SCIENCE-FIRST SKINCARE - FOUNDER STORY
WHY WE STARTED
Upenya Cosmetics’ founder story draws inspiration from the marula-strewn landscapes of Limpopo, where nature and tradition have long shaped how people care for themselves and their environment. Our name, meaning “to shine” in the Venda language, reflects both the natural radiance of healthy skin and our belief in skin care that supports balance rather than masks problems.
Rooted in South Africa’s northernmost region, Upenya harnesses the restorative properties of marula oil alongside carefully selected botanical extracts to support skin comfort and resilience.
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We believe in science, not skincare hype. Our formulas combine locally sourced ingredients with global formulation expertise and rigorous testing to meet European cosmetic safety standards. Each product is designed to support the skin barrier, respect the microbiome, and gently care for acne-prone teen skin.
Upenya products are made with over 99 percent natural, naturally derived, and nature-identical ingredients, developed to support consistency, comfort, and confidence so young people can feel at ease in their own skin and shine from within.
Where the marula trees grow...
MEET OUR FOUNDER: DR MATHILDA MOSTERT
Mathilda, founder of Upenya Cosmetics and Precision Oil Laboratories, grew up on a farm in South Africa’s Limpopo region. Fluent in Tshivenda and inspired by the area’s rich botanical heritage, she earned an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Food Science from Stellenbosch and Pretoria universities, specialising in seed oil chemistry, followed by post-doctoral research at the CSIR.
Like all the best ideas, Upenya's founder story began at home - when Mathilda searched for a gentle yet effective skincare range for her three teenage boys. Drawing on decades of oil-science expertise, she developed Upenya Cosmetics using evidence-based research to care for acne-prone teen skin.
With more than 23 years of industry experience, Mathilda heads an SANAS-accredited laboratory and serves on Codex and SABS technical committees, guided by her principle: “If you can’t measure it, don’t mention it.”