Our Six Favourite South African Beauty Brands of the Week

There’s something undeniably thrilling about discovering beauty brands that not only deliver results but also celebrate local artistry, heritage, and innovation. South Africa’s beauty scene is brimming with gems that are redefining skincare, haircare, and wellness—one thoughtfully curated product at a time. From plant-powered serums to luxe, small-batch body butters, these brands are setting new standards for what it means to be bold, conscious, and beautifully made.

This week, we’re spotlighting six standout South African beauty brands that have captured our attention (and our vanities). Whether you're looking to elevate your self-care ritual or support homegrown talent, these are the labels worth adding to your rotation—stat.

1. Amazi Beauty: Where Empowerment Meets Exceptional Skincare

Founded in 2018 by visionary women Divya Vasant and Sekela Lisa Mgcotyelwa, Amazi isn’t just a beauty brand—it’s a movement. Designed by women, for women, Amazi goes beyond the typical skincare narrative. It’s a purpose-driven brand that champions economic freedom, education, and access for women across South Africa. Through the Amazi Academy, women are empowered with the skills to launch businesses, grow their income, and gain hands-on experience at Amazi’s nationwide Beauty Bars—turning passion into possibility.

With every Amazi product you apply, you’re not only nourishing your skin—you’re investing in the future of another woman.

Our Current Amazi Obsessions:

• Restoring Me Serum: A calming, skin-tightening elixir infused with Rooibos and Aloe Vera to reduce inflammation and promote deep healing. A must for stressed-out skin.

  
  

• Hydrating Me Serum: This silky formula, powered by Moringa Extracts and Myravive, delivers a serious boost of hydration from the very first drop. Think dewy, plumped skin that glows all day.

  
  

• Cleansing Me Oil Cleanser: A nourishing cleanse powered by skin-loving oils like Kalahari Melon Seed, Marula Nut, and Baobab. Expect soft, supple skin and a truly luxurious cleansing experience.

2. Gloei Beauty: Cape Town’s Glow-Getter

After spending time abroad, Yolanda Senekal returned to her hometown of Cape Town with a fresh perspective—and a keen eye for what the local beauty scene was missing. The result? Gloei Beauty, a luxe, homegrown brand that beautifully marries global beauty sensibilities with African botanical power. Designed with South African skin and climate in mind, Gloei is all about radiant, multifunctional beauty that protects and enhances—especially in the bold light of the Southern Hemisphere.

Inspired by the vibrant hues of Cape Town itself, Senekal’s award-winning lip, cheek, and eye colours deliver more than just pigment—they deliver purpose. Whether you’re swiping on a sun-kissed highlight or dabbing on a dewy flush, Gloei’s formulas are crafted to let your natural glow shine through.

Our Cult-Favourite Must-Haves:

• The Sunlighter: A warm, golden sheen that gives your skin that just-got-back-from-the-coast glow. Perfect as a highlighter, blush, or bronzer.

  
  

• The Moonlighter: A soft, cool-toned shimmer that works magic on cheekbones, lids, and cupid’s bows. Ethereal radiance in one swipe.

  
  

• The Candy Cane Duo: Playful, pigmented, and oh-so-pretty. This cult favourite pairs perfectly with both everyday glam and festive sparkle moments.

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3. Lelive: Glowing Skin, Rooted in Africa

When Amanda Du-Pont launched Lelive in 2020, she didn’t just create another skincare brand—she started a clean beauty revolution grounded in African botanicals, science-backed actives, and radical inclusivity. Designed for every skin type, tone, and texture, Lelive fuses homegrown ingredients like green rooibos, marula, moringa, shea butter, and aloe with next-gen heroes like bakuchiol and fruit-derived exfoliating acids.

The result? A line of effortlessly elegant skincare essentials that are 95% natural, vegan, cruelty-free, reef-safe—and gentle enough for expecting mothers. With formulas that evolve and improve based on real user feedback, Lelive is skincare that listens and delivers.

Products We’re Loving Right Now:

• All The Shade | SPF 30 Sheer-Tinted Moisturiser: Universally flattering, featherlight, and completely blendable—this award-winning tinted moisturiser leaves zero white cast and all the glow. Crowned best tinted moisturiser in SA two years running.

  
  

• The 3-Step Routine | Clarify, Brighten + Glow: Lelive’s holy grail trio. It simplifies your routine while tackling dullness, breakouts, dark spots, and dehydration—all with a gentle, glow-enhancing touch.

  
  

• The Drip | Hydrate + Glow Setting Mist: Two-time beauty award winner and cult favourite for a reason. Use it to lock in makeup or mist on throughout the day for a burst of luminous, dewy hydration.

4. Skin Creamery: Skincare That’s as Kind as It Is Cult-Worthy

When Hannah Rubin founded Skin Creamery in 2014, her mission was beautifully simple: create skincare that’s gentle on your skin and gentle on the planet. Rooted in sustainability and powered by nature, each formula is crafted with the finest organic ingredients—chosen not just for their purity, but for their potent healing properties and their ability to effortlessly melt into the skin.

With minimalist rituals, decadent textures, and a deep respect for skin integrity, Skin Creamery is redefining what conscious beauty looks and feels like—elegant, effective, and earth-loving.

Products We Can’t Stop Reaching For:

• The Regenerating Concentrate: A 100% natural-origin retinol concentrate that delivers results without irritation. Carrot and rosehip oils boost elasticity and luminosity, while keeping skin balanced and calm.

• The Everyday Cream | All-Purpose Moisturiser Jar: Rich, nourishing, and made to do it all—this luxurious multitasker is a hydration hero, leaving skin soft, smooth, and subtly radiant.

• The Wildflower Water Cream: A botanical-powered 2-in-1 serum-meets-moisturiser that smooths texture, refines pores, and revives your glow—no filter needed.

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5. Standard Beauty: Luxury-Level Skincare Without the Luxe Price Tag

Standard Beauty is redefining what it means to be beautiful—on your terms, and within your budget. Founded by Ann-Kathrin Joos, the award-winning brand is built on the belief that high-quality skincare should be standard, not a luxury. With every serum, formula, and ingredient, Standard Beauty dares to challenge unrealistic ideals and instead celebrates real skin, real results, and radical accessibility.

Formulated with powerful actives and backed by science, this brand has become a go-to for skincare lovers looking for clean, effective, and wallet-friendly staples.

Cult-Favourite Must-Haves We’re Stocking Up On:

• 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc Serum: A pore-refining, redness-calming powerhouse that helps balance oil and promote clarity—perfect for daily use.

• Hyaluronic Acid 1.5% + Peptides Serum: Deep hydration meets firming peptides in this skin-plumping essential that leaves your complexion dewy and smooth.

• 2% Alpha Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Target dark spots, uneven tone, and dryness with this glow-boosting formula that brightens without irritation.

6. Swiitchbeauty: Beauty That Delivers, From Bedroom to International Icon

At just 14 years old, Rabia Ghoor turned a simple YouTube beauty binge into a full-fledged beauty revolution with Swiitchbeauty. What began as a moment of frustration over the lack of variety in South African beauty products evolved into a global brand built on inclusivity, innovation, and transparency. Rabia’s hands-on approach is what truly sets Swiitchbeauty apart—she tests every product herself before it hits the market, ensuring that each formula not only delivers on its promises but exceeds expectations in performance and ease of use.

From a humble Instagram page to a cult-favourite line stocked in retailers like Beam UK, Swiitchbeauty has grown into an international success, proving that beauty can be both affordable and high-performing, with products designed for everyone.

Top Picks We’re Loving Right Now:

• BubbleBlush - Dewy Blush Stick: A butter-smooth, cream blush stick that melts effortlessly into the skin, leaving a natural flush that’s both dewy and dreamy.

• LipSlick - Lip Treatment Oil: A juicy, hydrating lip treatment that’s part gloss, part skincare—packed with nourishing oils for an ultra-plump pout.

• JetLiner - Jet Black Eyeliner Pen with Brush Tip: The blackest, boldest eyeliner with a brush tip that offers precision and drama, all in one swipe.

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As we explore the diverse and innovative beauty brands emerging from South Africa, it’s clear that the landscape is evolving with boldness and authenticity. From Amazi’s empowering mission to support women entrepreneurs, to Swiitchbeauty’s commitment to quality and inclusivity, these brands are redefining what beauty means in a global context.

Whether it's Gloei’s celebration of local botanicals or Lelive’s scientifically-driven skincare, these labels not only embody the spirit of South Africa but also set a new standard for beauty worldwide. As consumers become more conscious of what they put on their skin and how their purchases impact the world, brands like these are leading the charge with integrity, sustainability, and innovation. The future of beauty is here, and it’s made with heart, soul, and local expertise—proof that the best products are often those that reflect the unique stories of the people who create them.