Rich Ground Collection: Honoring Our Ancestors' Legacy of Skincare

A Heritage of Care, A Legacy of Beauty

This Black History Month, we honor the generations of African Americans who understood something profound: caring for our skin is an act of resilience and reverence. The Rich Ground Collection was born from this understanding—a tribute to our ancestors who, despite unimaginable hardship, never stopped nurturing themselves and each other.

The Roots Run Deep

Long before the beauty industry existed as we know it, our ancestors were master formulators. They understood the healing properties of shea butter, the protective power of oils, and the importance of moisture in maintaining healthy, radiant skin. From the shores of West Africa to the fields of the American South, Black women and men passed down sacred knowledge about skincare—recipes whispered from grandmother to grandchild, techniques refined over centuries.

Even in the face of enslavement and oppression, our people found ways to care for their skin. They used what the earth provided: rendered animal fats, plant oils, herbs, and roots. This wasn't vanity—it was survival. It was dignity. It was a way of saying, "We matter." 

Moisture as Medicine

The meticulous care African Americans have historically taken to stay moisturized wasn't just about appearance. Our skin, rich in melanin, requires intentional hydration to maintain its protective barrier and natural glow. Our ancestors knew this instinctively. They understood that ashy skin wasn't just a cosmetic concern—it was a sign that the body needed nourishment.

This wisdom created rituals: the evening bath followed by a full-body application of cocoa butter, shea butter, or even lard...the kitchen table lined with jars of homemade pomades and creams made from tallow or other fats to nourish and heal scars and wounds.  These weren't luxuries—they were necessities, woven into the fabric of Black life and culture.

From Rich Ground Comes Beautiful Growth

The name "Rich Ground Collection" is intentional. It speaks to the fertile soil of our heritage—the rich cultural ground from which our understanding of skincare grows. Just as our ancestors cultivated the land, they cultivated traditions of self-care that have sustained us through generations.

When developing this collection, I asked myself: How do I honor this legacy while creating something new? How do I bottle centuries of wisdom while meeting the needs of modern skin?

The answer came from returning to the source.  Goat milk is always the foundation for most products—an ingredient that has nourished skin across cultures for millennia, prized for its gentle, moisturizing properties. I combined it with natural oils and butters that I grew up on and our ancestors would recognize: shea, coconut, cocoa, olive oil, and other plant-based ingredients that have stood the test of time.  The aromas honor those who have come before while feeding, grounding, and soothing our mentals.

Every Application is an Affirmation

When you use the Rich Ground Collection, you're participating in a ritual that stretches back through time. You're connecting with the hands that mixed shea butter by firelight, the voices that shared beauty secrets in hushed tones, the spirits that refused to let hardship diminish their sense of beauty.

This collection is my love letter to those who came before—the ones who understood that caring for your skin is an act of loving who you are. It's my commitment to carrying their wisdom forward, ensuring that future generations inherit not just products, but practices rooted in pride and history

Honoring the Past, Nourishing the Future

Black History Month reminds us that our history isn't just about struggle—it's about brilliance, innovation, and an unbreakable commitment in all its forms. The Rich Ground Collection stands as a testament to that truth through beautiful skin.

As you care for your skin with Rich Ground, remember: you're not just following a skincare routine. You're honoring those who knew that taking care of yourself is an act of LOVE. You're continuing a legacy of self-care that no amount of stress or oppression could erase. You're standing on rich ground, indeed.

This Black History Month and every day, we celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and beauty of our ancestors. The Rich Ground Collection is a tribute to them—and my gift to you.

ARTICLE BY: Kim Cross, Mom and Owner at Zhi Bath and Body. She is the skincare formulator who refuses to let sensitive skin suffer in silence. A Navy veteran with over two decades in beauty and wellness, her mission is to educate and guide people to better skin health by asking the right questions, correcting misinformation, and making skin care make sense. Through research, formulation, and education, she helps people understand their skin, avoid unnecessary harm, and make confident choices they can trust.  Kim connects with her tribe through real talk, elevated self-care, and goat milk-based formulas that behave. She’s here to help people glow, grow, and live confidently without apology....because life is too short for bad skin.