Since its founding nearly 15 years ago, Kahina Giving Beauty has quietly helped shape what we now know as clean, conscious beauty. Long before sustainability and ethical sourcing were widely discussed, founder Katharine L’Heureux was building a brand rooted in intention—centered on connection with the Berber women of Morocco, and committed to honoring tradition, transparency, and timeless ingredients. Kahina’s formulas continue to reflect this ethos: deeply effective, respectfully sourced, and infused with purpose.
Now, as Kahina enters a new chapter, Katharine’s daughter Grace is stepping more fully into the fold—not through a formal passing of the baton, but through a natural evolution shaped by lived experience and shared values. Grace brings a fresh perspective and deep respect for the brand’s origins, helping to connect its mission to a new generation of customers who seek efficacy, elegance, and purpose in the products they choose. In this special Mother’s Day edition of Deep Cuts, we sat down with Katharine and Grace to talk about legacy, sourcing, the enduring wisdom of the Berber women, and what it means to build—and carry forward—a brand with soul. Read on for a thoughtful conversation with Kathrine and Grace about where Kahina has been, where it’s headed, and the values that continue to guide every product, partnership, and decision.
Q: Kahina Giving Beauty was one of the original pioneers of the green beauty movement. When you reflect on those early days, what are you most proud of? And what do you feel still makes Kahina stand out today?
Katharine: At the company’s inception in 2007, we first imported argan oil from Morocco and then realized we should create a skincare collection that was bigger than “solving” beauty conundrums – that held a unique perspective – that was purposeful, unparalleled in quality and efficacy, with a luxurious feeling that matches the quality of the ingredients. From our ethically sourced, Fair Trade organic ingredients to our recyclable violet Miron glass (we were among the first early adopters!), Kahina offers the promise that we can all do better – for ourselves and our planet. We are uncompromising in our commitment to sustainability and transparency, believing it only enhances our business. Since day 1, we have committed 1% of our revenue to support the Berber women of Morocco, who provide the organic, Fair Trade argan oil at the heart of our line. This supports initiatives that improve the quality of these women’s lives and their communities… with a special emphasis on education for girls. I am proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish for these women and their families, and also for spearheading a movement that helped people recognize that organic skincare can be both effective and luxurious, without harming the environment.
Grace: Katharine made Kahina’s mission to elevate the Berber women of Morocco, and was one of the first skincare brands to make a give-back component a part of her business model. She always said that her measure of success was to be able to support these women, and I know that she kept her promise over the years. We feel very strongly about contributing to the Berber community and honoring their culture, which we aim to do with reverence and authenticity through our products. My mother was a visionary in so many ways, and I’m very proud of what we have accomplished thus far.
Q: Your relationships with the Berber women of Morocco have always been at the heart of Kahina’s mission. What have those connections taught you — and how have they shaped the way you source, formulate, and give back?
Katharine: Since my introduction to Argan Oil in 2007, I was curious about the lives of the Berber women of Morocco who produce Argan Oil and their methods of production, which have been handed down for generations. The Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa. I returned to Morocco over 30 times, always with the same guide, who was my driver and translator. He and I traveled extensively throughout Southern Morocco, and I came to personally know many of the women living in tiny remote villages scattered throughout the argan region and whose sole means of livelihood is producing argan oil.I made it my mission to learn everything I could about the production process and what constitutes the highest quality oil. As these women opened their homes to me and I saw how they live and work, I was deeply moved. I ate many simple meals, enjoyed lots of tea, and was even invited to attend a 3-day wedding ceremony in one of the villages. What started as a mission to learn about production methods developed into one to improve the lives of these women. I learned that proper sourcing and giving back in a meaningful way need to be born out of a respect for people’s connections to the land and their deep-rooted customs. This requires listening to their needs, not making assumptions.
Q: You’ve grown up with Kahina Giving Beauty woven into your everyday life. As you begin to take a more hands-on role with the brand, how has your relationship to it changed? What feels newly meaningful to you now?
Grace: As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more appreciative of the simplicity of the products, their efficacy, and their subtle yet enticing scent profiles. Most people of my generation are very careful about their purchases and want to stand behind the brands they support, seeking high quality products that are safe for their health and for the environment…and look quite chic.. I am proud to be part of a company that I believe in.
Q: Many of Kahina’s ingredients — from argan oil to prickly pear seed oil and beldi soap — have deep roots in Moroccan tradition. How do you honor that heritage through the way you tell your product stories and share their origins with the world?
Katharine: First, we incorporate Moroccan ingredients into our product formulations, especially our Argan Oil, which is the foundation of Kahina, and scents that are inspired by Morocco. We emphasize artisanship, simplicity, and tradition rather than chasing trends, which aligns with the Berber way of life. We always bring it back to the Berber women, through the name of the brand, to their signatures on our packaging and our donations to their communities. The name “Kahina” is an homage to the seventh-century North African Berber Queen Dihya, who is often referred to as a sorceress or seer in Arabic lore, and we are inspired by her brave, rebellious spirit. Moroccan rituals and the Berber women are Kahina’s touchstone. For example, the Moroccan Beldi soap is an important part of the Hammam, or bathing ritual, throughout Morocco. Beldi is a word in the Berber language meaning “traditional or authentic”.
Grace: We have a great deal of respect for the women who provide our oils and are careful with how we present their stories. We endeavor to honor them as the artisans behind the brand, never taking credit for their contribution to Kahina.
Q: As you start to envision the future of Kahina, what are you most excited to carry forward — and what feels like your own unique contribution to its next chapter?
Grace: So much has changed since my mom started Kahina 16 years ago. I feel like I can help connect the brand to a younger audience by seeing the brand through their eyes and really understanding the customer in a deeper way. I’m careful to maintain the integrity of the brand while making it fresh and relevant for our 35 and under customers who require ease of experience and are so knowledgeable about skincare and ingredient stories.
Q: What’s your favorite Kahina Giving Beauty product — and what makes it so special to you personally?
Katharine: Our Argan Oil – it is the foundation to our skincare system and the ultimate multi-tasker. You can use it on your nails, face, body and hair – everything! I’m a minimalist at heart and I love a simplified skincare system that has multiple, effective products you can layer as needed or strip down to just 3 steps. Using it always brings me back to my early days in Morocco.
Grace: I love our Fez Body Serum. It’s incredibly moisturizing, and the scent is intoxicating. One of our biggest supporters, Carrie Lindsey, who is an incredible esthetician, says the Fez Body Serum is like a “sultry night in Marrakech,” which is so perfectly said because the texture of the serum is so sensual and the scent is transportive.
Q: What has it been like to watch Grace step into this role and deepen her connection to the brand? How has it shaped your own perspective on Kahina’s evolution?
Katharine: One of my greatest joys is the pleasure of working with Grace. She brings so much heart, integrity, and attention to detail to everything she does. Her love for travel, her deep respect for other cultures, and her creative perspective continually enrich our brand in countless ways. I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to grow Kahina together.
Q: Kahina has always been about more than just skincare — it’s about integrity, connection, and purpose. What do you hope someone feels or understands after experiencing your products?
Katharine: Argan oil has been a Moroccan beauty staple for centuries, used by women to protect, nourish, and enhance the quality of their skin and hair- but what profoundly struck me is it’s so much more than a personal care product…. argan oil is an integral part of a shared experience rooted in ritual and tradition, fostering community and connection among women. A roasted version of argan oil is also used in the kitchen, where women will use it to cook and to eat with bread. The residue from the cracking of the nuts is used to feed livestock. Through the Kahina self-care rituals, we hope our customers feel they are bringing home a part of Morocco and becoming a part of the community with a connection to the lives of the Berber women. We hope that people will understand that using our products is about more than having beautiful, glowing skin, although that is certainly part of it. We want people to understand that our ingredients come from real people, farmed and harvested from plants tended with care and grown with respect for the land. The choices people make in their skincare purchases truly impact people and the planet.
Grace: We care deeply about creating the best product possible, with the finest ingredients, produced according to the highest standards. We always go the extra mile. For example, our products have always been certified organic and natural by Ecocert/COSMOS, which requires a rigorous and expensive annual audit, and are certified “cruelty-free” by Leaping Bunny. Our product ingredient lists, including allergens and secondary ingredients, are reviewed and third-party validated. Our products are exceptional in all ways, and I love that we have created a skincare line that is so versatile and effective. I have been using Kahina for years, and I am always asked about my skincare regimen. My mother always shared the products with her friends and mine as well, and so we’ve gathered all this first-hand data of what Kahina can do for all skin types in various stages of life. I really believe Kahina provides superior skincare products in a way that is respectful towards its suppliers, its customers, and the environment, and are incredibly effective for all skin types.
