Our Story
The Story of SKOOKAA
From soil to soul
SKOOKAA was born from a personal journey—one of struggle, healing, and ultimately, transformation.
For years, I lived with moody, reactive skin. As a teenager, I battled acne. Later, I dealt with the side effects of acne treatments that left my skin dry, sensitive, and overwhelmed. And then came the signs of aging. I tried everything—conventional cosmetics, pharmaceutical products—but nothing truly suited my skin. Eventually, I chose to take a different path: one rooted in natural skincare, backed by science. A path that combined the wisdom of plants with the precision of formulation.
In 2019, I decided to formally study cosmetic formulation. Being a biologist, this felt like a natural extension of who I already was—it flowed with ease and gave me the tools to transform intuition and ancestral knowledge into stable, effective skincare.
What began as a deeply personal quest soon began to grow. I started crafting skincare in my own kitchen, sourcing herbs from my garden, pressing my own oils, distilling my own hydrosols, and infusing my own extracts. I shared my creations with family and friends, and the feedback was powerful. Slowly, a seed began to take root—what if this could become something more? Something I could offer the world?
And so, SKOOKAA was born—from soil to soul.
The Meaning of the Name
The name SKOOKAA comes from the Arabic word for the cyclamen flower—a native bloom of Lebanon.
The cyclamen grows where others cannot. It pushes through rock crevices, thrives under snow, and survives drought and shade alike. It bows its head in humility, yet stands quietly majestic in its grace. It is wild, yet elegant. Modest, yet radiant.
To me, the cyclamen embodies what SKOOKAA stands for: Resilience. Simplicity. Beauty. Strength. Humbleness.
Where It All Begins
What makes SKOOKAA different is that it starts long before the jar. Many of the plants I use are grown by me—from seed. I tend to them through every stage of life, caring for them in the soil of my garden. I harvest them by hand, press their oils, distill their waters, and craft small-batch extracts filled with life and intention.
When I do not grow an ingredient myself, I source it locally—focusing on native, drought-tolerant, and medicinal plants that have been used for centuries in our region. And I don't rely on tradition alone. I study their chemistry. I turn to peer-reviewed research to ensure their benefits are both time-tested and science-backed.
There are no fillers in SKOOKAA. Every ingredient is an active. Every molecule has a reason to be there. Even our preservatives and emulsifiers are chosen not only for safety and stability, but for the added benefits they bring—whether soothing, hydrating, or protecting the skin.
Everything is handcrafted in small batches. Every bottle and jar is precious—made with care, not on a conveyor belt, but by hand and heart.
A Story Still Growing
For now, SKOOKAA remains small and intimate—and that’s exactly how we like it.
But SKOOKAA is more than skincare. It’s a mindset. A reminder that our bodies are intelligent. That our skin is not a flaw to fix, but a system to support. That we are enough—and always have been.
We want to help restore confidence and calm. To help women especially unlearn harmful narratives that tell them they are objects that fade. To remind them that self-care is not about impressing anyone—it is about coming home to yourself.
SKOOKAA is also committed to education and ecological healing. We want to protect our local plant heritage, support local growers, and inspire mindful consumption. Not everyone needs skincare all the time. We encourage people to buy only what they need, and to use it with intention. We don’t just want to be kind to the skin—we want to be kind to the Earth, and to ourselves.
Because skincare, when done with truth and care, is a ritual of healing—for the skin, the spirit, and the world around us.