Honeybush and heritage: What ABS compliance means for your skincare

Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.)

This heritage month…

September is Heritage Month in South Africa - a time to celebrate the richness of our culture, our natural resources, and the traditions that connect them. For Upenya, heritage is also about protecting the biodiversity that makes our skincare ingredients unique and ensuring the communities who have stewarded this knowledge for generations share in its benefits.

One of those heritage ingredients is Honeybush.

A sweet honeybush heritage

Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) is one of South Africa’s most treasured fynbos plants. For generations, local communities have brewed its leaves into a naturally sweet, soothing tea. With its golden aroma and calming properties, Honeybush has long been more than a drink - it’s part of our cultural heritage. Today modern science confirms what tradition has always known: Honeybush is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that help reduce inflammation, fight oxidative stress, and support the skin’s natural resilience.

Why ABS matters

Honeybush is unique to the fynbos biome, a fragile ecosystem found only in South Africa. Without safeguards, overharvesting could threaten both the plant and the biodiversity it supports.

That’s why Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) compliance is essential. It ensures:

• 🌱 Biodiversity protection - Honeybush is harvested responsibly, so the fynbos biome remains healthy.

• 👩🏽‍🌾 Community recognition - the people and traditions behind Honeybush are respected and rewarded.

• 🌍 Fair innovation - skincare companies can use this powerful plant, but only in ways that give back to both nature and society.

What it means for your skin

In skincare, Honeybush works as more than just an antioxidant. Its natural compounds can:

• Calm redness and irritation.

• Defend the skin barrier from environmental stress.

• Support healthier, more balanced skin.

When you choose products that are ABS compliant, you’re choosing skincare that:

• ✔️ Respects local heritage.

• ✔️ Supports South African communities.

• ✔️ Protects biodiversity for generations to come.

Find Honeybush Leaf Extract in our Upenya Moisturising Gel for a calmer, happier skin barrier.

Where to learn more about ABS

If you’d like to explore the bigger picture of ABS and biodiversity, here are some excellent resources:

• Convention on Biological Diversity – ABS Information Kit

• Business Guide to ABS (BioInnovation Africa)

• South Africa’s Biodiversity Act & ABS Regulations

• Community Perspectives on ABS in the Honeybush Value Chain

This Heritage Month, let Honeybush remind us that beauty is shared - between skin, community, and the land we call home.