About The Instructor
I launched this e-learning platform due to the high-demand of my workshop events in South Africa, which has become increasingly challenging to meet as a team of one. Online courses allow me to offer my courses at a more affordable price, and to more people globally.
But, that is not where my story starts. It starts with acne. Yip, my first DIY recipe was an attempt to solve my pimple problem - naturally. I made my honey face mask, and after two months of daily use, my breakouts cleared and my scars faded. The more I learned about the ingredients in cosmetics and household products, the more I sought products with 'pronounceable ingredients'. So I learned how to make everything myself - for my own health, bank balance and environmental street cred.
Now, here I am teaching you how to do the same - wherever you may be in the world.
About Natural Nerd
Natural Nerd initially started in 2015 as a personal blog, and has since expanded to encompass events, online courses and soon there will even be a recipe book. Natural Nerd is a brand that advocates self-sustainability and environmental responsibility, primarily by encouraging people to make their own natural products.
The Natural Nerd Blog shares free recipes for natural home and beauty products, as well as articles and product reviews which help consumers make better choices. Natural Nerd hosts demonstrations and interactive workshop events around South Africa, providing a hands-on learning experience which students can apply to their own lives and businesses. The online courses aim to provide the same learning experience as the workshops, but at a more affordable price, to a broader audience, and at the click of a button.
"Making your own natural products is healthier for your body, the environment and your bank balance. Those are 3 good reasons to DIY - take your pick. I choose all three."
About The Ingredients
The products made in my workshops and courses contain only natural and plant-based ingredients. Although I may teach about how to use other ingredients (that are synthetic or non-vegan), the actual recipes given to students are natural and vegan-friendly. For example, I may speak about fragrance oils, animal fats, glycerine, honey and bees wax, because there are many people who want to learn about these ingredients. However, the recipes you will make in my class will only contain essential oils, plant-based fats, and vegetable glycerine.
Sometimes chemicals are unavoidable though. Where chemicals are involved, they will be part of a chemical reaction in which the final byproduct is completely safe and natural. For example, soap-making requires sodium hydroxide as a raw ingredient, but after the soap-making process the final product is salt, soap and glycerine, which are non-toxic, natural, biodegradable and grey-water friendly. Where preservatives and emulsifiers are necessary, I only use those that are ECOCERT approved or COSMOS compliant for use in certified organic products. In the spirit of transparency, I have made my ingredient lists available here.
