are maybe a dozen brands globally that can even approach that level. We’re USDA-certified organic, gluten-free and free from nanoparticles, which means our ingredients don’t penetrate the bloodstream. Even natural minerals, while safe, don’t belong inside the body, so we’ve made sure everything stays on the skin where it should.”
Among the brand’s bestsellers, the Youth Elixir Liquid Foundation – available in 11 inclusive shades – combines skin-calming botanicals such as rosemary and thyme with hydrating aloe and brightening rice powder.
The Moisture Burst Lip Glaze delivers non-sticky hydration through coconut, jojoba and shea butter, while the Dusk to Dawn Liquid Liner features natural pigments from coffee and vanilla in a gentle, toxin-free formula ideal for sensitive eyes.
Polke describes Liht Organics as a brand for “the ingredient nerds” – informed consumers who value transparency and authenticity. “People today are smarter than ever about what they’re putting on their skin. They want to recognise every ingredient on the label, and they want assurance that what they’re using is genuinely organic and safe.”
Authentic clean beauty
As the clean beauty movement grows, Polke believes clarity and education are essential. “People often confuse terms like vegan, cruelty-free, plant-based, sustainable and organic, but they don’t mean the same thing. For example, many plant-based ingredients undergo chemical processes that make them toxic. That’s why we’re so strict about sourcing and formulation – it’s not just about what goes in, but how it’s made.”
Her approach, she says, is about building long-term trust. “You can fake it for a while, but eventually consumers will see through it. I wanted Liht Organics to stand up to scrutiny, to be the brand that truly ticks every box.”
The brand’s tagline – ‘Organic makeup that’s safe enough to eat’ – encapsulates this philosophy. “We want people to know that our products are genuinely safe and of the highest quality,” Polke explains. “That’s the standard we hold ourselves to.”
A bold debut in travel retail
This year marked a milestone as Liht Organics entered the travel retail arena. “The response has been incredible,” says Polke. “We debuted at TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition and are now listed with KrisShop for Singapore Airlines and Scoot, as well as with AirAsia. In November, we’re opening a 400sq ft retail space at Cairns Airport in Australia.
“It feels like we’ve come full circle – from starting abroad to now expanding across Asia and the Pacific.”
Polke has her sights set on new frontiers for clean beauty in travel retail. The idea, she adds, stems from personal experience. “I once forgot my makeup pouch on a trip to Thailand and couldn’t find any clean options in duty free. I had to buy a conventional brand, and I broke out within a day. That’s when I realised how valuable it would be for travellers to have an organic alternative available in airports and onboard retail.”
Travel retail-exclusive Liht Organics products are now in development, and the company is actively exploring partnerships to co-create bespoke lines. “We see great potential in tailoring products and packaging to specific travel retail environments – something that reflects the destination, the traveller and the experience,” she adds.
The brand’s growing popularity, she believes, reflects a larger industry shift. “Consumers today are more mindful about what they buy. They’d rather invest in one quality lipstick that’s safe and effective than five that are synthetic. They’re also looking for multi-functional products. Our foundation doubles as a moisturiser and our blush can be used on the lips or eyes.”
With Gen Z emerging as a major consumer force, Polke believes Liht Organics is perfectly positioned to connect with their values. “Gen Z shoppers care deeply about alignment – they want brands that reflect their ethics and lifestyle. For retailers, stocking sustainable brands sends a strong message that it’s not just about profit, but purpose too. It shows consumers that you care about their wellbeing and the planet.”
Leadership and the power of resilience
As a female founder, Polke is deeply aware of the challenges that women face in entrepreneurship. “You need passion, resilience and a very thick skin,” she says. “The truth is that less than 3% of venture capital funding goes to female founders, yet over 50% of female-led businesses become successful or even unicorns. It doesn’t make sense – there’s so much untapped potential.”
She recounts one particularly defining moment. “When I became pregnant, I didn’t tell my investors. I went through an entire funding conversion round during my pregnancy and only told them after I’d given birth four months later. I wanted to prove that nothing had changed – that I could still lead, deliver and perform at the same level.”
Today, Polke juggles motherhood and entrepreneurship with determination. “My son travels everywhere with me. I’m a hands-on mum and a CEO. Women have an incredible ability to multitask. Once you block out the noise, you’ll be amazed at the superpowers you actually have.” ✈
