Keeshagaye and her luxurious Emollient
When we consider luxury skincare products, we often think of creams and formulas packaged in small bottles and jars, labeled with words and ingredients we can’t even pronounce. More than that, we hardly see Black people creating or using these luxury products. Since 2020, Keeshagaye Whitter has been working hard to change that. Having been diagnosed with eczema some years ago, Whitter scoured the market for natural products to help her. Unfortunately, she was met with lackluster, overpriced products that didn’t even work. That’s when she started her own skincare line called Emollient.
Whitter’s mission is a great and transparent one: to make luxury clean beauty products affordable for all. Based in Brooklyn, her products are shipped worldwide, spreading the healing joy of natural products to everyone who needs it. This month, and every month, we are inspired by Black women-owned businesses and I had the fortune of speaking with Ms. Whitter to learn more about Emollient.
What’s your story and what are the origins of your brand?
I was diagnosed with pretty bad eczema a few years ago and I was given steroid creams and medications, but I did not want to use them indefinitely. I am aware that using these kinds of medications for years would not be healthy. I started to look for more natural products and I looked to the high-end brands. Most of them boast ingredients like shea butter, which is a great ingredient to have, but they use only 2% in their formula, and who knows what the rest is. I then tried natural brands, but they were very oily and didn’t absorb well. I then channeled my frustration into research and discovered that most of the products that claimed to be clean are filled with synthetic ingredients. I spent years perfecting my formula and in 2020 I launched Emollient.
How do you think your identities have impacted your success, both positively and negatively?
As a Black female entrepreneur who had the privilege of launching a business in the midst of a pandemic, I’ve experienced the willingness of consumers to trust in and support our businesses. Due to the awareness of the inequities Black and Brown businesses have faced throughout the years, there were more resources and opportunities offered to the new majority of Black business owners. As such, I have benefited from being a recipient of Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator (BBA) Hello Alice Grant. This has allowed me to expand my business. However, much of the support and attention we received during the pandemic has subsided as we are no longer trending. Funding and scaling are some of the challenges I face, investors are still reluctant to invest in Black businesses.
What makes your brand and products different from others like it?
What sets my brand apart is my commitment to the environment. My Emollient is a member of 1% FOR THE PLANET, an organization to which I donate at least 1% of my annual revenue to nonprofits dedicated to climate change research. In addition, Emollient butters are non-greasy and are made from the best natural ingredients that absorb into your skin while helping to retain moisture. Finally, we are an affordable luxury beauty brand, our customers don't have to break the bank to have quality products. Emollient C.A.R.E.s, meaning that we “Create A Remarkable Experience”
Do you have any words of inspiration for the community and anyone looking to pursue entrepreneurship?
Just start, don’t let fear derail your destiny. Figure it out as you go along, do not wait another day. The time is now!
