Environmentally conscious and passionate about promoting self-love, Josh and Amelia’s organic, vegan and homemade skincare range, Reduce Skincare is a direct result of their driving ambition and determination to create their own success.
Both are second-year university students, with Josh studying a Bachelor of Computer Information Sciences and Application Development and Amelia doing a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management.
“There is a huge need for entrepreneurs in South Africa and we wanted to create and seek our own opportunities instead of waiting for them. We are still a young couple, but we decided to take a leap of faith in each other and our brand and start something together that we can grow and that will allow us to be self-sufficient,” says Amelia.
Reduce Skincare is the combination of Amelia’s long-time hobby of making her own masks, scrubs and toners and her enthusiasm to start her own business, and Josh’s love for working with his hands and figuring out how things work.
“I became increasingly aware of the need to be environmentally conscious while at school and applied that to my lifestyle by having my own garden, disposing of waste correctly and reusing non-disposable items. Together were motivated to take this idea and create natural skincare that is affordable to every consumer. And so, Reduce Skincare was born.”
Through trial-and-error and using the internet as a source of information, Amelia managed to develop recipes which she has experimented with and learnt from to develop the range. They currently have five vegan, natural, homemade and eco-friendly products in the range. These include Aloe Vera Mousse, Coffee Scrub, Grapefruit Body Scrub, Lip Balm and Cinnamon and Sweet Orange Bath Salts, ranging from R20 to R110.
“Our products are all oil-based (as oil is so beautiful and nourishing for your skin) and they are all enriched with vitamin E (except the bath salts), are preservative and chemical free, are vegan and made with only natural, wholesome ingredients. We also only use glass packaging and encourage our customers to return their containers to receive a ten percent discount once they’ve return three,” says Josh.
Although the couple were warned about going into business together, they say they both felt that they were prepared to accept and work through any difficulties as a team
“Our natural characteristics complement each other within our business. What one lacks the other fills in, and we have supported and motivated each other in ways that no one else could.
“Our products are for anyone who wants to be a part of a change and to live a simpler and more loving lifestyle. We make our products to change mindsets of people who wish to love their bodies, are aware of their environment and want to use products that are natural and environmentally friendly.”
The Reduce Skincare range is available for order online via email or their social media page as well as the monthly Wonder Market in Umhlanga.
Details:[email protected] @reduceskincare on Facebook and @reduce_skincare on Instagram
Text: Monique De Villiers-Delport
