Why your skincare brand’s ethics could damage your skin.

Welcome to Episode 04 of Skin As It Should Be Podcast! In this conversation, host Geoff Paton interviews master chemist Trevor Steyn about the challenges of ethical formulation, the pitfalls of industry standards, and the importance of transparency and research.  

He shares the brand’s evolution from being perceived as organic to focusing on microbiome health, emphasizing long-term skin wellness over quick fixes. Trevor highlights the brand’s commitment to safe, effective ingredients, sustainability, and fair trade, explaining why they avoid harmful chemicals and prioritize client health over profit. 

The conversation offers insights into innovation, ethical business practices, and the future of microbiome skincare.        ⏱ Timestamped Overview 

01:01 - Shift to Microbiome Skincare  02:31 - Challenges of Organic Messaging  04:11 - Reformulation for Microbiome  05:19 - Long-Term Skin Health vs. Short-Term Results  06:07 - Dangers of Phthalates and Industry Practices  09:52 - Ethics Before Profit in Formulation  11:34 - Ensuring Product Safety and Ingredient Transparency  13:52 - Limitations of Organic Certification  15:13 - Beyond Certification: Ingredient Choices    18:13 - Challenges for Multinational Formulators  20:01 - Retail Formulation and Brand Lifespan  21:40 - Formulation Philosophy and Willingness to Fail  23:34 - Key Ingredients and Formulation Building Blocks  27:17 - Environmental and Ethical Commitments  30:43 - Business Model and Avoiding Venture Capital          💬 Quote of the Episode 

“The ethics of what we do is something we choose to keep quiet about, but it’s still our reason for being.” – Trevor Steyn        🌐 Connect with ESSE Skincare 

🔗 Website: https://www.esseskincare.com  🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/esseskincare    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EsseSkincareSA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esse-skincare    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esseskincare_/