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Waving the flag for SA

While a spirit of patriotism might be challenging to achieve in this dark time of constant electricity cuts, South Africa has much to be proud of, as these home grown brands will show

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Esse

South African-born range, Esse, is a globally renowned organic skincare brand leading the way in microbiome research and genuinely sustainable offerings. But despite its worldwide footprint, the origins of this 20-year-old brand can be found in the lush, rural area of Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal where ‘green chemist’, Trevor Steyn, began researching skincare.

The brand launched the world’s first Live Probiotic Serum, containing 50 million live probiotic microbes per drop, to actively shape the skin’s ecosystem and improve skin function. This is a world first in skincare.

Esse has received over 25 awards in six countries and has been honoured with accolades from across the globe, including the Dutch Beauty Awards 2023, Singapore’s Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2023, and the UK Global Makeup Awards 2022, among others.

CSpa Aroma Wellness

Young South African brand, CSpa Aroma Wellness, is based on aromatherapy purist principles with modern applications. CSpa infuses the benefits of aroma healing with African notes. Staying true to its heritage, CSpa incorporates these hints at various levels.

As a local brand, CSpa aims to uplift Southern Africa and the rest of the continent with products which are traded responsibly and aid in penetrating the social upliftment of communities. This will be done through smart distribution channels, job creation and a dedication to local ingredients.

Travellers within the African continent often seek relaxation and local experiences which stand out from the established norm. In addition to this, CSpa Wellness incorporates hints of Africa at various levels. For example, monkey apples which are handpicked by locals in the villages of Mozambique are dried to form the massage tool used within each body journey.

CSpa also sets itself apart through the use of natural Aventurine Stones in the facial treatments. Placing them on the clients’ décolleté – where the heart is – allows for emotional growth, cleanses negative emotions and attracts tranquility and peace.

At the heart of CSpa Aroma Wellness lies a range of extraordinary serums designed to awaken a yearning for total skin and body wellness. With three exceptional variants to choose from, the CSpa Serums harness the power of blended essential oils to create an unparalleled sensory experience while delivering remarkable results. These elixirs can be seamlessly layered with any CSpa product, making them an integral part of a multi-sensory and results-driven treatment.

Bio Sculpture

Since childhood, Bio Sculpture founder Elmien Scholtz was fascinated by beautiful nails. This fascination became her passion. After completing her studies at the CIDESCO Beauty Academy, Scholtz opened her first salon. Unable to find any premium quality nail care products, she continued her studies in the USA, attending training in artificial nail systems. Scholtz concluded that if she wanted a leading nail care product to meet all the requirements, it would have to be developed from the ground up.

Her goal was not only set on beautiful nails, but also on nail health. By consulting with the best scientists in their respective fields and applying the latest technologies available, Bio Sculpture Gel was born.

Today the Bio Sculpture head office is situated in the heart of South Africa in the small town of Clocolan, playing an important role in the socio-economic environment, surrounded by the breath taking African landscape. The 3000sqm ultra-modern factory is an environmentally friendly building with regulated ventilation systems, boasts self-supportive water storage and optimises natural lighting. The factory is ISO 22716 certified for Good Manufacturing Practices and is managed under ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.

Bio Sculpture is a global brand, available in salons in 48 countries, through 32 international distributors. The brand’s professional products are available to nail technicians through brand training. As a training-based system, Bio Sculpture endorses the highest standard globally and produces award winning nail technicians worldwide. Its certified training courses are internationally recognised within its brand systems. This ensures that Bio Sculpture products are used in a professional and safe manner, and that customers receive the best possible nail care.

Saloncare

Saloncare Professional Facial & Body Skincare has been cultivating the homegrown culture successfully for 28 years with its combination of visible results, excellent formulations and meeting various needs of primarily therapists,

Says owner Amanda Harrod: “Saloncare has proven to be one of the most sought after professional ranges in the global industry. This is due to our carefully selected ingredients, attractive style of packaging and being able to remain cost effective in our economically challenged climate, all of which has given spas, salons and somatology academies a range that has diminished the dependency on foreign markets.”

Harrod points out that Saloncare is a Proudly South African ISO accredited manufacturer. Certifications include CTFA (Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association) affiliation and SABS testing and approval.

Saloncare, which comprises 65 products across 12 categories, is distributed via professional distribution centres that service the Health & Beauty industry. The brand is exported to Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Namibia, Mauritius and Seychelles.

Formulated with vegetable bases, plant derivatives with actives (i.e alpha hydroxy acids, matrixyl 3000, marine collagen, vitamin C, etc), there are no unnecessary harsh chemicals, alcohol or animal by products. Saloncare is cruelty free.

Calgel

The Calgel brand philosophy is to provide a gel system that does not damage the natural nails, even with years of wear.

For over 40 years, Calgel has stood by its promise. The brand is most wellknown for this unique quality as while the industry shifts continually, it is able to still offer a high-quality product.

Calgel is a luxury brand loved internationally for this unique quality and is exported to Japan, USA, Europe, Kazakhstan, France, Korea, UAE, Germany, Canada, Namibia, Lesotho and Taiwan, among others.

Although Calgel is considered a luxury brand, products remain affordable in the local market due to the fact that they are manufactured and distributed from the company’s factory in Midrand. It is at these premises where brand training is offered.

The Calgel brand is part of Cal-Mo (Pty) Ltd and is a Japanese-owned South African entity. It is also a member of Moga GROUP International, founded in May 2009.

Milk Solutions

Made in South Africa and founded by Karen Ellithorne, Milk Solutions has been specifically formulated to address the everyday exposure of the skin of the hands and feet to some of the harshest and most visibly damaging environmental elements.

Says Ellithorne: “With an outdoors-oriented lifestyle, blazing sunshine, incredible heat and fiercely dry air, feet in South Africa are kept bare whenever possible, contending with grass, sand, stones and gravel from their very first steps. Lengthy walking distances, outdoor activities, sports and a culture of dancing are part of the everyday for many.

“Hands are (ab)used as tools for cooking, cleaning, gardening, carrying and are frequently exposed to treated water and chemicals. In a country where cars are the primary form of transport, they also suffer from daily exposure to harsh windscreen-magnified rays.”

Combining traditional and non-traditional beauty ingredients with advanced scientific technologies and processes, each Milk Solutions product has been developed to deliver effective, visible results that actively address the variety of hand, feet and nail concerns experienced by women of different ages, ethnicities and lifestyles.

The brand currently exports to various countries in Africa and Europe.

Patricia Clarke

The revolutionary Patricia Clarke Body Contouring wrap technique has been a trusted method in the industry for over three decades. Developed by Patricia Newsum, this technique, in conjunction with the specially formulated contouring gel, underwent rigorous safety assessments conducted by biochemist, Dr John Hopkins, at Innovant Research in the UK. Over the years, the formulation has been continuously improved with the valuable input of pharmaceutical professionals, resulting in a powerful solution for body contouring, weight loss, cellulite reduction, and firmness enhancement.

The treatment commences with the application of the Patricia Clarke body contouring gel followed by the precise wrapping of the body with neoprene bandages using a specialised technique. This treatment is not solely focused on water loss, although it effectively targets excess water caused by oedema. The contouring gel comprises a synergistic blend of 16 active ingredients, working harmoniously to stimulate centimetre loss, diminish the appearance of cellulite, and leave the skin hydrated and firm.

This treatment specifically targets toxins in adipose fatty tissue, breaking down the fatty tissue and dispersing waste into the lymphatic system and eliminated through the body’s venous system.

While the brand provides a guarantee of centimetre loss ranging between 15cm and 60cm, the long-term maintenance of the treatment’s results lies in the hands of each individual client. Lifestyle, dietary habits and consistent use of the Patricia Clarke recommended home care range play pivotal roles in achieving the desired body shape.

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DermaFix

DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care is formulated with a deep understanding of the South African climate, environment and skin types, ensuring that its products cater to specific needs.

The brand utilises indigenous ingredients, harnessing the power of nature that has thrived in the region for centuries. When you use DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care, you are supporting the local economy, small business, and people who put their heart and soul into creating exceptional products. Moreover, DermaFix prioritises sustainability, using eco-friendly practices and packaging that reduces the carbon footprint to promote a healthier planet. Embracing DermaFix as your skin care partner not only nourishes your skin but also strengthens communities and fosters a sense of pride in your region’s heritage.

SMINK Emporium

SMINK Emporium supplies professional make-up and make-up tools for professional artists, students and all academies in South Africa.

The company’s dream is to make SMINK Emporium a strong beauty giant and to take its brand global.

Unique features of SMINK are that its products are manufactured, packaged and distributed locally. The brand stands for sustainability and strives to deliver high quality products at affordable prices to South Africans.

SMINK is online and releases new products monthly. Customers will be able to build their own make-up kit according to their needs and budget.

SIX Skincare

SIX Skincare was launched by Marisa Dimitriadis at the end of 2010 with the following goals: to deliver international high-performance formulas; to instantly transform the skin; and to offer an affordable price point.

Eight years later and with no less than three formula upgrades later, SIX has positioned itself as the fastest growing professional cosmetic brand in South Africa and is preparing for export in the coming year. All ingredients are imported.

The brand continued to grow and has added to a very strong aesthetic composition with the SIX Aesthetix brand. SIX Aesthetix is primarily focused on the medical type of treatments such as skin peels, Collagen Induction Therapy, Plasma Wave technology and a recent HydraFacial using whirlpool technology, a first globally.

Vitaderm

Vitaderm was launched in 2001 due to the need, at that time, for a more advanced skincare solution, both in-salon and for home use, that offered visible results, incorporated safe ingredients and was locally manufactured.

Founder Belinda Wesson, a skincare therapist and cosmetic chemist, formulated the clean and safe formulations that became the Vitaderm range. The professional in-salon treatments were later complemented by results driven clinical skincare formulations for home use to maintain the benefits achieved by in-salon treatments. This range became known as the Phyto Actives Range.

Soon thereafter, consumers started looking for a more advanced skincare solution, and the Advanced Actives Range was launched for targeted skin care results. These active formulations incorporate ingredients sourced from reputable suppliers around the globe who share the brand’s values when it comes to ethical skin care. For them, it is imperative to offer safe skincare that is veganfriendly, kind to the environment, non-toxic and that offers real visible results. In 2017, Vitaderm launched its Intelligent Packaging to uphold its reputation for clinical, researched formulations and maintain transparency around ingredients in skin care formulations.

Vitaderm also offers an Advanced Exfoliation Treatment system that combines the benefits of alpha- and beta hydroxy acids for an epidermal resurfacing effect.

The brand was recently acquired by Craig Sydenham, who gained considerable experience working extensively in the African market and he brings a lot of that experience to this business. Vitaderm is currently focusing on the South African market but is also exported to neighbouring countries, including Namibia and Botswana.

Spalcious

Founded by Marisa Dimitriadis, Spalicious, which caters for hands, feet and body, was officially launched in 2009 with the goal of delivering a delicious, decadent and memorable experience every time the client uses the products.

The range consists of body butters, scrubs, body masks, cuticle oils, anti-ageing hand and body products, as well as an innovative three-step cellulite management system.

Today Spalicious is in the process of repackaging – for the third time – ensuring a continuous evolution and growth within new market trends.

I am me

The I am me brand was developed by leading skincare and business experts who share a passion for supporting the inspirational women working in the aesthetic, beauty and wellness industry.

Founded in 2022 by Mimmie Lancaster under the Symmetry World banner, the extensive research and subsequent development of the product line began back in 2007. Today, I am me products are consciously made using clean formulations, free from animal products and testing are vegan friendly with enviable percentages of active ingredients, all ethically sourced.

The line is concise, comprising 16 top selling products, with recyclable packaging and outer packaging is by client choice. Ingredients like niacinamide, panthenol and cannabis sativa oil optimise the biological processes with retinol, watermelon seed oil, aloe vera and Rejuvenate with Centella reversa TM, green tea extracts and plant peptides.

Deals with a new South African distributor, a Zambian distributor and UK distributor are underway.

Image from Shutterstock

Skinergy

Skinergy 3-24 was created to provide professional skincare therapists with an exclusive range, available in-salon and per prescription through professional channels. Containing the latest high-quality ingredients, incorporated at the best percentage to ensure efficacy, these products ensure phenomenal results in the treatment room. Formulated to address specific conditions and concerns, it enables the creation of a bespoke treatment to address your client’s specific needs.

Created to ‘Protect, Preserve and Prevent, 24 hours a day’, Skinergy 3-24 is an exclusive range, only available to qualified Somatologist for treatment use and for prescription to their clients.