‘The best I have ever used’ - Rave reviews as Longford business wins European title

A Longford company is celebrating today after they took home gold at a Europe-wide skincare competition, as well as claiming runner-up in the overall championships.

Based in Drumlish and founded by adopted Longford woman and Swedish native Janni Sjöstrand, Janni Bars offers everyday luxury with handcrafted soap, shampoo and conditioner bars.

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Janni, having originally moved from Sweden to Ireland to work in the equine industry, learned these soap-making skills in her own time when the horse trade was slow. Today, horses are still very much a part of her life as she resides on a small farm outside Drumlish which is also the base for her award-winning shampoo bars.

PHOTO: Janni Sjöstrand, founder of Janni Bars Ltd

The company’s hugely popular Dagda Shampoo Bar has been awarded first place in the hair care category at the Free From Skincare Awards, receiving rave reviews from the judges who described it as: "Quite seriously the best shampoo bar I have ever used."

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Created with coconut-based surfactants, Spirulina and French Green Clay and scented with Lemongrass and Eucalyptus, it functions like a traditional high-end shampoo but without the plastic bottle.

PHOTO: Janni Bars award-winning Dagda Shampoo Bar

Janni Bars moved from Kildare to Longford this past Christmas, a move that gave them the opportunity and space to develop the business further. Already working closely with the Longford Local Enterprise Office, Janni Bars take full advantage of the beautiful countryside and grabs inspiration from the surrounding forest and lakes to help create new products for their range. 

The Free From Skincare Awards celebrate and encourage skincare manufacturers who create cosmetics that exclude some of the allergens, fragrances and other ingredients sometimes associated with skin and health issues, ethical and environmental concerns, and which some consumers may need to or want to avoid.

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