In the bustling Lunga Lunga area of Nairobi’s industrial zone, Dr Gasheri Mugao, a former dentist, now pioneers a different field—beauty.
Despite dentistry being a lucrative career and which she had enjoyed for five years, she left her government post at Ndaragwa Subcounty Hospital in 2015 to pursue a passion that aligned with her medical expertise: preventing diseases through the use of natural products.
Through her Sheth Group of Companies, she leads a revolution in the beauty industry by using natural butter and oils to enhance beauty without compromising health.
“Beauty doesn’t have to drain your wallet or jeopardise your health,” the University of Nairobi alumnus explains.
Honesty and trust are at the core of her approach, ensuring her products are 100 per cent natural.
At Sheth Group’s Lunga Lunga offices, a team of 30 staff produces cosmetics using natural ingredients, which are not just about enhancing beauty but also play a role in preventive medicine.
“There’s the part where we go to the hospital when we’re sick. But must we wait to fall ill? My contribution aims to reduce disease prevalence by promoting healthier choices,” she says.
Mugao is especially vocal about the health risks associated with some cosmetics, noting that harmful chemicals have been linked to diseases like cancer.
“Ingredients in certain products can contribute to health issues. We strive for transparency and precision in our production process.”
Her love for beauty and fine things began in her childhood in Tharaka Nithi, but her entrepreneurial journey began with Sheth Naturals, launched in July 2015 to cater for natural hair and skincare products tailored for African consumers.
“Our aim is to create solutions rooted in Africa’s abundant resources,” she says.
“The continent is rich in natural products, yet lifestyle diseases persist due to the harmful chemicals in many of the products we use.”
Mugao expanded her portfolio with Sheth Organics, which ensures a sustainable supply of high-quality raw materials by working directly with farmers. This backward integration supports local agriculture and guarantees the quality of ingredients used in Sheth Naturals products.
Mugao believes in harnessing the goodness of local plants and under Sheth Naturals, two flagship product ranges—Mizizi and Sheba—showcase her innovative approach.
The Mizizi range offers pure plantbased products, including shea butter, cocoa butter and various oils like coconut and avocado.
The Sheba range complements Mizizi by providing products specifically for cleansing, styling and maintaining African hair.
Sheba products incorporate unique ingredients such as honey, which aid in detangling and maintaining African hair.
“Reetha powder, derived from the bark of a tree common in India and some parts of Africa, is a natural foaming agent that eliminates the need for harsh chemicals,” she explains.
Mugao’s commitment to sustainability is evident in Sheth Organics’ circular economy model. The company transforms waste materials into organic fertilisers and other byproducts, further enhancing its impact on the environment and agricultural value chains.
However, her journey and particularly advocating for healthier beauty alternatives, hasn’t been without challenges.
Educating consumers and salons on the benefits of natural products requires significant effort.
Mugao highlights the shift in perception about natural hair, which was once stigmatised.
“One of our key achievements has been demystifying notions like associating short or natural hair with being broke. We’ve worked hard to promote the beauty of natural African hair.”
Her company has trained over 1,600 salons in the last year alone, educating professionals on how to care for natural hair and use their products effectively.
“Cosmetology schools have traditionally focused on Caucasian standards, leaving a gap in African hair care knowledge. We’re proud to be changing that narrative,” she says.
Beauty is more than skin-deep; it is about creating products that honour African heritage, promote health and empower communities.
Mugao, who was elected chair of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers SMEs hub, highlights the lack of standards for natural products as a significant challenge in Kenya.
“But it’s not just a Kenyan problem—it’s a global issue.” While undertaking a Master’s Degree in Health Economics and Policy, her research on the low uptake of natural products in the market uncovered trust as a critical barrier.
“There’s high demand for natural products, but every day, a new brand emerges. With so many options, people are beginning to hold back because they’re afraid,” she explains.
“We initially struggled to get people to accept the natural look. Now that they have, the next hurdle is trust due to the overwhelming supply.”
Kenya must lead by setting systematic standards for natural products, she says. “Right now, it feels reactionary. For instance, we recognise shea butter in the market, so we create a standard for it. Then we notice coconut oil for cosmetics and develop another standard. We need a more structured approach.”
When starting Sheth Naturals, Mugao partnered with a group of women and pooled around Sh20,000.
“Funding came from my earnings as a dentist and I reinvested everything into the business. The satisfaction of building something meaningful is incomparable.”
Initially a hobby, the business began to grow as she recognised its potential; Mugao saw the greater potential to impact public health through beauty.
At the time, African cosmetology was poorly understood.
“Many people don’t think about the ingredients in their products. Sometimes, they’re one application away from harming themselves.” Cancer was particularly troubling for Mugao.
“Beauty products often contain carcinogenic ingredients that consumers aren’t aware of. Cancer is just one condition that prolonged use of harmful products can cause, affecting the skin, scalp and even the hair itself,” she explains.
“I see this as a different approach to promoting public health. It’s about creating awareness and offering safe, effective choices for hair and skin care.”
As her business grows, Mugao
remains committed to her vision of
an inclusive and sustainable beauty
industry and applying her health science background to create solutions.
