Yusra ELSawi...the lady behind Sabouna Life™  and Sabouna Handmade Soaps and Cosmetics™

Yusra, as a child was always fascinated by anything related to art, colors and crafts. It all started back in her early teen years,

when she used to cut out and try almost every DIY beauty recipe and Make-up technique that she could find in

local newspapers and magazines.

To Yusra’s family surprise her constant curiosity and eagerness “to make things better” kept her modifying, testing

and evaluating majority of the recipes that she came across, to fit her unique-personal preferences.

At that time she was convinced that that’s the way every girl who tries to take care of herself does and it never crossed 

Yusra’s mind that one day she’ll be a soaps and cosmetics formulator.

Although, zest for art and creative personality was clearly directing this young woman to study Art itself,

at the very last moment the twist of faith took its turn and Yusra decided to apply for Pharmacy degree at the prestigious University of Alexandria. Her high academic achievements at the IGCSE exams made it even easier to reach once set goal of becoming future pharmacist. The decision brought the happiness to her dad’s heart, who always wanted his daughter to have a promising degree that could always secure her future. However, during the college years Yusra had to put her dreams aside, she never stopped to pursuit them. Seeing such strong determination, her parents promised that after finishing her pharmacy degree she can build the carrier however she wishes.

 

During the college years Yusra was known among her friends and colleagues as the best person to give an advice about skin care and beauty treatments. She was constantly being questioned about make-up, skin and hair care products as well as about fashion. While pursuing the degree, on the third year of her college, Yusra landed her first Bridal Make-up job . At that point of her life becoming a Make-up artist seemed as a brilliant idea for a new career, a career in Art. As soon as Yusra graduated from the college she wasted no time and was able to successfully complete a Professional Make-up artist Diploma form Atelier International Du Maquillage(France) and a Skin-care Specialist Diploma.

 

In a very short time, after launching her career as a professional Make-up artist, lecturer and beauty therapist, Yusra was contacted by a physician and a friend of her family, to find an alternative product to antiperspirants. The significant increase of breast cancer among teenage girls made her question if there is any relation between antiperspirants and this particular type of disease. She vowed to get to the bottom of this case. Yusra became even more determent to know the truth after remembering the loss of her beloved aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yusra battled the issue out and came to the conclusion that our personal care products are packed with toxins and moreover, many of them are even contradictory labeled as “NATURAL”. Continuation of the research left her shocked and horrified what our personal care products really contain. Although, during her college years she studied formulations and was aware of all the ingredients that are used in the cosmetics and beauty products, at that time she didn’t realize their serious drawbacks. All the students were taught that “Scientifically engineered” ingredients are always better and give more stable results than natural ones. It seems that no one really cared about the side effects which they may cause.

Backed-up with years of knowledge about natural and alternative beauty remedies and after successfully completing postgraduate diploma in Personal Care Products Formulation, Yusra made it her personal mission to formulate and present products which are safe, effective and free of any controversial ingredients. If there is no solution to present a certain product without preservatives, she decided to either eliminate such item or clearly state what does it contains. She truly believes that every customer has the right to choose and buy products consciously without being deceived.

After her long quest, Yusra decided to launch her own soap and cosmetic company.

“Sabouna Handmade Soaps and Cosmetics” is the first “green”, Arabic, mostly organic soaps and personal care products’ company in the Middle East. It combines Islamic medical heritage with Eastern and Western alternative medicine.

“Sabouna Handmade Soaps and Cosmetics”:

•   Provides halal, mostly organic, safe and (always) handmade products,

•   Is against animal testing,

• Provides educational webinars,lectures about safe cosmetics, organic food, safe home cleansing and beauty DIY workshops and videos.