Yoki Hanley created Itiba Beauty Products 20 years ago with her own natural environment as the basis for her line of products.
“Only the richness of Mother Earth can be found in our lotions, bath soaps, body polishes and body butters,” she said.
Itiba is alive with the spirit of the islands – created from the nurturing heart of a mother. Hanley and her products have come a long way since Itiba’s inception.
“I am thankful to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the support over the years as I relaunch the best skincare product in the USVI on April 29,” she said.
Hanley was born and raised on St. Croix among the palm trees, the beautiful flowers, and the aroma of exotic fruits. Her family tradition engaged in the use of natural remedies and the knowledge of local fruits and plants as an important factor in their lives.
“I used this familial knowledge to create Itiba Beauty, a product which was initially created for my infant daughter, who was allergic to commercial and mainstream soaps and other skin care products,’ Hanley said.
Skin-loving oils like coconut, mango butter, lemongrass and lavender were the ingredients for Hanley’s first soap. That first bath with that first soap for her daughter was dramatic. It was a tears-free bath time, followed by a peaceful night’s sleep for both mother and daughter.
“I knew I had to share this knowledge with others and, over time, Itiba, as a collection of natural products, was born.”
Hanley spoke about the Itiba stories in such magazines as Jet, Pose and Fashion Flair, among others.
“Success was constantly knocking at my door,” she said.
There was the Buzz Review in Examiner.com praising Itiba’s body polish blend of “Crucian Wildflower honey, brown sugar, Shea butter, coconut and avocado oils fragranced with the relaxing scents of Lavender and Chamomile, all housed in a 12-ounce jar.”
“My children and grandchildren are always the first to test my products. If there is an issue with one of the products, I scrap it. They are the judges. If they cannot use it, I will not continue to make it.”
In the native Caribbean Taino religion, Itiba is Mother Earth, and all life sprang forth from her, Hanley learned. To this day, Hanley still goes back to the earth to get the herbs and plants for her line of natural skin care products.
“I make all my Itiba products by hand and in small batches to bring out the best of the natural botanicals used in the process,” Hanley said. They contain all natural essential plant oils and are gentle enough for use by all skin types and colors, women and men, she noted.
“There are no fillers, parabens or animal products,” she said.
Itiba suffered two setbacks over the past 20 years. The most recent was Hurricane Maria.
“Like most of the island, my family and I were devastated by the disaster. My store locations and manufacturing plant were decimated,” Hanley said.
“I left the island with the sole intention of taking care of my family. I decided I would not or could not continue with my Itiba family of beauty products,” she lamented.
But she soon was convinced to try again.
“My higher power and my faithful friends gave me a firm talking to and with a thankful heart and a ‘hard head,’ I listened,” she said. “I am back! Itiba is back!”
