Saaf Skincare: A Marriage Between Safe Science & Nature

By Dr. Mah Hussain-Gambles and Susan Labadi

In Mah Hussain-Gambles’ world, science does not have to be
exclusively technical nor industrial, it is pure and ethical. As a trained
pharmaceutical chemist, she drew on this reasoning to launch Saaf Pure
Skincare, a line of products that takes its name from the Persian word for
pure. “I first started developing creams for my husband, who has very sensitive
skin and was allergic to alcohol that is contained in many skincare products.

Dr. Mah’s personal journey reflects her philosophy that
healing best comes from natural remedies, and her work with clients using
homeopathy proved the benefits of combining ancient knowledge with modern
science. Using the finest quality organic raw materials with high levels of
antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and oils found in nature, she created a most
successful line of skincare products that are formulated and manufactured to
protect our world.

Mah set up her company when full-time employment became
incompatible with looking after her twins and she has been able to design her
life to reconcile family commitments with entrepreneurship. Branching out on
her own was also a logical way to fulfill her desire to use her skills to do
more for people. “I’ve often been viewed as a bit of a mad scientist, even when
I was younger, when I would make environmentally friendly nail varnish for my
friends! I’ve always wanted my inventions to make science as feminine as
possible. I want women to feel good about our products, not just in their skin,
but in their conscience as well.”

Saaf Skincare products are eco-ethical, certified organic,
cruelty-free, vegetarian or vegan, and contain no alcohol or GMOs. All eleven
products in her line have no perfume, but use rare organic cold-pressed
botanicals and steam distilled organic essential oils with healing properties.
So the smells are authentic and therapeutic. Saaf Skincare is mostly packaged
in glass, for low environmental impact, and packaging is recyclable. Saaf is
also “people-tested” by willing volunteers, so animals are not used, and the
products comply with the EU Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations. Truly, this
line is luxurious while being reassuring for sensitive skin.

According to Dr. Mah, “Consumers all over the world are
looking for products that are pure and environmentally friendly; but ours are
also Halal certified, not just because they contain no pork or alcohol, but by
abiding to age-old principles of wholesomeness that eliminate harmful
ingredients and exploitation of people or animals.”

Obtaining certification for Halal, which means “permissible”
in Arabic, proved to be one of the biggest hurdles her small business had to
face. Yet despite the lack of certifying bodies in the West and general
unfamiliarity with Halal rules, Mah was determined to achieve this goal. “My
idea has been simply to roll all the purest elements into a single line for
everyone, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, be they motivated by
environmental, ethical, or religious concerns.”

The booming global Halal cosmetic market is estimated at
over $560 million and growing fast. Mah is therefore bracing for success. “We
outsource everything to UK companies, which makes our overhead close to zero.
That’s how we managed to survive the recession, even though we launched
internationally in 2008, bang in the middle of it!” The challenge has been
worth it, with sales going out to 13 countries and counting. In keeping with
the company’s green ethics, sales, marketing and training are all operated via
the website, meaning Saaf runs a virtually paper-free office.

Such dedication to
quality and stewardship has garnered Mah and Saaf Skincare numerous accolades
from across Asia as well as being qualified as one of three European Finalists
for Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards in 2010. Stateside, she was recognized by
President Obama at his “Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship” in
April 2010, and she was awarded the British Female Innovator of the Year Award,
at the British Female Inventors and Innovators Network Event (June 2009). Mah
is listed in Real Business Britain’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women (March 2009),
and Mah received an MBE in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, as well as
being presented to Prince Charles when she was short listed for the 10th Asian
Women of Achievements Awards 2009. Previously, Mah was formally presented to
the Queen and other members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace as part of
a celebration of top 200 British Female Businesswomen.