Indigenous-Owned Skincare
Indigenous-owned brands do not get a lot of recognition when it comes to the beauty and skincare industry that they deserve. It’s no secret that the Indigenous culture and medical remedies are often appropriated by the wellness industry. But that is starting to change, with Indigenous entrepreneurs reclaiming their culture through their brands. The majority of Native American and Indigenous skincare and beauty brands focus on using sustainable and natural ingredients. Sage, tea tree, lavender, and other natural herbs and oils are known to be key ingredients for medical practices in Indigenous communities.
From organic acne-fighting products to sustainable lipsticks here are 10 Indigenous skincare and beauty brands to support and shop from
Niawen, which in Mohawk means “to give thanks” or “thank you”, was founded by Tara-Tekahentakhwa. Niawen products are known for the natural remedy products that help with acne. The products are created using natural, effective, and high-quality ingredients from around the Mohawk territory and the Adirondacks of New York.
Founded by Jennifer Harper in 2016, this Indigenous brand is known for its high-quality, cruelty-free beauty products. Cheekbone Beauty also makes it a mission to give back to the Indigenous community by doing product, monetary, and project-focused donations. In 2020 Jennifer launched SUSTAIN Lipstick, a less-waste line of lipsticks, to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth through donations that address the education funding gap.
This Indigenous botanical skincare brand is honoring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) teachings. The products incorporate many sustainable ingredients such as wild-harvested plants. Plants like sweetgrass and calendula are sacred plants that are developed into handmade oils, bath soaks, and butters.
Ariana Lauren created Quw’utsun’ Made because she was inspired by her elders and the local land. Ariana wanted to create a product line that would help her community, which is why she named her brand after her tribe. Quw’utsun’ Made is a skincare brand that is medicine-based and has the initiative to preserve traditional knowledge and respect the cherished relationship with the natural world. The products are all also locally sourced and are vegan and cruelty-free.
Founded in 2015 by Patrice Mousseau, Satya Organic Skincare is a brand that sells non-toxic and fragrance-free products. Patrice started Satya when her daughter's eczema started to get worse and decided to prescribe her steroid cream. She knew there had to be another alternative, but couldn’t find anything good enough so she decided to create her own. All of the products are made with five ingredients, organic beeswax, organic calendula petals, cold-pressed sweet almond oil, cold-pressed jojoba, and colloidal oatmeal.
Ah-Shí is an Indigenous and Black-owned beauty brand that was founded by Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere. Ah-Shí, which means “This is mine” in Navajo, was one of the first Native American skincare and beauty brands to come from the Diné Nation. The brand was founded in 2012 and publicly launched in July of 2018 and operates on and off a tribal reservation. The products range from various cosmetics, with over 35 different eyeshadow palettes, and skincare products. The products are also 98% botanically based with ingredients that include chamomile, white willow bark, elderflower, and red clover follower.
CeCe Meadows, a Xicana/Indigenous woman, founded Prados Beauty with a mission for people to push the boundaries of conventional thinking. The brand is also committed to giving back its money, time, and mentorship to Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. They volunteer in local Indigenous communities, donate a portion of all proceeds back to charities and causes that support Indigenous communities, and promote Indigenous brands and entrepreneursacross their social media platforms. Currently, they have organized two fundraising initiatives: The Prados Life Foundation and PPE for Native American Reservations.
Founded by Amy Thoman Indigenous Beauty is a Sicangu Lakota/Chippewa Cree-owned beauty brand. Indigenous Beauty has handcrafted cosmetics that are inspired by Native culture, identity, and values.
Shí-Fawn Chee, an army veteran originally from LeChee Arizona, founded Blended Girl Cosmetics to bring unity through makeup. Blended Girl is a Diné makeup brand created to help bring more representation to Indigenous people within the beauty industry.
Sister Sky is a skincare brand founded by two sisters, Marina TurningRob and Monica Simeon. The sisters are citizens of the Spokane Tribe in Washington State and founded Sister Sky in 1999. Their products are inspired by their Native American heritage and consist of lotions, bath bombs, and shampoos made from natural ingredients such as white willow and marshmallow root.
Founded by 12-year old Kamia Begay Nizhóní Soaps is a Diné handmade soap brand that uses ingredients such as sage, real herbs, and fresh juniper leaves. Kamia created Nizhóní Soaps with the initiative to share “all-natural Native American scents from her homeland with the world!”
Sources:
The Story of. (n.d.). Sister Sky. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://sistersky.com/pages/about-us-2
Stories, L. (2020, July 20). Meet Ahsaki Chachere of Ah-Shi Beauty in Humble. Voyage Houston Magazine | Houston City Guide. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from http://voyagehouston.com/interview/meet-ahsaki-chachere-ah-shi-beauty-humble/
Prados Beauty. (n.d.). Prados Promise. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://pradosbeauty.com/pages/new-prados-promise
ABOUT. (n.d.). Navajo Soaps. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.nizhonisoaps.com/about
Ah-Shí Beauty. (n.d.). Ah-Shi Beauty. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.ahshibeauty.com/about