Shereesa Khan: Chemist who cares for your skin

“If you want something badly enough, things will fall into place for you.”

Vortex Sensations founder, Shereesa Khan firmly believes this. It's how she sees her journey from a chemistry student to a skin care specialist.

The 26-year-old, Barrackpore-born, is the proud owner of Vortex Sensations. After attending Naparima Girls’ High School, Khan got a scholarship to UWI St Augustine, where she recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and analytical chemistry. She worked while studying.

“It was a bit challenging, having to work and study, it was a bit much at times. Although it was an open scholarship, it had things I needed still, whether it be books or other necessities; so, I had to balance those two aspects of my life."

Her love for chemistry saw her through her university years. It also helped her to find a solution to a personal problem: acne.

Khan gave up on chemical-based products when she had no success alleviating her skin condition with them. She decided to create a natural alternative for her breakouts. She started with soaps and then moved to body creams for discolouration, hyperpigmentation and eczema.

“I tried all my products on myself, and my friends and family. I soon realised the results coming from the products, and that is when I decided to take the chance of starting my own business of natural products to cater to individuals who share similar skin issues.”

She established Vortex Sensations in November, last year, and now has a line of soaps, body lotions, butters, shampoos, body scrubs and lip balms. All her products are made with natural ingredients such as aloe, goat milk, neem, turmeric, ginger, molasses, and even sorrel just in time for Christmas. However, Khan sources her shea butter from as far as Ghana.

The name of the beauty care line reflects how she felt about her goals.

“I always like the word ‘sensation’ but finding a word to go with sensation was the task and that’s when I started to follow the law of attraction. It's the ability of turning my thoughts into reality. If you want something badly, then you put the work into it until its reality. It is a state of mind. I always try to be as positive as I can be and speak good into everything that I do. It’s like a vortex where there is peace and tranquillity. You don't want negativity in your vortex."

While many businesses are struggling because of the economic impact of covid19, Khan said hers is thriving.

“Since the whole covid lockdown business has just been booming. Everyone is switching to natural products because they are seeing the dangers of chemicals. I'm so humbled to know I can cater a service to clients with such needs when it comes to all things natural. I also cater to everyone’s pocket; therefore, my products are affordable."

Most clients want creams for dark spots on their inner thighs, chest and underarm.

“If a client comes to me with a condition that I cannot provide my services effectively, I always recommend that they visit a dermatologist and get their expertise. I am as honest as they come, and I don't sugar coat anything. Results may vary and everyone’s skin is not the same. So, what works for one person may not work for the next, hence the suggestion of getting an expert’s advice beforehand.”

Her clients are middle-aged.

“I have a few young clients and shockingly, in April, there was an excessive amount of middle-aged male clients.”

Khan said she has a close-knit relationship with her clients. “They come to me for advice and it feels good knowing I can help.”

She said social media has helped her business to grow online.

Word of mouth, call cards and flyers are all great ways of advertising a business but TikTok, Facebook and Instagram are by far the best way to boost your business.” Most of her clients are from the east-west corridor, however, her south sales are picking up.

Khan said she welcomes her clients' reviews about her products and service.

“I am always open to criticism as I believe that there is always room for improvement. A few times customers came to me and said certain products were not as effective on their skin as they had thought, and what I do is work with them to find out more about their skin and how we can formulate a product to suit their needs.”

Khan practices great care in making her products, especially under public health protocols.

“All apparatus must be thoroughly washed with soap and then sanitised.

“I wear goggles, lab coat, sneakers, gloves and a hair cap when making my products and dealing with sodium hydroxide (lye) as it can burn the skin before the specification process."

She assured lye is not present in her products, explaining heat is used to convert it to soap. She said a properly made soap is dependent on the oils used as well as the temperature and the environment. “This process can range from as little as 24 hours to multiple weeks.”

“It is important to make sure your oil, lye and water percentages are accurate, or you may end up with a lye heavy soap with excess lye floating around, which can cause irritation to the skin.”

When testing her soaps, Khan uses pH strips which she places on the wet soap to get a reading. “Soaps are supposed to have a pH reading of about nine to ten.”

She also tests the pH in her soap is by using purple cabbage. “Purple cabbage contains flavin which is a good indicator of pH. I make a puree of the cabbage and then filter the liquid where a small drop is placed on the soap. If it turns blue the soap is safe to use, however if turned green or yellow, the pH level is off.”

Becoming a business owner was no easy task for this St Augustine-based woman. She worked a total of 13 jobs to achieve her goal of becoming her own boss, forcing her to balance school and work.

“It was a challenging having to work and study. My motivation to owning my business came from working 13 jobs. I told myself that I did not want to work for anyone anymore. My younger sisters always motivate me to be the best that I could,” Khan said. “They look up to me, so I have to set a good example. My parents are not wealthy and that too motivated me to become an entrepreneur. I can help them and give back to the community.”

She has received support from the owner of Clarke Computer Services who, she said, motivated her.

“I always try to surround myself around positive and inspiring individuals,” she said. "He always encouraged me to push myself and never give up. Even when things got rough and I wanted to quit, he said things like, ‘This is what you wanted for so long, are you going to give up on your dreams so easily?’”“That is what always resonates with me every time I feel like I cannot do it or things becomes too challenging."

She said time management has been one of her challenges in business.

“Accommodating everyone in a timely manner was a challenge especially for clients who wanted products today for tomorrow. I got into the groove of things.”

The experience has been rewarding.

“I had the plan of going to school, getting the job I needed, marriage and kids, but after experiencing the trials of going to school and working and having to deal with so many work environments, some having a negative impact on myself, and who I am, I wanted better for myself. I started this business with $500 and now I can help those who need help and give back to my family who supported me before all of this."