As the buyer for African Botanics, I have the incredible privilege of connecting with the visionary minds behind this exceptional brand, Craig and Julia Noik. Their passion for harnessing the potent natural beauty of Africa, coupled with a deep commitment to sustainability, is truly inspiring. For those of you who are already fans of African Botanics, you understand the transformative power of their formulations. And for those who are new to the brand, prepare to be captivated!

I’m particularly thrilled to share some exciting news: in our Summer 2025 Box, FabFitFun members will have the chance to experience the luxurious African Botanics Stretchmark Botanical Body Oil. This isn’t just another body oil for me; it’s a product I personally discovered over a year ago and genuinely fell in love with. From the moment I first used it, I was struck by its rich, nourishing texture and the way it left my skin feeling incredibly soft and supple. It became a staple in my routine, and I knew then and there that we absolutely had to bring this gem to our FabFitFun community, who consistently show their love for the exceptional quality and conscious ethos of African Botanics.

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Craig and Julia to delve deeper into the origin story of African Botanics, their unwavering commitment to ethical practices, the magic behind the Stretchmark Botanical Body Oil, and their vision for the future of luxury skincare. Join me as we explore the heart and soul of this remarkable brand and uncover the passion that makes African Botanics so truly special.

TA: Craig and Julia, it’s wonderful to speak with you! To start, many are captivated by African Botanics’ origin story. It sounds like your roots in South Africa played a huge role in the brand’s inception. Could you delve a little deeper into those early moments? What specific moments or experiences truly sparked the initial vision for the brand?

CN/JN: The inspiration for launching African Botanics came from South Africa’s extraordinary nature and its potent botanical ingredients. South Africa has 8 unique eco systems within its borders and some of the most resilient flora and medicinal plants that are very abundant and have been traditionally used by locals for generations. From our travels back to South Africa to visit family, we were captivated by this rich natural beauty that sparked the idea to create the collection. For many years, we would use the local ingredients on our own skin. We even used them on our children when they were much younger.

TA: That paints a beautiful picture of your connection to the land. And it’s clear that this connection extends beyond just inspiration. I know that preserving and promoting Africa’s biodiversity is incredibly important to you both. Building on that foundation, could you share a specific example of how African Botanics directly contributes to this goal in a tangible way?

CN/JN: We are strongly committed to the environmentally friendly sourcing of our ingredients. We source from suppliers with a proven record of ethical and sustainable practices. This also helps regenerate and empower small independent farming communities that harvest and process the ingredients.

In addition to local, wild-harvested ingredients from natural sources, our formulations include innovative lab-grown ingredients like micro-algae, enzymes, peptides, plant sugars and yeast ferments that don’t disturb the skin’s natural equilibrium and microflora.

TA: It’s fascinating to see that blend of traditional sourcing and modern innovation. Since you founded African Botanics in 2012, the beauty landscape has certainly evolved. How has the brand’s mission evolved during this time, and what new directions are you exploring as you look to the future?

CN/JN: Our mission has evolved since 2012, as we also incorporate advanced biotechnology across the line to make sure that we don’t just rely on ingredients coming from nature. Our formulations have matured and become so much more intricate with these advanced actives that we are now utilizing.

TA: The spirit of collaboration is something we truly value at FabFitFun. African Botanics has long been a wonderful partner of ours, and our members absolutely love discovering your amazing products! Could you please share why partnering with FabFitFun has been a priority for you?

CN/JN: We believe in taking good care of ourselves, our environment and building a strong connected community. Partnering with FabFitFun allows us to share the values of African Botanics with an amazing community that truly values craftsmanship and conscious beauty. It’s a collaboration we’re deeply proud of and extremely grateful for. Thank you to all your members who allow us to be a part of their skin care needs.

TA: And this Summer, our members are in for a treat! We’re so excited to be bringing the African Botanics Stretchmark Botanical Body Oil to them in the seasonal Box. Talk to us about this product. What makes it so effective, and why was this particular product important to include in your line?

CN/JN: The Stretchmark Botanical Body Oil is one of our best selling body products that was launched from the very start of African Botanics. It features our signature, sustainably sourced ingredients like pure Marula, Baobab, Avocado, Mongongo and Rosehip seed oils. These resilient botanical oils are known to thrive in extreme climatic conditions and are very rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. This powerful formula helps improve skin texture, elasticity and suppleness, leaving the skin deeply moisturized and silky-soft. The skin on our body requires the same level of attention as our face and using a high quality body oil is essential.

TA: It’s a truly nourishing product – Of course you already know that I am personally obsessed with it, ha! I’m curious about the journey of bringing such a special formulation to our members. Could you please talk a bit about the timelines and the intricate process involved in creating the Stretchmark Botanical Body Oil?

CN/JN: As with all our products, the Stretchmark oil was made and filled in South Africa. We order our raw ingredients many weeks or sometimes, it can be a few months ahead of production, to make sure we get the most current harvest. Merging the ingredients in the lab is a unique chemistry process that requires batch testing and micro testing to make sure that every ingredient is pure and potent. Our South African lab has around 200 employees that helps formulate, fill and decorate our bottles.

To begin the production process, the bottles were made and decorated, oils were sourced from our suppliers, and then filled into each bottle. The labels over the caps were each hand applied. The bottles were then flown over the USA in a shipment that weighed over 30,000 lbs and delivered to FabFitFun, soon to be in the hands of your members.

TA: That level of care and detail is truly impressive. Throughout our conversation, it’s clear that African Botanics places a strong emphasis on ethical sourcing and sustainability. Why is it so fundamentally important to you to maintain these high standards in every aspect of your business?

CN/JN: Ethical and sustainable sourcing is extremely important to us, because it ensures suppliers and vendors meet the highest standards, such as upholding fair labor practices, making positive social impacts and practicing environmental sustainability. It also contributes to economic sustainability, supports biodiversity conservation in South Africa’s harvesting communities and ensures a healthier eco system for future generations.

TA: That makes perfect sense. And for today’s conscious consumers, transparency is absolutely key. How do you ensure traceability in your supply chain, particularly when it comes to those precious wild-harvested ingredients you mentioned earlier?

CN/JN: Traceability in our supply chain is very important, which is why we have visited all the farms and producers over the past 12 years to see where everything comes from and how it is harvested. We have learned so much over the years by meeting them face to face. We have been extremely fortunate to build many long-term personal relationships with our suppliers who we have been working with since the beginning of African Botanics in 2012.

TA: Looking ahead, the focus on environmental impact is only growing. Beyond your current commendable initiatives like recyclable packaging and reforestation, what are your future goals for minimizing your carbon footprint even further?

CN/JN: The core of each AFRICAN BOTANICS product is powered by some of the most potent wild-harvested ingredients on Earth. We take it further by implementing the latest advances in green biotechnology, choosing carbon efficient processes that have the advantage of lowering the environmental impact. This is a perfect balance of nature and science.

TA: It truly is a fascinating balance. You utilize both these incredible wild-harvested ingredients and cutting-edge lab-grown components. Could you elaborate on how you strategically balance these two approaches, and what unique benefits each brings to your brand’s sustainability goals?

CN/JN: We strive to use natural ingredients that are abundantly available and not under any threat of over harvesting, our botanicals are sustainable and replenish in growth on an annual basis. We mostly rely on biotechnology for our actives, because that is a very sustainable, clinically controlled setting that does not pose any harm to the environment.

TA: That thoughtful approach clearly extends to your formulations as well. You cater to diverse skin types while maintaining a strong focus on natural ingredients. How do you ensure your products are effective and deliver results for such a wide range of individuals?

CN/JN: Our products are designed to work universally for everyone. African Botanics is known and respected for our cutting-edge formulations and ability to make a significant change to the skin. We focus on powerful natural ingredients and cosmeceutical grade actives from biotechnology, that are bio-compatible and can be utilized and recognized by all skin types. With a deep understanding of the skin’s needs, our formulations are not only safe and effective but results-driven.

TA: On a more personal note, after creating such an incredible range, I’m always curious. Other than the wonderful Stretchmark Botanical Body Oil we’ve been discussing, what are some of your personal favorite African Botanics products, and what makes them particularly special to you?

CN: For me, it’s the Buchu Botanical Enzyme Polish. I use it in the shower every night and enjoy the gentle exfoliation it gives from the crushed Buchu tea leaves. It leaves my face feeling clean and refreshed.

JN: I’d have to say our Neroli Infused Marula oil because it is a potent face oil that helps the skin to regain its radiant glow while minimizing pores and imperfections.

TA: It’s always insightful to hear the founders’ personal favorites! Looking ahead to the broader industry, how do you see the future of luxury skincare evolving, and what role do you envision African Botanics playing in shaping that future?

CN/JN: The future of luxury skincare will be defined by a mix of scientific innovation, sustainable practices, and sensorial experiences. We want to play a significant role by leveraging our unique botanical ingredients, commitment to sustainable sourcing, and our functional formulations, all while embracing scientific advancements to deliver effective and personalized highly products.

TA: Finally, as consumers experience your products and learn more about the heart behind African Botanics, what is the ultimate message or feeling you hope they take away from their journey with your brand?

JN: I hope that our customers take away a sense of empowerment, balance, wellbeing and connection to the natural world while making eco-conscious choices in their daily lives.

CN: I would like every encounter with African Botanics to feel like a discovery — one that evokes the wild beauty of Africa, the power of nature’s most potent botanicals, and the quiet calm of self-care done with intention. Our hope is that customers not only see radiant, healthy skin but also feel a lasting enjoyment for the craftsmanship, sustainability, and soul that define our brand.”

 

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