O-lyf was born from a spark of inspiration in 2015, when Marthie Postma-Botha, a seasoned pharmacist, saw the potential of upcycling antioxidant-rich olive pomace from a friend’s olive farm. Driven by a commitment to safer, natural skincare, she pursued a doctorate to unlock the powerful, bioactive compounds within this olive byproduct. With years of experience in plant-derived ingredients, Marthie’s research paved the way for O-lyf’s unique formulations, designed to nourish and protect the skin with sustainable, nature-sourced ingredients.

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Nicole Vorster, Marthie’s PhD supervisor and a passionate lecturer and research chemist, joined her on the journey. With a background in consumer product formulation and a diploma in cosmetic chemistry, Nicole helped shape O-lyf’s products. Together, they crafted a skincare brand that celebrates nature’s resilience and science’s precision — uniting water-soluble and oil-soluble olive pomace extracts for a slow beauty approach that nurtures the skin, while embracing eco-conscious values.