Cape Snow Bush in Skincare

Cape snow bush, Eriocephalus africanus, is an aromatic shrub indigenous to the Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa. It gets its name from the dense white seed heads that cover it in late winter, which from a distance look like snow lying on the veld. It is also known as wild rosemary, for the resemblance of its narrow grey-green leaves.

Traditional use

Cape snow bush has a long record of traditional use in the Cape, both as an aromatic infusion and applied to skin. It is one of a handful of indigenous Cape botanicals, alongside aloe ferox and rooibos, that give South African skincare a genuine botanical identity rather than a borrowed one.

What it does in a formula

Cape snow bush is used for its calming character on skin that flushes, reacts or feels over-stimulated. In the Africology balm range it has been among the gentlest options, which is why it was the balm therapists reached for on clients whose skin reddens easily under massage.

What to use now

The Cape Snowbush Body Balm is not currently in the active range. For the same calming purpose, the unscented Essence Free Body Balm is the closest substitute, and on the face the Aloe Ferox Serum and Tonic Anti-Reactive are the two formulas built for reactive skin.

See the sensitive and reactive collection, the massage balm range, or read about all the botanicals Africology formulates with.