Mother-daughter duo Ade and Antonia drew upon generations of oral recipes and traditions to create a natural, nourishing, cruelty-free version of a personal hygiene product we’re all familiar with: soap.
Okiki Skincare‘s inherently Nigerian-British soap bars contain much-loved ingredients – think shea butter, coconut and olive oil – which cleanse and moisturise the skin, and are blended with luxurious components that add rich scents and extra benefits.
Here, Ade and Antonia expand on why natural soaps are better, if lathering is a sign of a good soap, and the challenges of mixing family with business.
The demand for natural ingredients in cosmetics has soared in recent years. But what’s one misconception that consumers have about natural products?
Probably that natural products do not lather well and are not as effective as other soaps. Of course, this is not the case. Consumers also believe it will leave the skin dry because it has no hydrating chemicals.
What are the more surprising benefits of using natural cosmetics?
Natural products work better for your skin and are more effective. They are rich in ingredients while providing better care. Plus they’re more environmentally friendly.
Making the switch to a natural skincare routine will cut the vast majority of common irritants from your routine, reducing the risk of flare ups and working to naturally heal and soothe skin sensitivities. Natural skincare products can soothe irritations and target skin concerns. Some other benefits include they are gentler on the skin, causing it to be less irritated. They often contain ingredients like vitamins and minerals that help prevent allergic reactions that one might experience from using chemical-heavy soap. At Okiki Skincare, we use sustainably sourced ingredients, and also eco-friendly packaging.
The natural soap market has increased in size in recent years, with many different soaps available on the market. What should customers look for as a mark of quality in natural soap?
Customers should look for price, the size of the soap and the ingredients used. The product should be quality and long-lasting. A soap should be hard in texture, cleansing and gather lather quickly.
We often pick soaps based on how they smell. Should we continue to use our noses, or look primarily at the ingredients instead?
Ingredients in a soap are important as this helps the soap to perform better. The ingredients enable the soap to retain the skins moisture by making it softer and moist.
Is it a bad sign if a soap doesn’t lather well?
Not necessarily; the soap should still clean your skin even if there is little to no lather. Sometimes the reason it’s not lathering is the water supply. In addition, some natural soaps, for example, may not produce as much lather as synthetic ones because they lack certain foaming agents. However, this doesn’t necessarily indicate that the soap is ineffective. Some reasons a soap may not lather well include:
- Low foaming agents: Natural soaps may contain fewer foaming agents compared to commercial ones, resulting in less lather.
- Hard water: Hard water can inhibit lathering, making it appear as though the soap isn’t lathering well.
- Ingredients: Certain oils and fats used in soap making can affect lathering. Some oils produce more lather than others.
What’s the best way to store soap when you’re not using it?
Always place it in a tilted soap dish to eliminate any remaining water. This will keep it clean and fresh, which in turn, will make it last longer. Avoid direct sunlight. In addition to this, keep the product out of water.
What does it mean if soap is drying out your skin? And how do you prevent this?
The surfactants in the soap are hard on your skin which causes dryness and irritation. Use soap that has moisturising ingredients that reduce irritation. The best moisturising ingredients for your skin are shea butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, sunflower oil and jojoba oil.
Can you tell us about some traditional Yoruba ingredients and their benefits?
It does not get more traditional than Orí (Shea butter). When I was growing up we would use pure shea butter on our skin, for burns and more! Some places back home also use it for cooking to add flavour in dishes. It’s so high in moisture and antioxidant, you’ll find it in almost all of our products.
Epo Gabon (coconut oil) nourishes the skin, promoting hydration and elasticity. It is also a popular cooking oil that adds flavour to dishes, and all parts of the coconut are used in Nigeria.
As a mother-daughter duo, how do you separate your business and personal relationship?
It can be hard. We are both are super passionate about the business and even when we try to have no Okiki conversation days we inevitably start talking about it. One way we do bond is over traditional Nigerian food and watching Korean movies. This always provides escapism from the business.
Do your family and friends step up to the task of testing new products?
Yes, my boyfriend tested all our candles and fragrance products, to the point where mum drops them off for him to review before me! Apparently, his review is more thorough. He also tests our soaps and we often include him in new products idea launches as well.
