My story begins around a decade ago, with my three-month-old son Leon and me. From the top of his head to the soles of his feet, he was covered in cracked, weeping, sore scabs that would be scratched to the point of bleeding… “Eczema”. I didn’t even really know what that was at the time but I was about to find out!
Queue months of weeping scabs, continually cracked, angry skin, redness, rashes and raw, sore skin – his crying was almost non-stop. While other mothers are doing battle with a sleep routine – reading blogs, forums and pondering the input of friends and family, there are no manuals for coping with a baby with severe eczema. Where was the part that told you what to do when your child’s face sticks to the sheets!?
Those early months were defined by no sleep, a lot of discomfort, and countless tried, tested and failed “remedies”. It was my desperation as a mother that marked the beginning of Shaloah Skincare.
After trying everything from doctor-prescribed creams to paraffin and steroids, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I had this crazy idea that I could create something myself! I replaced those harsh treatments with plants, herbs and flowers and traded science for months of experimentation. Armed with a saucepan, some of nature's simplest ingredients, a large measure of optimism and a lot of prayers, I began concocting recipes in my kitchen.
And that is exactly how my first product was born – my award winning Calendula Soothe and Repair Cream – an antidote for eczema and the birth of a brand-new skincare range. A cream hailed as “a miracle”, “a wonderful cream” and “a little jar of wonders” by my customers – a product that brought my nightmare to a close.
At the time, I had no intention of starting a business, but as others witnessed the transformation my products brought, friends and family began asking me to make products for them. Soon enough, I found myself selling them, first to those close to me, then branching out to local makers and farmer markets.
Fast-forward 10 years, and my values still hold strong – I wholeheartedly believe in the healing power of plants, and invest time and effort into how I can work harmoniously with nature.
- I am environmentally conscious – avoiding any ingredients that harm our world, such as palm oil. And it goes without saying that my products and the ingredients I use, have never been tested on animals.
- I believe in simplicity and honesty – so I only formulate with simple natural ingredients, labelling my products clearly. What you see is what you get.
- My products are free-from – free from cruelty, dyes, perfumes, artificial ingredients, animal-products and chemicals.
- I care – from friendly, caring, professional advice to a prompt order dispatch – personal customer service is one of my top priorities.
- Above all else, I’m an advocate for kind, clean, honest, affordable, natural beauty. Let’s look after our bodies AND our planet!
My products have gained attention far beyond what I could ever have imagined. They've been featured in numerous magazines and have received multiple awards, with one of the most notable being the Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards last year!
So this is my story… and they say there is a moral to every story, and I believe the moral of mine is simple: DON’T GIVE UP! Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties, if you persevere and search hard enough, you'll find the answer. And who knows? Our greatest struggles can lead us to our greatest blessings. It's a reminder to never lose hope, even in the darkest of times, because within those challenges lie opportunities for growth and transformation.
So where to next? I’m always striving to improve my products and work more sustainably that means sourcing ingredients that are as fresh, active, and organic as possible. The concept of "from seed to jar" resonates deeply with me, so when the opportunity arose to manage a small holding, I jumped at the chance. “I can grow some of my own ingredients!”. This new direction allows me to have even greater control over the quality and sustainability of the ingredients I use, ensuring that each product I create is crafted with care and integrity.
And so the story continues!
Visit my Kraft Space Shop to find out more.