Spreading wellness through natural innovation

Founded in May 2019 by environmental scientist Kylie Adam, Shanti Natural Care has quickly grown from a home-based venture into one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of cannabidiol (CBD)-infused cosmeceuticals.

Adam, who holds two degrees in Natural Sciences from the University of the Western Cape.  She specialises in environmental management and water sciences. Her scientific expertise, combined with a passion for wellness and sustainability, has shaped the brand’s unique product line.

Support from TIA

Shanti Natural Care is one of nine small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) funded by the Technology Innovation Agency’s (TIA) Cannabis and Hemp Industry Innovation Programme. The initiative supports businesses developing cannabidiol-based cosmeceuticals, herbal infusions, and nutraceuticals, enabling them to collaborate with academia to create prototypes and launch products.

For Shanti, this partnership included working with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop and commercialise its CBD-based range. Today, the company is a key supplier for the Canna Africa franchise, a subsidiary of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Labat Health.

Variety of products

The company’s portfolio includes temple oil, pain relief spray, healing salves in vitamin E and jojoba and eucalyptus and peppermint variants, an all-purpose body lotion infused with rooibos and buchu, wellness drops, shampoo, and a deep-penetrating cream with eucalyptus and peppermint. Designed to support wellness, provide relief, and promote healthy skin and hair, these products reflect Adam’s commitment to quality natural ingredients.

“I was very inspired by the recent legislation, but also by the indigenous medicinal plants found in the Western Cape region. Combining those two elements, I created a wellness brand focused on products made with those botanicals,” Adam said. 

She added that moving to a farm on the West Coast further sparked her interest: “That really taught me about homesteading — how to be self-sufficient, use what is around you, and stay connected to nature.”

Adam’s scientific background enabled rigorous research and quality testing. “I used my science and lab background to do a lot of research and testing, which gave me a solid foundation to understand the techniques. On top of that, I am a self-taught cosmetic formulator. I started by making soaps, and once I perfected that, I moved on to more advanced products like creams and balms,” she said.

Brand available on Canna Africa network 

While the venture began in her kitchen, the business expanded rapidly. “As the business grew, we started hiring seasonal staff to help with marketing at expos. In January 2024, I opened my first flagship store in Gardens, Cape Town, with one permanent employee. We now have a factory outlet employing two more people. We supply over 150 stores across South Africa, and in December last year, we opened a facility to manage our supply chain — it’s keeping us on our toes,” Adam explained.

Last year, Shanti Natural Care partnered with Canna Africa, supplying its growing network of franchisees. “At the time, they had one or two stores. Since then, they’ve expanded to over 150, and we now have full access to that supply chain,” she said. 

Adam emphasised the importance of testing and quality assurance: “Over the years, we’ve worked to improve dermatological and stability testing. When I started, I did all the formulations myself, but they weren’t formally tested. With support from TIA funding, I’ve now been able to test all my products.”

While initially self-funded, Adam also received a R50 000 grant from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), which helped accelerate product development and business growth.

For more information, visit www.shantinatural.co.za or call 082 666 8235.
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) can be reached at www.tia.org.za.
For information about the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), visit www.nyda.gov.za.