The Gewd behind GB
We aren’t just gewd for your skin. We’re gewd for the earth, you, and EVERYONE in between. As a biologist, I strive to be environmentally conscious in every step of the process. Our shipping materials are compostable and our packaging is made of 100% post-consumer plastic (PCR). On top of it, all of our ingredients used in our products are natural, coming directly from the earth.
But the real gewd of Gewd Botanicals comes from the gewd work we do locally here in Richmond, VA.
At Gewd Botanicals, we differentiate ourselves by growing our own ingredients in the city using urban agriculture. The founder, Malique, a biologist and farmer, grows botanicals himself and partners with local farms to cultivate these ingredients while growing food. Through companion planting, our ingredients protect crops from pests and boost their yield.
We donate the harvested food to RVA community fridges to do direct social GEWD for the community. Recently, we secured a contract with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to offer youth gardening programs to low-income public housing units. We believe it’s essential for young people to learn about plants and access gardens for stress relief, nutrition, and to combat food insecurity. This while subconsciously inspiring the next generation of farmers and scientists!
At Gewd Botanicals, we focus on both skin care and community care. That’s how we stay Gewd for the Earth, you, and everyone-in-between!
Our Story
In 2015, Malique Middleton was having a hard time finding natural skin care products for his sensitive skin. The “Natural” part was important as many chemicals within mass-produced products cause more skin irritation. Through trial and error, he was able to formulate the earliest versions of Gewd Botanicals skin care products in his family kitchen using natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and various essential oils.
Malique’s lifelong love of science is deeply integrated within Gewd. In 2021, Malique created a scientific procedure to test the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of any essential oil against the various bacteria of the skin microbiome. For his research, he won accolades from the Virginia Academy of Science and is working to obtain a patent for the procedure.
As a Biologist and current Master of Product Innovation student at the da Vinci Center for Innovation at VCU, Malique has further developed the formulas, the brand and now is growing (literally) across the RVA area.
Our Team
Malique Middleton
Founder/CEO
Hello! My name is Malique Middleton, the Founder, CEO, Chief Scientist, and everything in between here at Gewd Botanicals. Recently graduating with my degree in Biology, Pre-Medicine, and Entrepreneurship from James Madison University. Now as a Biologist, I apply my diverse box of tools to all things Gewd Botanicals. Gewd Botanicals has been my baby in development for over 5 years now.
I am beyond happy and joyful to share these amazing products that I have developed over the years with you all. Even better, as you all support this dream of mine, we are able to do gewd throughout the RVA area! So come feel gewd, be gewd, and look gewd in your skin with Gewd Botanicals.