The Spark: Where It All Began
In 2011, what started as a kitchen experiment with handmade soaps turned into a movement. Stevi Lowmass had just one mission: to create meaningful, regional gifts that represented the UAE authentically.
"When I first arrived in Dubai in 2002, I searched for something local to take back to the UK or South Africa—everything was made in India or China. Beautiful, yes, but not truly regional. That’s when the idea began to take shape."
Finding Purpose: Passion, Parenthood, and a New Beginning
After a successful career in fintech and the birth of her daughter at 47, Stevi knew she needed a new direction. She dabbled in art exhibitions and tried exporting shoes—both broke even, but neither sparked joy. Then a visit to an Australian soap factory lit the fuse.
"I’d always loved natural soaps, especially those made with milk. I wondered if camel milk—a local, unique ingredient—might be something special. Turns out, it was a skincare miracle waiting to be discovered."
She travelled to London to study under renowned soap maker Melinda Coss, author of The Handmade Soap Book. On returning, she got to work.
The Early Days: Soap Trials, Fairs, and Failures
Stevi’s early soaps were tested by friends, crafted in her husband’s garden shed, and lovingly wrapped in tissue paper for local school fairs. The first attempt was memorable: a sprinkler system destroyed all her stock.
"I lost all my stock that night and learned a few valuable lessons about soap, water, and packaging!"
But a Christmas market soon followed—and sold out entirely. From these humble beginnings, "Essential Soaps" gained a local following. When a major gift retailer placed an order, Stevi realised she needed to scale. The Camel Soap Factory (TCSF) was born.
Building The Camel Soap Factory
Working from a basic setup, Stevi recruited her daughter’s nanny Hajila, who embraced soap making as a new career. With help from her nephew Matthew and a close friend, the team expanded production. Her first business plan, written with Melinda’s guidance, impressed her father so much he helped secure seed funding. That funding moved the operation into its first industrial premises.
"We learned fast—about logistics, infrastructure, and the challenges of renting in Al Quoz. But we were driven by something bigger than soap."
What Drives Us: Purpose and Values
It was while writing a technical document for Dubai Municipality that Stevi had an epiphany.
"I’d always taken our eco-approach for granted. But I realised we were doing something extraordinary—manufacturing with virtually no waste and real purpose."
Our Mission:
We LOVE the UAE. We want every product we make to reflect the rich traditions and culture of the region—and bring a little happiness to those who receive it. We create natural, sustainable skincare with as many locally sourced ingredients as possible, using mindful methods that protect the planet.
Our Core Values:
- Sustainable: Formulate, manufacture, and package with the future in mind.
- Family: Treat staff, customers, and suppliers like one of our own.
- Mindful: Quality guides every action we take.
- Authentic: We operate with humility, respect, and honesty.
- Inspirational: We love what we do—and it shows.
Sustainability at the Core
At The Camel Soap Factory, sustainability isn’t a slogan—it’s our way of working. Our factory uses less electricity than the average Dubai villa and less water than a typical office. Most of our packaging is reusable or recyclable.
"For every product, I ask myself: Will my daughter be proud of what I’ve created?"
We source oils and fragrances from like-minded small businesses and minimise plastic where laws allow. Every decision is made with the big picture in mind.
Meaningful Partnerships
We partner only with businesses who share our values. One long-held dream was to recycle discarded hotel soaps. Today, we do exactly that—working with Unisoap (www.unisoap.org) and Goumbook,(www.goumbook.com) we reprocess 200–300 kg of used soap per month, redistributing them to those in need across the UAE.
Growing with Purpose
In 2019, we moved into a larger facility to support the upcoming EXPO 2020 and launch new product lines. Since then, we’ve shipped over 3 million bars of soap and introduced exclusive skincare ranges including face creams, lip balms, and our solid shampoo and conditioner bars. We celebrate regional ingredients—camel milk, sidr, black seed, date oil, and argan oil—in sustainable, plastic-free solutions for body and hair.
For the hospitality sector, we developed the T’Amour range—featuring refillable containers filled with camel milk and date oil products. Named for the Arabic word for date, Tamar, it’s a sustainable, luxurious experience for hotel guests.
Looking Ahead
We’re proud to be part of the UAE’s story—and excited to share our values, our craft, and our region’s natural wonders with the world.
"From Dubai with love, in every bar of soap."
Stevi Lowmass - Founder & CEO | The Camel Soap Factory
