Nabakindo skincare displays its influences in West African culture

Philip and Vania Gbee founded Nabakindo Skincare in 2020 as a tribute to their cultural heritage, family and commitment to their community. Their commitment to simplicity is certainly important for their daughter Amirah, 8, who has eczema and inspired their first product, Sweet Dreams, a body moisturizer designed to alleviate her discomfort and promote better sleep.

The couple, who live in North Strabane, Washington County, and also have two other young children, operated the business solely online until recently.

After a kiosk space at the Mall at Robinson fell through during the holidays last year, they received an offer for a small space measuring approximately 23 by 20 square feet — a perfect size, Philip Gbee said.

Pittsburgh was about 46% of their clientele and Philip Gbee wanted to eliminate the $8 shipping cost for locals. “If we could do this, we could really grow our brand here,” he said.

“It’s an honor to pursue what we believe to be our calling,” Vania Gbee, 31, said. “While I never imagined this path, I am grateful for its unfolding, particularly as it allows us to break barriers and represent Black-owned businesses in our community.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Nabakindo in the Mall at Robinson — hosted by the Greater Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce — was on April 17.

“I’ve known Vania and Philip for quite some time, and I’m truly proud of them. I’m a huge fan of their products,” Stefanie Spates said during the event.

Spates said she has almost every one of their products. “My daughter uses the children’s collection, my husband uses the soaps and I use the body butters,” she added.

Philip Gbee and his family were refugees — they left Liberia in 1992 because of the civil war, went to Guinea and then to Cote d’Ivoire before coming to the United States in 1997. Many of their products pay homage to the Azande tribe of South Sudan, where Philip Gbee also has roots. The name Nabakindo is a fusion of Nakindo, the title for the queen of the Azande tribe, and Bakindo, meaning king.

The line includes product collections such as Blue Nile (body moisturizer, fragrance mist and a vegan soap bar that blend scents of spiceberry, vetiver and sandalwood) and Victoria Falls (body moisturizer and fragrance mist that combine geranium, eucalyptus leaves, patchouli and warm amber), each holding significance to Africa. Additionally, Liberian Love — a sent mix of oakmoss, vetiver, vanilla and a hint of toasted marshmallows — draws from Philip Gbee’s childhood memories and love of his homeland.

“It reminded me of the first time I ever tasted candy. And I could not remember the name of the candy that would come around once a year. In our village, we didn’t get sweets and those things often,” Philip Gbee said.

Every product, Philip Gbee said, is carefully crafted to evoke a sensory experience. The Serene Safari collection is Vania Gbee’s favorite with notes of bergamot, cedar, lavender and other essential oils.

“It’s a mellow scent but it has a potency,” she said.

It is about being very intentional — the Rejuvenate line is a dedication to Philip Gbee’s mom, who has always been involved in the church.

“It has frankincense, myrrh and safflower oil. Those types of things … rejuvenate and help to bring life back to the skin,” he said.

Philip’s experience as a refugee influenced his approach to skincare. He emphasized the simplicity of his upbringing, where fresh, locally sourced ingredients were the norm. He wants to reintroduce that simplicity to skincare, offering products with minimal, easily recognizable ingredients.

“I remember that everything we ate, we grew. Everything that we drank, we got it from a well … it was all extremely fresh. When I went to the market and you wanted to get fruit, it didn’t have pesticides, preservatives and things like that,” Philip Gbee said.

For Philip Gbee, skin care is not about a complex routine but mindfulness and holistic well-being.

“We wanted to help other families too, so this company that we have, it’s not just a, hey, let’s throw something together and put it out there for people to buy,” he said. “It’s a lifestyle for us. We want to be a source of encouragement.”