[She Power]Shanghai
Creating Thoughtful Self-Care for Every Stage of Womanhood
by Yang Di
August 11, 2026
[She Power]Shanghai
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Penny Lewis and Maxine Stander’s Shanghai-based firm Seaglaes is redefining women’s self-care from personal experiences to a common vision. Based on their backgrounds in the UK, South Africa and China, they created a line of natural wellness products to help women through life. Seaglaes strives for gentle, knowledgeable care for women
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Credit: Courtesy of Seaglaes
Caption: Penny Lewis and Maxine Stander have created a range of natural wellness products designed to support women through different stages of life.
CNS: Before we talk about Seaglaes, would you please introduce yourself?
Penny: I’m from the UK, and I’ve been living and working in Shanghai for the past eight years. Over time, my work has become increasingly focused on women’s well-being, particularly helping women better understand their bodies and embrace a more cyclical approach to life
Along the way, I wrote a book about menopause inspired by my mother’s experience and trained in yoga nidra, breathing and aromatherapy. Living in China has also deeply influenced me. I’ve appreciated learning from a culture that continues to preserve forms of body wisdom and holistic care that are sometimes overlooked in the West
Maxine: I’m from South Africa, and I’ve been living in Shanghai for the past six years with my husband and our three children. I’ve always been passionate about entrepreneurship, especially when it connects with women’s empowerment
Before moving to China, I ran a business in South Africa that was also focused on supporting women, so my work has always been an important part of my journey. I love building things, connecting with people, and exploring the world with my family
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Credit: Courtesy of Seaglaes
Caption: What started as a personal solution for Penny and Maxine gradually became a mission the duo wanted to share with a wider community.
CNS: Why, after living in China for a few years, did you decide to build your own business?
Penny:Seaglaes was never part of a long-term business plan – it began quite unexpectedly. Maxine and I were both experiencing our own hormonal and well-being challenges. She was dealing with severe postpartum hair loss, while I was making a balm for my mother, whose skin had become extremely sensitive during menopause
We started creating products because we needed them ourselves and simply couldn’t find what we were looking for. When we shared them with family and friends, the response was immediate. People began asking for more, and we realized that many women were looking for the same kind of natural, thoughtful support
What started as a personal solution gradually became a mission we wanted to share with a wider community
The brand name comes from sea glass. Glaes is the Old English word for “glass,” and we liked that the older spelling carried something of the sea in it already. Sea glass begins as something broken. It gets tumbled by the water for years, and what comes back to the shore is softer, cloudier, and far more beautiful than what went in
That felt like the right image for what we were trying to build. So much of a woman’s life involves being reshaped by things she did not choose, whether that is a cycle, a birth, or menopause. The story we are usually told is one of loss. We wanted to choose a name that conveys a different story, one in which the process leaves you changed but not diminished
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Credit: Courtesy of Seaglaes
Caption: The brand name comes from sea glass. Glaes is the Old English word for glass, and they liked that the older spelling carried something of the sea in it already. (Brand WeChat Mini Program: seaglaes)
