Vol.8 – Skin Care Essentials – Beauty Brands from South Africa

Basic Skincare Routine Anyone Can Follow

A basic skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Start with a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type—this will remove dirt and impurities without stripping your skin’s natural oils. Follow up with a toner to balance your skin’s pH and prep it for better absorption of subsequent products. After toning, apply a serum with active ingredients that target specific concerns like hydration, brightening, or anti-aging. Next, lock in moisture with a good moisturizer that will keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Lastly, don’t forget sunscreen—it’s essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, even on cloudy days. This simple yet effective routine will maintain healthy, glowing skin with minimal effort.

Skincare in South Africa has evolved significantly over the years, with a growing number of local beauty brands offering natural, effective, and high-performance products. These brands focus on harnessing the power of indigenous ingredients like marula, rooibos, and baobab, all while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical production practices. Here are some of the top skincare brands you should know, offering a mix of premium products for all skin types.

1. Luxe Botanicals

Known for premium, plant-powered skincare with ingredients like marula, rooibos, and baobab.
MRP: From R695

1. Marula Nourishing Oil – Intense hydration for dry skin.

2. Baobab Rejuvenating Serum – Anti-aging and skin-rejuvenating.

3. Rooibos Calming Cleanser – Gentle, soothing daily cleanser.

4. Marula + Baobab Hydrating Cream – Deep hydration with a luxurious finish.

5. Baobab Replenishing Mask – Rich, moisturizing mask for stressed skin.
   🔗 Luxe Botanicals

2. Suki Suki Naturals

An all-natural, African-skin focused brand offering oils, balms, and cleansers.
MRP: From R180

1. Hydrating Marula Oil – Pure marula oil for deep hydration.

2. Rooibos Facial Oil – Rich in antioxidants for soothing and calming.

3. Pineapple Enzyme Mask – Natural exfoliant for smoother skin.

4. Lemon & Lavender Balm – A multitasking balm for skin soothing.

5. Rosehip & Baobab Face Oil – For firming and boosting radiance.
   🔗 Suki Suki Naturals

3. SKOON.

Known for eco-conscious, science-backed skincare solutions.
MRP: From R350

1. Hydrate Cleanser – A gentle gel cleanser for dry skin.

2. Booster Serum – Vitamin C serum for brightening and glow.

3. Renew Facial Oil – Anti-aging oil for healthy skin regeneration.

4. Clay Mask – Detoxifying mask for oily skin.

5. Squalane + Probiotic Cream – Hydration and barrier repair.
   🔗 SKOON.

4. Lulu & Marula

Luxurious, ethically sourced skincare, perfect for hydration and nourishment.
MRP: From R250

1. Marula Oil – Deeply nourishing for hydration and elasticity.

2. Balancing Cleanser – Gentle, natural cleanser for all skin types.

3. Citrus & Rose Geranium Body Oil – For smooth, soft skin.

4. Glow Cream – Lightweight moisturizer that promotes radiance.

5. Soothe Oil – Calming oil blend for sensitive or irritated skin.
   🔗 Lulu & Marula

5. Balm Balm

All-in-one organic skincare using multipurpose balm and oil blends.
MRP: From R180

1. Multi-Purpose Balm – For dry skin, lips, and cuticles.

2. Chamomile & Lavender Facial Oil – Calming, anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Soothing Repair Cream – For irritated and sensitive skin.

4. Body Butter – Rich, thick butter for dry skin.

5. Revive Face Mist – Hydrates and refreshes the skin throughout the day.
   🔗 Balm Balm

6. The Human Kind

Holistic skincare brand focused on sustainable, skin-friendly formulas.
MRP: From R285

1. Soothe & Protect Balm – Rich balm for sensitive skin.

2. Hydrating Face Serum – For all-day hydration and glow.

3. Gentle Cleansing Oil – Perfect for makeup removal and skin hydration.

4. Anti-Aging Eye Cream – For firmer, brighter eyes.

5. Clarifying Toner – To balance and refine pores.
   🔗 The Human Kind

7. Bioderma

Dermatologist-recommended, skin-friendly formulas for sensitive skin.
MRP: From R250

1. Sensibio H2O Micellar Water – Gentle, non-rinse makeup remover.

2. Atoderm Shower Oil – Nourishing shower oil for dry skin.

3. Sebium Pore Refiner – To control oil and minimize pores.

4. Hydrabio Serum – Intense hydrating serum for dry skin.

5. Photoderm MAX SPF 50+ – High-protection sunscreen.
   🔗 Bioderma

8. AfroBotanics

Focused on African botanicals like African potato and baobab.
MRP: From R180

1. Baobab Nourishing Oil – Hydrating oil for dry skin.

2. African Potato Cleansing Gel – For gentle, deep cleansing.

3. Rooibos Firming Serum – To boost skin elasticity.

4. Shea Butter & Marula Moisturizer – For all-day moisture.

5. Baobab & Marula Mask – Skin-plumping mask for hydration.
   🔗 AfroBotanics

9. RenSkincare

Ren is known for its clean skincare approach, offering gentle yet effective formulations.
MRP: From R350

1. Ren Evercalm Cleansing Gel – A gentle, soothing cleanser for sensitive skin.

2. Global Protection Day Cream – Moisturizing and protecting day cream with antioxidants.

3. Keep Young and Beautiful Instant Firming Beauty Shot – A lifting serum to firm and rejuvenate.

4. ClearCalm 3 Rebalancing Clay Mask – Deep cleansing mask for acne-prone skin.

5. Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream – For brightening and evening skin tone overnight.
   🔗 RenSkincare

10. Kalahari

Award-winning skincare from the Kalahari Desert, rich in minerals and plant actives.
MRP: From R450

1. Kalahari Cleansing Gel – Hydrating and purifying.

2. Marula Oil Anti-Aging Serum – Rich in antioxidants to prevent aging.

3. Vitamin C Firming Mask – Boosts collagen and skin radiance.

4. Platinum Lift Eye Cream – Firms and hydrates the under-eye area.

5. Baobab & Marula Body Lotion – Moisturizing for body skin.
   🔗 Kalahari

11. Environ

Professional skincare focused on Vitamin A and C-rich formulations for anti-aging and skin health.
MRP: From R650

1. AVST Gel – Vitamin A-rich gel for daily use.

2. C-Quence Serum – Anti-aging serum with high concentrations of Vitamin C.

3. Intensive Vita-Peptide Serum – For skin rejuvenation.

4. Hydrating Oil Capsules – Nourishing oil capsules for dry skin.

5. Evening Skin Vitamin A Oil – For nighttime skin repair.
   🔗 Environ

12. Phelophepa

Inspired by African botanicals, Phelophepa offers natural skincare for sensitive skin.
MRP: From R220

1. Aloe Vera Gel – Hydrating gel for irritated skin.

2. Baobab Face Oil – Deeply nourishing for dry and stressed skin.

3. Honeybush Cleanser – Mild, cleansing gel.

4. Marula Moisturizer – Hydration and nourishment in one.

5. Vitamin E Serum – Protects and restores skin’s natural barrier.
   🔗 Phelophepa

13. Klein Karoo

Botanical-based skincare line using rooibos, honeybush, and other indigenous herbs.
MRP: From R180

1. Rooibos & Honeybush Cleansing Milk – Gentle, hydrating cleanser.

2. Marula & Baobab Oil – Ultra-nourishing oil for dry skin.

3. Aloe Vera & Lavender Toner – Calming and soothing.

4. Shea Butter Moisturizer – Rich, hydrating cream for dry skin.

5. Honeybush Hydration Mask – Replenishing mask for glowing skin.
   🔗 Klein Karoo

14. Wildflower Apothecary

Luxury skincare focused on African botanicals and sustainable practices.
MRP: From R500

1. Rose Geranium Facial Oil – Balances and soothes skin.

2. Baobab & Marula Face Cream – Rich, restorative moisturizer.

3. Lavender & Frankincense Night Oil – Calming night oil for rejuvenation.

4. Kalahari Melon Cleanser – Hydrating and purifying.

5. Wildflower Soothing Mask – Calming mask for irritated skin.
   🔗 Wildflower Apothecary

15. DermaFix

Advanced skincare designed to target anti-aging, pigmentation, and hydration needs.
MRP: From R500

1. DermaFix Cleanser – Gentle, hydrating cleanser for all skin types.

2. Peptide Complex Serum – Firming serum for collagen production.

3. Hydrating Day Cream – All-day hydration and skin barrier protection.

4. Pigmentation Gel – Targets uneven skin tone and dark spots.

5. Night Repair Cream – Restorative cream for rejuvenation overnight.
   🔗 DermaFix

Stay effortless. Stay extra. Stay entirely yourself.

By Alexia Tatiana – The Curated Life