MEET OUR FOUNDER:

 APINKE

A deep love and connection with nature started in childhood, on my morning walks to school in Lagos, I enjoyed picking colourful blooms from the inviting morning glory and hibiscus bushes. I always felt totally immersed and captivated by the riveting beauty, colour, scent and simplicity of these flowers.

For most of my adult life, I struggled to find natural skincare that suited my maturing and darker skin tone, nothing that successfully delivered the level of purity, nourishment, smoothing and rejuvenation that I wanted.  

I worked in financial markets for over a decade before reconnecting with my passion for botanicals setting up a beautiful floristry business in Lagos.

Drawing inspiration and love from my great grandfather who was a botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew over 100 years ago, I decided to look to the healing power of nature and plants for solutions. I completed a Diploma in Organic and Natural Skincare Formulation. Armed with my knowledge and passion for all things botanical, I set about creating my own high performing skincare formulas. I work only  with the highest quality of plant oils and extracts that contain the most dense potency of nutrients possible. I then combine these with carefully selected plant actives for optimal efficacy to address the needs of maturing skin without using synthetic ingredients.

I have personally created each formula from scratch over many months. Carefully curating and layering each recipe with botanical ingredients selected using time tested ancient African and British rituals and wisdom. I have created a range that is high performing, time honouring and kind to nature.

I hope you love them as much as I do. xx
Love + Joy

POWER OF BOTANICAL HEALING

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY - #HONORYOURHERITAGE

Long before modern medicine, our ancestors relied on the miracle healing power of heritage African plants and trees to heal our Bodies, Minds, and Spirits. In addition, these medicinal plants are often excellent sources of nectar and pollen to pollinators. At Ekó botanicals, each botanical ingredient we select is prized for its unique healing properties and contains rich reserves of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients to boost skin naturally from the inside out.

ANCIENT BEAUTY

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY - #HONORYOURHERITAGE

Matriarchal warrior tribes and matrilineal tribal descent are a continuing theme in African history and in some cases have survived into modern times. Each product in our range is named after a great African warrior Queen. 

#honoryourheritage #wearyourcrown

AMINA

Queen of Zaria, Nigeria 16th Century

Through the 10th and 11th centuries the Hausa states (modern day Nigeria) were ruled by the Habe warrior Queens. Centuries later Queen Amina, daughter of Queen Turunku of the Songhai in mid-Niger ruled the Hausa empire from 1536 to 1573. She extended her nation's boundaries to the Atlantic coast, founded cities, and personally led her army of 20,000 soldiers into battle. Her leadership helped to make Hausa land the centre of trade in the Saharan and West African region.

MAKEDA

Queen of Sheba, 960 BC

In Ancient times, Ethiopia was also known as Nubia, Kush, Aksum, Abyssinia and Sheba. A thousand years before Christ, Ethiopia was ruled by a line of virgin Queens. The one whose story has survived into our time was known as Makeda, “the Queen of Sheba.” Makeda is famous for her story with the biblical figure, King Solomon of Jerusalem. They had a son named Menelik I, meaning “son of the wise.” Their son became the first imperial ruler of Ethiopia and the first of a line of Aksûmite kings. Makeda and her son brought back the biblical Ark of the Covenant to Axum. Through them, the lineage of great East African and Nubian kings was born.

NEFERTITI

Queen of Ancient Kemet, 1292 BC to 1225 BC

Queen Nefertiti is a prominent queen from ancient Egypt. Her name means “a beautiful woman has come.” She left a legacy of strength, beauty, and power. She married Akhenaten, who ruled Egypt and had six children including the famous King Tutankhamun. They changed Egyptian culture through their public displays of affection. These were unusual for pharaohs during that time. Her depictions show her driving a chariot or smiting an enemy.

SUSTAINABILITY

OUR PLANTS, OUR PEOPLE, OUR PLANET

SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS

All our ingredients are sourced directly from sustainable growers, and we can trace each individual ingredient back to its source. A large part of our ingredients are also grown locally in England where are products are made supporting UK organic farmers. We use organic or wildly grown botanicals where possible. Ensuring we limit the introduction of harmful toxins into the skin but also encouraging the biodiversity of the planet. 

Environmentally Responsible Packaging

fully recyclable & biodegradable

A lot of thought has gone into how we package and reduce environmental waste. Our packaging is made exclusively from recycled glass bottles and plastic closures all of which are fully recyclable at home. We use violet glass bottles to preserve the potency of our botanicals and extend their efficacy. Ancient Egyptians stored valuable essential oils and natural healing remedies in gold or violet vessels. By extending the shelf life of our precious ingredients we are also reducing waste. We also use FSC certified card, and all our boxes are fully recyclable at home. For deliveries, we only use fully recyclable and some home compostable materials.

Simplicity

LESS IS MORE

Our products have all been formulated in house over many years, they have the ability to multi-task because they contain so many potent botanical ingredients further simplifying our client’s beauty routines and reducing waste and overconsumption which is something encouraged by the mainstream beauty industry.
Less is More, but More is also Less in this case. 

ESG Mark

We are a member of ESGmark®, a recognised symbol of trust for organisations at the forefront of championing ethical and environmentally sustainable positive practices for the planet and people.

GIVING BACK

Partnering with One Tree Planted

For each product we sell we plant a tree partnering with One Tree Planted. Trees help to restore our eco-system so the more trees we plant the richer our biodiversity. 

Partnering with CAMFED

We are proud to support CAMFED (the Campaign for Female Education). CAMFED supports marginalized girls in sub-Saharan Africa to go to school, learn, thrive, and lead change in their communities.