A locally owned skincare and wellness business in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, is proving that Papua New Guinea's abundant natural resources can be successfully transformed into high-quality, value-added products while driving economic opportunities for local communities.
Founded by Regina Varaosi, 28 Essence Natural Products manufactures handmade skincare and haircare items using locally sourced ingredients. Its product line leverages the natural benefits of virgin coconut oil, turmeric, neem, moringa, cocoa, and noni.
Varaosi explained that she established the business to meet a growing demand for affordable, organic skincare tailored specifically to Papua New Guinea's tropical climate.
"Many skincare and haircare products available in Papua New Guinea are imported, expensive, and not always suitable for our local conditions," Varaosi said. "At the same time, our country is rich in natural resources, yet many of these are sold without any value addition. We wanted to bridge that gap by creating products made from local ingredients that truly benefit our people."
The business currently produces a diverse range of items, including herbal oils, natural soaps, hair butters, lip balms, and virgin coconut oil-based skincare treatments.
Varaosi’s passion for natural skincare began during her studies in Tropical Agriculture, where she learned about downstream coconut processing and the commercial potential of local medicinal plants. Motivated by common skin conditions affecting people in her community, she began experimenting with herbal formulations using traditional herbs and a virgin coconut oil base. Enthusiastic customer feedback and rising demand eventually inspired her to formally register the business and scale up production.
Today, 28 Essence Natural Products boasts a loyal customer base with consistent repeat buyers across Milne Bay, Port Moresby, and several other provinces. The brand has even caught the attention of retailers, distributors, and customers in Australia.
Beyond manufacturing, the company actively supports local farmers, suppliers, and women entrepreneurs by sourcing its raw ingredients locally and advocating for value-added processing within rural communities.
"Our vision is to become a trusted Papua New Guinean brand that transforms our natural resources into high-quality skincare and wellness products while creating employment opportunities and contributing to sustainable economic growth," Varaosi said.
To keep pace with its rapid growth, the company plans to construct a dedicated 15-meter by 10-meter production workshop in Alotau. The new facility is designed to optimize production efficiency, elevate product quality, improve storage and packaging, streamline certification processes, and significantly boost overall output capacity.
To fully realize these expansion goals, the business is currently seeking strategic support to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities, enhance branding, expand its distribution networks, and increase market access across PNG.
Sales representative Kimberly Maraga recently showcased several of the company's signature products—including neem, turmeric, and flaxseed oils, alongside various herbal soaps—at the inaugural PNG SME Week Agritrade Expo at APEC Haus in Port Moresby, which concluded today.
Maraga noted that the products are carefully formulated to nourish and hydrate both skin and hair while alleviating common issues like dryness and irritation.
"Our soaps are crafted using natural ingredients such as turmeric and neem, which are well-known for their healing and cleansing properties," Maraga said. "We've received an immense amount of positive feedback from customers. I use the products myself, and I've personally seen incredible improvements after using both the soaps and the oils."
As consumer interest in locally manufactured, natural products continues to surge, 28 Essence Natural Products stands as a prime example of how PNG’s natural resources can sustain viable businesses, improve local livelihoods, and champion homegrown entrepreneurship.
The company operates under the inspiring slogan: "Be Clean. Be You."
