The beauty industry has been growing exponentially all over the globe, and thanks to our proudly local sisters in skincare, that growth is also flourshing in South Africa.
Many of our local sisters have taken it upon themselves to create their own brands in this highly competitive industry, blessing us with amazing sustainable products filled with natural ingredients and local flavours carefully curated for our South African skins.
Because local really is that lekker.
Whether you’re shopping online or visiting some local shops, here are some incredible, proudly South African women-owned skincare brands to know:
Lelive
Amanda du Pont is an unapologetic powerhouse unto herself. Actress, model, and television host has just added CEO and founder of Lelive to her evergrowing list of accolades.
Lelive means “of the nation or world” and was inspired by Amanda’s unofficial Swazi name. The perfect name for the perfect brand striving to build a strong community that centres around listening, supporting, and guiding by helping us feel our most confident and beautiful in our own skin.
The brand was created in 2020 and has been ticking all the boxes ever since: simple, dermatologically-tested, clean, and effectively affordable, all while celebrating the uniqueness of what makes us South African.
Pro tip: There’s a reason why Lelive’s all the shade won the 2022 Woman&Home Beauty Award for the best-tinted moisturiser in South Africa.
@lindiekind/Instagram
- Instagram: @lelive.africa
- Website: leliveafrica.com
SKOON
As the name suggests, Skoon is all about clean beauty. This small, strong women-led beauty brand strives to offer more conscious choices to people who want to push the world forward, both through skincare, sustainability, and women empowerment.
“We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We do believe in an effective, flexible range that makes you feel happy in your own healthy, good-feeling skin,” says Skoon.
Their products are produced in Cape Town, using century-old beauty secrets nestled within the natural flora of their backyard – The Cape Floral Kingdom. None of their natural ingredients are tested on animals, and they contain no obvious toxins or controversial synthetics.
They also commit to donating 1% of all sales to South Africa’s Boabab Foundation so that not only can our radiant skins stay nourished and looked after, but our lands and communities in need can too.
Skoon
- Website: skoonskin.com
Suki Suki Naturals
The brand’s founder, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Linda Gieskes-Mwamba, started Suki Suki in 2014 when she wanted to grow out her natural hair. All the hair products available were either full of chemicals, ridiculously expensive — or both and did nothing for her hair needs.
Linda started playing around with natural ingredients, which led to Suki Suki Naturals’ first and most popular hair product. Now crafted in Joburg, the product list has grown to include skincare too.
Her ranges now are specially developed for those living under the harsh African sun and are produced using essential oils and natural ingredients all derived from the abundant flora that our beloved South Africa has to offer.
The best part is that these products are cruelty-free and free from toxic beauty ingredients. This list includes mineral oil, preservatives, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, formaldehyde, petroleum, and paraffin.
@sukisukinaturals/Instagram
- Instagram: @sukisukinaturals
- Website: sukisukinaturals.co.za
Lulu & Marula
Founded in 2013 by beauty enthusiast Jesslynn Shepher and later joined by skincare scientist Monique Spaltman, Lulu & Marula tick all the ‘eco’ boxes as a natural, ethically produced skin and body care collection developed in their beauty studio in Cape Town. It’s natural, sulphate- and paraben-free, not tested on animals, and free from palm and mineral oils.
It is without a doubt one of the most sustainable brands in South Africa. They only use plant-based ingredients. From scented body balms and bath oils to cleansing bars and lip balms, all products are as natural as they come. Wherever possible everything is made and sourced in South Africa, their business practices support local enterprises and their beautiful packaging – that’s enough to get anyone excited – strictly uses glass and cardboard recyclable packaging.
One of the company’s core principles is that “simplicity is the new awesome”, and that’s a concept we can really get behind. It explains why they’ve created a limited range with fewer products that are hardworking multitaskers. You really are getting more by using fewer products.
@luluandmarula/Instagram
- Instagram: @luluandmarula
- Website: luluandmarula.com
Chick Cosmetics
Created in Johannesburg in 2018 by Nomfundo Njibe, who has always wanted to marry her interest in skincare and makeup to her passion for advancing women’s perceptions of beauty. As a Result? Chick Cosmetics was born and quickly became known as the brand that does beauty differently, changing the world by creating beauty products that break traditional styles.
And now four years later, the brand prides itself on being cruelty-free in every sense of the word as the brand is vegan friendly and it makes sure to adopt ethical marketing and sustainable practices, all while developing each product to perfection after careful processing with passion and love for quality in beauty.
Known for its colourful schemes and innovations across South Africa, Chick Cosmetics is “driven by the love of creating, diversity and confidence, [and] have been described as the most innovative and fastest-growing beauty company on the continent.”
@flowahh_/Instagram
- Instagram: @chick.cosmetics_
- Website: chickcosmetics.com
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Feature Image: @flowahh_Instagram
Author: Tauhira Ajam
