Beauty Founder Spotlight: Dr Jeanne Retief, Figgi Beauty Skincare
After adding Figgi Beauty’s Miracle Mist (a rooibos-infused toner-mist that’s a dream for dry and sensitive skin) and Nurture the Goddess day cream to her morning routine, our founder Pippa was struck by how instantly calming and deeply hydrating the experience was. Beyond the visible glow, it felt like skincare that cared.
The formulations were clearly made with intention, and the ritual of using them left her curious about the woman behind the brand. We reached out to Figgi’s founder to find out more about the story, science, and soul behind these nourishing skincare essentials.
What inspired you to create Figgi, and how did rooibos become such a central part of your skincare philosophy?
FIGGI was born from heartbreak, desperation, and a will to survive. I hold a PhD in international criminal and humanitarian law. I have practiced in this field for over 15 years and have loved my career. After my panic disorder diagnosis in 2015, combined with burnout and a struggle with complex post-traumatic stress, I was reduced to the ashes of what I barely recognized as my life.
The rising was painful, the Breaking immense, but the rebirth came in the form of FIGGI. A true light at the end of the tunnel. An opportunity to take ownership of my diagnosis and no longer hide in shame. I could directly speak to a key external symptom of my diagnosis: Sensitive skin. I am South African and therefore I grew up with Rooibos. It's a unique herb that only grows naturally in a small part of the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa. It has decades of scientific evidence behind its extraordinary anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It truly calms, soothes, and protects against free radicals, making it nature's gift to sensitive skin. But FIGGI is more than skincare - it is soul care.
While our skincare addresses the external symptoms of anxiety, our FIGGI Calm Club addresses the internal. A true community of souls like me that just want to learn to peacefully coexist with their unique wiring without being preached to, without golden tickets to miracle cures. Just a space where it's okay not to be OK, with shared resources for those struggling and a proper support system for others with similar mind settings. Once you purchase a FIGGI product you automatically become part of the Calm Club and receive access.
Can you share more about your own skin journey and how it influenced the Figgi range?
After my diagnosis, I had to take the long journey down the path of recognising my triggers, symptoms, and learning how to navigate my life with my wiring. A key external symptom for me was sensitive skin, and this led me down the rabbit hole of understanding the mind-skin connection. We forget the skin is our largest organ, and it would only make sense that there is a connection between what happens mentally and how this shows up on the skin. I learned that the brain activates the alarm system to put us in fight-or-flight mode when we are anxious. A surge of cortisol and adrenaline dumps into the bloodstream, and this shoots to our nerve endings. Many sensitive nerve endings live just beneath the first layer of skin. When these are upset, it causes the reactions we identify as sensitive: itching, burning, redness, dry patches. Many sensitive skin conditions may "flare up" during periods of intense stress.
I wanted to create something that truly resonates with this and offer a luxurious experience for sensitive souls with dry skin concerns. But I wanted to be the one deciding what goes into these products. I needed to know how to formulate, work with ingredients, mix, and decide on percentages. I returned to school and completed my Advanced Certificate in Cosmetic Chemistry, enabling me to be the key decision-maker in FIGGI formulations. I learned that certain ingredients are scientifically proven to be common irritants to sensitive skin, and I noticed that when I removed these, my skin felt much better. Therefore, all FIGGI products are free from fragrance, essential oils, artificial colorant, linalool, and limonene. Our products are also vegan and cruelty-free.
What’s one underrated skincare habit you think we should all embrace, especially for dry or sensitive skin?
Moisturise. It's simple. Skincare does not need to be complicated. We sensitive souls need to scale it down and slow it down. We can't handle all the extra. Most issues stem from a disruption in the skin barrier, and protecting this delicate barrier should be our key focus. A good moisturizer can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as enhance skin tone and brightness. When our skin is hydrated and moisturized, it looks and feels plump, dewy, and glowy. It should be everyone's secret weapon.
What does self-care look like to you right now—and how do you hope Figgi fits into others' daily rituals?
Self-care looks like whatever I can manage that day. My best today will not be the same as my best yesterday. I understand I show up not only for myself but for others in this world. I can only show up in a way I am proud of if my cup is full. I also get bogged down by my daily stressors and don't always catch myself on a downward spiral before it's too late. It's about being aware, being honest about my limitations, and knowing that my best that day is perfectly worth celebrating.
I hope FIGGI Beauty products bring a minimalist, calming routine to sensitive souls. At the same time, I hope that the Calm Club and FIGGI Soul elements resonate with the depth of community, offering you a little hope each day and guiding you through the best and worst moments of life. Life will always happen - I hope FIGGI can be there to catch you when you fall, help rebuild you when you break, celebrate victories with you, and be the cheerleader we all need.