AkkulaPh was founded in 2017 by Angelique Lesaca and Nico Ballesteros. The founders’ initial interest in safer, eco-friendly formulations stemmed from their experience caring for a yellow-crested cockatoo named Hero. Maintaining a safe environment for the bird required frequent cleaning without conventional chemical-based products, prompting the development of a chemical-free disinfectant for personal use. Recognizing the commercial potential of these formulations, the founders launched Akkula’s Pee-wee Natural Pet Urine: Stain & Odor Remover in 2018. The product line subsequently expanded to include personal care, beauty, and household essentials.

By 2020, AkkulaPh had gained prominence within the Philippine independent beauty sector. Publications such as Cosmopolitan Philippines highlighted the brand among local indie beauty labels, specifically noting its innovative seed-containing lip balm packaging. The brand has also been featured by Metro.Style (formerly Metroscene Mag) as an eco-friendly Filipino business spanning self-care, home care, and pet care [1].

The name Akkula is derived from the Sinama language of the Sama-Bajau people. It is described as meaning “to keep a careful hold of something, no matter where one goes or what one does.” This concept underpins the brand’s environmental philosophy, which treats sustainability as an integral part of product development rather than solely a packaging consideration. AkkulaPh aims to create products that are natural, ethical, sustainable, and affordable while minimizing environmental impact through responsible ingredient selection, sourcing, and disposal methods.

AkkulaPh’s portfolio encompasses multiple categories centered on sustainable consumption.

Personal and beauty care

The brand’s most recognizable product is its vegan lip balm, formulated with Candelilla wax as a plant-based alternative to beeswax. Reported variants include Mint, Grapefruit, Lemon, Vanilla, Orange, Hemp, and Tinted versions. The packaging distinguishes the product; tubes are crafted from handmade recycled paper containing seeds. After use, the packaging can be planted to allow decomposition and seed germination. Seed varieties have included lavender, basil, mint, thyme, and spinach. WGSN has cited this approach as an example of “regenerative packaging” designed to return value to the environment.

Home care

AkkulaPh produces household cleaning solutions, including multipurpose cleaners and disinfectants. Formulations have utilized botanical ingredients such as sweet basil, tea tree, and wintergreen, emphasizing the avoidance of toxic chemicals and reducing the environmental footprint associated with domestic cleaning.

Pet care

Pet care remains a core component of the AkkulaPh ecosystem, originating from the founders’ personal animal care experiences. Products in this category include:

• Natural pet urine, stain, and odor removers
• Cat-litter deodorizers
• Dog nose and paw-care products
• Dehydrated pet treats
• Other pet-care essentials

Additional offerings reported under the brand include moss-ball kits and scented candles, reflecting diversification beyond traditional beauty and personal care.

Sustainability is central to AkkulaPh’s operations. The company promotes a zero-waste approach aimed at minimizing waste throughout the product lifecycle. Key principles include:

• Plastic reduction: Replacing conventional plastic with alternative materials.
• Compostable packaging: Utilizing handcrafted paper packaging.
• Plantable packaging: Embedding seeds in select packaging for post-use planting.
• Vegan formulations: Using plant-based alternatives like Candelilla wax.
• Cruelty-free standards: Avoiding animal testing.
• Natural ingredients: Prioritizing plant-derived and naturally sourced materials.
• Local sourcing: Procuring agricultural ingredients from Philippine producers.
• Waste minimization: Designing products to generate minimal persistent waste.

Support for Philippine farmers

AkkulaPh integrates support for local agriculture into its business model. For instance, its vegan lip balms utilize virgin coconut oil (VCO) sourced from the Felipe Remulla Verallo (FRV) farm in Leyte. This sourcing strategy aims to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions while providing market opportunities and capital to local farming communities. This dual approach addresses waste reduction on the consumer side while supporting agricultural livelihoods on the supply side.

AkkulaPh is positioned as a planet-friendly lifestyle brand combining Filipino entrepreneurship, environmental advocacy, sustainable beauty, and animal care. Unlike brands focused exclusively on natural cosmetics, AkkulaPh extends its scope to household and pet essentials. Philippine media outlets, including the Philippine Daily Tribune, have characterized the brand as a provider of zero-waste beauty and pet-care products utilizing compostable kraft-paper packaging.

Notable coverage includes features by Manila Bulletin on its eco-friendly products and Leyte-based sourcing, Cosmopolitan Philippines on its plantable lip balms, and Metro.Style regarding its comprehensive eco-friendly product range [1]. WGSN has also referenced the brand in discussions of regenerative packaging innovation.

1. Check out this eco-friendly shop to make your self-care extra worth it! – Metroscene Mag – For the young, empowered & creative