Meet Our Founder
Meet Deborah Olayemi, an immigrant from West Africa who migrated to the US with her family at eight years old in hopes of a better life and future. Unfortunately, the change in the environment caused her to experience acne breakouts, skin irritation, and hyperpigmentation for many years. Even after trying so many over-the-counter skincare products and medication, she noticed that nothing worked well for her sensitive skin or only provided short-term results. Without permanent results, this led to low self-esteem and anxiety that haunted her well into adulthood.
Actively working as a registered nurse, she encounters patients with different conditions and diagnoses exposed to harmful chemicals and toxins. This inspired her to create more nature-driven products initially for herself and her daughter, who has sensitive acne-prone skin. After multiple trials and errors with testing, perfecting the formula was a goal before she sold it to the general public. She collaborated with a team of skincare experts to craft a whole collection of plant-based products, including Shea butter locally produced in West Africa, into what is now DeVi's Naturals.
What are your goals for DeVi's Naturals?
Beyond skincare, our community needs more education about the dangers of not prioritizing skin checks. With the rising skin cancer death rates among Black and Brown communities, we need more initiatives to educate about preventive care and provide access to doctors who can diagnose these cancers and treat them at their early stages. I am actively working on a comprehensive beginner-friendly skin guide that provides non-medical insight into the skin, covering topics such as understanding your skin type, creating a personalized skincare routine, and identifying common skin issues. One of my goals is to connect with local clinics and non-profit community organizations to create wellness programs catering to underserved communities. Another goal is to offer safer alternative skincare products globally for anyone with sensitive skin like mine.
Please visit AAD for more information and updated statistics!
2023: Checkout Deborah's recent interview with Canvas Rebel