Explainer: Sunscreen safety, for you and our ocean
Use it. But know what it does — to you and the ocean.
Beauty
Q&A: Talking beauty with the brain behind SU Skincare
Find out more about SU Skincare's Sindisiwe Cele
Q&A: R&R Skincare’s Valerie Obaze on growing Africa’s beauty industry
Valerie Obaze launched R&R Skincare in 2010 after becoming a mother for the first time. Wanting to find only the best natural products for her baby, she experimented with making products using locally sourced botanical ingredients. “When I discovered that...
Review: Looking for clean make-up? We tried Essence
Now more than ever, people are serious about what they put into their bodies—but what about the stuff we put on our bodies? As the conversation around harmful food ingredients and chemicals found in certain fabrics grows louder, one sector...
Easy steps to make your beauty routine more sustainable
Choosing to thrift, upcycle, swap, or shop sustainable brands is an easy way to gradually align our wardrobes with our sustainability ideals. But what about our beauty cupboards? As fast disposable fashion has surged, the world of makeup, skincare and...
7 Sustainable sunscreens for your summer beach bag
The heat of the summer is here, and we need to get our sun protection on. Sunscreen is a skincare necessity for protecting against sun-related damage. With the depletion of the ozone layer, our skin has become more vulnerable to...
Why rural women in Ghana’s shea industry need to be valued more
Ghana’s shea industry has a rich history. Shea – nkuto, karite, galam in some west African languages – is deeply embedded in the culture and tradition of the country’s northern regions. It is often considered a woman’s crop – women pick the fruit and...
4 Shampoo bars that will leave your hair and the planet squeaky clean
The wellness and beauty industries bombard us with products that promise to transform us into our “best selves”. As a result, our bathroom cabinets have become hotspots for packaging waste and harmful chemicals. But growing consciousness about sustainability and the...
Toxic chemicals in cosmetics remain in our bodies and environments
Cosmetics and personal care products enhance the way we look and feel. During the pandemic, I started a self-care facial routine. It helped me cope with lockdown orders, while simultaneously adjusting to my new identity as a mom. I applied...
What is a paraben and why are so many products advertised as ‘paraben-free’?
You might have noticed many skin and haircare products are advertised as “paraben-free”, or come across online influencers warning parabens are terrible for your health. But what is a paraben? And could a minor ingredient in products that many of...
Ash & Mill creates skincare inspired by ancient practices and local botanicals
Combining his knowledge of chemistry with his passion for sustainability, Dr. Brian Watson created Ash & Mill to honour South Africa’s rich biodiversity. The name ‘Ash & Mill’ is inspired by the history and chemistry behind soap making. During the 19th...
10 South African products for a sustainable skincare routine
Founder of Plaiin and graduate in organic skincare formulation, Megan Cozens sums up skincare well: “Ultimately, you want a product with as few ingredients as possible. Simple, yet effective.” She says the more we care about what we put onto...
6 Ingredients in your care routine that could be polluting oceans
Picture this: it’s Sunday evening, you play smooth jazz and unwind with a bubble bath and clay mask. Sounds euphoric, doesn’t it? Self-care routines have become popular since the pandemic. Dedicating time to look after yourself and destress is important,...
Q&A: Afari creates clean skincare with an indigenous ‘hero’ ingredient
In South Africa, we live in landscapes rich with indigenous plants that have wide-ranging benefits from medicinal to skincare. Afari is a clean skincare brand embracing just this. Margaux Knuppe founded Afari after exiting her previous company, rubybox, in late...
Top 5 sustainable perfumeries in South Africa
From rituals and ceremonies across cultures, to self-expression, perfume has been a powerful sensory companion for thousands of years. In the 19th century, synthetically-derived scents began to take over from naturally-derived scents. The switch to commercial, mass-produced synthetic fragrances –...