Beauty Safari: The African Natural Wonder Ingredients Your Skin Will Thank You For

By Fiona McKim
With its diverse landscape of sunbaked plains, vertiginous mountains and lush tropical forests, it's no surprise Africa's native flora holds rich beauty benefits. While locals have been using indiginous plants to sooth, smooth and soften for centuries, a new crop of savvy beauty brands have now cottoned on and are bringing these benefits to us.
So, what should you look out for? Hip ethical brand Dr Jackson's combines scientific research with a natural ethos. Founder, Dr Simon Jackson takes regular expeditions to Africa, working with locals to fairly harness the natural landscape. We love03 Face Oil,£55,containing Vitamin C-packed Madagascan Baobab Oil and healing Marula Oil, long used by pregnant southern African women to keep skin supple and reduce stretch marks.
Another beauty hot spot is Kenya's Rift Valley, where biochemist and Elethea founder Nausheen Qureshi discovered the localblue-green algae,a potently restorative combination of minerals, enzymes and vitamins found nowhere else on earth. Try theEye Architecture Cream, £120,which as well as the special algae blend contains Tamarind Seed - the plant world's answer to hyaluronic acid - and brightening liquorice root extract.
More natural names to watch:
Rooibos Tea - Packed with antioxidants and spot-zapping alpha hydroxyl acid. Use as a topical blemish solution or create a face mask by mixing with oatmeal.
Moringa - The oil from the seeds of the Moringa Oleifera tree (known locally as the 'miracle tree') contain bags of oleic acid to boost your skin's defence against environmental damage.
Argan Oil - You might already know this one. Found in Morocco, Northern Africa, this super-nourishing all-rounder works moisturising magic on hair, skin, scars, nails and more.
-
-
Chloe Zhao made Golden Globes history as the first Asian woman to win Best Director
Chloe Zhao won the Golden Globe for best director of a motion picture making her the first Asian woman to win the award
By Laura Harman •
-
Kate Winslet reveals her stress incontinence prevents her from engaging in this physical activity
Kate Winslet has raised awareness of the urinatory condition after sharing her personal experience with Graham Norton
By Emma Dooney •
-
Chloe Zhao made Golden Globes history as the first Asian woman to win Best Director
Chloe Zhao won the Golden Globe for best director of a motion picture making her the first Asian woman to win the award
By Laura Harman •
-
Kate Winslet reveals her stress incontinence prevents her from engaging in this physical activity
Kate Winslet has raised awareness of the urinatory condition after sharing her personal experience with Graham Norton
By Emma Dooney •
-
The Split season 3 - everything you need to know about the BBC drama’s final series
Are you prepared for how it will end?
By Emma Shacklock •
-
Meghan Markle wore this stunning designer dress for her Oprah interview
It's sure to be a sell out!
By Sarah Finley •
-
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge warn the public against ‘misinformation’ about Covid-19 vaccine
The couple 'wholeheartedly' support having vaccinations
By Emma Shacklock •
-
Dr. Jill Biden reveals she is 'obsessed' with getting her dogs settled in at White House
Dr. Jill Biden has admitted to Kelly Clarkson she is preoccupied with the White House dogs' settlement into their new home
By Emma Dooney •
-
Gillian Anderson and Emma Corrin react to Prince Harry's views on The Crown
There's a lot of love for Harry
By Sarah Finley •
-
Jennifer Aniston reveals how she's been spending lockdown with a surprising new hobby
The Morning Show actress has given fans an insight into what skills she's been brushing up on over the last few months
By Selina Maycock •