After a summer of sun, and in anticipation of the impending seasonal temperature change, it's an ideal time to rethink your skincare regime. I was excited to try Nyakio's skincare line because it is formulated without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, formaldehyde, and butylene glycol. The packaging is heavy and substantial, the ingredients high quality and backed by generations of use. Nyakio's line is pleasantly affordable despite its luxurious ingredients.
As a young girl Nyakio, spent her summers in Africa with her family of medicine men, farmers and educators. Her favorite memory was of her grandmother (a coffee farmer) teaching her mother and her to crush coffee beans and rub them on their skin using a piece of sugarcane to remove dry skin. She discovered that memories likes these are shared by women all around the world. Cultivated global beauty secrets, cultural traditions and indigenous ingredients are brought through friends, family and travel for naturally ageless beauty.
Baobob Youth Infused Daily Defense Crème
One of my favorite features of this line is the global reach and the indigenous ingredients. Many of which I wasn't familiar with before. Baobab oil, derived from the coveted namesake superfruit in Mali, is rumored to be the preserver of youthful beauty. Baobab has been nicknamed as the "Tree of Life" due to its high levels of vitamin A, E and omegas 3, 6 and 9. From the leaves to the roots, the baobab tree has been used for generations. Many Savannah communities make their homes near Baobab trees which provide shelter, food and water. The consistency of this cream is thicker than I'm used to but dries quickly with a matte finish. Skin feels hydrated but not greasy. I have oily skin - probably because I'm always putting something on it, sunscreen, oils, serums etc. so this is great for someone like me! Unlike most thin creams or moisturizers that you apply, this one feels like you are doing something substantially hydrating for your skin.
African Black Soap Purifying Mud Mask
I love almonds: eating them, drinking them and using the oil on my hands and now as part of this mask formulation. I love the almond scent of this mask. I also love to use masks so this checks off two categories for me there alone. It has a nice creamy consistency, dries to a tightened finish with granules to scrub off. Infused with African Black Soap, rich in vitamins A and E, and jojoba beads this gentle mask helps retexturize and detoxify skin.
African black soap hails from Ghana and is traditionally made by harvesting and sun-drying palm leaves, cocoa pods and the bark from shea trees. The material is then roasted in a kettle and mixed with oils. The soap cures for two weeks before it is ready to use. This combination of ingredients make it ideal for detoxifying all skin types.
Some balms can be waxy or goopy and sticky. Not this one. This is a nice not too heavy lip balm. It's fragrance free and soaks in quickly so it's good as a prep step for lipstick- after the Kenyan Lip Scrub to remove all those dead skin flakes of course!
Get it glowing! Renew, refresh and revitalize all skin types with Nyakio's Kenyan Coffee Face Polish. This lush, creamy facial scrub is naturally derived formula that combines Kenyan Coffee, rich in antioxidants and caffeine, with jojoba and moisturizing shea butter. Gently exfoliates to instantly reveal radiant, youthful-looking skin. In Kenya, a mixture of finely ground Kenyan coffee beans and sugar has been a secret to attaining a soft, radiant complexion for generations. The granules are small so they're not harsh on your skin, and can be used several times per week. I like to keep mine in the shower so it's ready for use and the caffeine is an extra boost for my skin in the morning!
Nyakio's Sweet Almond Cleansing Oil Balm
Melt away your makeup! Nyakio's Sweet Almond Cleansing Oil Balm is a sumptuously rich, transformative balm-to-oil cleanser that gently melts away makeup, dirt, and impurities. I double cleanse most evenings unless I'm too tired, it's the best way to fully remove long wearing makeup and sunscreen. I'm used to cleansing balms that emulsify more than this one. To fully remove it, you need to use a cleansing wipe or tissue to sweep off the oil. I then follow with a gel cleanser. I'm acne prone so I thought it might be a little heavy for me but would be amazing for dryer skin types. Although, I have been using it for a while now and have experienced no break outs! Similar to the Tamanu Face Balm, I think these might be just the thing for winter months. Sweet almond oil, one of Spain's most valued resources, has been used on skin by generations of Mediterranean women for its light texture and ability to gently cleanse skin.
Quinoa De-Puffing & Firming Eye Cream
Send those eye bags packing! Nyakio's Quinoa De-Puffing & Firming Eye Cream is a cooling eye treatment that depuffs the under eye area for a firmer look. My favorite part of this eye cream is the cooling ceramic tip applicator. It feels great on your skin, I like to keep mine in my desk drawer and re-apply throughout the work day. It goes on clear and absorbs well, helping to minimize any puffiness.
Quinoa, is revered as a superfood by modern and ancient Peruvians alike due to its high content of vitamins, minerals and protein. The "mother grain" earns its name not only from history, but from the mothers and grandmothers who make up nearly 40% of quinoa farmers across Peru. The origins of Quinoa date back 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, and is seen as a "Food of the Gods" in Peru for its numerous nutritional benefits.
I love to use sleeping masks as the best time for skin to repair itself is overnight. Skin can lose a lot of water while you sleep. The purpose of an overnight mask is to create a permeable seal on top of your skin that makes anything underneath it penetrate better. Another thing that sets sleep masks apart from your average night creams is that they're lighter, so you can actually wear them overnight without creating a mess on your pillowcase. I often use the Chamomile Soothing Sleep Mask after micro-needling to calm my skin. Chamomile's popularity grew throughout the Middle Ages in Egypt, when people turned to its a remedy for numerous wellness concerns. For generations noblewomen have crushed the petals and spread them over skin, leaving them with calm, refreshed skin.
Products provided for review by Nyakio, all opinions stated are mine.
What about you? Do you change up your seasonal beauty routine or have your tried and true products year round? Are you into natural beauty or is that not a big deal for you? Let me know in the comments below!
34 comments
Your skin looks so beautiful! I need to check this product out
I have never heard of Nyako products before. I have also always used the same skin products throughout the year — it’s eye opening to see someone else taking care of their skin differently. I will check this brand out. Thanks for sharing.
I have never heard of Nyako products before. I have also always used the same skin products throughout the year — it’s eye opening to see someone else taking care of their skin differently. I will check this brand out. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never heard of this line before, but I love products that are based on nature and ingredients that have been used for generations, so I will have to give it a try! My skincare regime has always been very minimal, but I like the idea of changing things up for fall :-)
Love the reviews of these products thanks so much for sharing