Where African Botanicals Meet Modern Science
- Mumble Forum
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Drawing on African pharmacopoeia and a life lived between Lisbon, London, and Cape Town, Catarina de Avillez has distilled her love for the continent into The Natural Africa, a botanical skincare line that feels as considered as it looks. Working with pharmacologists and traditional plant experts, she turns ingredients like Rooibos, Aloe Ferox, and Resurrection Plant into clinically informed formulas that honour both science and story. With a deep commitment to ethical wild harvesting and local partnerships, Catarina is on a mission to prove that African beauty is not a trend, but a timeless standard in a bottle.
Catarina, you’ve lived between Portugal, the UK, and South Africa, when did it click that your next chapter had to be rooted in African botanicals?
Each country has been an enriching experience in different ways and has helped me value heritage and provenance. I realised that the plants I grew up with in South Africa weren’t just personal references; they were globally relevant. That was the moment it became clear that my next chapter had to honour African botanicals, not as a trend, but as a source of real credibility and depth.
You grew up surrounded by Fynbos and Rooibos traditions, what was the moment you realised those childhood rituals could become a global skincare brand?
It happened when I started explaining them to people outside of South Africa. What felt familiar to me was completely new to others. When I spoke about Rooibos or Fynbos, there was genuine curiosity, and then surprise when people realised how effective these plants actually are. That shift, from something “everyday” to something distinctly valuable, made me realise these rituals could translate globally without losing their authenticity.
The Natural Africa bottle looks luxurious, but its soul is grounded in science, how do you balance ancestral plant wisdom with modern clinical standards?
I see it as a conversation between past and present. We start with plants that have been trusted for generations, then work with modern laboratories and formulation experts to ensure they’re effective, safe, and suited to contemporary skincare routines. The result is skincare that feels indulgent but also reassuringly has good results.
Ethical wild harvesting and community partnerships sit at the heart of The Natural Africa. How does that translate into real decisions on sourcing and production?
It means being meticulous at every stage. We ensure that we source ingredients that are responsibly harvested, respect seasonal cycles, and support the communities that know these plants best. For us, sustainability isn’t about perfection; it’s about care, transparency, and doing things properly, even when it takes longer.
When you imagine The Natural Africa five years from now, what do you want people to feel when they say, “This is African beauty in a bottle”?
I want it to feel modern, elevated, and rooted. Something that feels just as at home on a London bathroom shelf as it does in Africa. Above all, I want people to feel a sense of connection to the land, the plants, and the idea that beauty can be both meaningful and effective.
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