In the awards autumn series of blog posts, we get to know the brands behind the nominee products of the Nordic Natural Beauty Awards 2023. In this post, we are proud to share more about the Danish natural cosmetics brand Luyana Skincare, as told by the brand:

“Growing up as the daughters of African immigrants in the US, our mother often shared her knowledge of natural products she grew up using like mango and mafura butter, or marula and baobab oil that she had learned about from her mother and her grandmother before that. However, living in the west during the 80s and 90s meant that there was no physical access to these ingredients, so we resorted to using products like cocoa butter and vaseline.

Growing up in the US during this time, we were fed a steady diet of Teen Vogue and Cosmopolitan where almost every page was advertising the latest chemical-laden cosmetic craze. Naturally, we gravitated toward such products as they were readily available, not to mention the desire to fit in with all the other kids we were growing up with. 

Cut to a couple decades later and we have left the US, having moved to Denmark and embarking on a new journey to live our best Nordic lives. All the while, we had begun to make more conscious choices of what we were eating as well as using more natural products. Imagine our surprise when a routine checkup at the doctor in Copenhagen reveals the development of multiple tumors! (Luckily they were benign.)

This health scare prompted us to really start looking into the number of chemicals and synthetic ingredients we had been exposing ourselves to. Much to our surprise and horror, we discovered that through the skincare products and makeup we were using, we had potentially been exposing ourselves to over 500 chemicals daily; Chemicals like BHA, Formaldehyde, Phthalates, and Parabens which  have been linked to reproductive disorders and cancer. This was devastating as we were no strangers to beautifully coloured nails and a bold lip!

After this, we tried in earnest to look for products that were safe, but even those that claimed to be “clean” or “natural” were filled with chemicals and synthetic petroleum-based ingredients. At this point, we had both become parents and it increased the urgency to find safe products not only for ourselves, but for the next generation. The safest thing for us was to know precisely what was going into the products we were using, so we decided to make our own!

Enter Luyana Natural Skincare ✨

We wanted to make products that were 100% natural, clean and effective. We suddenly remembered all the ingredients our mother told us that her mother and her grandmother used to use. We did a bunch of research and decided to tap into the ancient wisdom of our African heritage and rediscover natural ingredients that have been proven effective and safe over centuries of use.

The brand is named after the original name of our mother’s people of the Luyana kingdom. We thought it fitting to name the brand after the people of our maternal line since the knowledge came from our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Luyana Natural Skincare is all about providing natural alternatives to synthetic ingredients and chemical-laden products. The brand taps into the ancient wisdom of the founders’ African heritage and rediscovers nearly forgotten skincare rituals and ingredients that have been proven effective over centuries of use. The brand was created in response to a lack of truly clean products available on the market – particularly those featuring African botanical ingredients.

Certified organic, cold-pressed Nilotica is in it’s purest form and is the only ingredient in this luxuriously rich Nourishing Body Butter. Our East african shea Nilotica is sourced with intention from Uganda.  

Unlike conventional shea butter, Shea Nilotica is derived from the rare and prized East African shea tree (Vitellaria nilotica). It contains 25% more oleic acid giving it a soft creamy texture that gives you a more luxurious and indulgent skin nourishing experience.

Shea Nilotica is known for its unparalleled moisturizing properties. It absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Shea Nilotica deeply hydrates and nourishes your skin, leaving it soft, supple, and radiant. It’s perfect for all skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone or very dry.

Shea Nilotica is packed with antioxidants and skin-loving nutrients like vitamins A, E, and F. It helps combat free radicals and supports a youthful appearance.

Shea butter is often called ‘Women’s Gold’ because it is largely a female-driven industry. For years it has enabled women to improve the quality of life for their families and communities. We are proud to source our Shea Nilotica from local cooperatives that empower women and communities in East Africa. By choosing our Shea Nilotica, you’re supporting income opportunities for women in East Africa. 

Each of our products is a celebration of ancient wisdom and the uniquely potent power of African botanicals. We source all of our ingredients across the continent with intention and hand-make our products with love in Denmark. 💕 

We’re on a mission to spread the love and hope you’ll join us in this celebration. 

Much love,
Mari-Anne and Melinda”

Get to know Luyana Skincare even better on the brand’s website at luyanaskincare.com and follow the brand’s journey on Luyana’s Instagram account >