In a small corner of Junction, St Elizabeth, a quiet revolution in skincare is taking root — and at its center is registered nurse Tiphanie Smith-McLinch, founder of Self-Care at Tiphanie’s.
What began as a personal mission to find better solutions for her son’s eczema has blossomed into one of Jamaica’s rising homegrown brands, reshaping how Jamaicans think about self-care.
“When I couldn’t find clean products I could trust, I decided to make them myself,” said Smith-McLinch, reflecting on her first experiments blending moringa into a whipped body butter in her family kitchen.
By 2019, she formalized the venture, transforming a family-owned building into a small manufacturing facility. The timing was fortuitous: as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, demand for natural, local alternatives surged. Tiphanie’s brand, certified by the Bureau of Standards, was among the first to deliver approved hand sanitisers nationwide — a breakthrough that pushed her products into pharmacies and retail spaces across the island.
Today, Self-Care at Tiphanie’s offers more than 30 products, ranging from artisanal soaps and shampoos to serums, toners, and aromatherapy collections. Each item stays true to its roots: natural, organic, and Jamaican.
Beyond retail shelves at places like Fontana Pharmacy and Things Jamaican, the company has stepped into new territory — supplying spas, hotels, and resorts looking for locally sourced, sustainable products. A collaboration is currently underway with a Treasure Beach resort that will feature refillable, Jamaican-made amenities.
“Tourism relies heavily on imports. We’re showing that world-class products can be made right here,” said Smith-McLinch.
Still, the journey has been far from effortless. Introducing premium-priced natural goods into a traditionally cost-sensitive hospitality industry demands patience and perseverance. But signs of change are emerging, and Smith-McLinch remains confident that conscious consumerism is on the rise.
Her ambitions don’t end at the shoreline. With growing online orders from the US, Canada, and the UK, Tiphanie’s team is preparing to launch structured export operations, starting with Florida.
The bigger vision? A holistic wellness center that blends skincare, nutrition, and mindfulness — continuing her mission to make healthful living an accessible reality for all Jamaicans.
“Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a responsibility,” said Smith-McLinch. “Our brand stands for that.”
