Beauty

Beauty: facial skincare with actives you can pronounce.

Most skincare aisles sell on packaging and promise. The honest version of beauty is much smaller: a cleanser, a hydrator, a targeted active or two, and sunscreen every day. The brands that do this well tell you what is in the bottle, at what concentration, and what it actually does on the skin.

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

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.

BUILD

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

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.

Sort by:
BUB sunscreen spray can on a white background

BUUB Kids Organic Sunscreen SPF50 110g

R 269.00
100% organic SPF50 sunscreen designed for children’s delicate skin with broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, UVC, and blue light. Contains 25 % non-nano zinc oxide, providing mineral sun protection that’s...
Simple Elements FCC Food Grade Epsom Salts  2KG

Simple Elements FCC Food Grade Epsom Salts 2KG

R 199.00
Simple Elements FCC Grade Epsom Salt (2kg) is pure magnesium sulfate, ideal for baths and muscle relaxation. It can be used to soothe aches, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health...
Herbatint Permanent Colour - 6N Dark Blonde

Herbatint Permanent Colour - 6N Dark Blonde

R 259.00
Herbatint Permanent Colour - 6N Dark Blonde is a natural, ammonia-free hair dye designed for long-lasting coverage. It contains a minimum level of PPDs and includes plant extracts like Aloe...
Herbatint Permanent Colour 2N - Brown

Herbatint Permanent Colour 2N - Brown

R 259.00
Herbatint Permanent Colour 2N - Brown is a natural, ammonia-free hair dye designed for long-lasting coverage. It contains a minimum level of PPDs and includes plant extracts like Aloe Vera...
Eleven 2 Rose Tonic 100ml

Eleven 2 Rose Tonic 100ml

R 140.00
Eleven 2 Rose Tonic is packaged in a 100ml bottle. 2. It is formulated with rose extract to help hydrate and soothe the skin. 3. The tonic is designed to...
Eleven 2 Oil to Milk Cleanser 100ml

Eleven 2 Oil to Milk Cleanser 100ml

R 170.00
Eleven 2 Oil Cleanser comes in a 100ml bottle. 2. It is formulated to dissolve makeup and impurities while maintaining skin moisture. 3. The cleanser is designed for gentle cleansing,...
Eleven 2 Bakuchiol 30ml

Eleven 2 Bakuchiol 30ml

R 345.00
Eleven 2 Bakuchiol comes in a 30ml bottle. 2. It is formulated with bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol, known for its anti-aging properties. 3. The product aims to improve...
Badger Adventure Mineral Sunscreen SPF50-Clear Zinc 87ml

Badger Adventure Mineral Sunscreen SPF50-Clear Zinc 87ml

R 395.00
Badger Mineral Sunscreen with Clear Zinc SPF 50 offers broad-spectrum protection using 25% uncoated zinc oxide. Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, it's ideal for active outdoor activities. Formulated with...
Simple Elements FCC Food Grade Epsom Salts 3KG

Simple Elements FCC Food Grade Epsom Salts 3KG

R 249.00
Simple Elements FCC Grade Epsom Salt (3kg) is pure magnesium sulfate, ideal for baths and muscle relaxation. It can be used to soothe aches, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health...
RS² Lipbalm - Vanilla 15g

RS² Lipbalm - Vanilla 15g

R 69.00
Treat your lips to the sumptuous goodness of our Vanilla Lip Balm, a luxurious blend of natural ingredients crafted to nourish, hydrate, and protect. Benefits: Intense Hydration: Infused with coconut...
RS² Lipbalm - Tutti Frutti 15g

RS² Lipbalm - Tutti Frutti 15g

R 69.00
Experience a burst of fruity delight with our Tutti Frutti Lip Balm. This delightful balm not only features a whimsical tutti frutti scent but also offers a plethora of benefits...
Organic Castor Oil with Rosehip and Vitamin E by Eleven 2 - 30ml

Organic Castor Oil with Rosehip and Vitamin E by Eleven 2 - 30ml

R 169.00
Contains castor oil, rosehip, and Vitamin E for skin nourishment. 2. Supports hydration and reduces the appearance of scars and fine lines. 3. 30ml dropper bottle for easy application. Ingredients:...

Build your stack

Three tiers, not 12. Start with one, add the next when you are ready.

  1. 1
    ESSENTIALS

    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 Eleven 2 Gentle Face Wash 100ml R159.00 View →
  2. 2
    BUILD

    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 Eleven 2 Bakuchiol 30ml R345.00 View →
  3. 3
    SPECIALTY

    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 New Leaf Marine Collagen- 60 Capsules R369.00 View →

Common questions

What does bakuchiol actually do, and is it really a retinol alternative?
Bakuchiol is a plant compound (from the babchi plant) shown in trials to improve fine lines, pigmentation, and elasticity with similar end results to low-strength retinol but less irritation, dryness, and sun sensitivity. It is a good starting point if your skin reacts to retinol, or for pregnancy and breastfeeding where retinoids are avoided.
How do I layer actives without irritation?
One new active at a time. Use it two or three nights a week for the first two weeks, then build up if your skin tolerates it. Avoid stacking strong actives (retinol plus vitamin C plus AHA) in the same routine until you know your skin handles each one alone.
Is mineral SPF as effective as chemical SPF?
Yes, when applied properly. The catch is that mineral sunscreens need a thicker, even layer to hit the labelled SPF. Apply two finger-lengths to the face and neck, and reapply every two hours if outdoors. The advantage is no chemical filters (oxybenzone, octinoxate) absorbing into the body.
How long until I see skincare results?
Barrier products (moisturisers, ceramides) show in a few days. Hydration actives (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide) show in 2 to 4 weeks. Tone and texture actives (retinol, bakuchiol, vitamin C) take 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use. Pigmentation and deeper changes take 3 to 6 months.
Why is hair colour in the beauty collection?
Herbatint sits in beauty because it is a lower-tox colour option, herb-based, with no ammonia. Hair colour is something many people use monthly, and the ingredient list of a conventional box dye is worth a second look. Herbatint is the cleaner alternative we trust.
Do collagen supplements actually work?
The evidence is decent. Hydrolysed collagen peptides (marine or bovine) at 5 to 10g daily show improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal collagen density in placebo-controlled trials after 8 to 12 weeks. It is not a miracle, but it is a measurable effect for consistent users.
What about products like Gentle Day organic pads in beauty?
They are intimate-care basics: organic cotton, no fragrance, no chlorine bleaching. They sit in beauty because they are part of a low-tox personal-care routine. Same logic as the rest of the collection: read the label, prefer the shorter list.