For more than two decades, Nubian Heritage’s shea butter-based products have been available for those seeking healthier alternatives to skin and body care products manufactured with man-made chemicals. Each of Nubian Heritage’s product offerings are designed in a way that modernizes a whole host of global and culturally diverse healing traditions.

The History of Nubian Heritage

When childhood friends Richelieu Dennis and Nyema Tubman graduated from Babson College and sought employment in the early 1990s, they began selling what would eventually become Nubian Heritage’s first products as street vendors in their Harlem community. Another Nubian Heritage founder, Mary Dennis (Richelieu’s mother), helped them get the idea off the ground. Initially, they set out to combine African Black Soap and Shea Butter in the form of soaps and salves - yet since they founded the enterprise in 1992 through the creation of parent company Sundial Brands, natural skin care product ideas have evolved considerably.

Nubian Heritage Mission

Nubian Heritage was founded upon the legacy of ancient Nubia, which was considered a cultural trade center, or “melting pot,” in which ideas and goods were exchanged by peoples from around the world. As a company, Nubian Heritage aims to promote cultural exchange as a positive force that can better the lives of those in different communities around the world.

Nubian Heritage Benefits

Keeping in line with its company mission, Nubain Heritage’s products have been made using ethically sourced Shea Butter from seven women’s co-ops in Northern Ghana. The co-ops, which employ more than 700 women, have partnered with Sundial’s Community Commerce Program, which promotes ethical wages and assists with operational oversight to enhance efficiency, safety and even quality of life. Ultimately, the aim is to empower the women through financial freedom, brought about by changes to their daily working conditions.

Top Nubian Heritage Products

There are several varieties of Nubian Heritage Bar Soaps available for sale on Thrive Market - as well as the company’s renowned coconut- and papaya-infused body lotion. Read more about these products below:

Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp and Haitian Vetiver Bar Soap

This highly reviewed bar soap has healing and rejuvenating qualities brought about by combining Neem Oil and Vetiver, which are used to treat skin disorders and invoke relaxation, respectively.

Honey and Black Seed Bar Soap

Made with cruelty-free and fair trade ingredients, this sweet smelling bar soap features ancient ingredients believed to help support the immune system and increase blood circulation. The seeds offer gentle exfoliation while apricot oil and wild honey condition skin.

More Natural Skin Care Tips & Product Ideas

Whether you’re interested in Shea butter-based skin care products, or simply those made using natural ingredients, read Thrive Market’s selected blogs below to find out more:

Shea and Cocoa Butter, Which is Best?

Both Shea and Cocoa butters are made using extracts from different sources - as a result they are two different products. Read more here.

Coconut Oil and Skin Conditions

Coconut oil is used in several Nubian Heritage products: Discover how it can help benefit your skin and treat certain conditions in this blog.

Nubian Heritage, Raw Shea Butter Bar Soap