The Caribbean is famous not only for its beautiful beaches and rum, but also for the natural ingredients produced in the region. Caribbean entrepreneurs are capitalizing on the beauty industry as they a plethora of plants, herbs, and fruits that are used in international skincare, hair care, and cosmetics lines.
Here we look at Caribbean companies, that are making their mark on the cosmetic and beauty industry.
Alamar Cosmetics - Cuba
Alamar Cosmetics was founded 2017 by makeup artist and social media specialist, Gabriela Trujillo. The company was named after her birthplace, Alamar, a small barrio in Havana, Cuba.
The company is known for its beautiful palette with amazing quality eyeshadows.
Cultured Naturals Body Care - U.S. Virgin Islands
Cultured Naturals Body Care, based in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, was founded by Ramone Reid after her cancer diagnosis and the journey of regaining her health. The company manufactures Vegan and toxin-free Face, Body, Hair, and Home Scent products.
Ramone is a nurse, chemist, kitchen beautician, and young female entrepreneur. Body lotions from Cultured Naturals are vegan and infused with herbs and essential oils and are made from ingredients like Lemongrass, Aloe Vera, Noni, Papaya, Neem, Peppermint, Lavender, Virgin Coconut Oil, and other plant-powered ingredients that are safe for the entire family.
EC Soap Co - British Virgin Islands
EC Soap Co, based in the British Virgin Islands, creates natural bath and body products using organic ingredients sourced from local farmers. The brand was founded in 2016 by Alexandra Durante is Virgin Islands' first and only local manufacturer of natural bath and body products for both the hospitality and retail industries. These products are eco-friendly and come in recyclable/reusable packaging.
Stock up on its lotion, soap, salt scrub, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and more — you’ll want it all. EC Soap Co.’s products are eco-friendly and come in recyclable/reusable packaging to help reduce waste and harsh chemicals that wash into the sea.
Itiba -U.S. Virgin Islands
Yoki Hanley founded Itiba Beauty for her infant daughter, who was unable to use traditional skincare products and soaps containing harsh chemicals. The mother from the US Virgin Islands created her first soap with skin-loving oils such as coconut, mango butter, lemongrass, and lavender. When her daughter stopped crying during bath time, she knew she was onto something good.
Itiba offers a line of all-natural skin care products that are suitable for all skin types and genders. The brand offers phthalate-free, mineral oil-free, silicone oil-free, and paraben-free body butter, lotions, body sprays, and soaps. Itiba's Mango Body Butter and Crucian Spice Lotion are two fan favorites.
Sacha Cosmetics - Trinidad and Tobago
Sacha Cosmetics, was founded by Kama Maharaj in Trinidad and Tobago in 1979. Its one the Caribbean's leading makeup brand and their products are now sold in 500 retail outlets in 45 countries, as well as on Amazon. Sacha cosmetics include lipsticks, foundations, brushes, powders, primers, palettes, and much more.
Gaelle Cosmetics - Jamaica
Gaelle Cosmestics was founded in 2017, by Safyie Reid, and offers a line of 50 matte liquid lipsticks. The lipsticks, come in a variety of vibrant shades and nudes, are non-toxic, paraben-free, long-lasting, and waterproof.
The company's motto “Out of Many, One Woman,” means the brand believes that their differences are what make life beautiful, and that when diverse women are connected through empowerment, great things happen.
Simply Natural - The Bahamas
Simply Natural is a hair and skin care product line made entirely of natural and organic ingredients in The Bahamas. Keshia Moss-Smith founded the company in 2016, with the knowledge of the benefits of natural ingredients she learned as a young girl growing up in the Caribbean, as well as her chemistry background from obtaining a Biochemistry Degree.
Keshia began to formulate products that addressed the needs of her tightly coiled hair as well as her skin care needs. NO petroleum, mineral oil, alcohol, parabens, sulfates, or silicones; Simply Natural products nourish and replenish moisture from the inside out by utilizing the healing properties found in natural and organic ingredients.
Kihara Cosmetics - Jamaica
Kihara Cosmetics is an all-natural Hair, Skin, and Nail beauty Solutions Company, founded in early 2010 by Dr. Charah T. Watson.
The company specializes in hair and scalp care for women, and have since grown to specialize in skin, hair, scalp and nail products for all. Their products are 100% natural and organic, developed from the best ingredients sourced in Jamaica and throughout the world.
Kihara products are formulated with top quality all natural plant based oils such as Jamaican Black Castor oil and Jamaican Cold Pressed Coconut oil and 100% therapeutic essential oils. Today, the company operate a small operation mainly online and through select retail stores in Jamaica, and fulfillment centers in Atlanta, and the Tri-State area.
Kreyòl Essence - Haiti
Kreyol Essence (KE) is a company founded by Yve-Car Momperousse, that exports natural hair, skin, and body products from Haiti to the rest of the world. Their environmentally friendly formulations are made from pure and natural ingredients, with a special emphasis on dry hair and skin. As a social enterprise, they are obsessed with creating long-term jobs, protecting and conserving the island's environment, and empowering women.
Kreyol Essence (KE) uses indigenous ingredients from Caribbean farms, such as Haitian Black Castor Oil, to create the one product you need for flawless skin, a flake-free scalp, and naturally growing hair, eyelashes, and brows.
Their traditional formulations are made up of plant-based oils, herbs, and butters that are rich in history, moisture, and efficacy. There are no fillers, parabens, sulfates, or synthetic dyes in this product.