Pholk Beauty is a Black-owned skincare line based in Jersey City, New Jersey, founded by Niambi Cacchioli. The brand is rooted in the power of natural and clean ingredients and says it is inspired “by the African diaspora’s folk beauty secrets.” Cacchioli says she believes in the power of natural and clean products, and is on a mission “to welcome and educate women of color into the natural skincare space.”

Recently, Pholk Beauty partnered with Black Soil KY. This Kentucky agritourism organization reconnects Black-owned farms to their legacy and heritage in agriculture and puts them in touch with outside businesses for “financial gain and awareness.” Thus, Pholk Beauty sources collards and hemp seed oil from a Black-owned farm in Kentucky. Their latest product, Perk Up EyeNectar, which launched on Juneteenth, features cold-pressed okra seed oil sourced from Georgia.

‘Greening’ the Packaging

As is the case with many smaller brands, the search for suitable or sustainable packaging often takes Pholk on a journey with a steep learning curve—and the challenge continues.

“Greening our packaging is a work in progress,” says Cacchioli. She explains: “All of our packaging is either recyclable glass or PET plastic. We are also fortunate to work with a local label printer so that we can order in relatively small quantities. This allows us to be agile in case we need to update the ingredient list with very little waste.” She says, “The biggest learning that we had this year was in shipping our products. Initially, I did not want to have any secondary packaging. However, we had to add so much fill or cushion to protect glass items that we finally decided to add outer boxes for our breakable oil bottles.”   

Perk Up EyeNectar, which Cacchioli says “hydrates the delicate skin around the eye area while minimizing the visibility of fine lines” is meant to relieve digital blue light strain. It is applied with a metal rollerball applicator that “instantly cools and depuffs under your eyes and ensures there’s no product waste.”

Spotlight on Ingredients

Collards from Kentucky are used in Pholk’s Moringa Pore Teatox Mask ($15), a powder-to-clay designed to unclog pores and soothe blemishes. This chlorophyll and antioxidant-loaded powder is “like a deep breath of fresh air for clogged, blemished and oily skin.” Just add water to blend your own at-home weekly facial treatments. Key ingredients are Moringa Green Tea, Georgia Kaolin Clay and collards.

Cacchioli explains that Moringa Green Tea is packed with Vitamins B, C, A, iron and amino acids to rebuild and promote overall skin health. “Georgia Kaolin Clay gently pulls out acne-causing dirt, bacteria and excess oil from pores,” says Cacchioli.

Pholk Beauty describes its H2Oil Night Treatment Hemp X Hibiscus Night Oil ($27) as “the ideal dark spot treatment for all skin types,” and says “this dreamy overnight treatment truly elevates your beauty sleep.” The non-pore-clogging oil gently exfoliates for even the most sensitive skin, according to Cacchioli. Used at least twice a week, it “tackles combination, oily, textured and hyperpigmentation skin. It’s also suitable for fine lines and is keloid safe.” Key ingredients include Senegalese hibiscus seed oil, infused peony petals and non-greasy hemp seed oil.

Cacchioli says Senegalse hibiscus seed oil is one of West Africa’s most potent beauty foods; it delivers alpha-hydroxy flower acids to exfoliate and refine without irritation. Infused peony petals support collagen for a firmer feel. The hemp seed oil is sourced from the Black-owned farm in Kentucky.

More info: www.pholkbeauty.com