Because local really is lekker, we’ve put together a list of proudly South African beauty brands that we love and know you will too. Add some of these amazing products to your cosmetic stocks for beautiful skin.
With natural ingredients, sustainable products, and local flavour, beauty companies in South Africa are about to take your daily routine to the next level.
Our 5 best South African skincare brands
These are some of the best local skincare brands, producing incredible South African beauty products that focus on sustainability and natural ingredients.
ALSO READ: 5 tips to protect your family’s skin this summer
Hey Gorgeous
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Producing some of the best skincare products in South Africa, Hey Gorgeous has become popular enough to reach the shores of the UK. Their products are made using sustainably sourced botanical ingredients; they’re natural, organic, and vegan.
There’s a substantial number of products available on the site. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, simply send them an email, and they’ll help you find the perfect product to meet your skin’s needs. To make it all worthwhile, you’ll usually get a sample or two packed with your online order.
Why we love it: Here’s the really smart part: they’re happy to customise an order for you. So, for example, if you like the Hey Gorgeous Happily Ever After Anti-Ageing Serum but also need a bit of the Banish & Repair to keep breakouts in check, they’ll combine the two for you. Genius!
Optiphi
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Optiphi is backed up by years of scientific research. They believe that skin is skin so you won’t find a specific range for oily or dry skin here. Their multi-skin-condition-friendly products work for all skin types to return them to optimal health.
And, of course, the fact that they recently introduced the Optiphi Elements Baby & Kids range means they have the stamp of approval from everyone here at BabyYumYum. This, accompanied by the fact that they cater to male customers, makes Optiphi one of our favourite skincare brands in South Africa.
Why we love it: We think it’s brilliant that this is one of the local beauty brands that has been actively lowering its carbon footprint over the last few years. They’re doing this by converting to more environmentally friendly packaging — we approve!
Lulu & Marula
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Lulu & Marula ticks all the ‘eco’ boxes you could ask for. 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 skincare brands in South Africa.
The company was founded by beauty enthusiast Jesslyn Shepherd, who was later joined by skincare scientist Monique Spaltman. They use only plant-based ingredients and glass and cardboard packaging, which can be either reused or recycled.
Where possible, everything is made and sourced in South Africa, and the company’s business practices support local enterprises.
Note: The L&M website is currently down, but you can purchase their products at a variety of stores, including Mama Skincare and Takealot.
Why we love it: 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.
African Extracts Rooibos Skincare
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Rooibos is a South African export that’s had success worldwide. The plant is a potent antioxidant and is well known for its health-giving benefits, so it’s no surprise that an entire skincare range has been designed around it.
Starting in 2002 as a family business, African Extracts has expanded from a single range into four offerings, spanning cleansers, moisturisers, wipes, and even hair care. The green rooibos extract they use is certified organic and Fair Trade, plus most of the products are vegan, too.
Why we love it: African Extracts refuse to test on animals, calling the practice both ‘cruel and unnecessary.’ And did we mention the incredible price point? With prices this competitive, there’s no reason not to splurge on these amazing South African skincare products.
Dermopal
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At last, a sunscreen specially formulated for people with darker skin tones. The brainchild of dermatologist Dr Leslie Nteta, who was also the country’s first black Dermatologist, Dermopal is a proudly local company and black-owned beauty brand in South Africa.
Why we love it: In addition to suncare products, the Dermopal range includes a scar and stretch mark cream and products for acne and shaving bumps. What more could you possibly need?
Our 2 favourite South African makeup brands
You’ll wish you had always known about these local makeup brands in South Africa after reading the next couple of entries.
PS: Some of the products these companies offer will make great Mother’s Day gifts as well.
Swiitch Beauty
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Not many cosmetics brands are started by ambitious 14-year-olds in their bedrooms. Yes, founder Rabia Ghoor was really in her teens when she started conceptualising Swiitch Beauty.
When make-up junkie Rabia started following international beauty YouTubers (because there weren’t many South Africans doing it at the time), she noticed the local make-up market was lagging behind. That’s when she set her sights on making an affordable local product that its buyers would feel proud to use.
Rabia started out with two products and an Instagram page, and it’s safe to say she has more than surpassed her initial expectations. The range now has more than 20 cosmetic products, and you can buy them directly from her online shop. Simply put, she has quickly grown her startup business into one of the best SA makeup brands that everyone can get behind.
Why we love it: If you’re not sure what shade to choose, send in a selfie and tell the team which product you want to buy, and they’ll make sure to find your perfect match.
CHICK.cosmetics
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Launched by Nomfundo Njibe in 2018, said that everything behind setting up her company was set in motion when she lost her make-up bag while travelling overseas. CHICK.cosmetics is a relative newcomer to the local beauty scene, but that doesn’t mean the brand hasn’t already had a big impact on the local market. The product range includes skincare, make-up, and tools like brushes and sponges.
Why we love it: Of course, this isn’t the only reason we love CHICK.cosmetics, but we’re crazy about the gorgeous pink mini fridge, which is also available for purchase on their website (click here to buy it).
Our top 3 South African cosmetic brands
From skincare products to hair care and toiletries, these cosmetic brands in South Africa are bringing the heat!
Pure Beginnings
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The company was started to create beauty products that combine traditional herb botanicals with some of South Africa’s most powerful plant ingredients. They’ve also done a fantastic job of making sure the products are good for you, your baby, and the environment.
The range of products includes everything from bum cream and chest rub to deodorant, toothpaste, insect repellent, and shaving cream.
Why we love it: Pure Beginnings also ticks all the ‘green’ boxes. Beauty Without Cruelty endorses them, the products are vegan, and their packaging is recyclable.
Oh Lief
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Sisters Christine and Louiza started Oh Lief in 2010 when Christine was pregnant with her first child. When she found herself questioning the ingredients in commercially available baby products, the sisters decided to make their own.
The result? A range of natural and organic adult skincare products, as well as a range of products designed for your baby’s delicate skin.
Why we love it: Organic olive oil and beeswax are the main ingredients in most of their products, and everything is 100% natural, organic, locally sourced, and made from raw ingredients. Plus, there’s no alcohol, artificial fragrances, or sulphates, making it perfect for babies (and grown-ups!) with sensitive skin or eczema.
The Perfect Hair
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While The Perfect Hair is proudly South African, it also describes itself as proudly African. The company’s expertise lies in delivering hair care products tailored for all types of African hair, whether wavy or curly.
They use essential African oil and potent conditioning polymers to create exactly what’s needed for optimal natural curl care.
Why we love it: We adore their tagline, ‘At the end of the day, we all want the same thing… happy, healthy hair, naturally!’ Well said, The Perfect Hair company, we couldn’t agree more.
READ THIS NEXT: How to make stretch mark oil at home
FAQs about beauty companies in South Africa
Before you rush off to start your spending spree, here are some important questions and answers about the brands we love.
What is the most dermatologist-recommended brand?
While not a local brand, CeraVe is the most recommended brand by dermatologists and is available in stores nationwide.
Which skincare brand is the most expensive?
The most expensive range you’ll find in SA is Dior’s limited edition skincare range.
What is the most popular South African beauty brand?
In addition to the ones we’ve already mentioned, SKOON., Suki Suki Naturals, and Africology are among the most used across the nation.
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