While Sana Jardin is an award-winning luxury fragrance house, it’s the first of its kind that also functions as a vehicle for social change by empowering women at a grassroots level. We asked founder and CEO Amy Christiansen to share her most important memories tied to scent, her motivations to drive social change through her business, and how to be a more conscious consumer.
What is your earliest scent memory? What notes and imagery sticks out to you?
I traveled to many exotic destinations with my grandmother as a child. I grew up surrounded by the heady scents of North Africa and the Middle East; neroli, jasmine and amber in particular. It’s fuelled my passion ever since.
What fragrance notes do you gravitate toward when you need a moment of peace?
Vanilla is historically thought to soothe, calm and calm. I find it incredibly reassuring when I feel frazzled and need a moment of solace!
Who or what opened your eyes to the powerful effects of scent?
Around 14 years ago, I was gifted ‘The Scent Trail’ by Celia Lyttleton and it literally transformed my life! I became fascinated by the use of essential oils and how they’ve been used for thousands of years, in so many different cultures. I learnt about the sacred rituals associated with flower harvests and was quite literally mesmerized instantly! The rest you can say is history…
Describe your relationship with your skin. How has it evolved over the course of your life?
When I was young, I was concerned with breakouts. Now I am fixated on tightening my skin and having it as radiant as possible!
What skincare step do you never, ever skip? Does it include a favorite Goldfaden MD product?
I never miss my evening double cleanse (especially after spending a day running around London!) I love Goldfaden’s Pure Start Facial Cleanser; it effectively cleanses without stripping the skin and removes all signs of makeup.
You credit your grandmother with showing you what it means to be a social entrepreneur. Do you recall any of the aspects of your beauty routine? How did she impact your dedication to beauty?
My grandmother taught me the power of an aura. She always radiated YSL’s Opium perfume and wore exotic jewelry. She had an adventurous life and was interested in those around her, which made her magnetic to others.
What are the steps you’ve taken to living a more sustainable day-to-day life?
I am a huge believer that every little counts. I’ll walk to the office when I can; use re-useable coffee containers, shop locally etc. I try to shop wisely too. I am always on the lookout for brands that source their products ethically, in addition to fully recyclable or biodegradable packaging materials.
What aspects of the beauty industry do you hope to impact in your career?
It’s my dream to become a beacon of light in the luxury industry and set a precedent for not only fragrance but food, beauty, fashion and manufacturing brands going forward, proving that social change and luxury do not have to be mutually exclusive. I want to inspire other businesses to engage in a language of Beyond Sustainability™ and look at ways they can be creative with their use of waste in the supply chain and give back to their low-income employees. I truly believe every brand can incorporate more humanitarian values into their supply chains.
What advice do you have for readers who hope to live more sustainably?
I think one of the most important things we can all do is vote for change with our wallets when purchasing something; try to support companies that are actively working in an eco-friendly or humanitarian way.
Consumers also need to consider how far a product has traveled. Food is the perfect example; fruit and vegetables are picked out of season all year round and flown across the world with a huge carbon footprint to boot! Shop local and eat seasonally!
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