Everyday life is often difficult, but it can change if you take life into your own hands. The beginning can be made by something everyday and personal like a natural cosmetic soap. Especially nowadays where personal safety and health protection is the starting point of our choices.
However, in parallel with the continuous active cleansing of our skin, we need the parameter of hydration and protection of the natural flora of the skin so that the skin can breathe properly and avoid dryness. This is a key priority of Sapoon Natural Cosmetics, the Greek company that uses herbal and natural certified materials to offer pure cosmetic care and protection.
Η Soap Natural Cosmetics closed a few days ago five years of presence, as an important echoethical Greek company that specializes in the production of high quality natural cosmetic soaps.
The venture is a business idea of four friends and scientists with great professional experience, both in Greece and abroad, in areas related to environmental research, quality assurance and research and development. Seraphim Seraphimidis (sales and new product design manager), Stamatis Suedie (Dr. Chemical Engineer), Maria Tsimitakis (Chemical Engineer) and Alberto Lozano Ballesteros (Chemical Engineer) are the founders of Sapoon Natural Cosmetics.
It is one of the pioneer companies that have realized the importance of protecting the environment, from the negative effects of industrial activity, even including their production unit in a central point in a suburb of Athens. In particular, they have introduced the principles of sustainability throughout the production chain: from the raw materials, the saponification method, until it reaches the hands of the consumer. Achieving the annihilation of pollutants at the minimum required energy consumption.
"Despite the economic crisis, we have started this project, with the vision that based on our feet we can present something we are proud of."
The Sapoon Company is perhaps one of the "guides" in the documentation of the production of "cold method" cosmetic soaps, both on its site and in the press, in order to be recognized as an important type of growing cosmetic product.
I had the opportunity to be in their workshop in Moschato licensed by EOF and to meet Mr. S. Serafeimidis up close, learning details about the production method and the philosophy they follow in these five years!
Greeting Mr. Serafeimidis, I suggested that he summarize the central idea of Sapoon, to answer me directly: "In the Natural Story We Trust".
"The philosophy and principle of our company is summarized in our motto, which reflects the importance of dedication to the natural way of life, a choice that concerns the idea of prevention and continuous skin care, as far as our work is concerned, so that everyone can responds to the increasingly demanding conditions of everyday life.
It's been five years since Sapoon was founded and three of your previous interviews with NewsBeast. Would you like to give us a brief overview of this period, and if in recent years you have gained something different from your journey?
I would like to welcome you to our workshop and thank you for your interest in our company, Sapoon Natural Cosmetics. Sapoon invested pure time and capital from the beginning in the specific production method of natural cosmetic soap, the "Cold Process" saponification method. Therefore, it is not just a product that complements a range of cosmetics, but on the contrary, a conscious choice of our solid philosophy for pure products, friendly to both human skin and the environment.
Sapoon has had an important life time. Five years is a long enough time to gain different experiences and knowledge in conditions that concern our society and the market. We certainly keep and press on the positives of this path, the recognition and consolidation of the product and the most demanding audience, the response of the people and consumers who support us and are interested in enriching step by step their knowledge in relation to our products and the type of production. We have understood that the market needs new products, which with the contribution of the appropriate agencies, ideally, will help to promote and present them, in a way that feeds the interest of consumers.
We are going through a health crisis lately. Your products belong to the basic types of skin cleansing. As for the result, what is the benefit for the average consumer of preferring natural cosmetic soaps to a cold production method?
We are currently facing an intense situation related to our daily lives with an important parameter that affects the collective hygiene. An important healing problem that forces us to look back at products that directly protect us, I refer to the active antiseptics.
However, along with the continuous active cleansing of our skin, the parameter of hydration and protection of the natural flora of the skin is needed so that the skin can breathe properly and dryness can be avoided. Sapoon uses certified organic virgin cold pressed virgin olive oil, natural cosmetic oils and high quality essential oils as the main ingredient of the saponification method.
The nature of the cold saponification method ensures the non-alteration of the nutrients to a large extent that we select and are contained in the natural raw materials and combined with a long natural maturation, (4-6 weeks in controlled temperature conditions) without the use of accelerators and chemical stability agents , rejecting chemical additives, foaming agents (sls) and artificial fragrances, leads to the superior quality cosmetic soap bar for daily care.
An additional important feature of natural hydration is the natural glycerin contained in Sapoon soaps, since it is created during production, but is absent from manufactured soaps. They are products that contribute to the detoxification of the skin from the chronic use of synthetic and surface-active substances and in addition - these are products with cosmetic properties. In summary, the combination of cleanliness and care is achieved at the same time. Their value is continuous use throughout the day. Our products are ideal for all sensitive skins and have a mild antiseptic effect. You can find them on our website/e-shop as well as in selected pharmacies and stores we cooperate with.
You belong to an increasingly growing and wide category nowadays, that of "Natural Cosmetic Products" which has intense competition, due to the plethora of companies that deal with similar products, even the same method, what is your position and more empty is it considered covered?
We are one of the first and few specialized companies of this type of natural cosmetics, with many years of experience, with the right team of scientists to support the project and recipes focused on the care of each skin type, with the right combination of many certified raw materials. As far as the difference in relation to the other products in liquid form or solid bar is concerned, it is based on the modern, productive process of cold saponification.
The specific method of production of cosmetics, particularly popular abroad as "Cold Process", can support a 100% natural result with the appropriate selection of natural raw materials with the aim of guaranteeing a high quality soap. The main element for "Cold Process" production is that it relies as a necessary basis on important vegetable oils for the saponification process (in Greece we choose olive oil) and not ready-made soap masses mass-produced in industrial-type processes.
Sapoon's cosmetic soaps stand out for many important reasons from other similar products on the market: From the balanced completeness of our recipes, with a choice of powerful combinations of cosmetic oils, the collaboration with certified producers to the design and usability of our packaging that ensures the product and additionally gives it a uniqueness in terms of its final image. The basis of success is that Sapoon relies on its own licensed production unit so that we have full control over the entire production-ripening process up to the release of the products. To come to your competition report, Sapoon faces competition by believing in superior product quality, differentiated market targeting and serving consumer needs through innovation in the production and ingredients of its soaps.
From what you are saying, I understand a different way of thinking about the concept of the cosmetic product and its use.
Many times we use cosmetic products to achieve immediate results. For cosmetic beauty products and their widespread use, an important factor certainly has to do with an ease of use combined with the immediate effect we expect. We at Sapoon are concerned with the concept of prevention so that with daily use, cases of dermatological problems, created by surface-active elements, can be limited. Also, our goal is to abolish the separation between simple cleaning products and moisturizers that work in addition. For example, manufactured soaps dehydrate the skin and make the use of moisturizing products necessary, thus creating a chain economy.
Our suggestion is to use part of our free time, with regular care and cleansing of our skin, using the appropriate natural products
As a result, the use of the solid cosmetic bar of soap becomes a very useful daily care product, which with the necessary attention can completely replace many products we use of dubious origin and composition. production of cosmetics in the direction of sustainable development, therefore a shift to something different from what we see being proposed by several companies in the sector, as something dictated by the market and suited to the perception of mass production. We believe that we are leading by example, effectively zeroing out the negative impact on the environment, since the required energy and the corresponding CO2 emissions corresponding to it are extremely lower than those of industrialized soaps and processes that ignore the ecological factor. An ecoethical production in all its stages. For Sapoon the main concern is prevention and not treatment.
Since it is a premium product, to whom is it addressed? Is it easy for them to establish themselves in the Greek market?
It is included as a Premium product due to the quality, properties and value of raw materials, production process and design. They are Greek products and are aimed at all those looking for a natural cosmetic product for daily cleaning and natural skin care, free from harmful additives. Our promise is that our products support our personal daily diligence with proper planning and a little extra time for ourselves. These are products with a moderate price in the market considering their cost and the general condition of the cost of living, in addition we have joined the category of basic necessity products with the VAT of 6%, resulting in a reduction of the final price.
Regarding the internal market, Sapoon, although we are talking about controlled production, has the possibility of distribution in any channel that understands and meets our commercial conditions. As we have mentioned we have started without relying on previous commercial activities and public relations. A parameter that worries us is that a small percentage of around 10% of domestic pharmacies can supply consumers with cold method cosmetic bars, and I am referring to those companies that have a license to be sold legally in pharmacies, are approved by EOF, and the their products have also been subjected to the corresponding dermatological tests." This condition works negatively, it fences off the space for the companies that have invested in this sector and in some way distorts the market indirectly, limiting the information of consumers in electronic commerce.
Are you satisfied with the extroversion movements because we are gaining ground as a country with products of origin and special production?
As far as extroversion is concerned, opening up to the foreign market needs special attention. We have participated in 2 international exhibitions but the movements have been done entirely by us, because we are based in Athens and not in some prefecture outside. We have entered into partnerships based on which contacts and companies abroad will be beneficial for us like in Finland to give an example. We also found warm acceptance from the Greeks abroad (Germany, Austria, Spain and Switzerland), which encourages us and is a compass for abroad.
Considering the image of the product in terms of design and packaging of your products, it offers a plus. After all, is this a complete care gift?
Sapoon's products are a complete proposal, with the aim of being a high standard product for its kind. After discussions with the Sapoon team, we came to the conclusion that the packaging and aesthetics should reflect our philosophy 100% as a Premium product and we are absolutely happy that it gave a character unique to our company.. This is reflected in a luxury handmade selection across the packaging line. In addition, in addition to collaborations with retail stores, special emphasis has been placed on collaborations with four and five-star hotels in the main tourist areas of the country, such as Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes, which, due to the quality and aesthetics, classify it as "Premium Gif.
These are Unique productions for each case of cooperation and not distribution of goods. The owners know that their customers, choosing the place and based on the competition, will seek a complete experience of Greek and unique benefits and gifts that will reflect a romantic and quality hospitality condition, so as to complete the image of the Greek enchanting landscape and from the another gift with meaning for the times we live in.
Is it possible to be included as a "Premium Gift" for a social event?
Yes, there is the possibility of choosing the Sapoon products of the "Luxury Collection" at social events, a Special "Favor" at the wedding ceremony for the guests. The truth is that we are happy and have been satisfied to a great extent by the response of the public, I am referring to cases inside and some outside Greece, since the fact of choosing our products becomes part and dresses a unique moment in the lives of these people.
Would you like to tell us a little about your products? What are your recipes and if you consider some as the best seller?
All recipes have a common base Greek organic virgin olive oil, and in addition our strong element of balanced many different cosmetic oils. At the same time everything is different from each other and separate. In production, we use certified raw materials in collaboration with Greek producers, but also foreign suppliers, including Chios mastic, yolk, yogurt, propolis, pomegranate extract, goat's milk, as a result of which we have 12 special combinations and all our codes represent us as a quality (laughter, among the group there are preferences such as Mastic, Beeswax, Daphne, Nettle)
Could you tell us what your future visions are?
Sapoon's business plan for the coming years includes the wide readability of the brand name in the field of high quality natural cosmetics and the development of its network in the domestic and European market.
Sapoon soaps are licensed to be sold legally in pharmacies, as they are approved by the AEO, while they have also been subjected to the corresponding dermatological tests.
On the occasion of the recognition of the strong advantages of soap as a product of daily use and care and the personal need to use a product for the whole body without any chemical additives h soap offers a 10% discount coupon to Newsbeast (NewsbeastSapoon) readers.
For more information you can enter the site or contact us by e-mail
website
sapoonstore.com
Email
[email protected]