our story
By Abena was born from a journey — not just across continents, but into ancestry, self-acceptance, and ritual care.
In 2019, our founder, Jasmine Abena Colgan, traveled to Northern Ghana to study the traditional process of shea butter making. What began as field research quickly became something deeper: a connection to home, to heritage, and to the hands that have cared for skin for generations.
Jasmine worked side-by-side with women-led cooperatives, learning how shea nuts are harvested, sun-dried, roasted, and ground by hand. These women didn’t just create skincare — they passed down stories. Strength. Legacy.
It’s from this soil, these seeds, and these sisters that by abena was formed.
crafted in Ghana. cherished by all.
Each product we make begins in Ghana — with raw, unrefined ingredients sourced ethically and processed with care. From the buttery richness of shea to the ancient strength of thanaka, our skincare honors the land, the people, and the process.
When you use By Abena, you're not just nourishing your skin — you're joining a legacy of beauty, healing, and cultural celebration.
why Ghana matters
Ghana is the world’s largest producer of shea butter — and also home to one of the richest traditions of plant-based skincare.
We partner with women’s cooperatives that pay fair wages and honor indigenous knowledge.
Our beadwork, textiles, and designs are created by Ghanaian artisans using traditional methods passed down through generations.
