I call Africa my home, and I was very fortunate to have grown up there. Every time I go back to Namibia, I feel very close to nature.

I have always appreciated the healing powers of the ancient African plants. That's why I source some of the oils in my shop from Africa. These oils are 100% pure and blessed by the African soil and sun. They’re also oils hand-harvested by African women and locally cold - pressed, providing direct income to the rural communities.

I wanted to share some of the most powerful botanical ingredients, which have been used for hundreds of years by African people.

Otjize Skin Protection for the Himba

The Himba women in the north of Namibia use Otjize, which is a mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment. They use this on their skin to protect themselves from insects and the harsh desert climate. The mixture lends the skin a deep orange or reddish tinge. This symbolizes earth's rich red color, blood, and the essence of life, and is the Himba ideal of beauty. ⁠

Mopane Essential Oil

The Mopane tree is a common tree in the hot and dry areas of Namibia and Southern Africa.

The green leaves of the Mopane are irresistible to the larvae of emperor moths that feast on them. These ‘Mopane worms,’ as they are called, are regarded as a delicacy. Mopane worms are dried and sold in local markets as an important food source for the African people.

The Himba also harvest Mopane seeds, which are crushed and steam-distilled to extract the oil. Mopane oil is similar to pine oil and has antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, diuretic, and antimalarial properties. It can also be used as a bronchodilator and insect repellent.

Baobab Oil

The Baobab tree is the most well-known tree of Africa. It is called the Tree of Life because the local people used all parts for their everyday life. The tree can endure harsh drought conditions due to the fact that they store water in their trunks. I believe that's why Baobab oil will protect your skin against harsh weather changes.The fruit of the mighty Baobab tree bears this highly emollient oil. It is rich in vitamins A, D, and E, and the high content of poly-unsaturated fatty acids make it highly valued for its anti-aging and moisturizing properties. It’s the perfect oil for dry and chapped skin. It will improve skin elasticity.

I recommend Baobab Oil especially for people with eczema, dandruff, and psoriasis.

Kalahari Melon Seed Oil

The Kalahari Melon mostly grows in Botswana and Namibia in the Kalahari Desert. The San people living in the Kalahari Desert have been using this highly nutritious and moisture-laden fruit for thousands of years. It has been said that the San can live for up to six weeks drinking solely from the melon’s juicy flesh and chewing its nutrient-rich seeds.

Kalahari Melon Seed Oil is rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and vitamin E, which is highly nourishing for the skin. The body cannot produce these naturally, so it's important to make sure your skin and body is getting the nutrients it needs to achieve healthier, glowing skin.

I recommend using this oil as a cleansing oil. It can be used as a natural cleanser because it deep cleanses pores and removes excess sebum from your skin. Due to its high mineral and vitamin content, it is anti-inflammatory, perfect for acne and congested skins. Because Kalahari melon oil is packed with antioxidants, it works to smooth, firm, hydrate, and tighten the skin.

Ximenia (Oombeke) Oil

Common in northern Namibia, this small, drought-resistant shrub is known as sour plum.

The oil is made from the hard kernels within the fruit flesh. The Ximenia oil has a high content of mono-saturated fatty acids, has anti-inflammatory properties, and improves blood circulation. It is emollient and therefore excellent for dry hair and skin. The Namibian people have been using this oil for their hair to nourish it and make it shiny.

Marula Seed Oil

Marula Seed Oil is one of Africa’s most nutritive skin care oils, full of antioxidants, minerals, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids, which protect you from free radicals caused by exposure to UV rays and pollution. Its light texture is fast-absorbing, creating a protective layer on the skin and providing long lasting hydration. It can also help with scar repair.

Marula oil is non-comedogenic, so you don't have to worry about it clogging pores. Studies have shown that the ingredients of marula oil is effective at inhibiting the enzymes that break down both collagen and elastin.

The regenerative properties of Marula oil have been recognised by the people of southern Africa for generations.

Mongongo / Manketti Seed Oil

These nuts have been used by the bushmen of the Kalahari for over 7,000 years to protect their skin against the harsh environment of the Kalahari Desert.

The egg-shaped, brown fruits contain a thin layer of edible flesh and a hard-stone kernel. The kernel bears the highly nutritious nut, which contains the manketti oil.

The Mongongo / Manketti Seed Oil is high in linoleic acid (up to 54%) – an important component in maintaining the integrity of the skin cell membrane. Applying Mongongo oil protects your skin from sun damage and prevents early skin aging.

Kigelia Extract

The Kigelia tree is also known as the sausage tree because of its long, sausage-shaped fruits that can grow up to 30 – 100 cm (weight 5 – 10 kg).

Kigelia extract and powder is a little miracle. It clarifies the skin, regulates sebum production, and firms and tightens your skin thanks to its high antioxidant content.

We can see that these ancient plants have such powerful properties and are often forgotten. The African people have used them for thousands of years and still to this day incorporate them into their lives. Every time I go back to Africa, I just feel that people are more in tune with nature and their surroundings, which we in the west have lost.