Clean Beauty: Jackline Kiunga of Ciiku Skin Essentials On 5 Things You Need To Create a Successful Clean Beauty Brand

…Make Sustainability Stylish. Sustainability should be at the forefront of any modern beauty brand, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Innovating our packaging was a journey deeply influenced by our co-founder, Iman Wamboi’s background in fashion design, where she saw firsthand the waste created by the industry — from excess fabric to discarded packaging. When we started looking for packaging solutions, our goal was clear: find an alternative to plastic that aligned with our ethos but also upheld our brand’s aesthetic and functional standards…

The clean beauty movement is transforming the beauty industry by emphasizing the importance of safe, non-toxic ingredients. Consumers are increasingly concerned about what they put on their skin, leading to a demand for transparency and high standards in beauty products. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jackline Kiunga, RN and Co-founder of Ciiku Skin Essentials.

Jackline Kiunga’s journey from working in a product packaging facility in Kenya to becoming a Registered Nurse in Canada and launching Ciiku Skin Essentials at age 55, reflects her deep commitment to clean beauty. Blending her rich cultural heritage with expertise in organic skincare, Jackline creates luxurious, natural products that respect both the skin and the planet. Her passion lies in empowering others through providing sophisticated, clean beauty solutions.

Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?

Thank you for the warm welcome! My journey into the world of natural skincare has been a winding path, with every step teaching me something invaluable along the way. My career began in my late teens when I started working as a lab technician at a German chemical company back in Kenya, learning the science behind product creation — from quality control and pH testing to labeling. I would pass the time by experimenting with raw materials and conducting my own trials by mixing together concoctions in beakers that would often bubble over or start smoldering.

I was so curious about the environment I worked in and fell in love with the creative aspect involved in formulating. I dreamed of one day owning and operating my own lab. Eventually, life led me to pursue a career in hairdressing, as part of me found working in the lab to be a bit isolating and I was craving deeper connections with others, as well as the opportunity to delve even further into my creative expression. In my 40s, I went back to school to obtain my nursing degree and began working as an RN in the Maternity and NICU wards, where I truly learned the importance of personalized care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, as we all were forced to spend more time with ourselves, I began looking for something creative to do as I once again felt myself longing for a means to express that side of me. Although I was busy battling the pandemic on the frontlines at work, on my days off I felt listless. I started making candles and it did the trick initially, however, I quickly grew bored of how monotonous the process became once I got the hang of it.

Additionally, I began to notice how both myself and my colleagues were struggling with dry, chapped skin from constant hand washing. It was painful, and we couldn’t find anything that worked to soothe our discomfort or moisturize our skin. That’s when I started experimenting with skincare formulation in my kitchen, blending my healthcare background with my love for natural ingredients. What began as a solution for myself and my colleagues turned into a full-fledged passion, and Ciiku Skin Essentials was born. Today, I’m proud to offer products that not only nurture the skin but also resonate deeply with those who use them.

Can you share the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?

One of the most defining moments in my career came during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a registered nurse, I was on the front lines, witnessing firsthand how constant hand washing and alcohol-based sanitizers were wreaking havoc on our skin. My colleagues and I were desperate for relief, and the ‘high-end’ products we had just weren’t cutting it. On one occasion we received a box of hand lotion at the nursing station as a gift from a well-known brand which I was initially very excited to try. However, I was unimpressed by the consistency of the formulation and disappointed to find that it contained parabens, synthetic ingredients, and a very small concentration of natural oil.

One evening, I stumbled across a YouTube video about making body butters at home. It was like a light bulb went off — I could use my scientific knowledge and passion for caring for others to create something that truly worked and felt incredible. I started formulating products in my kitchen, using my background in nursing to combine ingredients that were both safe and nourishing, and my creative side to develop luxurious, non-greasy, soothing products that my colleagues and I could rely on.

The biggest lesson I took from this experience is that life often brings us full circle. My background in labs, salons, and hospitals all converged at that moment, allowing me to create something meaningful. It taught me that every experience is valuable and can shape your future in unexpected ways. I have come to know the value of patience and perseverance, and the importance of trusting the journey you are on. If I had started this process earlier, I might not have gathered the experiences that now define our brand’s philosophy. It’s never just about the timing; it’s about being ready to see the connections between your experiences and how they can shape your future.

You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

• Constant Curiosity: My journey has been fueled by a relentless curiosity. Early in my career as a lab technician, I quickly realized that staying stationary wasn’t for me. This thirst for knowledge drove me through a whirlwind of career changes, from beauty salons to nursing wards, each shift propelled by the hunt for new challenges and learning opportunities. When I ventured into skincare formulation, it was a leap into the unknown, but every step felt as if my entire career had been a preparation for this moment. It’s this insatiable curiosity that keeps my work fresh and exciting.
• Resilience: Like most people, life has thrown its fair share of challenges my way, from balancing work and family to navigating the ups and downs of starting a business. One particularly tough time was when I couldn’t get a product formulation right for months. It was frustrating, but instead of giving up, I took a break, cleared my mind, and came back with a fresh perspective that led to a breakthrough. Resilience, I’ve learned, isn’t just about pushing through — it’s about knowing when to step back and regroup.
• Pure Discipline: Discipline is often misunderstood as rigidity, but to me, it’s the essence of focus, commitment, and consistency. It’s what drove me through the late nights juggling nursing school while raising a family. This discipline helped me manage my time, balancing my roles as a mother, student, and later, a business owner. It has taught me to prioritize fiercely and maintain focus on long-term goals even amid the daily chaos. In business, this discipline ensures that every minute counts, helping us to innovate continuously and create exceptional products for our customers. It’s about not letting the immediate pressures distract from the long-term goals.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?

We’re currently developing two new lotions that I’m so excited about. The first features White Truffle extract, which is packed with a high concentration of vitamins that support the skin’s natural processes. White truffle is a powerhouse ingredient not commonly used in skincare, and it brings an extraordinary level of nourishment and luxury to our products. The second lotion incorporates Green Caviar Extract and Dragon Fruit Extract — both known for their hydrating and protective properties against UV rays.

What excites me most about these new additions is their focus on not just facial care but the entire body. We often focus so much on facial skincare, but our bodies deserve to experience the same level of care and luxury. Our goal is to provide a spa-like experience at home, helping people feel pampered and protected, whether they’re spending a day in the sun or just winding down after a long day.

What inspired your brand to focus on clean beauty, and how do you define ‘clean’ in the context of your products?

My commitment to clean beauty stems from a deep frustration with products that promised so much but delivered incredibly little. As an RN, I’d apply what were supposed to be ‘high-quality’ lotions, only to have my skin feel dry and uncomfortable an hour later. It became clear that many high-end products were still laden with fillers, silicones, and harsh emulsifiers that coated the skin without providing real, lasting moisture or nourishment.

This experience prompted me to rethink skincare from the ground up. At Ciiku, ‘clean’ means creating products that work in harmony with the body’s natural processes. We use natural oils and high-end emulsifiers that mimic the skin’s own sebum, enhancing absorption and effectiveness. We make sure that every ingredient is sustainably sourced and steer clear of harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, focusing instead on transparency and sustainability.

For us, clean beauty is holistic. It’s not just about how products make your skin look, but how they make you feel — uplifted, nurtured, and connected to nature. In essence, clean beauty for us is about integrity, efficacy, and sensory delight — it’s a commitment to making beauty safe, sophisticated and luxuriously effective.

How do you ensure the ingredients in your products meet clean beauty standards, and what criteria do you use to select them?

Our ingredient selection process is intentionally designed to uphold the highest standards of clean beauty while delivering an unparalleled sense of luxury and sophistication. Our approach is rooted in crafting beauty solutions that our customers can indulge in with confidence, knowing that each product is as kind to the planet as it is to their skin.

We prioritize natural, lightweight, and fast-absorbing oils that not only deeply nourish the skin but also leave it feeling fresh and radiant, without the heavy or greasy after-feel often associated with traditional skincare products. For instance, our Kalahari line features the opulent Kalahari Melon Seed Oil and Raspberry Seed Oil, both renowned for their exceptional moisturizing properties and quick absorption. These oils are carefully selected to enhance the skin’s natural barrier, providing a protective shield against environmental stressors while maintaining a delicate, non-greasy finish.

In our Monoi line, we incorporate exotic oils like Mangosteen and Tsubaki, which are not only powerful in their effectiveness but also steeped in rich cultural heritage. These oils are treasured in beauty rituals around the world, celebrated for their ability to revitalize the skin with a potent blend of vitamins and antioxidants, ensuring a youthful, vibrant complexion.

Our Cupuaçu line is another testament to our commitment to luxurious, clean beauty. It features indulgent ingredients like Coffee Bean Oil and Cupuaçu Butter — both selected for their deep hydration capabilities. Cupuaçu Butter, in particular, is revered for its superior water absorption capacity, offering long-lasting moisture that improves skin elasticity without leaving any residue.

We consciously avoid silicones and fillers, choosing instead high-end emulsifiers and natural alternatives like Daikon Seed Extract. This ensures our formulations provide a silky, smooth application that mimics the skin’s natural barrier, delivering a sophisticated, non-greasy finish that feels indulgent and light.

Our commitment to clean beauty is matched by our dedication to creating products that are a true luxury to use — beautifully crafted, environmentally responsible, and wonderfully effective.

What steps do you take to educate consumers about the importance of clean ingredients and how they can make informed choices when purchasing beauty products?

Education is central to our mission at Ciiku. We believe that informed customers are empowered customers, so we go out of our way to provide detailed information about the origins and benefits of our ingredients. We understand that not everyone has the time to deep dive into complex ingredient analyses. Therefore, our focus is on simplifying this information and presenting it in an easy-to-understand format.

To make information more accessible, we are integrating QR codes on our product labels. When scanned, these codes will direct customers to a landing page that provides detailed information about the product’s ingredients, including sourcing and benefits. This instant access to information at the point of purchase helps demystify what’s inside the jar.

We’re also passionate about building an online community where our customers can ask questions, share experiences, and learn more about clean beauty. This platform will be a space for growth, where we can all learn and evolve together.

Recognizing the influence and reach of social media, our goal is to collaborate with influencers who genuinely believe in clean beauty and embody our brand values. These collaborations will help amplify our message and educate a broader audience through trusted voices who can articulate the importance of clean ingredients effectively.

We aim to make clean beauty accessible and engaging, helping people make choices that are good for their skin and for the planet.

What innovative or unconventional ingredients are you most excited about in the clean beauty space, and why?

One of the most exciting innovations we’re exploring at Ciiku involves the use of upcycled ingredients in our products, blending luxury with environmental responsibility. Upcycling allows us to transform overlooked by-products, like cold-pressed seed oils from leftover seeds and citrus peels, into high-performance skincare elements that directly benefit the skin. These materials aren’t just sustainably sourced; they bring a touch of sophistication to our formulations.