This post was written in partnership with nyakio, who sent me a free product to review.
I recently had the opportunity to try nyakio, a skin care line from beauty expert Nyakio Kamoche Grieco and Sundial Brands, the company behind Shea Moisture.
Marketed as featuring traditional beauty ingredients from around the world, nyakio products feature Fair for Life-certified shea butter and African Black Soap sourced from a women’s cooperative in Ghana. When I asked the company for more information about their ingredients, they sent me details on one of their suppliers who is certified organic with the USDA and fair trade with FLO-CERT, including specifics on harvesting practices that revealed a welcome level of transparency.
I got to try the African Black Soap Purifying Mud Mask to review. The first time I tried the mask, I experienced painful stinging around my nose. I have very sensitive skin, and occasionally I’ll encounter clarifying products that are just too strong for me. However, when I tried the mask again a few weeks later and steered clear of sensitive areas, I merely felt a pleasant tingle as the product went to work on my skin.
My skin definitely felt smoother after using the mask, and I think my pores were a bit tighter and clearer. Mostly, I just had fun using the mask — mud masks are one of my favorite self-care treats.
nyakio is carried exclusively at Ulta, which is a big win for beauty fans thanks to Ulta’s generous return policy. Ulta allows the return of products if consumers are not satisfied after using them, which I especially appreciate when I make the investment on natural or organic beauty.
Ethically-sourced products often are nowhere to be found on the shelves of big cosmetic stores, so I’m excited to see nyakio and Ulta working together to make sustainable options more accessible in the beauty world.
Check out nyakio’s complete line at Ulta.com and let me know which product you love!
