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Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Senior Lifestyle Writer

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected world economies and hampered effective trade among member nations.

Travelling far and wide to process orders and acquire merchandise is now a nightmare and for business people and end-users relying on imports, the impact is felt.

One of the most affected sectors is the skin care and beauty industry where the majority of local players pushing the products relied on international travel to process orders of recognised skin care brands.

However, it is not all gloomy as some local brands have risen to the occasion and are tapping into the opportunity created by the Covid-19 induced lockdown.

One such enterprising business person is skin revolutionist Faith Ruramai Marange, who is the managing director and founder of popular Balm Africa, a skin care and beauty solutions enterprise which is fast taking the nation by storm with presence in areas like Bulawayo, Masvingo, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Mutare, Victoria Falls and Hwange through Balm of Africa agents who also have their own businesses.

But what makes it tick?

Why is it popular?

The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle caught up with the skin specialist who shared her story and how the Covid-19 pandemic is somehow a blessing in disguise.

While some are driven by money and fame, the skin revolutionist said her business is her passion and calling.

“For me it’s not about money. This is all about passion and providing trusted and lasting solutions.

“I am not just a beauty therapist. I also fight for the people to maintain the skin because some clients approach us to change their skin and we teach them about the side effects,” she said.

“No matter what, everyone is concerned about their skin somehow.” .

The affable businesswoman widely known as Rue from her middle name Ruramai, has capitalised on the Covid-19 downturn to take her products to every corner of the country through Balm of Africa agents that are resident in those places.

“Many people have skin problems and a lot of them rely on imports and big brands that everyone uses to fight their skin problems albeit with no success as there is no guidance and meaningful product support from these off-the-shelf products.

With Covid-19 induced lockdown, the challenge was heightened given challenges with shipping of products. We have come up with something local to take care of people’s skin needs.

This is a brand from a Zimbabwean woman and an African child bringing solutions to skin problems,” she said.

Rue said she is proud of her strides in a business that is generally controlled by big global brands and promised to give her competitors a good run for their money.

“I am a passionate and wholly indigenous skin revolutionist who is providing a holistic approach to the skin and beauty care needs of my clients thanks to my home grown brand.

Some of her products

The focused entrepreneur who is blessed with the poise and pedigree for a demanding business said her brand name is a biblical allusion.

“The name Balm of Africa is taken from the Bible in Jeremiah 8 verse 22 where it says … ‘the Balm of Gilead, isn’t the healer in the land, why are my people suffering?,’ the thinking is therefore primed on bringing skincare solutions to the whole continent and indeed the world. This is a product from Africa that can change people’s lives and become a trusted answer to most skin problems.

Skin problems have been a menace to many but with this brand we are bringing solutions to everyone regardless of their age, race or social status. We want to bring a sense of beauty to everyone because when you look good you feel good,” Rue said.

She said she was addicted to good skin and her business idea came as a result of her own experiences using processed sheer butter, the African black soap and all the natural ingredients.

“I am addicted to good skin and I actually had skin challenges of my own with black acne and pimples and after using processed sheer butter plus the African black soap and other natural ingredients it worked and I also gave the same product to my sister who also got the results.

After that experience, my sister then encouraged me to use my skills and experience to help other people with the skin problems.

I embarked on this business journey during the first lock down where we would sell and guide clients on how to use the product and the magic started working. The results were just amazing,” she said.

According to Rue, the basic selling point is a before and after slant whereby she shared verifiable visuals and testimonies of clients before using the products and after using them but the routine demands guidance and product support for better results.

“The basic selling point for beauty products is a before and after strategy whereby then we take images of our clients before using our products and after using them and the results are telling. However, in between it demands you work and follow routines.

What you need to understand when it comes to beauty, you need to follow instructions to have best results.

Some take time before results show. Most women have issues with eczema and pimples during childbirth and it is worrisome because women love their outer beauty,” she said.

Asked what ingredients she uses, Rue said uses processed sheer butter not raw butter harvested from the trees.  The mixing is unique and is effective in helping deal with skin problems. The passionate businesswoman also shared on her work experience and how she then moved into full time entrepreneurship.

“I started off in the banking sector at Steward Bank moved to ZB and then started my own construction company focussing on aluminium and glass. I then realised that my love for beautiful skin need to be shared with the world hence the shift to entrepreneurship. Those who know me actually know that I didn’t start with the good skin I have now. My drive is to have women regain their confidence back.

“Our products deal with challenges like acne, high pigmentation caused by hormonal imbalance when you carry a child and weight gain. We have solutions for all including men who also suffer acne though it’s not as bad.

For men the problems also include shaving related pimples, in-grown hair and so forth.

“What you use during and after shave matters and we advise on all that and provide the right products,” she explained.

As a skin revolutionist, she added that the best advice when it comes to beauty is maintaining your natural beauty.

“We advise our clients against bleaching and lightening their skin with harsh chemicals.

“Balm of Africa gives you basic natural products grown from your own continent.

“Beauty is not about changing your skinbut being patient enough to do what it takes to give the right glow and care,” she said.