Camel cosmetics: Australia’s QCamel eyes Asian markets with new skin care line

The skin care range was launched in February 2020, comprising nine products ranging from creams, lip balm to mask, derived from organic camel milk and Australian botanicals.

The skin care range was also launched in Singapore in September.

Asia is a key region for QCamel’s skin care products, according to director Lauren Brisbane.

“In Asia, most people live in cities and have certain skin problems due to environmental conditions. Our skin care products containing camel milk and botanicals can help heal the skin, help with sunburn, windburn, pigmentation, and redness, while being hydrating​.”

In the works​

The skin care line was been in the works for five years, Brisbane said.

She told CosmeticsDesign-Asia​ the skin care range was inspired by her daughter who developed adult cystic acne several years ago.

Brisbane formulated a product (now called Waratah Day Cream) to help reduce her symptoms.

Camel milk contains naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Immunoglobulins (IgGs) and vitamins and minerals.

This structure enables it to deeply penetrate the dermis and epidermis layers to reduce oxidative stress, promote collagen production and heal the skin.

Now, QCamel makes and sells day creams, night creams, face mask, skin lightening face mask, hand and nail cream, lip balm, hand wash and soap, all made from its camel milk.

The firm also adds native Australian botanicals such as waratah, kangaroo paw, emu apple, melaleuca snow flower, rosella, lemon myrtle, lilli pilli, and Kakadu plum into the formulations, for various restorative properties.

Brisbane does most of the formulations together with a cosmetic scientist, and said the five years of R&D was a process of trial and error. The products were tested on family and friends suffering from cystic acne, and milia (small bump-like cysts under the skin).

She also tested its night cream on a friend suffering radiation burns due to cancer. After two weeks of application, the burned area was healed.

Its skin care products do not contain any parabens or sulfates, and tested at an independent laboratory. It is also safe for pregnant woman, according to Brisbane.

QCamel’s skin care products are packaged in airless bottles and jars. Airless delivery system minimises bacteria and oxidation exposure to air as only the required amount is dispensed with a press.

Brisbane said this packaging also helps prevent leakages. The packaging is made from PET and recyclable.

COVID-19 performance​

The products were initially launched one week before COVID-19 hit Australia, and the company was in negotiation with two large retailers however the pandemic halted the plan.

At present, most of its sales in Australia come from QCamel’s online website, with a small physical retail store.

In Singapore, the products are available on flagship stores on e-commerce platforms including Shopee, Q10 and Lazada.

Brisbane said sales of hand and nail cream have been performing well in both countries.

“This period is where people are especially washing their hands more often, leading to dry and irritated skin​,” she explained.

The cream helps to rehydrate dry skin and protect it from UV radiation.

Other popular products include its day cream targeting younger women, night cream for the older age group, and the skin lightener face mask.

With China and South Korea, the plan is to sell online first.

Brisbane said she is exploring more video profiling on its online channels in export markets: “We have a really good social media presence here in Australia, and people can sort of see what we do, the camels, their farm conditions, and milking process​.”

Future plans​

Beyond entering new markets, QCamel is hoping to develop further products to treat various conditions.

“With the trial on skin radiation burns, I would love to be able to do something for women with breast cancer for their soreness and burns​,” she said.

QCamel primary business is still its food business, selling camel milk, smoothie, cheese and milk powder. It operates its own camel farm, and milking facility in Queensland.