Our journey began in 2019 during time spent in South Africa as a family, where we were exploring a bioenergy opportunity centred on Opuntia cactus (prickly pear) as a sustainable feedstock. Opuntia cactus is renowned for its ability to thrive in semi-arid regions, requires minimal water, and more importantly, does not compete with food crops.
Following this visit, we joined the business venture through which 'Waterkloof' - a 1,000Ha farm in the Free State, was acquired. The farm has supported scientific research on cactus for more than two decades. As bioenergy activities continue to expand on the farm, some hectares remain dedicated to cactus orchards, producing the raw materials used for cactus-based consumables, managed using regenerative farming practices and reflecting our ethos: from nature, naturally.
As the project evolved, so too did our understanding of the cactus plant and its fruit. Valued not only for their resilience, but also for their traditional healing qualities and their role in nourishment and wellbeing, they revealed a far greater potential. This led to the founding of Cactus Circle Co. as an independent venture dedicated to premium skincare and overall wellness, guided by the circular economy principles we deeply believe in.
Over the past six years, we have developed a deep connection to South Africa and its people. With families living and working on the farm, we have gained a lasting appreciation for the African way of life and the communities that make this work possible.
Cactus Circle Co. is our way of giving back - by providing meaningful employment, developing sustainable products, and nurturing the land that sustains us. Our vision is to create positive impact every day and to build a legacy that touches, moves, and inspires others.
To leverage the untapped potential of Opuntia (spineless) cactus, for the health and wellbeing of humankind. All of our products are gender neutral and support our customers to live life well and to love your age.
To be global innovators and manufacturers of Cactus based biproducts from nature naturally, in semi-arid landscapes.
from australia.
inspired by south africa.
Originally from Australia, I moved to London with a sense of adventure and became an international flight attendant, a role that gave me the opportunity to spend years travelling the world. Exploring different cultures, discovering beauty rituals and experiencing the extremes of climate, altitude and skincare challenges shaped both my perspective on wellbeing and my appreciation for simple, effective skincare. Throughout it all, one thing remained constant: my love for cactus seed oil. Its deeply hydrating, soothing properties became a must-have in my self-care routine, especially after long flights and dry cabin air.
My personal experience with the power of Opuntia (spineless cactus) eventually inspired the creation of Cactus Circle Co., a wellness brand rooted in nature, balance and age-positive living. Although my travels took me across the globe, I was always drawn back to the natural beauty, warmth and healing energy of South Africa, a place that I now call home and which inspires the heart of our brand.
With a desire to create something meaningful and aligned with our shared values, I made the decision to build a new chapter in South Africa and start Cactus Circle Co. with my mum.
Having both travelled the world and experienced a wide range of beauty and wellness philosophies, we developed a shared belief that skincare should support the skin, not fight against it. Inspired by gentler rituals and a more holistic approach to beauty, we created a brand that celebrates resilience, balance and the remarkable power of nature, with cactus at its heart.
Today, I blend my love for travel, wellbeing and conscious living into everything we do. Together, we believe in celebrating skin through all stages of life and helping others feel their best, naturally. While our skincare collection was the natural place to begin, I am excited by the possibilities that lie ahead as we continue exploring the wider potential of cactus to support holistic wellbeing.
I came to South Africa with my husband to support our journey in a bio-energy business centred around cactus, an adventure that opened my eyes to the incredible natural resources and beauty of this remarkable country. What began as a new chapter in a new country soon became a much deeper personal journey of discovery.
As I navigated hormonal changes and the visible signs of ageing, including hyperpigmentation, fine lines and a loss of radiance, I found myself searching for skincare that felt both effective and gentle. I was drawn to natural solutions that worked in harmony with the skin rather than relying on harsh ingredients or complicated routines.
Through our work in the bio-energy industry, I was immersed in the world of cactus and began learning about the remarkable qualities of this extraordinary plant. What started as a professional interest soon became a personal passion as I discovered its potential not only for skin health, but also for overall wellbeing and healing. The more I learned, the more fascinated I became by its ability to nourish, restore and flourish despite challenging conditions. Inspired by everything the cactus symbolised - resilience, strength and the ability to thrive - I began incorporating cactus seed oil into my own skincare routine, where it quickly became an essential part of my daily ritual, helping to bring hydration, comfort and radiance back to my skin.
The more I learned, the more convinced I became that this remarkable plant had a story worth sharing. When my daughter Brooke returned to South Africa after years of international travel, we combined our experiences, passions and shared belief in a gentler, more holistic approach to beauty and wellbeing.
Together, we founded Cactus Circle Co. with a simple mission: to celebrate the remarkable potential of cactus and create products that help people feel confident, supported and radiant at every stage of life. While our skincare collection was the natural place to begin, we believe we have only scratched the surface of what cactus has to offer. From skin health to holistic wellbeing, this extraordinary plant continues to inspire us every day.
Today, I am proud to share what we have created and the philosophy that continues to guide everything we do.