If there’s one brand that makes beauty products tailored to the Middle Eastern climate, it’s Saudi-born Asteri Beauty. Now, founder Sara Al Rashed has added desert-proof skincare designed to hydrate, moisturise, and sit seamlessly under makeup to her range.
We recently chatted with Sara to find out more about the inspo and science behind her latest expansion.
Cosmo ME: Congratulations on launching a skincare line. What made you want to expand into skincare?
Sara Al Rashed: There’s so much skincare on the market today, but people often don’t know how to use it. They also end up mixing products incorrectly and routines have become too complicated.
We wanted to create something simple and easy to use that treats the skin but also works beautifully under makeup. Sometimes skincare pills or reacts poorly with makeup, so we focused on formulas that hydrate deeply. They support the moisture barrier and sit perfectly beneath makeup.
Cosmo ME: Were the formulas developed with the GCC climate in mind?
Sara Al Rashed: All of our products are what we call desert-proof. They’re clinically tested to withstand temperatures up to 50°C and down to -10°C, and they perform in humidity levels of up to 90 percent.
Whether you’re in extreme heat, humidity, or colder climates, the formulas remain effective and supportive of the skin.
Cosmo ME: How many products are in the collection?
Sara Al Rashed: There are three products: the Dew Good Restorative Serum, the Fourtress Moisture Barrier Cream, and the Rainmaker Overnight Miracle Mask.
All of them share a key ingredient, four-molecule hyaluronic acid, which penetrates multiple layers of the skin for deeper hydration. We also use ingredients inspired by nature. Pomegranate, prickly pear and date seed oil help restore balance to the skin.
Cosmo ME: What makes each product different?
Sara Al Rashed: Each product has a standout ingredient. The serum contains squalane, which helps restore the skin’s microbiome. The moisturiser includes shea butter and menthol. It’s designed to lock in hydration for up to 100 hours, about four days and four nights.
It also has a cooling effect that can lower the temperature of the skin by around two degrees. The Rainmaker contains vitamin A and moringa seed oil and is designed to deeply nourish and restore the skin overnight.
Cosmo ME: The packaging is beautiful. What inspired the aesthetic?
Sara Al Rashed: At Asteri, our packaging is always inspired by the natural beauty of Saudi Arabia. We want to highlight elements of the region that people might not expect beyond the desert landscape.
Some of the colours are inspired by lavender fields, mint fields, and even the aurora-like skies we see in certain regions. For the skincare line, we softened the palette into pastels so it feels cleaner and more calming.
Cosmo ME: Can you share a simple skincare routine for Gen Z?
Sara Al Rashed: After cleansing, I recommend applying the serum followed by the moisturiser. We also created a small skincare tool called the Depuffer Ring. You can keep in the freezer and use to massage the product into the skin.
After moisturising, apply your primer depending on your skin type, SPF primer for daily protection, mattifying primer for oily skin, or a glow primer for radiance. At night, cleanse your skin and use the Rainmaker three to four times a week, depending on your skin’s needs.
Cosmo ME: How should the Rainmaker mask be used?
Sara Al Rashed: I personally like to use it on its own, but you can also layer it over moisturizer if you have very dry skin. It’s great for travel as well. You can wear it on a plane because it absorbs beautifully and doesn’t look heavy or obvious on the skin.
Cosmo ME: Is there anything else you would like to Cosmo ME girlies to know?
Sara Al Rashed: The products are vegan, dermatologically tested, and clinically tested. Our clinical trials showed improvements in deep hydration, skin firmness, and elasticity.
They’re also formulated to be clean and gentle, meaning there are no carcinogens, no fragrances, and no endocrine disruptors. The goal is skincare that strengthens the skin barrier while remaining safe and effective for everyday use.
Shop Asteri Beauty skincare here.