Our goal to redefine beauty with Kenyan-grown skincare solutions

Kaira Organics, founded by Khadija Ahmed and Mariam Yislam started the beauty company out of curiosity, necessity and desire to create something from understanding the African skin. 

"Beyond skincare, Kaira came from a deeper calling, to celebrate our roots and reimagine how the world sees Kenyan-made beauty. The name Kaira itself means “peace”  and that’s what the brand stands for: peace with your skin, peace with your identity, and pride in where you come from," says Khadija.

Her inspiration, she says, came from a noticeable gap in nation's beauty market. She inspired to create a brand that combined authentic African ingredients with global quality formulation and design, a brand that could celebrate nation's culture. 

"The market reception for Kaira has been incredibly encouraging. From the start, our goal was to create a brand that felt both premium and relatable, and it’s been rewarding to see how people have embraced that balance," says Yislam. 

The duo notes that when they started the beauty company, they identified a gap in the Kenyan beauty market, where there are imported brands that are not tailor-made for African skin, or local ones that lacked the refinement and consistency people desired. 

Kaira stands for clean, natural beauty. It sources shea butter from Ghana, Nilotica shea from Uganda, and coconut oil from Kilifi, Kenya, combining centuries-old natural ingredients with cutting-edge cosmetics.

"I’m passionate about promoting clean beauty that celebrates and enhances natural skin tones," says Khadija.

"Growing up in a community where skin bleaching is common, I saw the harmful effects of these products, which is why I am committed to creating solutions that nourish without altering. Every skin tone is beautiful, and the right products should simply enhance and care for it,” says Yislam. 

Kaira, the duo says,  draws from Africa’s rich heritage of plant-based remedies; ingredients like shea butter, hibiscus, moringa, and baobab. Herbs selected from regions like Chad, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Sudan. The herbs are celebrated for their natural benefits, deeply nourishing and enhancing the skin and hair.

"We are proud to formulate and craft each product right here in Kenya, blending centuries-old African knowledge with modern skincare science. Every ingredient is selected with purpose, ensuring that our formulations not only respect the earth but also offer our customers the very best that nature has to offer.” 

Since its launch, Kaira's innovation has extended to sustainability and community empowerment. The brand uses recyclable glass packaging, promotes refill systems, and partners with local producers to reduce its carbon footprint.

"Our core market is women between 25 and 45,  though we see growing love from younger women who are starting their skincare journeys and older women who appreciate indulgent, natural care," states Khadija. 

Looking ahead, the entrepreneurs envision Kaira reshaping perceptions of African beauty globally. 

"Five years from now, our dream is to make “Made in Kenya” synonymous with quality, elegance, and authenticity. I want Kaira to stand as a brand that celebrates our natural ingredients, our creativity, and our people, showing that Kenyan craftsmanship can compete on any global stage."