“soul food for the skin”

Pholk Beauty launched in June 2018 as a way to welcome women of color into the natural vegan skincare space. During her graduate studies in London and travels across the globe, Founder Niambi Cacchioli visited local markets to pick up herbs and ingredients to make simple body care products. She noticed there were often African descendants at the markets selling skin remedies similar to those found in her home state of Kentucky. These interactions got her to thinking about an African Diaspora, folk beauty culture that plays with tradition and adaptation. 

“Pholk is a love letter to the beauty cultures across the African Diaspora. Just like the soulful cuisine of Africans and African descendants around the globe, our nourishing ‘skinfood’ is inspired by the best of the African Diaspora’s beauty secrets,” Cacchioli told BLK OCEANS. “I think one of the key differences is that, as an esthetician, I know that melanin-rich skin can be reactive to harsh ingredients. So, I only use the gentlest botanicals in our products.”

Addressing the skincare needs of many women of color, the collection features a combination of non-clogging butters, oils and flower waters to cleanse, hydrate and balance skin.

All products are made in house at the Pholk Beauty Lab in Jersey City, NJ by a 100 percent person of color team. From Jamaican grown turmeric to Chilean Rosehip Seed Oil, each product also includes vegan ingredients from all corners of the globe. 

“As an academic turned beauty activist, Niambi infuses Pholk with her love and knowledge of the African Diaspora’s healing and herbalist traditions. Her calling is to welcome women of color into the natural skincare space by thinking about both lifestyle and skin needs, and crafting a brand narrative that celebrates women of color as innovators of culture,” says the Pholk website. 

Some of their most popular products include the Honeysuckle Rose Face Mist, Daily Detox Face Wash and the Werkacita Allover Balms. 

Follow Pholk on Instagram to hear about new products and collaborations.