Local is beautiful

Africa offers a bounty of naturally nourishing and restoring skin and hair care ingredients, with a wide range of oils, butters, and herbs to choose from. Ingredients from the Motherland have become increasingly sought-after as consumers are favouring pure, local and naturally-sourced solutions that cater to a range of different hair and skin types.

Here are some of our favourite local beauty ingredients…

Oils:

• Baobab Oil:

Cold-pressed from the seeds of the ‘tree of life’, this rich oil can be used in hair and skin care as well as in cooking. It’s rich in omega 3 fatty acids palmitic, oleic, linolenic and linoleic. It softens and moisturises the skin, encouraging elasticity and healing. As it is protein-packed, it’s an ideal leave-in conditioner for brittle hair. The baobab fruit is also high in vitamins B and C plus a variety of minerals.

• Mongongo Oil:

This nutty oil from Namibia is also rich in fatty acids, as well as vitamin E. The hydrating wonder ingredient can assist in defending the skin against toxins (thanks to its antioxidant properties) and preventing and treating acne by unclogging pores. It also promotes skin renewal and new hair growth. It’s a great base note for soaps, lotions and perfumes, with a light texture and rich moisture content plus powerful amino acids.

• Moroccan Argan Oil:

Used throughout the beauty industry, this show-stopper is a great moisturiser that’s also known for regulating sebum, reducing wrinkles, and supporting hair growth and conditioning.

• Rosehip Oil:

This popular South African oil is a natural source of vitamin C and an effective antioxidant that’s said to help boost collagen. Loaded with vitamin A, it renews skins cells and can assist in the treatment of scars and hyperpigmentation.

• Ximenia Oil:

A hidden Southern African gem, this oil targets dry skin prone to wrinkles, and helps to stimulate sebaceous tissues. High in unsaturated fatty acids, it’s great for those wanting softer, more elastic skin. It also contains ximenyic acid, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.

Butters:

• Shea Butter:

From Ghana and Uganda with love, shea butter has, in recent years, become a mainstream ingredient in cosmetics, in either its raw or whipped form. Bursting with vitamins E and A, it supports cell renewal and moisturise retention, while boasting antioxidant and healing qualities. Pure shea butter contains a unique compound – cinnamic acid – which acts as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal to restore inflamed skin.

• Mafura Butter:

This nourishing Southern African butter is known for its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It offers superb moisturising benefits, is quickly absorbed by the skin, contributes towards elasticity and a youthful glow, and repairs hair when used as a conditioner.

Herbs:

• Rooibos:

Everybody’s South African favourite, rooibos is being used in more and more beauty solutions across the globe. It contains alpha hydroxy acids and superoxide dismutase to support healthy ageing, as well as important minerals such as the healing and hair-growing zinc.

• Buchu:

This fragrant local herb acts as an anti-inflammatory, and is both taken orally and applied topically. It reduces skin blemishes and soothes hair follicles for re-growth. As an antibacterial agent, it is also used in deodorants and shampoos that remove the dandruff-causing fungus.

• Aloe Vera:

This multi-beneficial gel is a well-loved base ingredient for many products. It is non-greasy, with an abundance of antioxidants, minerals, enzymes and vitamins. It’s great for healthy ageing and acne prevention (with natural salicylic acid), as well as for treating scalp itching (thanks to its proteolytic enzymes).

Explore more local beauty solutions in-store.

About the author:

Mpho Masenya is a passionate writer, communicator and advocate for basic nutrition education.

About Wellness Warehouse:

Wellness Warehouse has everything you need to live life well. Their natural, organic and specialised products are carefully chosen by a team of experts who make sure that they have the most comprehensive ranges of the best and latest in health and wellness. And because they take a 360-degree approach to health and wellbeing, you’ll find everything you could want, including knowledgeable assistants with great advice, all under one roof.

About Organic & Natural Products Portal Africa:

The Organic & Natural Products Portal Africa is an easy-to-use portal for both trade buyers and consumers to access Organic & Natural Products Expo information, as well as the company information of suppliers of organic and natural products in, and from, the African continent.

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October 21st to 23rd will see the inaugural Organic & Natural Products Expo take place at The Deck @ Wanderers, Corlett Drive, Illovo in sunny Johannesburg, South Africa.

Trade visitors: There is no charge for bona fide trade visitors to attend, but the application must be filled out in full and is subject to acceptance by the organisers.

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