Female-founded beauty brands lead the way for investment growth on KZN South Coast

Beauty is a multimillion-dollar industry; however, the shift in trends toward more sustainable, locally manufactured skincare ranges has opened the market to entrepreneurs.

On the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, forward-thinking women have started groundbreaking skincare ranges that hold significant investment potential.

“We’ve noted an encouraging trend of local entrepreneurs establishing beauty brands on the KZN South Coast, which are fast gaining traction in the skincare market,” comments CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise, Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya. “Drawing on the incredible natural assets of this region, many of these are tapping into a more discerning market that prioritises organic ingredients and sustainable practices. These will only continue to develop, which is why now’s the time to invest in beauty brands on the KZN South Coast.”

Three female-founded beauty brands – all of which are members of SCTIE’s Buy Local campaign that encourages support of locally owned businesses – are making strides in the local beauty industry. Good to Glow Beauty & Cosmetics, Zurii Skin and Obendalo Organics are bringing consumers what they want, with a particular KZN South Coast spin.

“We manufacture hair and skincare products that not only leave you looking and feeling good but also address medical concerns,” explains Sinegugu Cele, owner of Good to Glow Beauty & Cosmetics, which is based in Umzumbe. “We’ve been operational for almost three years and our vision is to ensure at least one of our products is a staple in every home across the globe!”

She says the business is looking to upscale, with a focus on finding retail outlets that will allow it to penetrate a wider target market, with the aim to enhance manufacturing space: “The business is still starting out, but we boast the quality and branding that can compete with bigger, more established brands. We’re fortunate to be starting out on the KZN South Coast, as we’re establishing a level of trust in a known market while building our brand to a global scale.”

A manufacturer of 100% organic skincare products is Obendalo Organics, which supplies locally made, all-natural products using sustainable practices. This Port Shepstone-based organisation uses local, organic plant oils and bases to create “an affordable yet fun way for clients to improve their skincare routine”.

Louise Mdluli, director of Obendalo Organics, says: “We make organic and natural skincare products including charcoal and tea tree face bars, rosewater face toners, and healing night serums. Our unique selling point is that we offer free facials to customers. We also train up our excellent sales staff to ensure they have strong knowledge of existing products, and build a good relationship with customers.”

There’s also the premium ethical skincare range Zurii Skin, which is geared toward delivering high-quality skincare products at an affordable price. The product range includes hemp cleanser soap, anti-damage serum and sunblock, which draws on natural ingredients for a local market.

“Beyond the many investment opportunities that exist in the skincare industry, SCTIE also encourages support of our local brands through the Buy Local initiative,” continues Dr Sibiya. “The success and viability of these businesses hinges on local support, through which we can create more local jobs and a more resilient economy.”