Dr Mah Hussain-Gambles, MBE, CChem - Technical director
Mah has a first degree in Pharmacology from Sunderland University and spent her early career working for international pharmaceutical companies as a formulation chemist.
Following a diploma in Homeopathic Medicine, she received her master’s degree from the Centre for Leadership and Management at the University of Leeds. She worked there for a number of years as a Research Fellow and later as a Teaching Fellow, where she also completed her part-time PhD in clinical trials at the School of Medicine. Her findings have been published in a number of peer reviewed journals and continue to be frequently cited. Mah’s research has been combined with teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental students.
Following the birth of her twins, she decided to work from home and started the first ever halal and organic certified skincare line in 2004. SaafSkincare (www.saafskincare.com). She won international awards for her range of skincare products, delivered in an eco-ethical business model. As part of Saaf product development, Mah needed to develop scents based on organic certified ingredients. Despite the limited organic palette on offer, she managed to concoct beautiful yet soft perfumes that gave a unique edge to her products.
Mah is considered a pioneer in the Green, Natural and Halal cosmetics industry and frequently speaks at international conferences on ethical and halal lifestyle products, halal formulation development and certification process.
These outstanding achievements led her to be awarded an MBE (Member of British Empire) by her majesty the Queen in 2010, for her contribution to ‘International Trade and the Beauty Industry’.
Mah is a chartered chemist and a training course peer assessor/reviewer for the Royal Society of Chemistry.
As a technical director at the Perfumery Art School, Mah assists both the management and the students with some of the complex technical aspects of product formulation and development of perfumes and skincare products.