Frustrated with the synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals prevalent in many skincare products, Shefali Sodhi embarked on a quest to discover the most potent and pure ingredients nature has to offer. This journey led to the creation of MYŚAA, a brand dedicated to purity, efficacy, and sustainability. MYŚAA was born out of a simple yet powerful vision: to create skincare that is not only effective but also pure, natural, and safe for everyone, including babies. Their journey began with a deep passion for nature and a desire to harness its incredible healing powers. Here, founder Shefali talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind MYŚAA, the pros and cons of running her own business, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
MYŚAA was born from my deeply personal journey with psoriasis-a challenge that inspired me to seek natural and organic solutions that truly nurture the skin. But as I became a mother, my perspective widened. I wanted to create something that not only cared for my skin but could also be gentle and safe for a baby and adaptable for every stage of life. I became passionate about creating skincare that not only worked but also resonated with my values. There’s a certain magic in how ingredients are harvested and formulated, and I wanted to harness that to create skincare that works for everyone-babies, teens, adults, and beyond. Through this journey, I discovered the beautiful synergy between Ayurvedic wisdom, edible ingredients and botanical science, and I knew I was onto something transformative. This wasn’t just about skincare; it was about fostering a connection to nature and reimagining how we care for our skin and ourselves.
As MYŚAA took shape, I realised the importance of creating a brand rooted in ethical practices. From simplifying our manufacturing processes to extracting cold-pressed oils and hydrosols in-house, everything we do reflects a commitment to integrity. Working closely with farmers to champion sustainable practices and empower women through employment became a cornerstone of MYŚAA.
MYŚAA is more than just a brand; it’s a journey toward luxurious, conscious living-offering skincare that feeds the soul as much as it does the skin.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
The journey to launch MYŚAA was both exciting and challenging-a true labour of love. From the very start, I was driven by the vision of creating something luxurious yet inclusive, something that catered to everyone-men, women, teens, and even babies. Every detail mattered, from deciding on the name “MYŚAA,” which embodies purity and mother nature’s care, to meticulously finalising the manufacturing process, labels, and packaging.
The process began with collaborating with manufacturers who source finest ingredients, testing countless samples to ensure they were effective, safe, and suitable for all skin types. I also made the conscious choice to use eco-friendly glass packaging to align with our sustainable values while giving MYŚAA the luxurious feel it deserved.
I faced challenges along the way, from concerns about organic ingredients having a shorter shelf life to rigorous clinical testing to ensure each product met the highest standards of quality and safety. However, I was determined to prove that natural skincare could be both effective and long-lasting without compromising on purity or performance.
We deliberately chose to include exceptional elements rarely used in skincare, particularly in Australia, due to their cost and exclusivity. Ingredients like pure, potent Kashmiri saffron-renowned as the finest in the world-found its place in our formulations alongside precious sandalwood, swarna bhasma (gold ash), liquorice, Turmeric, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Gotu Kola and a curated selection of therapeutic herbs.
We replaced commonly used essential oils with world-class, pure alternatives to elevate the quality and efficacy of our products-for instance, substituting cedarwood with the luxurious aroma and benefits of sandalwood. Our range also incorporates cold-pressed oils, hydrosols, and edible-grade essential oils, reflecting our commitment to purity and unparalleled luxury. By blending these ancient treasures with modern scientific techniques, MYŚAA offers transformative skincare that not only nurtures but also redefines conscious beauty with a touch of indulgence.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for MYŚAA was discovering how to seamlessly merge ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with cutting-edge botanical science to create a truly unique skincare line. This meant going beyond the norm and incorporating rare, potent ingredients like Kashmiri Saffron, refining our formulations with hydrosols, edible-grade essential oils, and cold-pressed oils to elevate the efficacy and luxury of our products. Replacing standard essential oils with premium alternatives-like swapping cedarwood for sandalwood-set a new standard of excellence for MYŚAA.
Another defining moment was perfecting small-batch production while ensuring our products were inclusive for all-men, women, teens, and even babies. This inclusivity, combined with a commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing, solidified MYŚAA as a trailblazer in conscious, luxury skincare. The Luxe, Teen and Junior Collection embodied this breakthrough, earning acclaim for its unparalleled quality and transformative benefits by repairing skin barrier and helping with eczema, acne, psoriasis, environmental stressors and sensitive skin.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balance for me is inspired by the philosophy of the five elements we are made of-earth, water, fire, air, and ether. These elements remind me to ground myself (earth), flow with challenges (water), stay passionate (fire), embrace freedom (air), and create space for reflection (ether).
This philosophy, deeply intertwined with MYŚAA‘s ethos, guides both my personal and professional life. My journey with psoriasis taught me that harmony is essential, and I apply this by setting boundaries, practising mindfulness, and making self-care a priority. Just as MYŚAA balances science and nature, I focus on nurturing both my family and my passion for creating conscious, luxurious skincare. It’s a delicate dance, but one that fills my life with purpose and meaning.
