Karla Kotze, who grew up in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, learned about natural skincare from her grandparents. Later, while working as a journalist, she began experimenting with sheep fat at home.
Now, based in De Rust, Klein Karoo, Western Cape, she has turned these experiments into the O,Vet! Skincare brand, which supplies products to 15 retail stores across South Africa.
Kotze's knowledge of cosmetics has family roots. One of her grandmothers lived on a farm, and other grandparents used speensalf to protect skin from sunburn while fishing on Vaal Dam in childhood.
As Kotze grew older, she became interested in herbs, essential oils, and skincare ingredients. She noted that she always took meticulous care of her skin, attending regular treatments and studying product compositions.
At one point, she felt that using too many active ingredients was harming her skin's protective barrier. She recalled stories from both sides of the family about how her grandparents used fat for sun protection or to nourish the skin in winter.
In 2024, she started experimenting with sheep fat in her kitchen after noticing how much fat remained after buying lamb. She began creating products and testing them on herself, as well as with friends and family who also tried them. Her children approved highly, as did her friends and family.
Kotze holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Pretoria and continued working in the media industry. She continued to develop O,Vet!, working full-time while raising three daughters: Lia, Katrin, and Ami. She created her website, approached retailers, and convinced her husband, Philip, to support her business. She explained that working on O,Vet! part-time meant she had to work very late after the children were asleep and everyone had eaten.
The O,Vet! product range includes body balms, facial cleanser, hair oil, muscle balm, night balm, lip balms, healing balm for minor cuts and wounds, and body polish.
Her hair oil was inspired by both research and personal experience. After the birth of her third daughter, she experienced postpartum hair loss, which prompted her to develop a product containing rosemary extract, confrey, and other essential oils. She uses these components to stimulate the scalp and support hair growth; it also nourishes the hair and gives it a beautiful shine.
Kotze explains that the fat contains fatty acids similar to those found in natural skin oils, which, in her opinion, helps the skin absorb it. She believes that fat can improve skin texture, but acknowledges that fat cannot solve all skin problems.
For example, the O,Vet! night balm contains bakuchiol oil, a plant ingredient often used as an alternative to retinol. Kotze claims it is linked to supporting cell renewal and improving the appearance of fine lines.
About six months ago, Kotze moved from Pretoria to De Rust, where she later quit journalism to focus on O,Vet!. She says she now lives in what can be called the South African sheep valley.
When they still lived in Pretoria, sourcing fresh kraut sheep fat was a constant problem. Transportation was a nightmare because she required a refrigerated truck to deliver it to Pretoria.
Now Kotze can connect with Warkensbos, a local abattoir and butcher in De Rust, to help organize the supply she needs. Ensuring quality ingredients at reasonable prices remains a delicate balance, as she must consider production costs and profit margins. Supporting local suppliers is also important to her. She buys honey used in the lip balm and beeswax from a local beekeeper.
Working on O,Vet!, Kotze discovered a gap in the Mzansi market for agricultural producers who can supply small and medium-sized cosmetic brands. She notes that there are many ingredients she would like to use but for which she struggles to find a supplier. Finding a reliable local distributor for bakuchiol oil proved difficult, so she has to import it.
Kotze believes that farmers and other agricultural producers could benefit from direct engagement with beauty industry representatives to learn what ingredients cosmetic brands need and where local sourcing opportunities exist.
As O,Vet! grows, Kotze aims to improve its marketing. She shared that about four to five months ago, she put significant effort into her Meta advertisements. Once she figured out what worked, her online sales increased by approximately 200%.
Kotze tests her products on herself, and friends and family also try them. She notes that cosmetics do not require prior approval from SAHPRA, but sellers remain responsible for product safety.
Kotze shares five tips for other brand owners: clearly define product uniqueness; focus on your business, not competitors; know your profit margin from the start; keep customers in mind; start small, then grow and adapt.
