Entrepreneur Najla Alfardan established a platform to enlighten others after realizing her skin problems were linked to her gut health. In order to establish Qiyorro, Qatar's first conscious beauty platform, Alfardan needed to delve deeply into the connection between gut and skin health.
“I personally grappled with skin issues for so long, only to realize that they were linked to my gut health. I delved deep and studied nutrition, skincare, gut health, ancient wellness practices, eastern philosophies, and even human connections. By educating myself on nutrition and skincare, I healed myself,” she shares.
Her further studies into lifestyle and wellness as a skincare consultant culminated in 2020. Having financial acumen in her blood coming from a regional powerhouse the Qatari founder and CEO sought to find a way to mesh her innate passion for wellness with her keen business sense. The Orangetheory branch in Qatar was subsequently launched by the certified nutritionist.
“I launched Qiyorro to change the narrative around beauty. For too long, especially in the Middle East, we’ve only seen the superficial side of beauty, whether it’s the unachievable standards, or the quick fixes, or the lack of inclusivity. For me, there’s a lot more to beauty,” says Alfardan.
Her approach is based on the belief that one's skin health reflects holistic wellness.
“It is about the choices you make, from the products you use, to your diet, from stress and sleep management to how much self-care you practice,” she says.
Alfardan claims she handpicks each newcomer to the platform, curating an assortment of big-name artists as well as independent hidden treasures. Customers can browse brands like IS Clinical, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Ere Perez, Ilia, Iunik, and Benton.
She also places a strong emphasis on a complete holistic analysis of the skin. “We begin by addressing a person’s lifestyle, including the foods they consume, their stress levels, sleep, and mental health, instead of just mindlessly trying one skincare product after another,” she stresses. “We always start internally, and then we curate a customized skincare routine for them, which is like the cherry on top.”
Doha-based Alfardan claims that her brand's reputation has improved as a result of being a pioneer in the region, the first to discuss the gut-skin connection, with Qatari clientele being quite responsive. Alfardan, a young company owner, acknowledges that Qatar's government fosters an environment that is hospitable to female entrepreneurs.
“We have women leading the way in so many sectors. Her Highness Sheikha Moza, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa, and Her Excellency Sheikha Hind are such stellar role models for the women of Qatar,” she smiles. “I am fortunate to be from a country and a family that encourages entrepreneurship.”
