A treatment can be effective, but if the sensory experience doesn't match, the customer won't want to use it again. At Shakti, this combination of effectiveness and olfactory pleasure is one of our formulation priorities. We asked Sonia to explain how it works behind the scenes. In-depth olfactory research How do you manage to combine effectiveness and sensoriality in the same treatment? This is a real strength at Shakti. When formulating a natural treatment, scent is often one of the biggest challenges. Unlike synthetic fragrances, essential oils, plant extracts, and floral waters each have their own olfactory personality, which can vary depending on the plant, the harvest, or even the extraction method. Our goal is not just to make a product smell good. We aim to create a consistent sensory experience while respecting the function of the ingredients. There is therefore a lot of research and many trials before achieving a balance between effectiveness, stability, and pleasure of use. The signature aromatic synergy What explains the pleasant scents often found in your products? A large part of our olfactory identity is based on our signature synergy of lavender, sage, and rosemary. These essential oils are not chosen solely for their fragrance. They are first selected for their aromatic and cosmetic properties and their affinity with the skin. As we saw in our article on ingredients of natural origin, some essential oils can also be fractionated or purified to select certain aromatic fractions or remove certain less interesting compounds, whether to improve stability, skin tolerance, or olfactory balance. The goal is never to denature the plant, but to reveal its best qualities. A dermo-botanical approach rather than a masking one Is this approach the same for all your treatments? At Shakti, we adopt a dermo-botanical approach. This means we are constantly looking to optimize effectiveness, safety, skin tolerance, and the sensory experience, without ever sacrificing one for the benefit of another. Some brands favor very powerful fragrances to standardize the scent of their products. In contrast, we prefer to let the natural ingredients express themselves, while working on their harmony so that each treatment remains pleasant to use. The example of floral waters Do you have a concrete example of this balancing work? Take our floral waters as an example. The Rose & Geranium Water is sublime from the start, because its profile is floral and delicate. Our Balance Hydrosol, on the other hand, combines rosemary, goldenrod, and lavender. These three plants each have a very distinct aromatic signature. Goldenrod has characteristic herbal notes, rosemary brings an intense aromatic freshness, while lavender floral water develops a profile very different from its essential oil, with notes reminiscent of roasted coconut. Finding the balance between these different raw materials requires real formulation work. Our priority always remains the same: respect the properties of the plants while offering a harmonious sensory experience. Why this is important for you When a customer notices the particular scent of a treatment, you can now explain to her that it is neither a coincidence nor a flaw. Quite the contrary. This olfactory signature is often a reflection of the richness of the natural ingredients used in the formula. At Shakti, we choose to respect this authenticity, while carrying out important formulation work so that each treatment remains pleasant, balanced, and true to our philosophy.
