16 | LUXlife Magazine as Simply Bee argues, is precisely as nature intended. “This variability is not a flaw,” said Helena van der Westhuizen, “it is the signature of real, raw, place-based honey.” Utilising the natural gifts of its hives, Simply Bee produces gentle yet effective natural skincare and cosmetic products. Each item is formulated with respect for both skin and nature, never using harsh chemicals or unnecessary additives. The Simply Bee product line includes an essential facial range, hair care range, body care range, suncare, beeswax and honey soaps, balms, solid perfume, massage oils, pet care, skincare designed for babies, and a wide range of honey products sourced directly from its own hives. Simply Bee also works hard to promote education and conservation through its operations. The business believes that knowledge creates care, and places education at the very heart of its ethos. Through the Bee Observation Centre, school visits, talks, and community outreach initiatives, the team teaches adults and children alike about the importance of bees in our ecosystem, how pollination sustains life, and how responsible beekeeping protects biodiversity. Above all else, it aims to spread the all important message that: “Without bees, we have no future.” Since its inception in 2011, Simply Bee has evolved and grown to stand as more than a brand. The business represents a longstanding legacy of beekeeping and skincare expertise, carried on through the passion and commitment of Derick Hugo and Co-Founders Helena and Pierre van der Westhuizen. For its exceptional story and unwavering dedication to its craft, Simply Bee has been named South Africa’s Best Natural Beekeeping Skincare and Honey Brand 2026. Contact: Helena van der Westhuizen Company: Simply Bee Natural Beeswax Products Ltd Web Address: www.simplybee.co.za he story of Simply Bee began in 1954 with Derick Hugo, a passionate beekeeper hobbyist based in South Africa. Derick’s family had established themselves within Hopefield’s farming community in the early 1920s and, three decades later, Derick received a beehive as a wedding gift from his father-in-law, with the message: “If you cannot afford jam, at least my daughter will have honey on her table.” This serendipitous gift sparked a lifelong interest in beekeeping for Derick. While he initially pursued his passion as a hobby – managing his own hives for years – his love for the craft truly took flight after his retirement in 1994. Derick turned beekeeping into a business, letting his deep connection with bees become an integral part of his legacy within the Hugo family history. Derick’s daughter, Helena, left South Africa to spend 15 years working in Portland as an interior designer. Whilst doing so, she researched the myriad benefits of propolis, honey, and other bee byproducts, soon learning that honey has a number of amazing properties: antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and the ability to promote cell growth. Inspired by this newfound knowledge, Helena aspired to leverage these properties and create skincare products that would benefit others. Helena returned to South Africa in 2009, a move that was driven by her own sensitive skin and would quickly become a pivotal point in the family legacy. By this point, Derick had passed on his beekeeping knowledge to Pierre van der Westhuizen, Helena’s husband and the eventual CoFounder of Simply Bee. Together, Helena and Pierre combined their vast knowledge and unrivalled passion to take over the family honey business, officially founding Simply Bee in 2011. With the establishment of Simply Bee, Helena and Pierre worked towards a clear purpose: to protect bees, educate the public, and create honest products that reflect the land they come from. Helena began creating skincare products from honey, propolis, and beeswax in her garage to lay the company’s foundation, and what once began as five products has since expanded into a line of more than 210 products, each reflecting Helena’s dedication and the Hugo family’s rich beekeeping history. Simply Bee maintains hives of Cape Capensis honey bees, which are indigenous to the Western Cape and uniquely adapted to the Cape Fynbos biome. One of the most biodiverse floral regions in the world – boasting more than 600 flowering plant species – Fynbos never produces uniform honey; each harvest is unique in colour, aroma, and flavour which, Best Natural Beekeeping Skincare & Honey Brand 2026 – South Africa Honey has been used in skincare for thousands of years, with evidence suggesting that its healing properties were recognised in ancient Egypt as early as 4500 BCE. Today, the liquid gold continues to be valued for its antibacterial, moisturising, and soothing properties, making beekeeping a staple for many modern skincare routines. At the forefront of this buzz is Simply Bee, a family-run beekeeping and natural skincare business located in the West Coast of the Western Cape, where bees and people have lived in balance for generations. T
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==