The right ingredient for sensitive skin

Megan Larsen is the best advertisement for her own products. It is not just her glowing complexion, but also the sense of calm she exudes that reflects well on the Sodashi range of skincare and spa therapy products that she has developed.

The founder and managing director of Sodashi attributes the rejuvenating and uplifting effect of her products to the fact that they are well researched and hundred per cent natural.

Wholesome

"Sodashi means wholeness, purity and radiance in Sanskrit and our products promote these qualities. Every ingredient we use is organically grown and in its purest form and we will never use chemicals, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances or animal products. The essential oils and earth and sea ingredients we use are nurturing and safe for even the most sensitive skin," said Larsen during a recent visit to the Six Senses Spa at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, which is among the exclusive luxury spas worldwide that offer Sodashi products and treatments.

Studied

Larsen, who is from New Zealand, studied beauty therapy in Australia. Her interest in holistic therapies led her to a deeper study of aromatherapy and Ayurveda. While running a natural therapies centre in Perth she noticed that patients often developed allergies to skin care products that claimed to be natural but contained harmful chemicals like mineral oils and paraffin. Hence she decided to do her own research and create a 100% natural skincare and spa therapy range.

First product

Her first product: a moisturiser manufactured in her kitchen. "Many of the patients at the natural therapy centre volunteered to test it. The fact that people who were extremely allergic to environmental toxins were able to use it without any reactions and with good results encouraged me to develop more products," said Larsen.

Her company, which was launched in 1999, now has 143 specialised skincare products and anti-ageing, detoxifying, contouring and relaxing face and body treatments.

"It is important to me to make natural products and to use recyclable packaging because I care about the environment. "It is also important to have 100% natural products because we know that whatever we apply to our skin gets absorbed into the bloodstream. But the most important thing is that the product should work," said Larsen.

Exotic

She explained that the exotic essential oils and clays in her creations are alive with nutrients that nourish and support the skin's renewal process, reducing fine lines and retarding the ageing of skin and drawing out toxins from the body and invigorating the organs to help them eliminate impurities. "Besides seeing the physical results, customers can sense the subtle positive energy in our products that makes them feel good from outside and inside," she said.

Environment

Larsen acknowledged that the environment at a spa and the beauty therapists also play a big role in the effectiveness of the products. "The right ambience is extremely important and that is why Sodashi works best in spas that are passionate about using only natural products. We are also committed to training and our trainers visit the spas regularly to update therapists on our special massage techniques and application of products," she added.