That Good Good Shea: Meet the Black Female Entrepreneur Irene Adwoa Bekoe, Revolutionizing Everything We Know About Shea

Founder and CEO, Irene Adwoa Bekoe, the creative visionary behind That Good Good Shea. Her Ghanaian-Canadian beauty brand is inspired to educate the world on the richness of the natural ingredients she grew up using.

Irene A. Bekoe

As someone who has battled with Eczema most of her life, and used steroids and other mainstream medication to no avail, Irene has first-hand experience of how beneficial unrefined shea is to the skin. She successfully managed her Eczema through the use of raw, 100% vegan, unrefined shea butter from Ghana, which is where she sources her shea for That Good Good Shea. Shea butter specifically is known to have several exceptional benefits. According to WebMD, early research shows Shea butter can help in treating conditions like Hay fever, Eczema, Acne, Psoriasis, Dandruff, etc. However, many shea products on the market are refined with several additives and active ingredients that may not be suitable for everyone. That Good Good Shea prides itself on providing 100% natural shea butter made from superior ingredients suitable for all skin types; sensitive, dry, oily, normal, and combination. Shea butter also contains an estimated SPF of 3 to 4 which adds another layer of protection for the skin.

That’s what That Good Good Shea is all about. Producing 100% natural shea butter, the first “Good,” as well as the fair treatment of people and protection of our shared environment, the next “Good.” NO phthalates. NO parabens. NO sulfates. NO toxins. NO animal cruelty. NO adulterants. NO waste. NO dyes. NO artificial colors. NO harsh ingredients. NO extras. NO nonsense. NO gimmicks. NO secrets. Just Shea!

We had the pleasure of learning more about her brand and diving into to some health facts about shea butter!

Share with us what it was like trying to launch a business from scratch.

Whew! Wow. Ok. Starting a business from scratch being a full-time Teacher, a mother of two boys, and a wife has involved a great amount of courage, dedication, and time. I’ve had to think through so many ideas, create unique products, rework formulas, and test formulations.

Shea butter from Ghana is a premium ingredient that is the essence of natural beauty. I created That Good Good Shea to continuously honor the legacy of my Ghanaian heritage.

I love sharing my vision with others, starting with family and friends. I love being able to create products using shea butter. When That Good Good Shea became a reality, it was important for me as a Teacher to empower others with education. It was very rewarding for us to travel to Ghana and meet our people who have been making shea butter for generations and sharing the gift of shea with others. Our business has been rooted in supporting the shea producers, local farmers, cooperatives, and the men and women in our homeland.

What were some things you learned along the way that were helpful in creating a product for those dealing with eczema?

While creating products for individuals like myself dealing with eczema, it was important to invest in good, clean ingredients that are free from parabens, harsh ingredients, toxins, and dyes. We craft all of our products using premium Unrefined shea butter. Unrefined shea butter is a high-quality ingredient with vitamins, nutrients, and other great benefits. Using premium and effective ingredients will allow your skin to feel better and look better as a result!

Our recipes had to be carefully developed and tested to ensure maximum results. With skin issues like eczema, it’s important for products to soothe and also assist with the healing process. Our body butter blends include carrier oils like jojoba oil and coconut oil which help to treat dry skin and calm sensitive skin. We wanted our body butter and shea oils to be fast absorbing, nongreasy, and ultra-hydrating, allowing for moisture to be retained. It was important for the products we offer to be available in phthalate-free fragrances using a mixture of essential oils and also unscented options for individuals with sensitive skin or eczema.

What are some of the benefits of unrefined Shea butter?

A. Relieving Dry Skin: Adding moisture with ingredients like Shea Butter can help the skin absorb nutrients and naturally repair the skin barrier. Plus, regular application of Pure & Unrefined Shea Butter can provide the added benefit of relieving irritation and unwanted discoloration in dry skin’s appearance.

B. Healing: Shea Butter has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can ease swelling and redness in the skin. People use Pure & Unrefined Shea Butter when they suffer from irritations such as burns, bruises, or scars.

C. Anti-aging properties: Shea Butter is great for keeping your skin looking young and fresh! It helps stimulate collagen production, which makes your skin more rejuvenated and youthful. Not only that, but it also moisturizes your skin, reducing wrinkles, and making it smoother. Overall, Pure & Unrefined Shea Butter provides many benefits, like moisturizing, boosting collagen, and improving elasticity, giving you a rejuvenated and youthful appearance.

D. Protecting the skin: Shea Butter is great for protecting your skin! It has natural substances like cinematic acid that act as a sunscreen, shielding your skin from sunburn and harmful UV rays. Plus, it can also help prevent peeling of the skin, soothe sunburned skin, and keep your skin moisturized. With Pure & Unrefined Shea Butter, you can enjoy the benefits of sun protection and skin nourishment. For maximum results, we recommend establishing a routine using Pure & Unrefined Shea Butter daily.

What are some products that you offer and are they also suitable for babies?

When babies are born, their skin can become dry, and sometimes even develop eczema due to the new environment they are exposed to. This can be a concern for parents, as babies have sensitive skin and need products that are free from chemicals and artificial ingredients. Unrefined Shea Butter is the top choice for topical use while treating their skin because it has moisturizing and healing properties. It is a natural and safe option for babies’ skin conditions.

How to use: After bathing your baby, it is best to use Unrefined Shea Butter to treat and prevent skin dryness. Gently massage the shea butter onto your baby’s skin, focusing on areas prone to dryness or affected areas of eczema. Unrefined Shea Butter is safe and effective. Before using it on your baby, it’s best to consult with your pediatrician to ensure it is suitable for your specific needs.

What products do you have for protecting our skin and maintaining its moisture during the summer heat?

That Good Good Shea’s Shea Oil is a quick, lightweight, breathable moisturizer that is non-greasy and fast absorbing and great for the summer. It’s an easy way to ensure that your skin feels fully rejuvenated quickly. That Good Good Shea’s Shea Oil is a great multipurpose moisturizer suitable for all ages, safe to use on the face and all hair types, and continually leaves you glowing and feeling good all day.

Another recommendation is That Good Good Shea’s Foaming Shea Sugar Scrub. Regular exfoliation is the key to maintaining healthy and glowing skin, protecting it from the damaging effects of summer heat and the sun. The scrub can be used 3x a week in the bath or shower to exfoliate the body. The Foaming Shea Sugar Scrub uses organic cane sugar to make it a gentle, non-irritating cleansing agent safe for all skin conditions. You can use the Foaming Shea Sugar Scrub all over, especially in areas prone to developing rough patches like the knees, elbows, heels, and back.

Our last piece of advice is to look for a lightweight product that won’t clog pores. You can also save time – and how many products you need – by using moisturizers with UVA/UVB protection. SPF 30 is the recommended amount to be fully protected, but that’s why we love our Shea Body Butters because the unrefined shea in these products already naturally provides an SPF of 7! Plus, if you’re fighting uneven skin tone brought on by increased sun exposure, shea-infused products also help improve the look of dark spots! Our skin faces various challenges throughout the year, requiring different forms of care and protection. Whether it’s shielding against harmful sun damage or soothing winter-induced skin conditions, That Good Good Shea-infused products offer numerous benefits that are valuable year-round.

Any pop-up events that readers can be on the lookout for?

Yes there are some upcoming events below that we are involved in: