As a mum of three who has lived through chronic eczema and the challenges of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), Abeola Johnson knows firsthand the emotional and physical toll that sensitive skin can bring. What began in her kitchen as a desperate search for relief has blossomed into Derma Warrior, a gentle, nature-inspired skincare brand born from love, empathy and understanding. Today, she’s not just creating products; she’s building a community that reminds others they’re not alone and that true healing comes from nurturing both the skin and the soul. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind Derma Warrior, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The Passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve had eczema. I remember the oily baths, itchy dry skin, thick emollients and constant doctor’s appointments trialing different creams, because they either didn’t work or they made my skin feel like it was on fire.
My journey into skincare wasn’t born from a desire to start a business; it was born from desperation, pain and the deep need to find relief when nothing else worked. I suffered with chronic eczema and went through the debilitating experience of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). At my lowest, I didn’t recognise the person in the mirror. My skin was raw, oozing and inflamed. Doctors kept prescribing stronger steroids, but each time I stopped, my skin would rebound worse than before. I felt lost, dismissed and exhausted from trying product after product that promised healing, but only made things worse.
I reached a breaking point, and that’s when Derma Warrior was born. I began studying ingredients, creating my own formulas using gentle, natural materials and seeing results. Slowly, my skin started to rebuild, and so did my confidence.
But this brand isn’t just about skincare; it’s about hope. It’s about creating a safe place for people who’ve felt ignored or ashamed because of their skin. I wanted to give others what I never had: products made from love, empathy and understanding. Because healing isn’t just physical; it’s emotional too.
The Launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
It began in my kitchen, experimenting with raw ingredients like mango butter, trying to soothe my own skin. I shared samples with friends and family, and the response was overwhelming. From there, I started small batches, built a community on Instagram, and slowly grew into the brand we are today.
In the beginning, I was just a mum desperately trying to find answers for a skin condition that was taking over my life. I had been dealing with eczema and later Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), and it felt like I was drowning in a sea of prescriptions, conflicting advice and worsening symptoms. I followed every recommendation, trusted every professional, and still my skin only got worse. I didn’t recognise myself anymore. I felt ashamed, isolated and exhausted.
The turning point came when I realised that what I was putting on my skin mattered just as much as what was going on within me. I began researching natural ingredients, learning how our bodies respond to what we feed them, both externally and internally. I started making simple balms in my kitchen using nourishing, non-toxic ingredients because I couldn’t find anything that felt safe anymore.
What began as an act of survival became a passion. I saw changes not just in my own skin, but in my confidence, my energy and eventually in the people I shared my formulas with. That’s how Derma Warrior was born – from pain, yes, but also from a desire to offer others what I wished I had: hope, honesty and healing support for sensitive, flaring skin.
The Innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for me was realising that I wasn’t alone. For years, I felt isolated in my skin struggles, overwhelmed by flare-ups, exhausted by the endless cycle of prescriptions, and silenced by doctors who didn’t understand the depth of my pain. But once I started sharing my journey openly, everything changed. I discovered a community of people who felt exactly like me: frustrated, unseen and desperate for relief.
That moment when I saw people respond to my story with “Me too”, I knew I had to turn my pain into purpose. The breakthrough wasn’t just about creating a product; it was about creating hope. Derma Warrior was born out of that need to offer safe, non-toxic skincare made with love and lived experience. Every jar we send out is a reminder to someone that they’re not alone and that healing is possible.
Ying and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balancing work and family has never been about perfect schedules or having it all together; it’s about presence, grace and learning to honour my capacity. As a mother of three and someone who built a skincare brand from personal pain, I’ve had to redefine what balance looks like. Some days I’m in full business mode; other days I’m just showing up emotionally for my kids, especially during the tough times like eczema flare-ups or hospital appointments. I’ve learnt to prioritise the moments that matter most and let go of the guilt when I can’t do it all.
Running Derma Warrior isn’t just work, it’s deeply personal. So when I feel like I’m burning out, I remind myself that my healing, rest and joy are just as important as my success. I also involve my children in the journey – from packing orders to celebrating wins, they see the vision too. Balance, for me, isn’t a fixed destination it’s a daily decision to choose what serves both my purpose and my people. And that’s enough.
