Please tell me about yourself and your professional background.
Where to start? I’ve taken a long and very indirect path through life to get here. I began my career working for a chemical and consumer goods company in Kenya, and from there, my journey took me to Canada where my entrepreneurial journey began, first as the owner In my mid-forties, I transitioned from running my own hair salon to becoming a Registered Nurse in Vancouver. After nearly fifteen years in Maternity and Neonatal units, I decided it was time for something new.
I developed a passion for educating others about the use of natural ingredients while working as a nurse. I often discuss self-care with my patients and encourage them to take responsibility for their health. These conversations sparked my interest in natural skincare and led me to seek a creative outlet and a way to reinvent myself. I turned to candle making during the pandemic, which eventually led to formulating cosmetics. My first body butter was a greasy and grainy concoction whipped together in my kitchen aid mixer, but I knew I had found my newest obsession.
Determined to learn the correct formulation procedures, I enrolled in an Organic Skincare Formulation Diploma Program. As my formulations improved, my daughter took notice of the advancements and fell in love with the products herself. She stopped purchasing body care from other brands and exclusively used my creations. Recognizing the potential for a brand, Iman put her Art Direction skills to good use, and together, we launched our new luxury organic body care company, Ciiku Skin Essentials.
Tell me about your company, Ciiku Skin Essentials.
Ciiku Skin Essentials is a proudly black-owned and female-founded body care business that my daughter and I launched in 2023. Based in Vancouver, B.C., our company is a true reflection of our Kenyan-Canadian heritage and shared passion for natural, luxury skincare.
My daughter, Iman Wamboi, a model and actress, and I bring our unique strengths to the business. Iman is dedicated to luxury self-care and sustainability, ensuring our brand not only feels good but also does good for the environment. With my healthcare background and education in formulation, I infuse my passion for the science of skin health into our products, focusing on effective actives and extracts that truly benefit the skin.
At Ciiku, we provide premium organic skincare to customers who value thoughtfully crafted products, natural ingredients, and sustainable packaging. Our goal is to offer a luxurious self-care experience while promoting health and well-being through the use of high-quality, organic ingredients. We’re committed to creating products that our customers can trust and feel good about using, knowing they are both effective and environmentally conscious.
Right now, Ciiku’s current product line includes a luxurious body cream collection: Kalahari, Monoi, and Cupuaçu, and we are working on some new product launches for the fall. All of our lightly-scented body creams prove that natural and eco-conscious skincare can be seductive, sophisticated, and luxurious – without compromise.
Can you share your entrepreneurial journey launching Ciiku Skin Essentials and what inspired you to start this venture with your daughter?
The concept for Ciiku Skin Essentials started as a hobby in my kitchen during the COVID-19 lockdowns. In my mid-40s I went through a career change and decided to go back to school to study nursing after working as a hairstylist for nearly two decades. Since then, I’ve spent the last 15 years working as a Registered Nurse in the Maternity and Neonatal units in various hospitals around Vancouver.
When the pandemic came, I decided to begin experimenting with cosmetic formulations as I could feel myself longing for a creative outlet once more, something I was missing dearly from my nursing career. During this time, I also noticed my colleagues struggling with incredibly dry hands due to the constant use of hand sanitizer and excessive hand washing. They couldn’t find any lotions that would soothe their chapped skin effectively, and that sparked an idea.
My daughter and I began conducting market research and scrupulously examining the ingredient lists of popular luxury body creams. We were appalled at the lack of beneficial and effective ingredients found in high-end beauty products. Even renowned creams listed Mineral Oil and Petrolatum as two of their main ingredients, which was quite frankly shocking to us.
We also noticed that many of the brands we were researching were using many of the same oils and butters in their formulations. We kept seeing the same culprits being used across many different brands, for example, shea butter, jojoba butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, and others. Considering the wide variety of oils and butters available to us from our own vendors, we wondered why more brands weren’t diversifying their use of these ingredients. We realized there was a significant gap in the market for active-focused formulations that used a wide variety of natural oils and butters.
Combining my expertise in healthcare with my education in Organic Skin Care Formulation from Formula Botanica, I began to create body care products that truly prioritized skin health. It wasn’t long before my colleagues at the hospital began to take notice and request custom formulations of their own, some looking to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy, others seeking relief from cracked and itchy skin. On one occasion, I had brought a bottle of lotion to the nurses station, only to return two days later to find it gone, realizing that someone had taken it home for themselves. That’s when we knew we were on to something special.
Working alongside my daughter, who brings a meticulous dedication to luxury self-care and brand sustainability, we officially launched the company and it’s been an incredible journey. With a passion for creative direction and branding, my daughter, Iman, has been an essential part of our brand’s inception. Having spent the last six years working on commercial sets as a model and actress, she has been the force behind our brand’s vision and direction.
“As someone who has built a career working in front of the camera, I know first hand how important it is to look after your skin and what a significant result the products you use every day can have overall”, says Wamboi. “When I began consistently using my mum’s products, I instantly noticed an improvement in my skin. I’m very picky about consistencies and hydration levels when it comes to body moisturizers and have compiled a list of favourites over the years. Yet I found myself completely abandoning them after a few months of using my mum’s formulations. It was then I knew there was potential for a brand present and that we had a huge opportunity in our hands.”
Our mission is to create more than just hype with our creams; we sincerely craft products that we can proudly call our own and share with the world. We want to build a brand that customers can rely on for effective and quality formulations that are thoughtfully and intentionally created. We strive to establish trust and build strong relationships with our customers so that we may better educate them in making more informed decisions about their skin care purchases. This entrepreneurial journey has been deeply fulfilling, and I am excited to continue this venture with my daughter, creating luxurious products that also prioritize skin health.
What are some challenges you faced in starting a new business, and how did you navigate or overcome them?
Starting a new business was not easy. As you can imagine, there are so many things that you need to figure out before even launching – sourcing ingredients, packaging, branding and marketing, distribution, and navigating the financial and business aspects of it all. The process of starting a business from my home kitchen while also working full-time as a nurse has been demanding but fulfilling, and going back to school in my 50s was no easy feat, but my daughter and co-founder, Iman, has been a constant source of inspiration. Her support and belief in our vision gave me the courage to embark on this new venture.
My daughter, who had taken on the task of designing our packaging and finding containers that were not only suitable to hold our product but also aligned with our positioning as a luxury brand while satisfying our commitment to sustainability, had also faced some challenges.
“From the start, I knew that I wanted to avoid using plastic jars. As the owner of a product-based business and especially as a young entrepreneur, I realize that I have a responsibility to this planet we all share and the future generations who will come to inhabit it.
In today’s climate, when it comes to sustainable packaging, unfortunately, there is no “right answer”. Every packaging option has its drawbacks and shortcomings but, I didn’t want that to deter us from working towards being as environmentally conscious as possible. That being said, I was frustrated by the lack of options while looking for alternative solutions to plastic packaging.
Initially, we considered using amber glass jars but realized that they would be more expensive to ship due to their weight, which would impact both our operation costs and our clients’ incentive to purchase. We then considered using jars made from biodegradable wheat straw plastic since they weighed less than their glass counterparts and would work out to be a more cost-effective shipping option. However, we found that they did not provide the luxurious tactile experience we were after and were also quite unrefined in appearance.
When I found our supplier, I knew I had found the perfect vessel for our product in the glossy white aluminum jars we settled on and fell in love with. Aluminum jars seemed to be the most logical choice for us considering they were affordable, feather-light in weight, safe for skincare, and once filled and decorated with our signature paper labels, felt exquisite to hold.
One of our biggest goals at Ciiku is to challenge what comes to mind when we think about what a natural skin care company looks like. We want to be an example in the industry that natural and eco-conscious skincare can be seductive, sophisticated, and luxurious without compromise. I truly believe we have achieved that, not only with our branding and packaging choices but also with the quality, uniqueness, and feel of our products.”
For myself, one of the challenges I had was my mindset. I recognized that I was carrying some limiting beliefs that had been ingrained in me regarding money, self-worth, and success which would require my immediate attention. Oddly enough, I was able to identify that it wasn’t in fact failure I feared, but rather the thought of being successful, as I knew that it would bring with it many responsibilities and changes to my present life. On several occasions, I tried to coerce myself into believing that staying in a cushy nursing career would be my best option. But I knew there would be no growth in staying where I was comfortable. I knew that the fear of looking back a few years down the road and wishing I had started now would be more excruciating than any fear I was feeling in the present. Embarking on this journey has quite literally required me to reinvent myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. That being said, it has been such a beautiful and rewarding process.
Another challenge I experienced was balancing my schedule with our business needs, which was initially a challenge considering cosmetic product development involves a significant amount of research and our formulations needed to be tried and tested till they were perfect. I had to find a balance between my work as an RN, refining my formulation knowledge, and conducting research on raw materials. Though it was a challenge at first, I can see now how my nursing background has played a pivotal role in my ability to work efficiently, manage my time effectively, and collect data. Creating creams with different distinct sensorial feels requires one to be knowledgeable enough to skillfully combine various ingredients that compliment one another. It took multiple trials and many failed attempts before we were able to achieve our final results, learning all along the way. It came to a point where I had begun formulating in my sleep and would wake excitedly first thing in the morning to jot down what idea had just come to me. Having put so much heart and soul into these formulations, it has been so rewarding and absolutely thrilling to see our products out in the world and to receive such wonderful feedback from our clients, friends, and family.
Why is clean beauty important to you, and how do you hope to inspire others to embrace more sustainable skincare choices through Ciiku Skin Essentials?
Clean beauty is vital to me because it aligns with my core values of health and wellness. Over my career, I have seen firsthand the impact that harmful chemicals can have on the skin and overall health.Several studies have shown that the use of harmful chemicals in cosmetics can have a significant impact on the endocrine system. Chemicals such as parabens, phthalates and certain synthetic fragrances are known to interfere with hormone function by mimicking or blocking natural hormones. These endocrine disruptors can lead to hormonal imbalances, affecting reproductive health, metabolism and even mood regulation. This can result in conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), infertility and thyroid disorders.
Additionally, pregnant women using these products may expose their developing fetus to these substances. Environmentally, when these harmful chemicals enter the waterways, they can affect the ecosystem creating broader environmental issues.
This information combined with my dedication to health advocacy has inspired me to create clean formulations. As a skincare brand, we are committed to ingredient transparency by providing clear information about the ingredients found in our products and we strive to include ingredients that enhance well-being and skin health. Some of these include:
- Willow bark and chamomile extract naturally heal wounds and diminish scars
- Tsubaki and Mangosteen oil are loaded with regenerative properties and full of skin-nourishing vitamins and fatty acids
- Cocoa bean oil and coffee bean oil are fantastic for minimizing stretch marks and tightening skin, and they have antioxidant properties
- Argan oil is anti-aging and anti-inflammatory, and studies have shown a great improvement in skin hydration in postmenopausal women
- Shea oil restores collagen, making it an effective anti-wrinkle treatment, preventing sunburn, and reducing the appearance of burns and stretchmarks
Clean beauty is about more than just avoiding harmful chemicals; it’s about making informed choices for your well-being.
What makes Ciiku Skin Essentials products special, and how do your products stand out in the market of organic skincare products?
What makes Ciiku Skin Essentials products special is our dedication to formulating active and botanical-focused body care using high-quality, exotic oils and butters. Our current product line includes a luxurious body cream collection: Kalahari, Monoi, and Cupuaçu – with more to come soon.
Our body care line demonstrates that natural and eco-conscious skincare can also be luxurious. We use natural emulsifiers that mimic your skin barrier, along with plant-based silicone alternatives, creating a “second-skin” like finish. This ensures that our formulations are never greasy and leave your skin feeling luxuriously soft from with an incredibly touchable texture.
What truly sets Ciiku apart in the market of organic skincare products is our unique approach to ingredients and formulation. We utilize raw materials from exotic locations worldwide, crafting unique formulations that leave your skin feeling and smelling divine. Our products are lightly scented with thoughtfully selected essential oils that accentuate the authentic scents of the natural base ingredients.
Our commitment to sustainability and quality is reflected in every aspect of our products. We are deeply committed to minimizing our environmental footprint. Our body creams are packaged in eco-friendly, light-to-ship 100% aluminum jars that can be effectively recycled. By choosing sustainable packaging, we aim to reduce waste and promote a more circular economy. This reflects our belief that skincare should not only be good for your skin but also kind to the planet.
We aim to prove that you don’t have to sacrifice luxury for sustainability. By combining advanced skincare science with the finest natural ingredients, we provide a product line that delivers exceptional results while being kind to both your skin and the planet. This dedication to excellence and eco-consciousness makes Ciiku Skin Essentials truly special in the world of organic skincare.
Can you tell us about any new product formulations or upcoming endeavours for Ciiku Skin Essentials that we can look forward to in the near future?
We have a lot of exciting things in the works with new formulations, Iincluding a fall\winter launch of a skin rescue duo featuring a body scrub formulated with mechanical exfoliants, rich plant oils, botanical extracts and plant-derived beta hydroxy acids, and non-greasy body balm that prevents transepidermal water loss keeping the skin moisturized and giving it a rejuvenated complexion.
We also have two body lotions for our 2025 spring\summer launch that we are very excited about. These lotions are formulated with star ingredients that are not commonly found in body care products giving them a luxurious appeal. They are not only intensely hydrating but also offer a skin protective barrier against environmental influences. We can’t wait to launch them!
As our brand grows, we will be incorporating ceramides, peptides and several botanical extracts consisting of plant phenolics that are involved in skin defence against UV radiation, protection from free radicals and prevention of blue light skin damage because we believe the skin on our bodies deserves just as much attention as the skin on our faces.
