About rooibos

The power of rooibos

At the heart of every Dore product is rooibos — blending ancient South African wisdom with modern science.

What is rooibos?

How it works

Your skin faces daily challenges — from sun exposure, pollution and air conditioning to poor diet and stress. Rooibos leaves, too, endure harsh conditions: the intense heat and dryness of South African summers. But nature is clever. Rooibos leaves are naturally rich in antioxidants, offering powerful protection.

Scientific research has shown that the antioxidants protecting Rooibos leaves also offer amazing benefits for your skin. They help shield your skin from damaging free radicals, support natural repair processes, and provide soothing relief. Just as nature intended.

The roots of Rooibos

The origins and use of rooibos are deeply rooted—both literally and figuratively—in South Africa, specifically in the Cederberg Mountains in the Western Cape Province. This is the only place on Earth where the rooibos plant grows naturally, nourished by pure mountain air and crystal-clear streams.

For generations, local communities have trusted the power of rooibos. A bath infused with rooibos, for example, is an age-old remedy used to soothe babies' delicate skin. Generation after generation, the wisdom surrounding this powerful, natural antioxidant booster has been passed down and enriched.

Rooibos is renowned for its skin-friendly properties:

• Rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that help protect your skin from harmful free radicals — a key cause of cell damage and premature aging.

• Contains superoxide dismutase, a unique enzyme known to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and stimulate the production of healthy skin cells, giving your complexion a more youthful look.

• Packed with flavonoids, which can help soothe sensitive skin. Rooibos has also been shown to assist in calming breakouts, leaving your skin clear, healthy, and glowing.

How rooibos is made

The harvest

Rooibos is harvested during the hottest part of the day, when antioxidant levels are at their peak. After harvesting, the leaves go through various steps to produce an extract that is perfectly suited for skincare products.
This process is the result of close collaboration between Cape scientists and rooibos farmers. Years of research and knowledge sharing have led to important breakthroughs — including a new non-fermented method that delivers a much higher concentration of antioxidants and a more potent natural extract.

The Extract

Studies show that fermentation can cause up to 70% of antioxidants to be lost. By using fresh, unfermented leaves, we create a green rooibos extract that preserves these powerful antioxidants. The second breakthrough took it even further: when green rooibos extract is made oil-soluble, antioxidants penetrate the skin much more effectively — delivering deeper care and optimal results.

The products

Dore is proud to be the first Dutch skincare brand to introduce products using green rooibos extract as the key ingredient. By combining centuries-old wisdom from South Africa with our own research in a Belgian laboratory, we have developed unique formulas so you too can experience the remarkable power of rooibos. Of course, we stay true to our roots — sourcing our green rooibos extract directly from Rooibos LTD in South Africa.