Story
They Told Me to Stop Saying "Science-Backed"
Mentors and advisors often tell me not to describe Zenithal as "science-backed" because the phrase has been overused. They say it's become so common that people barely notice it anymore. I understand why they say that. But I still don't know of a better way to describe what built this brand. Science isn't something I added to Zenithal because it sounds reassuring. It's what I have been doing for more than half of my life.
I spent more than 25 years conducting scientific research, earned my PhD in Biosciences from King's College London, and worked in world-renowned laboratories, analysing research and critically evaluating clinical evidence. Over the years, questioning assumptions, examining evidence, and following the data became second nature. It wasn't just my career; it shaped how I approached my day to day events and every problem.
Two of those problems are deeply personal and the reason why I created Zenithal Cosmetics.
The first was when a beloved member of my family developed a rare autoimmune disease following COVID. The only treatment available was chemotherapy to suppress the autoantibodies attacking their muscles and skin. We all know the toll these powerful medications can take—not only during treatment, but often long afterwards—leaving skin and hair fragile, sensitive, and difficult to care for.
The other was my own. For years, I suffered from severe hay fever. Every allergy season, my eyes became painfully sensitive, and even luxury moisturisers would leave them stinging while my skin became irritated. It was frustrating because I realised that premium prices, beautiful packaging, and impressive marketing didn't necessarily mean a product was suitable for sensitive skin.
Instead of accepting that, I did what I'd always done. I went back to the evidence. I spent countless hours studying the research behind cosmetic ingredients, looking not for fashionable trends or marketing claims, but for ingredients with credible scientific support for both efficacy and gentleness. I began formulating products using carefully selected ingredients that had earned their place through clinical evidence rather than hype..
There are two moments I'll never forget.
One morning in June, a miserable month for me with strong links to hay fever, I accidentally rubbed my moisturiser straight into my eyes. Instinctively, I braced for the familiar burning sensation I'd experienced so many times before. It never came. There was no stinging, no irritation and no rushing to the bathroom sink.
The other moment came when I was browsing the Instagram of that same beloved family member after they had been invited to a party. As I looked through the photos, I couldn't hold back my tears. After losing nearly 40% of their hair because of their medication, they now had beautifully healthy, bouncy hair that looked even fuller and healthier than before the autoimmune attack. Seeing that transformation meant more to me than I can put into words.
Why I Created Zenithal
Because of these 2 moments, I created Zenithal Cosmetics. Not to win the race for the next skincare trend, or with a hope to one day compete with K-beauty or other giants, but to build a brand people can trust because it's grounded in evidence, honesty, and care..
From this journey, I realised that true luxury isn't defined by clever marketing, expensive packaging, or knowing how to go viral on TikTok. It's about creating products that combine rigorous scientific thinking with genuinely gentle yet effective ingredients, products people can use with confidence because they've been developed with both evidence and empathy at their core
My Goal : To make a genuine difference to quality of life by creating natural, scientifically backed, and responsibly sourced products that people can trust—especially those whose skin and hair need extra care, understanding, and integrity.
