Seed to Skin

Inside Health and Living, an independent health shop in South Africa, with a warm wooden ceiling, hanging bulbs and shelves of natural products

Why Independent Health Shops Matter: The Antido...

Chain pharmacies smell the same everywhere. Independent health shops never do. Here's why they matter, and what we lose in the synthetic fog.

Why Independent Health Shops Matter: The Antido...

Chain pharmacies smell the same everywhere. Independent health shops never do. Here's why they matter, and what we lose in the synthetic fog.

AYA SOS Serum with fresh pawpaw and leaves, natural skincare made in South Africa

Natural Skincare in South Africa: Are Our Local...

Is natural skincare in South Africa really more effective, or does it just sound nicer? My honest answer, learned the hard way. My skin and I have a history I...

Natural Skincare in South Africa: Are Our Local...

Is natural skincare in South Africa really more effective, or does it just sound nicer? My honest answer, learned the hard way. My skin and I have a history I...

oman applying natural face balm to her cheek outdoors, holding an open tin of AYA Balm as an alternative to traditional moisturiser

Can I Use Face Balm Instead of Moisturiser?

Balm or moisturiser? I break down the real difference between the two — anhydrous versus emulsion - and why there's no universal answer, just what your skin needs today.

Can I Use Face Balm Instead of Moisturiser?

Balm or moisturiser? I break down the real difference between the two — anhydrous versus emulsion - and why there's no universal answer, just what your skin needs today.

AYA Natural Skin founder testing raw fermented papaya extract during early balm formulation - South African natural skincare brand

Beauty School Dropout

A newborn's rash, a stern woman in Pietermaritzburg, and a decade of learning things the hard way - this is the real story behind AYA Balm. Long before it became...

Beauty School Dropout

A newborn's rash, a stern woman in Pietermaritzburg, and a decade of learning things the hard way - this is the real story behind AYA Balm. Long before it became...

Hand holding AYA Balm tin showing ingredient label in South African pharmacy — natural skincare with raw fermented papaya

Is Your Skincare Truly Natural? What the Label ...

AYA founder Keren Pocock spent years waving the chemical-free flag - until someone pointed out that water is a chemical. What followed was years of formulating, researching, and having her...

Is Your Skincare Truly Natural? What the Label ...

AYA founder Keren Pocock spent years waving the chemical-free flag - until someone pointed out that water is a chemical. What followed was years of formulating, researching, and having her...

AYA Balm held on a forest trail in winter - natural skincare Plettenberg Bay

Winter Skin SOS: How to Care for Dry Skin in Wi...

Is natural skincare in South Africa really more effective, or does it just sound nicer? From Roaccutane and the shipping years to my husband’s “look in the cupboard first” rule,...

Winter Skin SOS: How to Care for Dry Skin in Wi...

Is natural skincare in South Africa really more effective, or does it just sound nicer? From Roaccutane and the shipping years to my husband’s “look in the cupboard first” rule,...