The desire for “fair” skin is not new in Nigeria, but in this age where organic skin products are available and accessible, many women, especially young girls, are still ignorant about the harmful effects of using whitening creams. Some may argue that finding affordable plant-based skin products is hard.
So, I took it upon myself to find a local, reputable organic skincare brand and discovered Bellissima Botanicals, founded and run by a certified botanist, Ms. Junaid Abisola. In this interview, she shares her journey, the challenges she has overcome, and the vision she has for the beauty brand.
A botany degree by chance
Bisola’s story begins at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where she pursued a degree in botany. Despite her family’s reservations about the profitability of a botany degree, she continued her studies, slowly discovering the vast potential within this often-overlooked field. By her third year, she realised that botany was more than just the study of plants; it was a gateway to understanding the natural world and its applications, a realisation that laid the foundation for her future endeavours.
Upon graduation, she taught chemistry in a high school which showed her applications of botanical knowledge. This experience reinforced her understanding of the chemical foundations essential for effective skincare formulation. Her first job was managing the UNILAG’s branch of Maya Organics, a budding skincare brand in Nigeria. Here, Bisola transitioned from theory to practice, diving into the creation of skincare products. Her role involved more than just formulation; she was also the face of the business, engaging with customers and continuously expanding her knowledge through various resources. This hands-on experience was crucial, as it provided her with the practical skills needed to create her own skincare line.
She later worked at a beauty spa in Lekki, where she gained exposure to advanced skincare products, such as Dermalogica, broadening her understanding of the industry. This exposure, combined with her botanical background, was instrumental in the creation of her own brand, Bellissima Botanicals.
The genesis of Bellissima Botanicals
Bisola’s foray into skincare was born from three things: a personal struggle with skin issues, a quest for products that actually worked, and the desire to put into practice all she had learned as a botanist. As a young woman, she had always struggled with acne, and working for bodycare enterprises opened her eyes to the possibilities of creating formulas that work. With guidance from her mentor, late Dr. Olushola Shonubi, her project supervisor in school, she decided to take matters into her own hands, quite literally, by experimenting with natural ingredients. What began as a personal project quickly evolved into a business idea as she noticed the transformative effects on her skin.
“I’ve always been drawn to nature and its healing powers,” Bisola reflects. “I realised that the answers to my skin problems were hidden in plain sight, in the plants and herbs that have been used for centuries.”
She and her team meticulously craft each product, ensuring that it is not merely a mix of ingredients but a scientifically grounded formulation designed to benefit the skin. Her deep understanding of plants and their active compounds, gained through years of study and practical experience, sets her products apart in a crowded market.
Her initial success with her first few formulations led to the creation of Bellissima Botanicals in 2016. Armed with little more than a deep passion for natural skincare, she started small, offering products to friends and family. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and soon, word spread by mouth, bringing in a steady stream of customers.
Bellissima Botanicals offers a diverse range of skincare products designed to meet market needs, including essentials like facial cleansers, African black soap, moisturisers, and treatments such as clay masks and serums. The African black soap is unique for being entirely locally sourced. The brand also creates custom products tailored to individual skincare concerns and introduces seasonal collections, like their holiday set of body butter, scrubs, and bath bombs. Additionally, they cater to special requests, ensuring all products have a market to avoid waste and maintain sustainability.
Overcoming challenges as an entrepreneur
“Honestly, doubt was the biggest challenge,” Abisola Junaid revealed. Starting a business is a leap of faith, but for her, it was more than just a business venture—it was a life choice. Fresh from school, she faced scepticism, particularly from her family, who questioned the viability of her chosen path. “How many soaps do you need to sell to make a living?” was a question that lingered, casting shadows of doubt on her fledgling venture. This doubt was not just about the business but about her ability to succeed in an uncertain field. “You don’t know if it’s going to work out, whether it will fail or succeed. So that was a big issue,” she confessed.
Beyond doubt, financial constraints posed another significant hurdle. Formulating skincare products requires expensive equipment, quality raw materials, and meticulous day-to-day operations. “Formulation is expensive,” she emphasised, noting the recurring costs of essentials like pH buffer powders and sterilisation supplies. However, the real challenge was in sourcing quality ingredients. The Nigerian market, particularly places like Ojota, is rife with counterfeit and substandard materials, making it easy for unsuspecting buyers to fall into the trap of purchasing ineffective or even harmful products.
One particularly troubling experience involved the purchase of glycerin, a common skincare ingredient. “You might ask for regular glycerin, but be sold whitening glycerin instead,” she explained. For a novice, this could lead to disastrous results, highlighting the importance of proper knowledge and vigilant supplier vetting. The journey to finding reliable suppliers was long and fraught with pitfalls. Even now, with years of experience, she insists on specific details about ingredients to ensure the quality of her formulations.
Balancing profitability and affordability
When asked about the profitability of Bellissima Botanicals, Bisola acknowledged that the business is growing. She emphasised that the focus remains on keeping operations lean to ensure affordability. This lean operation strategy allows the brand to offer quality skincare products at a price point accessible to a broader audience, distinguishing them from competitors who might target a more exclusive market.
“Skincare should not be a luxury,” she firmly stated. “It needs to be affordable, safe, and effective. Our mission has always been to make skin care accessible to everyone, not just a select few.” This philosophy has guided the pricing and operational decisions at Bellissima, balancing between offering high-quality products and maintaining a business model that supports sustainable growth.
The intricate process of product development
Creating new skincare products is a detailed and thoughtful process. It begins with identifying a problem that needs solving, such as acne, and conducting research to find the best ingredients to address that issue. Junaid explained that they always check the sustainability and availability of ingredients to ensure that the products can be replicated consistently.
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“Once we shortlist the ingredients, we start developing the formula, considering the properties of each ingredient and how they can be best delivered to the skin,” she said. This includes conducting stability and safety tests, which can take up to six months. Only after a product passes these rigorous tests does the team move forward with marketing and launching it.
Building a brand on customer trust
Bisola emphasised that skincare results vary from person to person, depending on their skin history and condition. The brand takes pride in its skin consultation process, ensuring that customers receive products suited to their specific needs. One of the core principles that she built Bellissima Botanicals on is trust. For her, the customer is at the centre of everything. This is evident in the way she handles customer feedback, a key aspect of her business.
“I remember a time when a customer had an allergic reaction to one of our products,” she recalls. “Instead of blaming the customer, we took full responsibility. We reformulated the product to exclude the allergen and sent it back to them at no cost. It’s important to us that every customer feels heard and valued.”
This commitment to customer satisfaction extends to the way Bisola continually upgrades her product formulations. She is always on the lookout for ways to improve, whether it’s tweaking the ingredients or refining the production process.
“We don’t just want to meet customer expectations; we want to exceed them,” she explains. “Our products are not static; they evolve with feedback and with the needs of our customers.”
“Communication is key,” she noted. “We let customers know what to expect from the start and keep the lines of communication open.” This approach not only builds trust but also helps navigate challenges when customers’ expectations are not immediately met.
Despite the occasional challenges, such as customers trying other products out of impatience and then returning when results don’t pan out, Bisola and her team remain dedicated to providing personalised, thoughtful responses rather than relying on automated systems. “We try to respond as quickly as we can, ensuring that each customer feels heard and supported,” she shared.
The fight against skin bleaching
A key aspect of Bellissima Botanicals’ mission is its stance against skin bleaching—a practice that remains alarmingly common in Nigeria. The founder’s commitment to this cause is personal and passionate. “Skin bleaching is more than just a cosmetic issue; it’s a health crisis,” she stated emphatically. She attributes the prevalence of skin bleaching to a deep-seated colonial legacy that equates lighter skin with beauty and privilege. This societal conditioning has led many Nigerians to engage in dangerous practices to alter their skin tone, often at great risk to their health.
Bellissima Botanicals offers an alternative. The brand’s products are designed to promote healthy, glowing skin without altering natural skin tones. “Skincare products should not be skin tone specific,” she argued. Instead, they should address the fundamental needs of the skin—cleansing, moisturising, and protecting—regardless of a person’s complexion. The misuse of ingredients like steroids in skin bleaching products is particularly concerning, as prolonged use can lead to severe health issues, including thinning skin and, in extreme cases, liver and kidney damage.
Navigating the day-to-day
Running a business like Bellissima Botanicals requires more than just a good idea; it demands discipline, creativity, and a fine-tuned sense of balance. Bisola’s day-to-day life is a reflection of this delicate balance.
“My day usually starts with self-care,” she says. “I’m a Muslim, so my morning prayers are very important to me. After that, I like to prepare my own breakfast—something healthy, because I believe in feeding my body right.”
Her mornings are often a mix of personal time and business planning. Some days are dedicated to content creation, where she records videos and engages with her audience on social media. Other days are more hectic, filled with production runs, packaging, and ensuring that orders are dispatched on time.
“At the end of every month, we assess our stock and plan for production,” she shares. “It’s a busy time, but it’s also very rewarding. I’m deeply involved in every step, from sourcing ingredients to designing labels.”
This hands-on approach is something that sets Bellissima Botanicals apart. Bisola isn’t just the face of the brand; she’s the driving force behind its operations, ensuring that every product that leaves the workshop is up to her exacting standards.
The power of lean operations and strategic connections
One of the key strategies that Bisola employs to keep Bellissima Botanicals thriving is lean operations. She believes in keeping things simple and efficient, a philosophy that has served her well in an industry where many businesses struggle to scale without compromising on quality.
“We don’t produce more than we can sell in a quarter,” she explains. “This allows us to ensure that our products are always fresh, and it minimises waste. It’s a bit like a farm-to-skin approach—we make sure our products are used when they’re at their best.”
Another pillar of her success is the strong network of connections she’s built over the years. These relationships span the entire supply chain, from raw material suppliers to logistics partners. It’s a network that proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic when many businesses were crippled by supply chain disruptions.
“During the lockdown, we couldn’t leave our homes, but I was still able to get everything I needed to keep the business running,” she recalls. “Having those connections meant that we could continue to operate even when the world was on pause.”
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Bisola offers some advice: “Learn the basics. You don’t need to have a degree in chemistry, but understanding the science behind what you’re doing is crucial. Read, experiment, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”
She also emphasises the importance of mentorship and practical experience. “There’s only so much you can learn from books or online. Getting hands-on experience, whether through internships or by reaching out to someone who’s already in the field, is invaluable.”
The future of Bellissima Botanicals
Bellissima Botanicals has primarily been known for its skincare products, but Bisola has her sights set on expansion. Listening to her customers has always been a core part of her strategy, and recently, she’s been hearing a lot of requests for hair care products.
“There’s a thin line between skincare and haircare,” she explains. “The principles are very similar, and we’ve been working on developing haircare products that align with our brand’s values of natural, effective solutions.”
Her ambitions don’t stop there; she is also experimenting with herbal teas, drawing on the same natural ingredients that have made her skincare line so popular.
“I’ve been dealing with hormonal acne, and I found that drinking herbal teas made a significant difference,” she says. “It’s something I’m passionate about, and I’m excited to potentially introduce it to our customers in the future.”
As Bellissima Botanicals continues to grow, Bisola remains focused on the principles that have guided her from the start: quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. Her journey is a powerful reminder that success in business is not just about having a great product, but about the passion, dedication, and heart that goes into creating it.
I must commend Miss Bisola
Her knowledge and communication skills is top notch 😊
Bellissima botanicals is going places
I’m a satisfied customer and I am proud of using her products
Well done Junaid Abisola. Your products are all great. I can attest to that.