We are thrilled to share a landmark moment in N8iV Beauty’s journey: our brand has been named one of Time Magazine’s 10 Most Influential Fashion and Beauty Companies of 2026.
This recognition is more than an industry honor — it is a testament to the vision, heritage, and heart that founder Ruth-Ann Thorn has poured into every product, every community initiative, and every step forward for Indigenous representation in beauty.
A Brand Rooted in Heritage
N8iV Beauty (pronounced “native”) was founded in 2022 by Ruth-Ann Thorn, an enrolled member of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians (Payomkawichum), based in San Diego, California. From day one, the brand has drawn on traditional plant medicine and Indigenous ingredients — including sustainably sourced acorn oil from tribal land — to create a skincare line that is both deeply effective and culturally meaningful.
As NBC 7 San Diego reported, N8iV Beauty is the first Indigenous American-owned skincare brand to reach the mainstream market nationally — a milestone that Time’s editors recognized in naming the brand to this prestigious list.
What Time Magazine Said
Time’s editors highlighted N8iV Beauty within their “The 10 Most Influential Fashion and Beauty Companies of 2026” category, recognizing the brand’s cultural impact, its commitment to Indigenous sourcing, and its rapid growth into national retail.
The recognition comes at an extraordinary inflection point:
- Nordstrom will soon carry N8iV Beauty products
- The brand will be available at 100+ Ritz-Carlton spas nationwide
- N8iV is joining Sephora’s Accelerate minority inclusion cohort
- The brand was featured in the 2026 Oscar’s Gift Lounge
- N8iV was the first Indigenous beauty brand featured at Coachella
- In 2025, the brand won an Allure Best of Beauty Award for its Exfoliator
More Than a Beauty Brand
What makes N8iV Beauty’s story so powerful is the mission woven into every product sold. 5% of all sales go directly toward the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement — a cause close to Ruth-Ann’s heart and central to the brand’s identity.
“This recognition from Time isn’t just for N8iV Beauty. It’s for every Indigenous woman who was told her story didn’t belong in mainstream culture.” — Ruth-Ann Thorn, Founder
Where to Find Us
N8iV Beauty’s flagship store is located in San Diego’s iconic Gaslamp Quarter at 631 5th Ave, inside the historic Yuma Building — a property Ruth-Ann purchased in 2024, making her the first Native American to own property in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Whether you visit us in person or shop online, every purchase is a step toward a more inclusive beauty industry — one that honors Indigenous knowledge, culture, and community.
Shop the Collection
Ready to experience skincare rooted in tradition and science? Browse our full collection at n8ivbeauty.com and discover why Time Magazine, Allure, and the world are paying attention.
Celebrate with us — this milestone belongs to every customer, every community partner, and every person who believed in this vision from the beginning.
