Chiiso Botanics – rooted in natural Zimbabwean ingredients
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Chiiso Botanics is a new plant-based skincare brand inherently connected to the founder’s Zimbabwean roots. Utilising the ancient wisdoms of the hero ingredient, Marula, wildly harvested in her native Mberengwa, South Zimbabwe, founder Mufadzi, desires to not only create awareness around the natural properties of Marula but elevate it with modern formulations. I caught up with her to hear the fascinating story and her pride at using Chiiso Botanics to support native female artisans and women in business.
‘The idea for Chiiso Botanics really stems from the passing of my grandmother at 96years,’ begins Mufadzi, ‘I had been brought up by her for much of my early life in the bush; she was a herbalist (before it became a term) and was relied on by the whole community, particularly as we lived through civil war so there was no medical help, and if local children developed conditions like asthma or eczema, she would be who they turned to.’
Mufadzi explains that her grandmother was a central force in her life and much of her memories revolve around the native marula tree her grandmother had in her backyard and the harvesting season (in April), where astoundingly 400kg of marula fruit per tree is acquired. Mufadzi paints a vivid picture; the epochal story of the drunk elephant (a mainstream skincare brand named after it) of animals sitting under the tree teetering from too much marula consumption, and the female pickers going out to grab the fruit from the ground before it ferments in this rainy season.
Whilst Chiiso Botanics might be inherently connected to its source ingredient, the path from tree and fruit harvest to the first product, the 100% Virgin Marula Facial Oil, has been a complex one. ‘I knew a white Zimbabwean, Gus, who was wholesaling Marula and Baobab to the US and Europe, who taught me about processing marula, but I knew I wanted to go further and create a family run skincare business. Over a period of about a year and a half, I trained in formulating at Formula Botanica and through Gus, I met another South African called Gert, who developed an original style cold press machine for me, and I began to see that I needed to include my family over there in the business to make a go of it,’ explains Mufadzi.
The process is labour intensive: it takes approximately a tonne of the marula nuts cracked open to extract the two kernels inside and to produce around 100litres of the marula oil. ‘They press the oils for me over there and send it to me here in bulk where I formulate as Zimbabwe don’t even have a currency so it’s the easiest way.’
How does the 100% Virgin Marula Facial Oil work with the skin’s natural microbiome to combat signs of ageing and feed the skin from deep within?
‘It’s such a versatile oil which stops you having to buy many products,’ she begins, ‘its high in Oleic acid which is deeply moisturising and absorbing so stops premature ageing. The oil is incredible because it lasts 3-4 years whereas most oils go rancid after about 6 months and that shows how high its antioxidant levels are and how it protects you from oxidation.’
Chiiso Botanics also has created the Super Calm Balm which contains a few other Zimbabwe grown ingredients such as Ximenia oil. ‘I bought the Ximenia oil back from Gus and I’m looking to produce my own – it’s similar in texture to castor oil so thicker than the marula which has a silky feel.’ Other ingredients in that formulation include pomegranate, thistle oil, sea buckthorn extract (inspired by her Danish husband’s hometown), rosehip extract, which work to target breakouts and soothe reactive skin. In this product, I also added a tiny percentage of rose geranium and myrrh essential oils.
Next Chiiso Botanics is producing a range of serums that will target specific concerns, ‘I have had so many requests around pigmentation,’ is all Mufadzi will reveal to me right now. However, the products will all continue to be waterless, vegan and cruelty free.
Ultimately the Chiiso Botanics vision for the future is to support and give back to the struggling Zimbabwean region, both in terms of soil health and ecosystem, and also the skilled artisans of the communities. ‘Whilst for the products we work with wildly harvested trees, I also recently have begun a drive to give the peoples 100 marula seeds and encourage them to plant their own trees in their back garden as my grandmother did.’
Chiiso Botanics is a brand to watch!