Most of us have struggled with our skin at one time or another. Whether it’s dryness, oiliness, blemishes or acne, the hunt for the perfect products to take care of our skin can seems never-ending. It’s a story that Queen Daniel Okpakhalu, a chemical engineering graduate turned natural skincare formulator, is all too familiar with.
Queen’s journey to natural skincare
As a teenager, she started experiencing outbreaks of severe acne. It got so bad that she’d style her hair to try to hide it.
She tried many different skincare products but found nothing worked.
Treatments, like facials, that were supposed to help only irritated her skin more.
“I could not go out without wearing make-up.”
Mainstream products had let her down. Feeling defeated, Queen widened her search. She began to look for homemade, natural alternatives.
She enjoyed making natural face masks and shampoos. The internet became her new best friend as she researched and tried out different recipes. If she couldn’t find a specific ingredient, she made do with what she could find nearby.
Motivated by her commitment to finding natural skincare solutions, Queen also embraced healthier living and balanced nutrition.
It all seemed like pieces of the same puzzle.
It turned into a passion. Queen knew that to keep growing, she would need more knowledge to become a professional natural skincare formulator.
After doing some courses in her native Nigeria, she still didn’t feel satisfied. Then she came across the School of Natural Skincare. Queen enrolled on the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation – and hasn’t looked back.
Natural solutions with high-quality ingredients
Queen says that the training materials and support from the School of Natural Skincare are exceptional. Using her new knowledge, she now formulates as organically as possible.
“They take into consideration some of the skin problems that African skin is exposed to and teach how to formulate for our black skin.”
For Queen, this means obtaining ingredients from renewable sources and avoiding petrochemicals. “If you need to use preservatives,” she says, “they should be certified by an organic body, such as COSMOS or Ecocert. Formulating organic products is important.” she says,
Because organic means working with nature. This means lower levels of pesticides and no manufactured herbicides or artificial fertilizers. It also promotes more sustainable management of the natural environment.
Doing things this way, Queen says, means products remain free from harsh chemicals, which for her are things like parabens and SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). And she feels more fulfilled knowing that what she makes isn’t just good for skin, but for her customers’ overall wellbeing.
We caught up with Queen to ask her some questions about her experience studying with the School of Natural Skincare.
Any tips for anyone wanting to get started in natural skincare?
Enroll on to the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation! It teaches everything you need to know to get started, including access to a list of trusted organic suppliers to use later. Strive to create a unique brand that reflects your personality. Stand your ground and don’t compromise on your values. This will help you stand out. And only buy ingredients from reputable suppliers.
What can you do now that you couldn’t do before studying with the School of Natural Skincare?
I can create products that are professional, unique and bespoke. I understand how to research ingredients using scientific journals. My acne is completely gone. And now I can create products that help other people with their skin conditions, too.
What is your favourite ingredient?
Jojoba oil. It’s balancing, softening and soothing. It leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It’s one oil that mimics sebum and, at the same time, assists with breaking down sebum that clogs up pores. It’s my go-to ingredient in formulating for my oily skin.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Let’s help save our ecosystem by encouraging organic skincare businesses. This starts with the earth – 95% of our food comes from the soil. One third of arable soil is now degraded*. We can all help by supporting campaigns that promote organic farming. I dream of a day when the mainstream cosmetic industry will turn to natural skincare ingredients. By buying organic products now, you are choosing products that promote a better world.
What we love about Queen Daniel’s story is…
Her personal journey from struggling with her skin to identifying solutions that worked for her, she decided to take it upon herself to do something about her difficulties. She took the power back.
By studying the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, Queen Daniel was able to take the power back, do something valuable and important for herself and solve a long standing skin concern that had caused frustration for so long.
We’re so excited to hear about how natural & organic skincare has been a transformative experience for so many of our students, like Queen Daniel, which is more evidence that formulating professional quality natural & organic skincare products is within everyone’s grasp. Our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation is the perfect place to start.
References
*www.soilassociation.org/our-campaigns/save-our-soil
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