Mum-of-one Temilola, 32 launched Sikoja, a plant-based skincare brand in 2024.
She lives with sickle cell anaemia and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, two rare, chronic conditions that have impacted her health and skin.
“There were days I could barely get out of bed,” she says. “My skin would react terribly with dark marks, hyperpigmentation, dry and uneven skin tone. With all the medication and treatment I was on, I felt like I was in a constant battle with my own body.”
When Temilola couldn’t find skincare gentle or effective enough to soothe her skin, she trained in cosmetic formulation and created her own.
The brand, Sikoja, is named after her two-year-old daughter and represents love, strength, and new beginnings.
“The name Sikoja is deeply personal it grounds me in purpose and reminds me that softness and strength can exist together. Just like motherhood, skincare is a ritual of care, resilience, and renewal,” Temilola says.
She has created four products, each crafted with a selection of botanical ingredients chosen to soothe inflammation, support the skin barrier, and deliver a natural glow, gently.
For Temilola, building a business while raising a toddler and managing chronic illness hasn’t been easy but it’s filled with purpose.
She says: “Sikoja is my way of sharing love through skincare. It’s for anyone who needs a moment of peace and restoration.”
Sikoja’s full skincare range is available online.