Why I Chose Functional Scents Instead of Fragrance Oils

By Shantaria Richardson, Founder of Saprivah

When I began creating Saprivah, I wasn't simply developing a collection of skincare products. I was creating something that reflected my belief that caring for your skin should also be an opportunity to care for yourself.

For many of us, life moves quickly. We rush from one responsibility to the next, often placing our own needs at the bottom of the list. Somewhere along the way, simple routines become chores rather than moments of restoration. I wanted Saprivah to gently interrupt that pattern.

My hope was to create products that encourage people to slow down—even if only for a few minutes each day—and transform an ordinary skincare routine into an intentional ritual. That philosophy influenced every decision I made, including one of the most important: how each collection would be scented.

Rather than relying on fragrance oils simply to create an appealing aroma, I chose to build Saprivah around what I call functional scents—carefully selected essential oils, hydrosols, and botanical ingredients that support the overall experience I want each collection to provide.

More Than a Pleasant Fragrance

When many people shop for skincare, scent is one of the first things they notice. We naturally associate certain aromas with comfort, cleanliness, freshness, or relaxation. There's nothing wrong with enjoying beautiful scents; in fact, scent is one of the most powerful ways we experience the world. A familiar aroma can instantly remind us of home, transport us to a favorite vacation, or bring a sense of calm after a long day.

For me, however, scent should do more than make someone pause and say, "That smells nice." It should become part of the ritual itself.

As I developed Saprivah, I found myself asking a different question than many formulators ask:

"How do I want someone to feel while they're using this product?"

That question changed everything.

Instead of chasing trends or trying to create the strongest fragrance possible, I focused on creating collections that complemented a particular moment in someone's day. Sometimes that moment calls for calm. Sometimes it calls for renewal. Sometimes it simply calls for nourishment without any added scent at all. Every collection begins with that intention first. The aroma is never an afterthought, but it is never the entire purpose either.

Quiet Luxury: Finding Beauty in Simplicity

The idea for Quiet Luxury came from a growing appreciation for simplicity. We live in a world where everything competes for our attention. Bright colors, bold fragrances, constant notifications, and endless choices can leave us feeling overstimulated without even realizing it.

I wanted to create something that felt like the opposite of all that.

Quiet Luxury isn't about doing more. It's about discovering that there is beauty in doing less. The collection was intentionally created without added fragrance because I wanted the experience to feel peaceful rather than demanding. It allows the richness of nourishing butters and botanical oils to take center stage while giving those who prefer fragrance-free skincare a luxurious option that never feels like a compromise.

To me, true luxury isn't always found in extravagance. Sometimes it's found in a quiet evening, freshly moisturized skin, and the comfort of knowing you're caring for yourself with intention.

Beginning Again

I've always loved the feeling that comes with a new morning. Before the emails arrive, before the meetings begin, and before the responsibilities of the day take over, there is a brief window where everything feels possible.

I wanted Pure Awakening to capture that feeling.

This collection was inspired by renewal—not just for the skin, but for the mind. It's a reminder that every morning offers another opportunity to begin again. Whether yesterday was productive or challenging, today is a fresh page.

Our mornings often determine the tone of the entire day. When we begin in a rush, we tend to carry that hurried feeling with us. But when we begin intentionally—even with something as simple as caring for our skin—we remind ourselves that we are worthy of those few quiet moments before the world asks for our attention.

Giving Yourself Permission to Rest

If mornings represent possibility, evenings represent permission.

Permission to stop striving.

Permission to set down the responsibilities we've carried all day.

Permission to simply exist without needing to accomplish one more thing.

Velvet Calm was inspired by those quiet hours when the pace of life finally slows. I imagined someone stepping out of a warm bath, wrapping themselves in a soft robe, making a cup of tea, or settling into their favorite chair with a good book. Those ordinary moments are often the ones we remember most because they allow us to reconnect with ourselves.

We often think of rest as something we earn after we've finished everything on our to-do list. But the truth is, the list is rarely finished. There will always be another email to answer, another errand to run, another responsibility waiting tomorrow. I wanted Velvet Calm to serve as a gentle reminder that caring for yourself isn't a reward—it's a necessity. Rest restores us so we can continue showing up for the people and responsibilities we love.

Enjoying the Outdoors With Confidence

Some of my happiest moments happen outdoors.

Whether I'm tending the garden, walking through a farmers market, enjoying time with family, or simply taking an evening walk, being outside has always helped me slow down and appreciate the beauty of ordinary life. Nature has a way of reminding us that life's greatest pleasures are often the simplest ones.

Of course, anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors knows that nature doesn't always come without its inconveniences.

Shield & Shine grew from the idea that we shouldn't have to choose between enjoying the outdoors and caring for our skin. I wanted a collection that felt practical without sacrificing the quality or thoughtfulness that defines every Saprivah product. It reflects my belief that skincare should support your lifestyle, wherever life takes you. Whether you're exploring a trail, working in your garden, or enjoying a summer evening with friends, your skincare should be there to complement the experience—not interrupt it.

More Than Moisture

People often ask me what makes Saprivah different, and while I could easily begin talking about shea butter, kokum butter, nourishing plant oils, or the time I spend refining each formula, that's never the answer that comes to mind first.

What makes Saprivah different is the intention behind it.

Every decision begins with a question: Will this genuinely improve someone's daily routine? If the answer is no, I keep working. If an ingredient doesn't serve a purpose, it doesn't belong in the formula. If a scent doesn't contribute to the experience I want someone to have, I don't include it simply because it's popular. I believe thoughtful skincare is created one intentional decision at a time, and those small decisions add up to something meaningful.

My hope has never been to create products that simply sit beautifully on a bathroom shelf, although I certainly want people to enjoy using them. My hope is that Saprivah becomes part of someone's daily ritual—a quiet reminder to pause, breathe, and extend the same kindness to themselves that they so freely offer to others.

When I think about the future of Saprivah, I don't measure success only by the number of products we sell. I think about the person who reaches for a jar of body butter after a difficult day. I think about someone who finally takes five uninterrupted minutes for themselves. I think about the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you've chosen to care for yourself in a meaningful way.

If a Saprivah product leaves someone's skin feeling softer, that's wonderful. But if it also leaves them feeling calmer, more present, and a little more cared for than they did before, then I believe we've accomplished something far greater.

Because at its heart, Saprivah has never been just about skincare.

It's about creating intentional moments of care—one ritual at a time.