ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE DRIVING NEW SKINCARE

Rosanna Angus, from Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours. Credit: Jarrad Seng/RegionalHUB

BY ASAD KHAN AND ESTHER COLMAN

A Bardi Jawi entrepreneur is calling for greater recognition of Aboriginal knowledge in the skincare industry, arguing that tens of thousands of years of cultural expertise in plants and healing practices remain underutilised.

Rosanna Angus, founder of the new skincare brand Lanje, using seaweed extracts, pearl oyster and black rock oyster shells from Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm said the mainstream market has failed to provide products tailored to the specific skin needs of Aboriginal people.

“Lanje means seaweed in our Bardi language, and I wanted to encompass our saltwater cultural knowledge into this as well,” she said.

“The idea of combining black lip oyster extract with seaweed sparked something powerful in me being able to use our own ocean products. These are not just natural resources, but part of our identity, our history and our healing practices.”

Ms Angus said the development of bioactive skincare products was more than a business venture; it was also about strengthening cultural connections and addressing gaps in scientific research.

“As Aboriginal people, our skin is unique, yet there’s little scientific research into its specific needs. That’s a barrier, but it’s also an opportunity,”

From concept and design to labelling and launch, Ms Angus has led every step of the Lanje journey. She described the brand as both a business milestone and a cultural statement.

“This product is a story of empowerment, a future pathway for First Nations-led innovation, and a good example of what’s possible when community, culture and business come together in the right way,”

The Lanje brand officially launched, positioning itself as one of the first Aboriginal-led skincare lines to highlight cultural knowledge and ocean-based ingredients in its products.

Listen to Esther Colman speak with Rosanna Angus: