Asal Shirazi joins the team at The UK Newspaper

Asal Shirazi BEM is a humanitarian, entrepreneur, scientist and mother who has fought back from devastating illness to turn her life around.

Diagnosed with rare autoimmune condition Diffuse Systemic Scleroderma in 2005 and given just six months to live, she faced terminal illness as a single mum – as well as financial ruin following the breakdown of her marriage.

Despite her ordeal, Asal refused to go under, and instead she painstakingly set out to rebuild her life and career. Her condition, which severely affects the skin and organs, meant she was used to regular hospitalisation, and it was while meeting other chronically ill patients that her idea to create remedies for those with similar disorders was born.

Having previously studied medicine and law, and with qualifications in aromatherapy and holistic skincare, Asal used her knowledge to develop Jeunvie, which launched in 2013 and is now one of the world’s leading, multi award-winning organic skincare ranges. Containing more than 70 natural ingredients and essential oils, the hydrating chemical-free products are suitable for anyone with sensitive or allergy-prone skin, as well as those with more serious skin conditions.

In 2018, Asal launched Essentiel Vie, a skincare collection for mums and babies, which is also made entirely from fruit extracts, essential oils and select botanical ingredients. Suitable for all skin types, the products are approved and recommended by Dr Nadia Yousri, Fellow of Royal College of Gynaecologists & Obstetricians.

Now a mother of five, Asal was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2019 in recognition of her phenomenal work. Although her condition is still life-limiting, her longstanding passion for medical research means she and her team continue to build understanding of the power of plants, while she has also consulted for the BBC about environmental factors on a range of health issues.

Asal will be writing a regular column for The UK Newspaper starting from next week.