There Should Be Quality & System Check For Skincare Products - Zahara Nedou

Ever since she was a little girl Zahara Nedou had a fascination towards beauty and beauty products. Especially traditional ones, which had deep roots in Kashmiri and Arabs cultures. They made her want to learn and know more. Both her grandmothers played a huge role in her foray into beauty and skincare.

In a conversation with BW Wellbeingworld Zahara shared her journey, product insights and the future that she envisions for this industry.

What was your vision while launching Zahara Skincare?

The brand was launched with the understanding that we now live in a world where toxic chemicals are a huge part of our daily life. We don’t choose them- they choose us. So the vision was simple, to create a green beauty brand that shares thousand-year-old traditions from Kashmir. A trusted household brand more than anything else!

What is the range of products that you specialised in? Please tell us about the ingredients in your products? Are they organic?

All our products are organic from seed to produce. We ensure that we only work with farmers that grow organically or have a basic organic /natural licence. Our range boasts about various face packs, oils, serums, plastic-free shampoo bars, scrubs, body scrubs, hair care products and moisturisers. We use ingredients like turmeric, lavender, Kashmiri roses, plants, roots, saffron etc 

What is your USP?

Zahara skincare has and always will have one strong USP, We are a “KASHMIRI” beauty brand. Reviving age-old Kashmiri beauty recipes, playing with local produce and ingredients and sharing the valley's secrets with the world. 

Where do you see the beauty/natural industry is heading in the future in terms of education and licensing?

Its definitely a very fast-growing industry with massive potential. It now should be the only way to live. A conscious living, a more aware existence. There is much room for growth, especially in India. We have schools and universities doing their part and educating the children and youth of today to choose wisely what they ingest or use externally. however, India still requires a system in place for testing and licensing. Unlike the Middle East, there isn’t a streamlined process to the claims made by brands. Before putting it on the shelf there should be a system which proves the quality and claim of the product. As the industry grows the first concern should be consumer health and for that, there should be processes in place. 

What are the revolutionary products that you are creating?

We have quite a few. The most recent one, which we launched in February, was our SNAIL SLIME. This was used in Kashmir even before the mogul influence. But as time went by the industry/ culture of collecting and using snail slime on the skin slowly died. Recently Zahara Skincare reignited the fire and started a small farm in which we cultivated snails to collect the slime. The results and response for our LIMITED EDITION POSHA Box have been phenomenal. 

Are your products cruelty-free? 

Our products are not only cruelty-free but environmentally friendly. We use glass jars and bottles, which can be reused, refilled and recycled. Our packaging is biodegradable. And we are conscious about building a strong community by giving back to the locals that contribute towards growing the brand. Encouraging them to grow and live a green life! 

What are the benefits of using this snail slime?

Snail slime has many benefits from anti-ageing to flawlessly hydrated skin. It battles pigmentation, acne, dark spots, sunburns, eczema and other skin issues too. 

What are your future plans? Is retail the way to go? Do you believe in omnichannel or only online?

The future is boundless.  We are currently operating in UAE, INDIA and SWEEDEN. Our aim is to take our brand as far and wide as possible. We believe in various platforms and channels of operation. Be it on ground at retail stores, online platforms pertaining to beauty,  at yoga studios, and green schools/institutions. Educate and Create awareness about what goes on the skin. Places that truly promote and believe in living a clean and green non-toxic lifestyle.