Hi, I’m Sarwat, (pronounced Ser'vet) and I'm the founder of Kushboo Soaps. I was born in the UK to Indian parents and raised in Lancashire, where my mother only ever used natural products for our family. These practices reflected centuries of eastern health and beauty care, deeply rooted in the use of herbs, spices, and natural ingredients.
Growing up, my home was filled with beautiful botanical aromas, and I’ve always felt connected to nature. I carried these traditions into adulthood, as I navigated life balancing my education, career, and family. I had my first daughter while pursuing my degree, my second daughter while working on my Master’s, and my third daughter while I was a Broadcast Journalist, Producer, and Reporter for the BBC. Over the years, I also worked in television, including time spent on iconic shows like Blue Peter. My career gave me incredible experiences, but I always felt drawn to creating something more personal and impactful.
A turning point came when I fell ill and spent a long spell in the hospital. One day, my husband Richard brought me a luxurious soap, and its beautiful scent instantly lifted my spirits. It was a reminder of how even the simplest things, like a fragrance, can bring comfort during tough times. That was my lightbulb moment. I realised I wanted to create something that could do the same for others, so I began making soap for a local homeless charity, with the goal of bringing a little dignity and joy to those in need.
At Kushboo, we approach making skincare in the same way we approach cooking, especially Indian cooking—every ingredient has a purpose. Each natural ingredient is chosen not only to cleanse and moisturise the skin but to balance it. Our soaps are handcrafted individually in our 'Soap Kitchen,' located in the beautiful Ribble Valley in Lancashire, England. Surrounded by nature, it’s the perfect place to create our products, which are inspired by both the local landscape and my Indian heritage.
The scent of each product is a core element of our soaps, with the highest quality essential oils carefully blended to enhance wellbeing. Almost everyone who picks up a Kushboo product instinctively brings it to their nose to take in the glorious fragrance. It’s the combination of these fragrances with natural exfoliators and botanics that gives each soap its distinct characteristics. And that’s where the name Kushboo comes in—it simply means 'fragrance' or 'sweet smell' in Urdu, and it also translates to 'happiness.' We aim to fill our soaps with happiness, love, and care, so that when you use them, you feel nurtured and uplifted.
I firmly believe that what we put on our skin should be as important as what we put in our bodies. We should all be mindful of the impact our beauty routines have on our health and the environment. Our products are 100% natural, vegan, and sustainable, and we’re committed to never testing on animals. But clean beauty isn’t just about the ingredients—it’s also about the values we uphold. For my family and me, protecting the environment and living sustainably are core principles. As a business, we’re part of a growing number of families like yours who want to leave the world in better shape for future generations. We create products that work in harmony with the environment, so you can feel good about using them.
From the very beginning, giving back has been at the heart of Kushboo Soaps. It started with making soap for a local homeless charity, but the idea of helping others has always been a part of who I am, thanks to my parents’ teachings. I believe soap isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s about dignity. That’s why for every soap we sell, we donate another to charity. We began with the local homelessness charity Nightsafe and have since extended our giving to women’s refuges and food banks.
One recipient told me, “The Kushboo soap bar I was given made me feel like someone cared about me, even though I’d never met them. The beautiful smell felt like a hug. It gave me confidence and made me feel new.”
These small gestures can make all the difference in someone’s life, especially during tough times. During the pandemic, we extended our donations to NHS frontline staff, and thanks to the kindness of our customers, we’ve also established a Pay-It-Forward initiative. Through this, anyone can purchase a bar of soap for us to pass on to a charity, making giving back a community effort.
We’re proud to be a part of the local community, and we’re committed to supporting it. Whether it’s by working with local suppliers to reduce our environmental impact or finding ways to give back through our charitable efforts, we always strive to stay true to our values.
We pride ourselves in being part of a community and we are committed to working with local suppliers where possible, helping to reduce our environmental impact. When we buy local, we help build and grow our community.
It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re proud to have Kushboo stocked all over the UK and beyond, even as far as Bermuda. As we look to the future, we’re excited to keep expanding the brand while staying grounded in our ethical roots.