Empowering women through skincare

Henriette Lamprecht – First handmade in her kitchen, now exported to the markets of the European Union.

Four years after its humble beginnings, the all-natural Mbiri Skin Products are empowering women, and known locally and abroad.

Tammy Nott started Mbiri in 2015, when she already had another range, Rare Scent.

“I started this in my garage, making all products by hand in the kitchen. I wanted to expand the business and export my products, and this is where Mbiri was born. I had to get out of the kitchen and ‘go professional’.”

The inspiration behind Mbiri comes from the key ingredient, namely Namibian Myrrh essential oil. This oil is extracted from the resin of the Commiphora wildii tree which grows in the Kunene region of Namibia. It is endemic to the area and grows nowhere else in the world, making it a truly Namibian ingredient.

Gabriela’s mother, a plant ecologist, worked with the communities in the Kunene region to identify the plants and their traditional uses, spending many years doing research in the area.

“When I was in high school, all my friends went to the coast for their holidays, while I went to Kaokoland with my mom. I spent my childhood there and it has always been a special place to me.”

Through the research it was discovered the Himba women have been using the resin from the Commiphora wildii tree, traditionally known as “Omumbiri”, as a perfume ingredient for centuries. The resin is heated with a coal and the scent infused into a mixture of butter fat and ochre which is then applied to the skin.

For Mbiri Skin Products the Himba women commercially harvest the resin and send it to a community-owned processing facility in Opuwo. There it is processed and the oil extracted. The women collect the naturally exuded resin from the ground, ensuring sustainability of the resource.

According to Gabriela the resource is abundant and it now provides the women in the remote and desolate area with an income.

Mbiri buys the oil from the community factory and uses it in all its products. Mbiri is professionally formulated and meets all European Union regulations.

“The dream is to take this beautiful story of Namibia to the rest of the world. I hope that through Mbiri a unique Namibian story can be heard.”

It was important to create a product that was safe and met international regulations, says Gabriela.

The next step was brand credibility, with an endorsement from Beauty Without Cruelty, and registering the product with The Vegan Society. This means Mbiri does not test on animals nor do the products contain any animal or animal by-products.

“The consumer is becoming more and more aware, especially in the EU. It was important to create an ethical and credible product. The range is 100% natural, which means all the ingredients are plant-derived.”

“Today there are many more skincare companies in Namibia and it is great to see the industry growing. There are women in Namibia doing great stuff!”

Apart from Namibian myrrh, two other main Namibian ingredients are locally harvested and produced, namely marula oil and Kalahari melon seed oil (KMS)

The marula oil and KMS are sourced from the Eudafano Women’s Co-operative in Ondangwa. The other ingredients are sourced from several other suppliers and some of the other oils come from other African countries.

It was a deliberate decision to empower women through Mbiri, says Gabriela.

“The Omumbiri harvesters are predominately women. A survey done two years ago revealed the women are spending the income predominately on food and medical expenses. This is so important, especially in an area that is often drought-stricken and remote.

“The income empowers the Himba women to provide for their families. They are earning an income by doing something they have done for centuries.”

Eudafano, where the marula and KMS oils are sourced from, is also owned by women.

It is really important to Mbiri to ensure all the ingredients used are sustainably harvested, and both the Opuwo facility and Eudafano conduct sustainable practices.

A proud moment for Gabriela was the export of Mbiri Skin Products to the EU which started last year.

Since starting her business, she has learnt the most important lesson: Perseverance.

“There are going to be days when you want to throw the towel in, but it is important to remember why you started in the first place and then use that to drive you forward. When I have those bad days, I think of my childhood in Kunene. I think of the desert and I think of the harvesters.”

[email protected]; www.mbiri-skincare.com