Below are some winter skincare tips according to your skin type approved by our resident dermatologist and CEO, Dr. Naana Boakye:
Mastering Moisture for Dry Skin:
Winter can be particularly harsh for those people with dry skin because of the cold air’s tendency to steal the natural oils from our body. To be able to combat this problem, we recommend including a gentle cleanser on your routine to prevent your skin from flaking and adding rich and hydrating moisturizer that will lock in the moisture so as to help your skin cope with the challenges brought by the winter winds. Check out products that contain our all-time preferred ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed oil for an extra boost of nourishment. Karité’s Full Body Collection, containing hand and body cream plus our lip balm, can definitely be of help on this!
Balancing Hydration for Combination Skin:
It is a well-known fact that combination skin can be a little bit tricky to manage, with some areas of the skin being dry and the other being the opposite. In order to make sure that your combination skin still gets the balanced and healthy care that it requires, opt for a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser and light moisturizer to maintain equilibrium. Products like these can surely hydrate dry patches without burdening oily areas.
Oil-Free Only for Oily Skin:
While winter can be good news for people with oily skin (hooray for reduced sweating!), it is still a must to aim for the healthy and suitable skin care that you need. Keep in mind that during the cold winter, it is always recommended to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer for a hydration that will not cause clogged pores. It is also advisable to use a gentle exfoliant to avoid dead skin cell buildup that usually contributes to breakouts.
Pro-Tip For All Skin Types
Winter is all about creams! For this season, make sure to set aside your lotions and opt for using cream-based products. This is because lotions naturally have high-water content that quickly evaporates as compared to creams that often have thicker consistency. Simply, creams can usually last and assure you that moisturizing feeling when you wake up in the morning until you come home at night. Dr. Boakye also highly recommends covering yourself from head to toe with cream because temperatures experience a significant drop at night.
The key to having supple skin during the winter is tailoring your skin care based on the needs of your specific skin type. Remember: just because you are on holiday, doesn’t mean your skincare’s on vacation as well. Lastly, (and we cannot stress this enough), always wear sunscreen– the sun’s still there, even if we don’t feel it!
]]>The inspiration: Dixie Lincoln-Nichols
Her role: Founder of Inside Outer Beauty Market
Her story: Dixie started her career as a biological science and history teacher with the NYC Department of Education. She then set off on an “Eat, Pray, Love” journey in search of her true passion—which turned out to be sharing the joy of self-care with the world. With her personal experience with uterine fibroids and hormonal acne as her driving force, she embarked on a course of study at the Institute of Integrative Nutritional to become a health and wellness coach. From there, she furthered her education in detoxification at the London School of Naturopathic Medicine in the U.K.
Why she motivates us: Dixie’s passion for wellness propelled her to achieve her entrepreneurial goals. Inside Outer Beauty Market has become a go-to source for products that support skin health from the inside out—while striving to make the BIPOC community aware of the potential risks that toxins in beauty, wellness and personal care products can have on overall health.
Follow @dixielincolnnichols @insideoutbeautymarket on Instagram for ongoing inspiration!
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The inspirations: Bethany Mayer and Leilani Bishop
Their roles: Co-founders of Botanica Bazaar
Their story: Bethany and Leilani both grew up knowing nothing other than a natural, holistic approach to wellness. Both accomplished women in their own rights, Bethany made a name for herself in the fashion and creative worlds, while Leilani is a sought-after model-turned-actress. They teamed up in 2016 to open a carefully-curated shop inspired by traditional European pharmacies in Amagansett, New York that offers clean alternatives for everyday personal-care products. In addition to benefitting the well-being of Long Island’s East End community, Botanica Bazaar has become an online shopping destination that knows no geographical limits.
Why they motivate us: Bethany and Leilani represent the face of modern wellness. They have assembled an exclusive array of topical and ingestible products as well as skin- and body-minded tools (and more) that provides a clean, comprehensive approach to well-being.
Follow @leilanibishop and @botanicabazaar on Instagram for ongoing inspiration!
]]>Karité: Did you always know you were destined for a career in beauty?
Pamela Edwards Christiani: I never planned to be a beauty editor. Frankly, I'd never heard of such a thing before I entered the publishing world. I spent close to ten years of trying to figure out what I wanted to do, and during this time I taught high school English, worked at a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. and studied interior design. I moved to New York without a job or a plan. A year later, I was the fashion and beauty editor at Essence. When I applied for the job I was actually more interested in Essence than fashion or beauty, but that changed quickly once I caught the bug. The directors that hired me later revealed that I had the least amount of experience of all the applicants, but the best test. I think the assignment was to write six short pieces, three beauty and three fashion. I created a mini-magazine, so I wrote far more than six pieces and designed the visuals.
Karité: Have you always had an “eye” for fashion?
PEC: I don't actually remember this, but I do have a picture of myself as a toddler in my mom's heels, pearls and some sort of scarf. It's such a cliché shot, but there you have it. My mom sews beautifully and she and my dad were very social when I was a kid (they still are). I remember countless occasions where my mother would whip up a sequined outfit for a party that evening. It seemed rather effortless to her, but yet she always wanted to look different and special. I know I inherited that gene!
Karité: What are your must-have beauty products?
PEC: I'm obsessed with the original Augustinus Bader moisturizer. It is as good as people say it is. I'm also a new fan of Salwa Petersen's Chebe du Tchad Hair Creme. It's formulated with the famous Chebe hair-growing ingredients and I can feel the difference in the condition of my hair. I also love the scents and sustainability behind The Handmade Soap Company, an Irish family business that creates small batches of divine body washes, oils, soaps and so forth.
Karité: What are your thoughts about how the beauty “landscape” has evolved over the past few years?
PEC: It's awesome and empowering to see WOC step into beauty spaces and fill voids that need to be filled. I love supporting small businesses, especially those run by women and women of color.
Karité: What role does “beauty” play in overall wellness and self-love for you?
PEC: Beauty can be empowering, pure fun, pure necessity, or an escape... It can be a whole lot of things, but I think the most important thing it can do is mirror a happy heart. Happiness is an inside job, so know that no amount of ritual, color or coverage can give you that, but taking care of yourself via beauty rituals can be a wonderful way to love yourself.
Karité: What is your advice for women with an entrepreneurial spirit?
PEC: Go for it, do your research, be authentic and let integrity be the backbone of your business. And listen to those you trust for feedback, including patrons and clients.
Karité: What’s your favorite Karité product?
PEC: The hand cream, for sure!
The inspiration: Nyakio Grieco
Her role: Co-founder of Thirteen Lune
Her story: Nyakio burst onto the beauty scene in 2002 with one of the first “clean” skincare lines that reflected the rich heritage of Africa and her Kenyan origins. Fast forward to 2020 when racial inequality was in the headlines, she partnered with Patrick Herning of Honore 11 to create an e-commerce platform dedicated to supporting and elevating BIPOC-founded beauty and wellness brands.
Why she motivates us: Thirteen Lune has made minority-owned businesses the majority with their “90/10” rule, which means 90% of the brands featured are Black- and Brown-owned, and the remaining 10% have proven their dedication to inclusivity.
Follow @Nyakio and @thirteenlune on Instagram for ongoing inspiration!
]]>Co-founder (and middle sister, center) Abena Slowe is Karité's Chief Operating Officer, and she focuses on the brand's global operations and partnership contracts. With more than 15 years of legal experience in both law firms and corporate settings, Abena studied Economics and Political Science from Columbia University and has a J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She is also a member of the Bar in New York and New Jersey. She currently lives with her husband and two children in New York. Fun fact: Abena ran the New York City marathon in November 2021!
Co-founder (and youngest sister, on left) Akua Okunseinde is Karité’s Chief Creative Officer and she leads partnerships and marketing strategy. Akua has 15 years of sales and digital marketing experience in financial services and tech. She studied Economics and Political Science at Tufts University, and has her M.B.A. in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Columbia Business School. She currently lives with her husband and two little boys in New Jersey. Fun fact: Akua has traveled to almost 40 countries!
Co-founder (and eldest sister, on right) Naana Boakye, MD, MPH is Karité’s Chief Executive Officer. She leads product formulation and is the medical liaison for the Karité team. As a board-certified dermatologist with almost 15 years of experience who’s treated more than 18,000 patients, Naana’s daily experiences inspire and contribute to the brand. She obtained a degree in Biochemistry from Wellesley College and also earned her Masters in Public Health at George Washington University in Epidemiology. After completing her studies, Naana received her medical degree from Temple University. She lives with her husband and two kids in New Jersey. Fun fact: Naana enjoys cooking healthy meals for her family.
]]>The hands
Gloves do more than keep your hands warm… They also shield this delicate skin from the detrimental effects of cold, dry air. If a long winter may have left your hands feeling rough and looking lackluster, you’re not alone. Crème Mains Hand Cream offers a surge of comforting moisture courtesy of raw, unrefined shea butter; unrefined, organic coconut oil and sustainably-sourced palm oil—plus a bevy of antioxidant-rich botanical ingredients. This lightweight, non-greasy, fast-absorbing, hypoallergenic cream replenishes the skin’s barrier so moisture stays put, and helps your hands stand up to the elements.
The body
Despite being covered up all winter-long, every square inch of skin from the neck down is prone to dryness thanks to less moisture in the air around us. And those extra-hot showers you use to take the chill off can make matters worse by stripping the skin of its natural oils. Even more, scratchy fabrics like wool can “rough up” your skin and lead to even more flaking and dryness. The key for smooth, soft skin during colder months is simply replenishing lost moisture (ideally after showering or bathing while skin is still damp)—and our Crème Corps Hydrating Body Cream is up to the task. Featuring our highest concentration of raw, unrefined shea butter, this rich, whipped, hypoallergenic body cream will be especially appreciated by dry elbows, knees, legs and feet.
The lips
The lips lack oil glands, which means they are incapable of moisturizing themselves. When exposed to harsh winter weather conditions, the result is often dryness, flaking, cracking and overall discomfort. Our Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm is a vegan, all-natural, hypoallergic hydrating option—and you don’t even need to use your fingers to apply it. The soothing, smoothing formula can be used by the whole family since it only leaves a light sheen behind, and it serves as a great base layer for lipstick and gloss as well.
This Black History Month, we want to celebrate the progress that the beauty industry has made—and keep the momentum going.
We started to see a shift after the Black Lives Matter movement made headlines in the summer of 2020, when many industries took a step back to reevaluate, and ultimately realize that their existing strategies were not diverse or inclusive.
Fast-forward 18 months and so many spectacular BIPOC founded brands are finally getting the attention and recognition they deserve for their incredible stories, amazing founders, and most importantly, the marvelous products they have created for customers around the globe.
We are celebrating this progress as well as our own because Karité turns 5-years-old this month! From the start, our goal has been to provide hydrating body-care products that harness the power of unrefined shea butter from our homeland of Ghana—and also to build a legacy.
Women empowerment is everything to us. (Case in point: Our #SheaForSoles charitable initiative.) We want to show Black girls and women across the globe that they, too, can break barriers in industries where we are under-represented. This is what keeps us going.
We give our heart-felt thanks to all of you who have supported Karité over the past 5 years. Our only ask of you is to continue to invest in Black-owned businesses, simply by shopping Black-owned brands. This is the only path to a more equitable future for BIPOC. Let’s collectively close the racial equity gap in this industry.
The small steps add up to make all the difference.
—Abena, Naana and Akua
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Increase hydration: A little extra moisture goes a long way to improve dryness and dull skin. Karité Shea Butter Hydrating Body Cream offers all the skin-soothing and radiance-enhancing benefits you want from the neck down!
Don’t forget your hands: A combination of frequent hand-washing and cold, dry air is likely to lead to rough, chapped hands. Smooth things over with our Crème Mains Hand Cream—and don’t forget to apply it after washing and throughout the day as needed.
Give your lips extra love: It’s chapped-lip season, but you don’t have to deal with dry, uncomfortable skin. Our Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm is formulated with unrefined shea butter, murumuru butter, jojoba oil, rosehip oil and antioxidant-rich botanicals for a plump, healthy-looking pout.
Rethink your shower routine: A long, hot shower may help you warm up, but it’s doing no favors for your skin. Keep your shower as brief as possible, and set the water temperature to lukewarm, not hot. And don’t forget to apply moisturizer from head to toe while skin is still damp!
Use a humidifier: Increasing moisture levels in the air can make a world of difference for your skin. Place a humidifier in areas you spend a lot of time, such as your bedroom and office.
Eat more healthy fats: The omega fatty acids found in foods such as wild salmon, flax seeds and avocado can help strengthen your skin’s barrier so moisture stays put. Not into these foods? Oral supplements can help, too!
]]>Karité has your hands, body and lips covered with gentle, non-toxic, luxurious moisturizers formulated with unrefined shea butter from Ghana—and then we realized we needed something to hold them all! We knew our first foray beyond skincare had to have a connection to the local communities in our African homeland, so we joined forces with award-winning fashion designer Atto Tetteh.
Known for his use of bold, strong colors and prints, Tetteh’s inspiration comes from his African culture and environment in Accra, Ghana. The winner of Glitz Style and Fashion Ghana awards for menswear designer of the year, we were thrilled when Tetteh agreed to collaborate with us to create our limited-edition Carryall Bag—and talk about his experience working with Karité!
How did you connect with the Karité sisters?
I was actually introduced to the Karité sisters through the Creative Director of Pistis, an incredible Ghanaian-based fashion house.
What do you love about the Karité brand?
I love the fact that the sisters are Ghanaian! The entire team was also excited that the Karité brand uses unrefined shea butter sourced directly from Ghana and only natural ingredients for their skincare products.
Why did you choose the fabrics that you did for the Carryall Bags?
African prints embody warmth, energy, happiness and art. We chose to use African prints for these bags because we wanted to share these positive vibes and the spirit of Africa with the Karité customer.
What do the colors and patterns represent?
Both colors were chosen carefully and are symbolic in Ghanaian culture. The purple color represents royalty and luxury, and the green color symbolizes rebirth and renewal.
What do you want Karité customers in the United States to know about Africa?
The world is at a stage where a lot of attention is on Africa. We sincerely hope the world sees Africa for what it truly is, which is a continent rich in culture, innovation, sustainability, strong social ties and excellence.
Naana
My family and I took a day trip to Fire Island before wrapping up the summer in Martha’s Vineyard. I caught up on my reading and enjoyed hiking with the kids (protected from the sun, of course!). Relaxing on the beach was wonderful—even if I was all covered up to avoid those UV rays. It was the perfect opportunity to recharge my batteries before we get back into the usual school/work routine.
Akua
I spent my summer soaking up every minute with my two kiddos, who are five months and 3.5 years old. The highlight of our summer was spending a week away in Fire Island, an amazing beach community that I have been visiting for the past 20 years. It was amazing to bring my kids there for the first time. Naana and her family came to spend a day on the island with us—and we got lots of compliments on our wide-brimmed hats at the beach!
Abena
I spent a couple of days upstate last month with my husband and two kids (ages 9 and almost 4), and it was so nice to get out of the city. Other than that, I stayed local and started running a lot. I went from running maaaayyyybbee once a week earlier this year and now I’m up to four days a week! I’m training for the NYC marathon in November—it’s my first marathon ever!
Hydrated skin is gleaming, healthy-looking skin—and who doesn’t want that? With summer upon us you’re likely to be showing more skin, whether by the pool, at the beach or wearing tank tops and shorts. (You also deserve happy, healthy skin when its covered up as well). Just remember, sun protection always comes first during the day, and then you can feel free to bare as much as you’d like!
And be sure to check out the Karité Shea Butter x Bergen Dermatology Summer Box… Featuring our Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm and Bergen Dermatology’s Sheer Joy Sunscreen SPF 50+ (our dermatologist co-founder’s amazing daily sun protection), don’t head outside without either of them this summer!
Skin tip #1: Exfoliate
It’s important to gently slough away the dead skin cells that are standing between you and the soft, smooth skin you’re after. Whether you prefer a mitt, loofah or exfoliating scrub, any of these methods will get the job done. You can even make your own scrub with a variety of ingredients you already have on hand… Think sugar crystals, salt, or even coffee grounds!
Skin tip #2: Moisturize
Come summer, think of our Crème Corps Hydrating Body Cream as your skin’s best friend. Formulated with raw, unrefined shea butter and organic, unrefined coconut oil, it serves up a surge of antioxidants and moisture for thirsty skin while leaving a subtle sheen behind. Apply after showering while skin is still damp to lock in moisture—and once again before heading out if necessary. (If you prefer a moisturizer with a lighter consistency during the summer, our Crème Mains Hand Cream also offers skin-smoothing, glow-enhancing benefits from the neck down, and the tube is perfectly-sized for a hydration boost when you’re on the go.)
Skin tip #3: Love your lips
You don’t want your lips to be jealous, do you? Let them in on the action with our Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm. Designed to soften, plump and hydrate for hours with a blend of raw, unrefined shea butter, organic jojoba oil, murumuru butter and more, just a light swipe of this antioxidant-rich balm leaves the perfect amount of non-sticky sheen that works for women and men alike.
Keep stretching skin comfortable
Pregnancy comes along with a host of body changes, but none are as obvious as your growing baby bump. Many women experience itching and a sensation of tightness as their belly skin stretches, but a rich, soothing moisturizer like our Crème Corps Hydrating Body Cream provides instant relief—along with smooth, supple skin well beyond your belly.
Maintain skin elasticity
Our raw, unrefined shea butter contains a naturally high concentration of essential fatty acids along with vitamins A and E to help optimize the skin’s elasticity both during and after pregnancy.
Bond with baby
It’s important to carve out “me time” while pregnant, and you can even turn it into “we time.” Whenever you have a chance, get comfortable and gently massage your belly while talking to the baby in a soothing tone. This is a wonderful way to enhance your connection while caring for your skin at the same time!
All natural and 100% safe
Developed by a dermatologist, all Karité products are safe for use while pregnant and breastfeeding. We only use natural, non-toxic ingredients and all of our formulas are free of synthetic fragrances and dyes, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and sulfates (and never tested on animals).
When we set out to create Karité, we built our vision on a foundation of social and environmental responsibility. We also knew from the very beginning that sustainability is an evolution, and as we continue to learn more we continue to do more.
Sustainability is defined as “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.” That’s not good enough for us, and we want to go above and beyond “maintaining” the status quo and raise the bar for ourselves and those around us. Here are the ways Karité is working to make the world a better place right now and for the future to come.
Our shea butter
Shea trees are native to Ghana and West Africa, and they thrive with minimal water and without the need for fertilizer or pesticides. No trees are destroyed in the harvesting process, and once the fruit is picked it grows back season after season. We also rely on women-led collectives to harvest our shea butter, which gives them the opportunity to support their families and communities through the natural resources that surround them.
Sampling
We eliminated sample-sized products for potential retailers, media and gifting a few years ago to minimize unnecessary plastic-based waste.
Recyclability
All of our packaging—from our jars and tubes to the box and filler your order comes in—is 100% recyclable. (Please be sure to break down your boxes, wash out your jars and separate the caps before recycling.)
Packaging
We use bamboo for all of our caps because this sustainable crop grows quickly without the need for fertilizer or much water. We have never used additional outer cartons for our products to minimize waste.
Production
Our family’s palm oil factory in Ghana generates its own electricity so it is “off the grid.” Our palm trees live just a few miles from the factory so transportation-related carbon emissions are minimal. We also oversee all oil sourcing so we know our production process prevents deforestation or harm to animals.
Other ingredients
Aside from our shea butter and palm oil sourced from Ghana, we minimize our carbon footprint by using as many local suppliers as possible for additional ingredients. We also manufacture and fill our products close to our New Jersey headquarters to minimize our carbon footprint.
Plant-based botanicals
Mother Nature is our “supermarket” when we create the “recipes” for our products. Beyond the potential health side effects associated with ingredients like parabens and phthalates, these are on our “no” list because of the impact their manufacturing and post-use run off can have on the environment as well.
Karité is 100% committed to producing products that are safe for humans today as well as the planet in the long run, and we are grateful to our retail partners who share our ideology, such as The Detox Market. We also applaud the incredible role they have played in raising awareness about the beauty industry’s role in promoting sustainability. We couldn’t imagine not being part of this Earth-centric movement and look forward to the positive impact we can all make together.
]]>Our main goal is to support the incredible, hard-working women shea farmers who live in Northern Ghana. By working in the shea industry, these women are empowered to be more than just homemakers if they choose. This opportunity can actually help them be bread-winners and provide for their families, become inspirations for their children and support their communities at large.
Our main initiative is Shea for Soles (#sheaforsoles), which provides shoes for the women who work at the cooperatives that harvest shea nuts and extract the incredible shea butter our products rely on. Many of these women commute to work by foot—and spend their entire day on their feet—which is why we believe that providing them with proper footwear is so important. To date, we have collected more than 100 pairs of gently worn sneakers, and we will be taking donations through the end of the summer. We plan to hand-deliver these sneakers to these amazing women when we visit Ghana in December.
If you would like to participate in Shea for Soles, please send gently worn sneakers to:
Karité Shea Butter
℅ Bergen Dermatology
473 Sylvan Avenue, Suite 110
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
Karité Shea Butter is also a proud member of the Global Shea Alliance. Based in Ghana, this non-profit association works to promote sustainability, quality practices and industry standards in an effort to empower rural African communities and elevate the livelihoods of the women who work at the cooperatives that are integral to the success of our business. We are staunch advocates of fair trade, as well as fair compensation for the women who help make Karité a reality.
All shea butter products are not created equal, and Karité is committed to offering only the highest quality and highest concentration of this intensely hydrating natural ingredient. Combined with organic coconut oil and sustainably-sourced palm oil (and very little else) to enhance its moisturizing properties, our Crème Mains Hand Cream is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help soothe, heal and restore elasticity to the skin without potentially irritating ingredients such as dyes, silicones and parabens.
Karité only uses raw, unrefined shea butter to preserve its naturally high concentration of essential fatty acids as well as vitamin A and vitamin E, which are essential for maintaining the skin’s health and suppleness. In addition to being an exceptional moisturizer, this all-natural dermatologist-created hand cream offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pro-aging benefits that help hydrate and soothe and heal the skin—especially as hand-washing and hand-sanitizer use are at their peak.
For maximum hydration, it’s important to use raw, unrefined shea butter, as the refining process diminishes its moisturizing capabilities. Compared to other natural hydrating ingredients, shea butter and coconut oil are best for preventing moisture from evaporating from the skin. As an added plus, palm oil is known for its ability to soften the skin while maintaining and restoring its elasticity.
Shea butter and coconut oil have been found to have natural anti-inflammatory benefits, making them ideal for soothing itching and irritation. The therapeutic nature of shea butter makes it especially effective for repairing the skin's barrier, which in turn provides relief for those with sensitive skin, eczema and other skin conditions. Coconut oil’s anti-microbial properties may also help prevent infection in the case of cracked skin and cuticles.
Shea butter, coconut oil and palm oil have high concentrations of vitamin E, polyphenols and beta carotene, which helps provide powerful antioxidant benefits that help protect against environmental damage that leads to visible signs of aging such as age spots and thin, crepey skin on the backs of the hands.
Could your hands use a little extra care and comforting? Our Crème Mains Hand Cream is just what Dr. Naana Boakye orders!
Step 1: As you prepare to start your day, close your eyes and take a few deep, cleansing breaths before looking in the mirror and setting your intentions for the day.
Step 2: Perform your usual skincare routine.
Step 3: Complete your regimen with a swipe of Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm to help prepare your lips for your lipstick or gloss of choice, or just go au naturel and enjoy your smooth, soft, plumper-looking pout.
Step 1: Set the stage for relaxing sleep by shutting down your phone or leaving it to charge in another room.
Step 2: Replenish lip moisture that was lost throughout the day with Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm. Its shea butter will help restore hydration while you sleep.
Step 3: Queue up a sound bath or a relaxing nature track to help you drift off to dreamland.
P.S. Remember to keep our Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm within reach (whether on your desk or in your bag) for a lip-soothing treat whenever you feel a sense of tightness or dryness—or simply want a pop of shine.
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