Beauty
Beauty: facial skincare with actives you can pronounce.
We stock beauty around facial skincare, with Eleven 2 (a South African-made brand) as the hero. The range covers the routine basics, the active treatments worth the shelf space (bakuchiol, niacinamide, ceramides), and mineral sunscreens that hold up to South African UV. Hair colour (Herbatint) and a few targeted internal supports (collagen, biotin-zinc-selenium) round out the collection. The product list stays short on purpose. Less is more, especially when you are starting out.
What is actually happening
Actives you can pronounce
The skincare ingredients with the most evidence have plain names: niacinamide, retinol, bakuchiol, vitamin C, ceramides, hyaluronic acid. If a label leads with a marketing word instead of the active, the active is often the smallest ingredient in the bottle.
Routine layering basics
Apply thinnest to thickest: cleanser, water-based serum, oil-based serum, moisturiser, sunscreen in the morning. At night, the same order without sunscreen. Most routines fail because the order is wrong or the layers are too many.
SPF every day in South Africa
UV index in South Africa hits 11+ in summer and stays meaningful through winter. SPF is not optional for ageing, pigmentation, or skin cancer risk. Mineral (zinc oxide) sunscreens sit on the skin without the hormone-disruptor concerns of some chemical filters.
Less is more when starting
A four-step routine (cleanse, moisturise, treat, SPF) outperforms a ten-step routine for most skin. Add one active at a time, give it 6 to 8 weeks to show, then decide whether to keep, swap, or stop.
How we think about it
Routine basics
A gentle face wash, a barrier-supporting moisturiser, and a daily sunscreen. These three are the foundation and the place 80 percent of visible improvement comes from.
Targeted treatments
One active treatment at a time, matched to a specific concern: bakuchiol for early ageing without retinol irritation, niacinamide for pores and tone, vitamin C for pigmentation. Introduce slowly.
Seasonal additions
Heavier moisturisers and barrier oils in winter, lighter textures and more SPF in summer. Internal supports (collagen, biotin-zinc-selenium) for skin and hair through life stages.
Our top picks for this concern
Curated by what works, ranked by what sells. The handful we reach for first.
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Eleven 2 Gentle Face Wash 100ml
R159.00
A non-stripping, sulphate-free cleanser from a South African-made brand. Suits sensitive and combination skin, leaves the barrier intact, and works as the first step of any routine.
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Eleven 2 Ceramide Moisture Cream 30ml
R289.00
Ceramides are the lipids that hold the skin barrier together. This cream restores them directly, which is what most 'dry' or 'sensitive' skin actually needs. A core moisturiser for most routines.
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Eleven 2 Bakuchiol 30ml
R345.00
A plant-derived alternative to retinol. Smooths fine lines and evens tone with less irritation, which makes it the better starting point for retinol-curious skin or pregnancy.
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Eleven 2 Mineral Sunscreen SPF50
R299.00
Zinc-oxide mineral SPF 50 made for daily wear under South African UV. Sits well under makeup, no white cast on most skin tones, no chemical filters.
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New Leaf Marine Collagen- 60 Capsules
R369.00
Hydrolysed marine collagen peptides, taken daily. Evidence is strongest for skin elasticity and hydration after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use. Capsule format if powder is not your thing.
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New Leaf Biotin Zinc and Selenium 1000ug 180 Tablets
Gentle Day Organic Pads Overnight/Heavy Flow-8s
New Leaf Marine Collagen- 60 Capsules
New Leaf Collagen Gummies 60s
Eleven 2 Gentle Face Wash 100ml
Now Foods Niacinimide (B-3) 500mg
Gentle Day Organic Pads Postpartum/Extra Heavy Flow 6s
Eleven 2 Everyday Cream 50ml
Gentle Day Organic Cotton Liners Regular 30s
Nautica Organics Castor Oil 200ml
Herbatint Permanent Colour 1N - Black
Badger Active Sunscreen Stick SPF 35 Clear Zinc Face Stick 18.4g
Build your stack
Three tiers, not 12. Start with one, add the next when you are ready.
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1ESSENTIALS
Cleanse, moisturise, protect
The three steps that do the most work. A gentle wash, a ceramide moisturiser, and daily mineral SPF. Run this for 8 weeks before adding anything.
Eleven 2 Gentle Face Wash 100ml
R159.00
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2BUILD
Add one active
Once the basics feel stable, add one targeted active matched to your goal (bakuchiol, niacinamide, vitamin C). Give it 8 weeks of nightly use to judge.
Eleven 2 Bakuchiol 30ml
R345.00
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3SPECIALTY
Internal supports and seasonal
Marine collagen and biotin-zinc-selenium for hair and skin over months. Hair colour for the colour cabinet. Add only when the topical routine is already working.
New Leaf Marine Collagen- 60 Capsules
R369.00
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