Chinwe Russell, the founder and owner of Sheabynature first made soap at the age of six, helped by her Grandmother in Eastern Nigeria, Chinwe’s birthplace. Over thirty years later Chinwe gave up her job as a Recruitment Consultant to become a Sussex natural skin care entrepreneur.

Her business, starting as a hobby in 2005, now produces a wide range of Fair-trade natural moisturisers, anti-wrinkle body butters, lotions, and black soap, all containing the magic ingredient, shea butter. Her skincare blending methods use traditional African techniques, passed down from her Mum, who made skin care in 1960s in Nigeria.

Shea Butter, also known as Women’s Gold, comes from the Karite tree of the Savannah regions of Africa. Known for its restorative properties, it leaves skin supple, and has been traditionally used in Africa to help conditions such as extreme dryness, eczema, cuts, burns, blemishes, wrinkles, skin rashes, rough skin and much more. With natural sunscreen properties, it suits all skin types, and the whole family.

Chinwe became seriously interested in traditional skincare making while taking an Agricultural Degree specialising in Crop Science. However, a move to France put her business ideas on the back burner, while she took another Degree in French Language Literature, and a Masters in Business Administration.

She pays over the odds for the raw product - processed largely by women in Ghana and and a new group she has recently started in Nigeria, in co-operatives she helped to set up and support.

“I believe strongly in providing Fair-trade opportunities for these communities,” “Many of the women are widows with many children to support, and without this income many families would have problems surviving.”

Back in Sussex, the unrefined Shea Butter is blended with other nourishing natural and vegan oils, and scented with aromatherapy essential oils, and enriched with herbs. As well as selling online, she supplies a few select independent shops and has regular stalls at Farmer’s and Fair-trade Markets in Hastings, Brighton and Lewes, and in London at Deptford, Oval and Eltham.(see the event pages)

The Mission: To convert as many people as possible to the joys and the health benefits of using natural products and more especially, shea butter skin care, as this is the only way that we can ensure the future of the communities we support. As a natural skin care business, our aim to to be as ethical as possible, using sustainable and traceable ingredients and raw materials, as well as recyclable and very simple packaging. 

The Vision: “In the huge scramble for the bountiful natural resources of Africa, I see a future where my people will truly benefit from their God given natural riches for the benefits of themselves, their children and their communities.”

From a magical childhood experience grew the successful business Chinwe runs today, offering a balm for people who care about poverty,the environment, their body, and what they use on it.

Join us in this Journey!