About Shasta Cerana

I just love white daisies (don’t we all?)
They symbolize beauty, simplicity and innocence, but strength as well, as they are able to grow and flower in adverse conditions and environments.

Another thing I am passionate about (despite being allergic to their venom) is bees! I feel strongly that we should do more to protect and save bees, as the world needs them more than they realize. Without bees, we will not have flowers or food which would endanger our mere existence!

And there you have my reasoning behind Shasta (daisies) Cerana (an Asian honeybee) …

So how did I, a former ballet teacher get to Shasta Cerana?

Well, when hubby’s cancer returned in 2014, we started a mostly plant based diet and with my marathon research project I found that so many hair- and skincare products are riddled with harmful ingredients.

I ditched most of our store-bought products and I started on a (shortlived) soapmaking journey. During this time a friend of mine taught me to make lotion bars with beeswax, cocoa butter and oil.
I melted some and added more luxury oils to it to make a balm.

On a visit, I took this as a gift to my Mom (100 years old at the time) and with every visit took some more, at this time making the balm by instinct, not exact science.

At 101, she asked me to make her some more and encouraged me to start selling it in a shop. I immediately realized that I would not be able to recreate it perfectly, as I never wrote down the ‘recipe’.

I began learning all I could about natural skincare and the properties of oils and butters and how to develop a proper formula, after which my first Moisturising Butter was born, and loved by my Mom and others. This sparked a more intensive learning journey that resulted in a business born, and three more products, including our now best-selling Rosehip – Anti Aging Oil being added to our range.

At age 102, my mom started using the Rosehip oil and 4 weeks later, a friend at the retirement village wanted to know what she was using, as her skin improved so much. The news spread, the orders came in, and Shasta Cerana grew. And now, we are also helping many others in South Africa find a natural, safe alternative for skincare products, with great results.