Sandhues skincare
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Sandhues is a new luxury skincare range based around one simple concept: over stimulated skin. Founder, Ghanwa Khawaja, launched Sandhues after her own personal experiences of going through cancer treatment and the traumatic effects on her skin. Sandhues skincare range is the response to skin that needs consistency rather than more intensity; and a landscape where most people have over-stimulated skin without necessarily having the language to identify it. We caught up with Ghanwa to hear the whole story.
‘Following my recovery, I became more conscious of what I was putting in my body and on my skin. My skin had changed exponentially – more sensitive, dehydrated and reactive – with a loss of clarity and tone,’ says Ghanwa, ‘I was looking for formulations that were safe and gentle, particularly in the context of hormone balance without compromising on efficacy.’
And Sandhues skincare was born: based around a simple idea that skin, particularly when it has been through stress or imbalance, responds better to consistency than intensity. Sandhues skincare creates formulations that support the skin clarity, brightness and resilience over time rather than overwhelming or pushing it harder.
The first product formulated is the Gentle Brightening Booster, which is designed as a multifunctional product, simplifying the routine rather than adding to it. The Gentle Brightening Booster is formulated to support the skin barrier, deliver hydration, improve overall clarity and tone, and soften the appearance of fine lines over time. Ghanwa explains, ‘It was also important to redefine what “brightening” means. For me, it isn’t about altering skin tone, but about restoring a healthy, natural radiance – allowing each complexion to appear more even, luminous, and balanced.’
Sandhues skincare is created with thorough research into balancing the ingredient base made up of rare plant powered botanicals and actives into measured formulations. The Gentle Brightening Booster combines Vitamin C and Niacinamide (to improve overall clarity, texture and radiance), with liquorice root and oat kernel extract (to calm skin, reduce pigmentation and reinforce the skin barrier) alongside marine red algae (for deep hydration and skin structure support). Additional ingredients, include the hard-to-come-by maclura cochinchinensis (often referred to as a natural alternative to retinol) to help refine skin texture and regulate excess sebum without the intensity often associated with traditional actives. As well as humectants, such as glycerine, to draw moisture into the skin. ‘Together, these elements are designed to work in synergy; rather than pushing the skin into a reactive cycle, the formulation helps to bring it back to a more stable, balanced state, where it can function optimally,’ ensures Ghanwa.
As a sensitive skin sufferer, who has experienced such stress levels, that I get psoriasis breakouts all over my face and body (because the skin can’t contain the levels of cortisol any longer), Sandhues immediately piqued my interest. For a long time, I believe my skin was over-stimulated without me realising: particularly as we all begin to experience the pressures of ‘ageing’ and want to ‘do the best to ease that process,’ like many others, the temptation is to keep layering on topical serums and to switch up products in a bid to ‘find something better.’ As I have embarked on vortex healing, meditations and work to stabilise my mind, anxiety and wellbeing, naturally helping my microbiome and thus skin barrier, I have found a ‘less is more’ skincare approach is the most effective, particularly when used consistently. Note: Sand Hues formulations are maintained within a pH range of 5.0 – 5.5, which closely mirrors the skin’s own environment, helping to support both the barrier and the microbiome. The Gentle Brightening Booster is also easy to use as part of a day and night routine: ‘the serum-in-a-cream formula delivers the potency and targeted action of a serum, fwhilst maintaining the hydration and barrier of a support of a cream so you don’t need overstimulating layers of products.’
So, how would Ghanwa recommend consumers looking to reset stimulated skin from within?
‘I would start by simplifying everything. Strip your routine back to the essentials – something gentle to cleanse, something to hydrate, and something to support your skin barrier. Often, the skin just needs space to recover. Consistency matters more than intensity: instead of layering multiple actives, focus on a few well-formulated products that your skin can tolerate daily without irritation.’
The Sandhues philosophy is based around building slowly and thoughtfully so new products will only be released with the clear purpose of resetting overstimulated skin. A Gentle Exfoliation product will come to market next created from mild, skin compatible acids that don’t disrupt the skin barrier. ‘Ultimately, every product will tie back to the same ethos: less is better. Formulations that support the skin consistently rather than overwhelm it.’