Hasan is the founder of Hasan Cosmetics Collection, a proudly local business based in Howick, New Zealand. A Syrian-Kiwi originally from Aleppo, Hasan brings together the heritage of one of the world’s oldest soapmaking cities with New Zealand’s love for natural living.
With an MBA, and over 25 years of experience in manufacturing, logistics, procurement, sales, and business development, plus multiple professional certifications, including Cosmetic Formulation Science as well as other industry-required safety and handling certifications, we bring together strong commercial expertise with a deep commitment to quality and safe production. We blend traditional craftsmanship with modern formulation knowledge and safety standards, supported by studies in Supply Chain that strengthen both our technical and operational capabilities. We work as a team, alongside a certified beauty consultant and makeup artist, bringing practical beauty expertise and real-world customer insight into every product line.
The journey began with a simple school project: when Hasan’s son came home needing to make soap. That moment sparked memories of traditional family methods from Aleppo and inspired Hasan to build something meaningful in their new home in Aotearoa.
The first collection launched in 2018 and quickly gained praise from customers in Howick. Since then, Hasan Cosmetics has grown into a trusted brand across New Zealand and Australia, with loyal customers continuing to order from overseas.
Every product is handcrafted using time-honoured techniques and premium plant-based ingredients, combining Mediterranean heritage with New Zealand’s natural purity. Hasan’s formulations are known for their simplicity, richness, and effectiveness, clean, honest skincare made with care, cultural pride, and integrity.
Aleppo, a city with over 8,000 years of continuous habitation, ranks among the world’s oldest cities. Flourishing as a trading hub for millennia, it gained fame as the terminus of the legendary Silk Road, which connected the East and West until the advent of maritime trade routes in the “Age of Sail.” Tracing the origins of Aleppo soap, also known as ‘Savon d’Alep’, ‘Laurel Soap’, or ‘Ghar Soap’ (with ‘Ghar’ meaning Laurel in Syria), is challenging as its history predates recorded documents. Legends suggest it was used by historical figures like Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra and Syria’s Queen Zenobia.
In Syria’s Aleppo, one standout product has been its distinctive soap, a legacy preserved and passed down by generations of merchant families. Hasan continues this tradition, crafting this highly valued soap using the original formula and methods, maintaining its unique qualities and production process.
