Who is the Founder of LIHA Beauty? The Story Behind the British-African Skincare House

In the fast-evolving world of natural British cosmetics, few brands have captured the imagination of beauty editors and conscious consumers quite like LIHA Beauty. With its distinctive minimalist aesthetic, hand-poured formulations, and rich cultural heritage, the brand stands as a testament to the power of authentic story-driven skincare. But behind the iconic glass jars and floral-steeped oils lies a compelling partnership that leads many to ask: who is the founder of LIHA Beauty, and how did two best friends turn kitchen-table alchemy into a globally celebrated beauty house?

The answer is that LIHA Beauty was co-founded by best friends Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan.

Launched in 2014, LIHA Beauty is the brainchild of a unique creative partnership. Liha Okunniwa, a Gloucestershire-raised daughter of an English mother and Nigerian father with a background in arts and aromatherapy, joined forces with Abi Oyepitan, a two-time British Olympian track-and-field athlete born in London to Nigerian parents. Together, they created a brand that seamlessly fuses ancient West African Yoruba botanical wisdom with traditional English aromatherapy.

In this comprehensive 2,000-word profile, we will explore the origins of Liha and Abi’s partnership, break down the Yoruba cultural heritage that inspires their formulations, examine their "buy less, buy well" ethos, review the complete LIHA Beauty collection available at SOHO Brands, and showcase how their natural lipid remedies compare to other leading British skincare lines.

The Co-Founders: A Meeting of Art, Athletics, and Heritage

To understand the soul of LIHA Beauty, one must look at the complementary journeys of its two female founders, who met in 1998 while studying at Brunel University London.

LIHA OKUNNIWA (Arts & Aromatherapy Background)  ──┐
                                                 ├──► LIHA BEAUTY (Est. 2014)
ABI OYEPITAN (Two-Time British Olympic Athlete)  ──┘

Liha Okunniwa: The Aromatherapist and Creative Director

Growing up in Gloucestershire, Liha was exposed to natural cosmetic blending from an early age. Her earliest beauty memory involves watching her mother mix essential oils with sweet almond oil in an abalone shell. As she grew older, Liha studied English literature, worked in art publishing, and immersed herself in aromatherapy and natural cosmetic formulating. She possessed a deep fascination with traditional botanical remedies, plant-based physics, and the historic trade routes that brought African botanicals to the West.

Abi Oyepitan: The Olympic Athlete and Operations Director

Abi Oyepitan spent over a decade competing at the highest level of international athletics. As a 100m and 200m sprinter representing Team GB at both the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympic Games, Abi understood the physical demands placed on the human body. Travelling the globe for competitions, she frequently visited family in Nigeria, bringing back raw, unrefined ingredients—most notably unrefined Gold Shea butter—that were unavailable in mainstream UK high-street shops at the time.

The Spark of Innovation

Whenever Abi returned from training camps or family trips to West Africa, she and Liha would gather in their kitchens to experiment with raw plant bases. They realised that while mainstream commercial skincare relied heavily on water fillers, petroleum mineral oils, and synthetic preservatives, traditional Yoruba beauty recipes relied on multi-purpose, nutrient-dense tree nuts and seed oils.

Friends, family, and houseguests routinely raided their bathroom cabinets for the handmade balms and oils they were creating. In 2014, recognising a major gap in the British market for authentic, high-grade African botanicals, Liha and Abi officially launched LIHA Beauty with just two core products: Idan Oil and Raw Shea Butter.

The Philosophy: West African Yoruba Tradition Meets British Aromatherapy

When answering who is the founder of LIHA Beauty, it is impossible to separate the founders from their cultural philosophy. LIHA Beauty is anchored in the concept of Yoruba wellness combined with clean British formulation standards.

WEST AFRICAN YORUBA HERITAGE:
Raw Shea Butter + Unrefined Coconut + Plantain Ash + Slow Enfleurage
                                     │
                          HYBRID FORMULATION ETHOS
                                     │
QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH AROMATHERAPY:
Sustainably Sourced + Recyclable Glass + Anhydrous Purity + Vegan Standard

The Yoruba Tradition of Beauty

In Yoruba culture, making beautifying salves, soaps, and oils from local nuts, tree barks, and plants was a skill historically passed down through generations of women. Ingredients like Shea butter (Ori) and Coconut oil (Apon) were not viewed merely as cosmetic items; they served as sacred daily rituals for skin protection, baby massage, and muscle recovery.

Liha and Abi took these ancestral recipes and reworked them for the modern, fast-paced urban lifestyle. Their goal was not to create a complex 10-step routine, but to champion the "Slow Beauty" movement—encouraging consumers to buy fewer, higher-quality, multi-purpose products that honour both skin health and environmental sustainability.

Decoding the Formula: Why Anhydrous (Waterless) Skincare Matters

A defining hallmark of the formulations created by LIHA Beauty co-founders Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan is their commitment to waterless (anhydrous) formulation.

Most commercial body lotions contain up to 80% plain water. While water makes creams cheap to manufacture and easy to spread, it presents two major drawbacks for sensitive or dry skin:

1. Required Synthetic Preservatives: Water breeds bacteria, mold, and fungus. To keep water-based creams shelf-stable, manufacturers must add synthetic preservatives like parabens, phenoxyethanol, or formaldehyde-releasers.
2. Increased Evaporative Loss: Water-based lotions evaporate quickly from the skin surface, often taking natural oils with them and leaving the skin barrier feeling tight and dry shortly after application.

By eliminating water entirely, LIHA Beauty products require zero chemical preservatives. Every drop of product consists of active, lipid-dense plant nourishment that seals in surface hydration and strengthens the stratum corneum naturally.

The LIHA Beauty Collection at SOHO Brands

To experience the vision of founders Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan, explore the curated, freshly stocked collection available through SOHO Brands.

1. LIHA Beauty Idan Oil

LIHA Beauty Idan Oil is the brand's world-renowned flagship body and hair remedy. "Idan" is the Yoruba word for "magic"—an apt description for this versatile, multi-use oil.

FORMULA TYPE: 100% Natural Anhydrous Body & Hair Oil
KEY INGREDIENTS: 98.6% Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil, Real Tuberose Flower (Enfleurage Method)
BEST FOR: Post-shower body hydration, dry hair ends, intensive scalp treatment, cuticle oil, natural perfume

• The Science & Craftsmanship: Built on a base of cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil rich in lauric acid and medium-chain fatty acids, Idan Oil absorbs smoothly into damp skin to reinforce the epidermal barrier. Instead of using cheap synthetic "parfum" or hormone-disrupting phthalates, a real Tuberose flower is placed inside every bottle. Using the traditional French technique of enfleurage, the flower's natural essential oil slowly infuses into the coconut base over time.
• Application Tip: Cold-pressed natural coconut oil solidifies at cool British room temperatures (below 24°C). Simply submerge the closed glass bottle in a bowl or mug of warm water for a couple of minutes to transform it into a warm, silky liquid oil.

2. LIHA Beauty Shea Butter (Gold)

When searching for the ultimate raw, single-ingredient skin saviour, LIHA Beauty Shea Butter (Gold) represents the purest expression of West African botanical heritage.

FORMULA TYPE: 100% Raw, Unrefined Organic Butter (Single Ingredient)
KEY INGREDIENTS: 100% Pure Nigerian Butyrospermum Parkii (Gold Shea Butter)
BEST FOR: Severe dry patches, eczema, psoriasis plaque softening, cracked heels, lip care, stretch marks

• The Science & Craftsmanship: Ethically sourced from women's cooperatives in Nigeria, this raw, unrefined Gold Shea butter undergoes zero chemical bleaching, deodorising, or industrial processing. Naturally rich in vitamins A, E, and F, alongside cinnamic acid and essential fatty acids, it melts with body heat to create a breathable, protective shield over damaged or cracked skin.
• Application Tip: Scoop a pea-sized amount using clean fingers, rub your palms together to melt the butter into a rich salve, and press firmly onto dry knuckles, cracked heels, or rough elbow patches.

Complementary British Skincare Remedies on SOHO Brands

To build a holistic, low-tox routine that supports skin barrier health, LIHA Beauty pairs exceptionally well with other British heritage brands stocked at SOHO Brands:

Balmonds Skin Salvation

For active eczema flare-ups, open scratches, or raw skin patches requiring medical-grade barrier repair, Balmonds Skin Salvation provides an ideal herbal salve. Certified as a Class 1 Medical Device by the UK MHRA, its waterless blend of hemp seed oil, unrefined beeswax, and steeped herbs (calendula, chamomile, chickweed, and nettle) delivers non-stinging comfort.

Thunderbird Skin Rescue Cream

If you need a weightless, fast-absorbing daytime face and body lotion to layer under your LIHA oils, Thunderbird Skin Rescue Cream delivers clean cosmeceutical hydration. Handcrafted in Tetbury using Blue Chamomile hydrosol, Centella Asiatica (Cica), and non-nano Zinc Oxide, it quickly calms redness and supports daily barrier repair.

Balmonds Intensive Hand Cream

For hardworking hands exposed to frequent washing and cold British weather, Balmonds Intensive Hand Cream combines shea butter with sea buckthorn oil—one of nature's richest sources of rare Omega-7 fatty acids—to seal cracks along cuticles and knuckles without feeling greasy.

Balmonds Super 7 Serum

For oil-free facial hydration, Balmonds Super 7 Serum uses Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Hyaluronic Acid to soothe facial redness and boost moisture levels in sensitive complexions.

Detailed Brand Comparison: LIHA Beauty vs. British Natural Skincare Houses

To see how the vision of LIHA Beauty founders Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan compares with other clean British brands on SOHO Brands, consider this side-by-side analysis:

Step-by-Step Daily Ritual Using LIHA Beauty

Incorporating LIHA Beauty into your daily self-care routine brings ritual, mindfulness, and deep lipid hydration to your skincare:

MORNING RITUAL:
Step 1: Warm Bath or Shower ──► Step 2: Apply LIHA Idan Oil to Damp Skin ──► Step 3: Layer Rescue Cream if Extra Hydration Needed

EVENING REPAIR RITUAL:
Step 1: Cleanse Safely      ──► Step 2: Apply Super 7 Serum (Face)       ──► Step 3: Melt LIHA Gold Shea Butter over Dry Patches

Morning Ritual: Hydrate & Glow

1. Warm Shower: Wash gently using warm water.
2. Botanical Oil Application: While your skin is still damp post-shower, pour a small amount of warm, liquified LIHA Beauty Idan Oil into your palms and massage over your body using long, upward strokes.
3. Daytime Protection: Smooth a pump of Thunderbird Skin Rescue Cream over dry areas for lightweight Cica care.

Evening Ritual: Deep Lipid Restoration

1. Gentle Cleanse: Cleanse your face and neck gently without stripping your skin's natural surface lipids.
2. Facial Serum: Pat 2–3 drops of Balmonds Super 7 Serum onto clean, damp skin.
3. Intensive Barrier Repair: Warm a dollop of LIHA Beauty Shea Butter (Gold) between your palms and press firmly into dry heels, elbows, cuticles, or cheeks before sleep.

Essential Lifestyle Principles of Slow Beauty

The ethos championed by LIHA Beauty founders Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan extends beyond topical jars. Practice these principles to support a healthy skin barrier from within:

🌿 The Slow Beauty Checklist

• Embrace Multi-Purpose Products: Reduce clutter and waste by choosing products that serve multiple functions. Use LIHA Beauty Idan Oil as a body oil, hair mask, cuticle treatment, and natural scent all in one.
• Apply Oils to Damp Skin: Plant oils act as occlusives that lock in surface water. Always apply body oils and raw butter immediately after bathing while your skin retains moisture.
• Avoid Synthetic Room Fragrances: Artificial plug-in air fresheners and synthetic perfumes release phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Choose pure, flower-infused oils or natural soy candles instead.
• Protect Skin Against Winter Drafts: Cold British weather strips lipid layers rapidly. Keep a tub of LIHA Beauty Shea Butter (Gold) in your handbag to protect knuckles and lips while outdoors.

Debunking Common Myths About LIHA Beauty

Myth 1: "Raw Shea butter is too heavy and will clog pores."

Fact: Unrefined raw Shea butter has a non-comedogenic rating of 0, meaning it will not clog pores. Unlike synthetic petroleum jelly, raw Shea butter consists of bio-compatible plant fatty acids that absorb naturally, leaving skin soft and breathable.

Myth 2: "Idan Oil contains artificial fragrance because it smells like Tuberose."

Fact: LIHA Beauty Idan Oil contains zero synthetic perfumes or phthalates. Its floral scent comes from a real Tuberose flower steeped directly inside the bottle using the traditional French enfleurage method.

Myth 3: "If my Idan Oil solidifies in winter, it has gone bad."

Fact: Pure, unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil naturally solidifies at temperatures below 24°C. This natural physical change proves that the oil is 100% pure and unadulterated by chemical solvents or liquid mineral oil fillers. Submerging the bottle in warm water restores its liquid consistency effortlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the founder of LIHA Beauty?

LIHA Beauty was co-founded in 2014 by best friends Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan. Liha brings a background in arts and aromatherapy, while Abi is a two-time British Olympic sprinter.

Where are LIHA Beauty products manufactured?

LIHA Beauty products are handcrafted and hand-poured in small batches in Great Britain, blending raw, ethically sourced West African ingredients (like Nigerian Gold Shea butter) with clean British packaging.

Can I use LIHA Beauty Idan Oil on my hair?

Yes. LIHA Beauty Idan Oil makes an exceptional leave-in oil treatment for dry hair ends, a natural scalp conditioner, or a deep overnight hair oil treatment before washing.

Is LIHA Beauty suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes. LIHA Beauty formulations are water-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and free from parabens, phthalates, sulphates, and synthetic dyes. For ultra-reactive or allergy-prone skin, LIHA Beauty Shea Butter (Gold) offers single-ingredient purity.

Final Verdict: Who is the Founder of LIHA Beauty?

So, who is the founder of LIHA Beauty?

LIHA Beauty represents the shared vision of Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan—two visionary British women who transformed their cultural heritage, friendship, and passion for natural beauty into an internationally acclaimed skincare house. By marrying West African Yoruba botanical wisdom with sustainable British formulation standards, they created a range that feeds the skin barrier without chemical additives or synthetic fillers.

To experience the luxury of pure, slow-crafted British botanicals, explore the complete range today:

• For multi-purpose tuberose-infused body nourishment, choose LIHA Beauty Idan Oil.
• For single-ingredient raw butter protection, choose LIHA Beauty Shea Butter (Gold).

Discover the transformative power of clean, culture-led skincare today at SOHO Brands.