My name is Adelaide, I am 23 years old, a native of Hamburg with Ghanaian roots and have been happily married for two years.

On September 1, 2018, I finally dared to step into the cosmetics industry as an entrepreneur, and for good reason.

As a child I suffered from a sun allergy, extremely dry skin and an inherited form of hyperpigmentation (melasma). In addition, there were badly blemished skin and even more pigment spots in the teenage years. My dermatologists were at a loss. After many prescribed ointments and creams, they were of the opinion that my dark skin type would have to get used to my pigment spots and melasma. When I tried to hide my skin problems, the next disenchantment followed in the drugstore. Not only were there no care products for my skin type, but also no make-up for my skin tone. My confidence level? 0!

Even then, I recognized this major void in the cosmetics industry.

After the age of 17, I dealt intensively with skin care cosmetics, effective ingredients and effective routines. After many trials and errors, after four years I suddenly found a routine that seemed to help my skin, which was covered with pigment spots and blemishes. This did not go unnoticed by my family, friends and acquaintances and they too began to work for mine fortified shea cream to be interested.

In short: They tried them, noticed an improvement in their complexion after a few weeks and I knew that I had created something out of my suffering that could possibly also help other people.

I quickly realized that I wanted to start a cosmetics company. Not the easiest job I'd chosen, of course. Especially not as the sole boss and employee of my company. I was aware of that. But for me the only option was to continue complaining about the cosmetics industry or to go out and change something.

And of course I could have decided to only manufacture products for dark skin types. However, I knew the feeling of being left out and didn't want to follow in the footsteps of those who had been doing this long enough. I wanted to show that it is possible to meet the needs of all skin types and tones. My goal from the beginning was therefore to give women with the most varied of skin types, tones and hair textures the opportunity to feel good in their skin and to be able to take care of it effectively and without restriction with the right care products.

Contrary to the apparent norm of the German cosmetics industry, I therefore consciously include the needs of dark skin types as well as curly and kinky hair types in product development.

Since the launch of the first both products In February 2019 I received numerous positive feedback and great before-and-after pictures from customers, with whose skin type and tone I cannot always identify, but with their feeling of wanting to feel comfortable in their skin as a woman (or man) .

Now I'm working on new products and I'm excited to see what Unrefined Riches has in store for you in the future.