Meet the Queen of Shea
Valerie Obaze on Building a Global Skincare Empire
Valerie Obaze has been called the "Queen of Shea" and for good reason. As the founder of R&R Skincare, she has transformed Africa’s natural riches into a globally loved skincare brand. But beyond the glow-inducing oils and body butters, there’s a powerful story of heritage, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
“I love seeing young women build something from the ground up. I know firsthand how hard that journey can be.”
We were curious and wanted to get an inside look at her journey, her vision, and of course her skincare secrets, so we asked her a few questions and are happy to share her responses with you.
Edwan: You started this business as a new mum. If you could go back and give “Day One Valerie” some advice, what would it be?
Valerie: Don’t try to do it all yourself. Outsource some tasks and get experts in to help you grow.
Edwan: The beauty industry is evolving, but challenges exist, especially for African and Black-Owned brands. What’s been the biggest hurdle, and how did you overcome it?
Valerie: Navigating compliance regulations, which differ from market to market. Expanding globally means ensuring our products meet various international standards, which can be complex and time-consuming. We’ve overcome this by getting experts in the field to help us along the journey.
Edwan: Your brand champions sustainability and ethical sourcing. How do you balance running a business with staying true to those values in an industry where cutting corners is common?
Valerie: Ethical sourcing is at the heart of what we do at R&R Skincare. For me, it’s not just about producing great products—it’s about empowering the women who produce the shea butter & other indigenous African ingredients that we use in our formulations. Through R&R’s social arm, WSDP (Women of the Savannah Development Project), we work directly with women in the rural north of Ghana and pay them at a rate above market value for all they do. Completely creating our products in Ghana, from the tree to the bottle, means that our whole supply chain is based on the continent which minimises our carbon footprint and helps us to build wealth within local communities.
Edwan: R&R Skincare has been embraced worldwide, from Accra to London and beyond. Have you had a ‘pinch-me’ moment where you realised, “Wow, we’ve made it”?
Valerie
Being featured in Forbes as an ‘African Skincare Trailblazer’ was definitely a surreal moment for me and R&R. Pinch-me moments happen to me every time I meet a stranger and they know R&R.
Edwan: If R&R Skincare was a person, how would you describe their personality? Are they laid-back and effortless, or bold and confident?
Valerie: Definitely effortless powerful! The kind of person who barely puts in effort but still looks flawless—like the one who doesn’t study for an exam yet gets straight A*s. When it comes to A-Beauty, there is no 10-step skincare routine required, it’s all about using the rich, natural ingredients that are indigenous to the African continent and have been proven time and time again to be the best.
Edy: If we could take a peek into your personal skincare routine, what R&R product would we find you can’t live without and why?
Valerie
It has to be my Baobab Repair Oil! I use it as the last step in my skincare routine to lock in moisture. It keeps my 40-something-year-old skin looking youthful and radiant and is a non-negotiable part of my daily routine.
Edwan: What’s next for R&R Skincare? Any exciting new launches or expansions we should keep an eye out for?
Valerie: We’re going global! Expect to see R&R Skincare in even more markets, bringing the beauty of African ingredients to every continent on the globe.
Edwan: Let’s get personal! If you weren’t running a beauty empire, what would you be doing?—And please don’t say “R&R” Resting & Recreation, because we know entrepreneurs never stop!
Valerie
I am an entrepreneur at heart and currently have a number of other projects that I am working on alongside R&R. If not beauty, then I think I may have ventured into the world of interiors or property development.
Edwan: As we celebrate Women’s History Month, which women, past or present, have shaped your journey, not just as an entrepreneur, but also as a mother, wife, and friend?
Valerie: My mum! She has been my biggest inspiration and support system throughout my life. She is hard-working and an amazing mother, grandmother, wife, sister and friend. I am also inspired by women who have achieved greatness from nothing such as Jo Malone and Emma Grede who are major bosses and my mentors in my head ☺.
Edwan: R&R Skincare is all about celebrating African beauty and heritage, and you were the first brand to believe in My Black Gallery’s mission. What made you say yes, and why do you think platforms like MBG are important for African & Black-Owned businesses?
Valerie
I love seeing young women build something from the ground up. I know firsthand how hard that journey can be, so supporting platforms like My Black Gallery feels natural. These black-owned spaces are important because they provide an authentic space for us to share our brand stories and amplify our voices.
R&R Skincare At A Glance
Founded: 2010
Global Reach: From Accra to Lagos, UK and USA
Signature Ingredients: Pure Shea Butter & Baobab Oil
Social Impact: Supporting local women through WSDP
Enjoy 10% off R&R Skincare all March
