Africa's beauty and personal care market is growing fast, but there's still a lack of products tailored towards Black skin. Uncover, a Kenyan skincare brand, says it wants to fill this gap by providing healthy cosmetics that put African women first.
Despite being manufactured in South Korea, the products all contain at least one African-grown ingredient.
Africa's beauty and personal care market is growing fast, and Uncover is one of a number of companies that use cosmetic ingredients grown in Africa. Fruit from the baobab tree pictured here, is filled with antioxidants, making it a popular skincare ingredient with various brands.
Green tea leaves grown in Africa are used in Uncover's detoxifying sheet mask as well as its revitalizing cleanser. According to Uncover, the plant contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Shea butter is used as a moisturizer in all kinds of cosmetics produced around the world. It is made from the nuts of the Karite tree, which grows widely in Africa and is an important source of income in rural areas. According to the Global Shea Alliance, 16 million women from Senegal to South Sudan help harvest the nuts.
Aloe vera, renowned for its cooling properties, is used in Uncover's sunscreen, which is one of the brand's most popular products since it leaves no white cast, according to Jade Oyateru, the startup's COO and co-founder.
Argan oil derives from argan tree nuts (pictured) grown in Morocco, and Uncover uses the ingredient in its moisturizer.
Rooibos, a plant grown in South Africa that is often used to make herbal tea, features in Uncover's glow toner. The brand says that it calms the skin and also acts as an anti-ageing ingredient.
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