Angelica Natural Skincare was born out of a passion for harnessing the power of nature to rejuvenate and restore the skin. We were inspired by Africa's rich botanical heritage and its centuries-old tradition of using natural ingredients for skincare. Our mission is to provide high-quality, natural anti-ageing products that not only deliver exceptional results but also prioritize the well-being of our customers and the environment.
How did you decide to start your own business, and what were some of the challenges you faced in the beginning?
How did you develop your product line, and what inspired your choice of ingredients?
Your products are known for stimulating the natural regeneration of the skin. Could you explain the key botanical ingredients and their benefits in achieving this remarkable effect?
Our major botanical ingredients in our products are derived from fruit seeds from the fruits of our natural forests and also plants. We use seed oils from Marula, Mungongo, Pumpkin seed, Moringa, Baobab, Sunflower, Safflower, Sausage tree etc. These are high performance oils that penetrate into the top layer of the skin and help strengthen its barrier function.We also use Actives from plants such as Purslane, Leaf of Life, Resurrection, Neem, Comfrey, Lavender, Rosemary and so on. These are often referred to as ‘Cosmeceutical’ because they can contain a biological active compound that is thought to have pharmaceutical effects that deliver the therapeutic benefits to the skin.
The combination of these botanical ingredients provides a synergistic effect for promoting skin health and natural regeneration. They can help improve skin hydration, reduce inflammation, protect against environmental damage and support the production of collagen and other essential skin components.
Our products are fragranced with Essential Oils. Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in every part of a plant from its roots to its petals. These compounds are often wonderfully fragrant and possess extremely valuable therapeutic properties that work with our body to help to heal, repair and regenerate as well as improve the general functions of organs and entire systems.
Essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Our clients not only get significant skincare benefits, but also contribute to the health and wellness of the wider mind, body, and spirit i.e. holistic health “treatment of the whole”, where the health and wellness of one affects the health and wellness of the whole.
Tell us more about your commitment to responsible sourcing and how you empower rural communities in gathering forest fruits sustainably?
We are also about responsible sourcing, empowering rural women and men who gather the indigenous fruits of the forest in their season for income, while respecting the environment. This income enables them to put food on the table, afford clean solar energy power for the household enabling school children to study and household lighting.
We are not depleting the environment, we simply get what the environment gives to us and add value to it.
You mentioned attending a soap formulation class. How has this education influenced your product development, and what advice would you give to others interested in formulating their own skincare products?
It has given me tools to create any product that I can think of because I was taught on how to formulate, that I start from the end; meaning I come up with what soap I want to make what problem will it solve, then I work backwards, as in what ingredients will I need to create it, how should it feel and smell? The colour, how will it appeal to the user? This will guide me to create a formula to follow in order to achieve the intended product outcome.
My advice to those interested in formulating their own skincare products is to invest in a good training program from a professional training provider. Nothing beats that. It’s the genesis to success and it will differentiate you from others.
What are some of the most popular or outstanding products from your range and what sets them apart in the world in the world of natural anti-aging skincare?
The Mafura Butter, the Leaf Serum and the Macerated Body Oils from local plants containing high performance properties like, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Co-Enzyme Q10 with Fatty Acids that help maintain the skin’s lipid barrier, keeping it hydrated and protected from environmental stressors.Vitamins and Antioxidants that combat free radicals, reduce inflammation, and promote collagen production for firmer and more youthful-looking skin.
Could you share some success stories or testimonials from customers who have experienced the transformative effects of your products?
I have some customers who are very attached to Mafura Butter and it is working for them, they have a clear skin and for one it accelerated wound healing.Leaf Serum has cleared their skin rejuvenates the face, neck and décolletage.Mrs. Roberts is overjoyed that the breakouts she has on her tummy and back in the cold season has completely disappeared since she started using the Lavender Body Oil.
What challenges have you faced in building a premium brand for natural anti-aging skincare and how have you overcome.
The most challenging aspect has been the non-availability of ingredients as mostly specified by the established cosmetic schools and cosmetic ingredient providers. The cost of shipping from England or US to Africa Zambia was too costly. So I decided to research the local oils and plants for their properties and botanical qualities. I found that Tropical plants and oils have multiple high-performance qualities and nearly all of them carry more than one quality value. Now I am using local ingredients and they work. All I need now is to invest in processing machines to process the ingredients.
Your vision is to be the premium brand providing high-performance solutions in a healthy body. How do you see the future of natural skincare evolving and where does Angelica Natural Skincare fit into this vision?
Tropical Africa is blessed with high performance quality multi-functional cosmetic oils and cosmeceutical plants that is a great asset to the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Angelica Natural Skincare intends to be a future cosmetic ingredients supplier to the industry while maintain our premium brand.
What other products do you have available?
At the moment we have a new product the ‘Liquid Castile Soap’ with 100% Olive Oil, we are testing the market to see how our customers will respond to it.
How do you market your business, and what has been your most effective marketing strategy so far?
What advice do you have for someone who is just starting a business in the skincare industry?
What has been the most rewarding aspect of starting your own business?
1 comment
Very inspiring!