Since the pandemic began a couple years ago, anti-Asian sentiment has seen a shameful and alarming uptick. The financial and psychological toll on the Asian-American community runs deep, from boycotted businesses to devastating violence and attacks. One way you can help? Supporting Asian-owned businesses, near and far. (You can also help by donating directly to causes like these.)

First and foremost, consider the locally-owned businesses right in your neighborhood. From grabbing take-out to buying gifts, these small businesses directly benefit from your dollars and pump money back into the communities that need support.

But in addition to the incredible AAPI businesses you can support within your community, there are countless brands to shop online in every category, from beauty and fashion to food and home goods. We could never list all of them but commit to compiling an ever-growing list of favorites.

Here are some of our team’s favorite AAPI-owned businesses to support throughout AAPI Heritage Month (and always):

AAPI-Owned Brands for Moms

Kinflyte: If sitting at a desk, chasing after littles, larger breasts or life in general makes your back and shoulders ache, the anti-slouch bras and essentials from Kinflyte will feel like sweet relief. Their patented designs offer pain-free support and comfort in inclusive sizes and a wide range of styles.

Kinflyte Freedom Bra

Kinflyte

Freedom Bra

$119

No Reception Club: Born from a love of adventure and a belief that travel becomes more important with kids–not less–No Reception Club makes family adventures a total breeze. Their thoughtfully designed Getaway Bag can not only hold, but expertly organize everything you need while out and about with little ones in tow. (Have you ever seen shelves in a backpack? We didn’t think so. Brilliant!)

mom carrying her daughter wearing a No Reception Club backpack, a great bag for baby's first flight

No Reception Club

Getaway Bag

$235

Copper Cow Coffee: On a mission to sustainably support and share the vibrant heritage of Vietnamese coffee, Copper Cow’s no equipment needed pour over lattes come with individual sweetened condensed milk creamer that creates the perfect drink every time. 

Maison Miru: Simple, understated and easy-to-wear jewelry you never have to take off. In fact, their titanium and solid 14k gold “nap earrings” are made with flat backs so they’re comfortable even when you’re sleeping.

Hygiene Hero: Founded by beauty industry veteran Michelle Yeh, Hygiene Hero’s natural and effective feminine wellness products are created “with women’s health and intimate joy as the top priority”. From their microbiome balancing VV Oil to their soothing Private Bar, they make a legit case for treating our vulvas with the same amount of care and pampering as we do our faces. Message received.

Hygiene Hero VV Oil

Hygiene Hero

VV Oil

$36

Cocofloss: Arguably more important than brushing, it can be a chore to establish a flossing habit. And though I run the risk of sounding like a child confessing this, the fun fruity flavors of Coco Floss have helped me do just that. But even better than the taste is the efficacy of the product itself. Unlike your typical drug store brands, it’s made from 500+ textured threads to better scrub those pearly whites and cleanse with a dose of coconut oil.

Glow Recipe: Like a dose of fruit salad for your face, Glow Recipe’s colorfully-packaged and super effective skincare is a favorite among skincare junkies and skincare novices alike. If you haven’t tried their Watermelon Glow Drops, you owe it to yourself to unlock your dewy potential.

Rael: Designed for women, by women, Rael’s safe and effective products support all your self-care needs through every phases of your cycle. From soothing washes and wipes to organic cotton leak protection they’ve got you covered.

Huhu: If you’re tired of your diaper bag becoming a black hole, the hyper-functional, mom-designed bag from Huhu has got you covered. The genderless diaper bag backpack features a one-handed opening, moveable dividers and removable pouches, internal and external quick-access pockets, and wide cushy backpack straps to make carrying all the things as easy as can be.

Everyday Humans: So many brands promise sunscreen that doesn’t make you look like a chalky ghost, but Everyday Humans nails it better than any. Their innovative line of SPF-led skincare is affordable, effective and a new staple in our bathrooms (and diaper bags!)

Wing On Wo & Co .: A New York Chinatown institution that’s helping preserve and celebrate Chinatown’s creative culture and history through arts, culture and activism. Pick up a pair of the most adorable panda chopstick rests .

Diaspora: Equitable and delicious heirloom spices, sourced directly from Indian and Sri Lankan partner farms. Discover their Anamalai cacao that will bring your baking to the next level.

Diaspora Co. Chef Baking Duo

Diaspora Co.

Chef Baking Duo

$45

Strange Bird Beauty Crystal-charged skincare that makes you glow from the inside out. Scrub up with the Inner Clarity Cleanser, a 3-in-1 formula that acts as a clay, balm, exfoliator, milky cleanser and mask to refresh and revive. (It also smells like Fruity Pebbles.)

Emilia GeorgeTimeless maternitywear made from sustainable fabrics in the US. Guest of honor at a baby shower this spring? The Irene dress, with its swingy drape and muted but fresh palette, is a worthy outfit option.

Ilha Candles: Hand-poured small-batch candles made in Long Island, New York. Check out the custom Jasmine Green Tea scent created in collaboration with TaiwaneseAmerican.org.

PepperComfortable, quality bras for small-chested women who are tired of bras that gap and slip. The Limitless Wire-free has you covered from yoga to date night.

Paper CultureFresh and modern recycled stationery and cards that plants a tree with every order. Bring back good old-fashioned letter writing with the bold but simple colorblock set.

Paper Culture Colorblock Set

Paper Culture

Colorblock Set

$67.50

Summer Fridays: Multi-tasking skincare that feels like a mini-vacation. Treat yourself to the hydrating magic of their signature Jet Lag mask—a favorite among beauty mavens since its launch.

KIM+ONOKimono-style robes inspired by Asian vintage art, family-owned and operated for over 30 years. Their gorgeous washable silk styles make you feel like a queen, even if your hair is caked with a week of dry shampoo.

Lo & Sons: Thoughtfully designed bags and accessories that go the distance. (You know, across Europe or your neighborhood farmers market.) People swear by the Catalina tote which keeps everything organized and lasts for ages.

Lo & Sons Catalina Day Tote

Lo & Sons

Catalina Day Tote

$118 $158

Natori: Luxury lingerie and apparel, initially inspired by a hand-embroidered Filipino blouse. Invest in the Onsen caftan which TBH is the only piece of clothing we want to wear this summer.

Pink Moon: Pink Moon, with their expertly curated collection of female-founded, sustainable and mindful self-care brands is on a mission to revolutionize the beauty industry. Every line they carry is amazing, but we love that their in-house line pays homage to founder Lin Chen’s Chinese heritage with the gua sha tool and accompanying face oil.

Mo MiNutrient-rich, botanically-infused hair care that makes self-care simple. Their green clay, aloe and coconut dry shampoo freshens and adds volume to limp locks without leaving that powdery look behind.

SenreveInstagram-famous luxury handbags that keep things simple. Indulge in the Aria Belt Bag, an elevated fanny pack that keeps essentials close and your hands free.

Dagne Dover: Brilliantly designed modern neoprene bags that sell out on the regular. We’re big fans of their Indi Diaper Backpack that can easily tote sippy cups and wipes but totally doesn’t have to.

Abacus Row: Subtle and understated beaded jewelry that’s sure to become an everyday favorite. Made from Japanese Miyuki matte glass beads, 14k gold-filled beads and findings, and silk cord, the Neso Wrap can be worn as a necklace or bracelet for a layered look that’s just 😍.

Abacus Row Neso Wrap Motherly

Abacus Row

Neso Wrap

$116

Soko Glam: Known for popularizing the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine in the West and beyond, Soko Glam curates the best K-beauty products to change the way you look at skincare. Check out the best-selling Then I Met You cleansing balm which boasts nearly 2K reviews that all sing its praises.

Prim Botanicals: Clean, carefully crafted skincare that gives back. Their supremely uplifting scents and formulas are crafted with ingredients that share the beauty of the Philippines. Treat yourself to the Spoil Yourself Sill Rose and Grapefruit Body Scrub which will help you get a jumpstart on that glowing summer skin!

The Woobles: Their over-the-top adorable crochet kits can make a DIY-er out of anyone. Each kit comes with everything you need to create miniature critters (but we’re partial to the fox!)

Yina: Newish on the self-care scene, Yina is on a mission is to demystify and enliven Chinese Medicine with their gorgeous collection of sustainable skincare. For refreshing throughout the day, their Essential Mist is a WFH desk must-have.

Out East Eyewear: A mama’s favorite accessory (after all, what else covers up those dark circles so deftly?), Out East takes their luxe eyewear one step further by replacing them if they’re lost or broken for only $35! The gold-stemmed Sapeth is ready for every beach adventure you can squeeze in.

Out East Eyewear Sapeth

Out East Eyewear

Sapeth

$195

Chiyo: It’s common practice in many Asian cultures to honor and build up the mother after birth by preparing traditional healing foods to support physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Chiyo founders Jennifer Jolorte Doro and Irene Liu set out to bring this traditional practice of using food as medicine to more mothers through their ready-made meals and nutrition advice, designed for fertility, prenatal, postpartum and general wellbeing. Their pantry starter kit makes a gorgeous gift for those who are eager to dive into the world of meal prep through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

More AAPI-owned brands we love:

Yana: Looking for the best sleep ever? Yana’s multifunctional (and organic!) body pillows make everything from snoozing to Netflixing in bed as cozy as possible.

Chomper Labs: Created by teeth grinding sufferers James and Kaitlyn Wei, Chomper Labs is a professional dental lab in California that delivers custom night guards right to your door—without costing you an arm and a leg.

Pipcorn: Popcorn was already a pretty perfect snack—yet Pipcorn somehow made it even better. Their mini heirloom kernels make it extra crunchy and double irresistible. They’ve got a collection of delicious flavors, but sometimes you just want something simple.

Mimochai: An independent storybook studio and shop that encourages creativity and mindfulness.

Silk + Sonder: A subscription-based mental wellness journaling experience that works as self-care toolkit. Tap into your inner creativity, feel more productive and just connect with yourself via a daily ritual you look forward to.

Shoott: Your annual family photoshoot just got a convenient upgrade! This female-run company matches you with photographers in your area and allows you to only pay for the ones you love at less than $15 each.

Wildgrid: This AAPI, female and queer-owned climate-tech company makes it easy to find affordable access to home electrification, from solar panels to heat pumps. 

Muji: From home goods to wardrobe staples to simple stationery, Muji is a minimalist mama’s dream come true. The Japanese brand has been crushing it since 1980 with smart designs that just work .

Yami: With the largest selection of Asian snacks & food, beauty and health products, home items, and more, Yami is a one-stop shop for all your favorites.

AAPI-Owned Brands for Kids

KiwiCo. “Tinker, create, innovate” with these age-targeted monthly crates (ages 0-104–yes. You read that right.) Each contains a craft project with materials, a magazine and online DIY ideas that make Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math (STEAM) learning fun and accessible. 

eat2explore: Founded by a working NYC mom who grew up cooking with her family in Malaysia, eat2explore provides tools for families to cook together, learn and dine on different cuisines and cultures. Try the explore Asia box which includes spice and sauce mixes, recipe cards, shopping list, educational material, and activity sheets to craft inspired meals from China, India, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

Lollaland Functional and fun infant and toddler products that make life with kids a little more stylish. Their top-rated weighted straw sippy cup is favorite with tots and parents alike!

Keiki KaukauA household name in Hawaii, this mama-owned toy company makes colorful kids’ products that not only beautifully represent Hawaii’s island culture but give back to their community as well.

Dot Line Curve: Graphic designer and mama Agnes Wong launched Dot Line Curve on Kickstarter last spring, exceeding her goal by more than double. The beautifully designed books and cards introduce young children to basic principles of Chinese character writing through simple touch and trace, one colorful stroke at a time.

Ish Dolls: Based in Long Island, Ish Dolls makes diverse clothes and toys that celebrate the Hindu culture. Their plush baby Krishna launched the line in 2020, connecting culture with play in the most adorable way.

Habbi Habbi: Combining the love of books and reading with their deep desire to raise bilingual kids who understand and value other cultures, Habbi Habbi makes learning a second language screen-free and fun. Just tap the wand anywhere on the page to learn words, phrases and sentences.

Loulou Lollipop: Founded and run by twin sisters, Loulou Lollipop’s colorful and non-toxic baby goods are some of the cutest on the market. The whimsical silicone teethers are available in a wide variety of styles, but we might be partial to the sushi.

gimMe snacksSustainably-grown seaweed snacks that are perfect for lunchboxes. Roasted with sea salt is a universal favorite.

Mochi Kids: Design-minded screen-printed kids goods made in the US by a mama of three. Their super rad number tees are perfect for birthday photoshoots.

Embeba: Any mama who has ever tried to glop diaper cream on their squirmy little one will appreciate Embeba’s effective, convenient diaper balm stick . Made from all-natural ingredients, it’s also great for eczema and other skin issues.

Kinokuniya: Have a Studio Ghibli fan on your hands? These adorable Totoro tumblers look awesome on a kids’ shelf but chances are, they won’t spend much time there.

A version of this story was published May 27, 2021. It has been updated.