Ingredients

Do you know what goes into your teen skin care products?

The chances are that you possibly don't, and for a lot of companies, that's probably the way that they'd like it to stay. There are many reasons why companies might want to keep customers in the dark about the ingredients that are included in their products, but the most likely answer is that your skin does not need those ingredients, and they're probably doing your skin more harm than good. Principally, the truth is that your skin does not need scientifically enhanced chemicals. What it really needs is actually quite simple, because all it wants is pure and natural ingredients, as provided by the wonderful Mother Nature herself. And the only reason that they choose to use enhanced chemicals is because it is cheaper for production.

Unfortunately, the words "natural", "pure" and "fresh" are thrown around so much in Marketing; it makes it difficult to distinguish which ingredients are really as natural as a company might like you to believe. Just because the packaging exclaims in bright and bold lettering: "natural", does not mean that this is entirely the case. In fact, a large portion of the beauty industry sees it as more of a Buzzword than anything else, and the confusing fact is, legally, the word has no real merit, so there's no protection for consumers that guarantees a product really is as natural as the word implies.

Consequently, what can customers do to protect themselves from being duped by fancy-pants language? The only real answer is to check out the ingredients list, and do your homework. It might not always be an easy task, but in the end it will definitely be worth the effort, because many companies rely on people not being aware of what ingredients really are.

There are, of course, a couple of simple things to always be on the lookout for, when it comes to ingredients lists. And, if you spot them, put that bottle back on the shelf, because honestly, you really want to avoid these nasty components:

The Nasty: Parabens

  • Look out for: Ethyl-paraben, Methyl-paraben, Butyl-paraben, Propyl-paraben
  • What are they? Parabens are basically preservatives that are added to the product to extend its shelf-life. Of course this is great, because it means that your product is going to last longer, giving you more value for your money.
  • Why are they bad? The media has been pretty hyped up about Parabens, for quite some time, because research suggests that parabens can "mutate" causing various illnesses. Many people also find parabens to be irritating to the skin and to agitate allergies, especially for those suffering from dry skin types. Therefore, is putting a potential irritant on our skin the overall price that we have to pay in order to gain "value for money"?
  • What products are they found in? It's amazing how many beauty products actually contain Parabens, from shampoo to soap to deodorant. Even if a company claims that the overall amount of parabens, in their product, is relatively low (proven, perhaps by it's being listed nearer to the end of the ingredients list), think about how many products you use every day, and with all those products, your daily usage of parabens is going to build up. That mixed with other ingredients that could potentially create a reaction, doesn't even bare thinking about.

The Nasty: Sulphates / SLS / SLES

  • Look out for: Sodium Sulphate, Lauryl Sulphate, Laureth Sulphate, Ammonium Sulphate
  • What are they? Sulphates are surfactants that are cheaply added to products, in order to create that foaming effect that most of us have become accustomed to. They do this by changing the surface of the liquid, and are also the main part of the product that cleans.
  • Why are they bad? It is said that sulphates strip hair and skin of the natural oils that it needs, which could potentially dry your hair and skin out, and/or cause irritation.
  • What products are they found in? Pretty much anything that you use to clean your skin or your hair, so soaps, face washes, shampoos, shower gels etc. Sulphates are typically not recommended for sufferers of particularly dry skin, including dermatitis and eczema, as it is suggested that they will exasperate the existing problem.

How Zesteen™ is different. Every product in the Zesteen™ range is completely free of parabens, sulphates and any other kind of artificial ingredient. Our ancestors have been using natural herbs and plants for centuries, and we believe that plants never did them any harm, so why change what centuries of experience, knowledge and sheer passion for nature has proven to be beneficial? And modern-day science just backs up these claims, confirming that natural ingredients such as aromatherapy oils, vegetable oils and butters offer a viable product that naturally nourishes your skin.

Plus, you wouldn't put nasty chemicals inside your body, so why treat the outside any different?

We are committed to sourcing ingredients from organic backgrounds, and will not add anything artificial to our products, including preservatives, fragrances and colours. Nature provides its own preservatives, fragrances and colours, so why mess around with what nature gave us?

We source all of our ingredients from local organic farmers, and by doing so we're proud to be able to cover a whole host of issues that concern so many of us:

  • Animal welfare. We love animals, whether they purr, or hop or moo and organic farming guarantees that all animals are taken care of under the strictest of guidelines. And yes, that includes animal testing, which is an enormous no-no! That bunny doesn't have problem skin, so why test ingredients for a face wash on one?
  • Energy efficiency. Mother Nature gives us a lot of lovely things, but sometimes we're not so grateful in our thanks. In fact, sometimes we're quite hurtful, as we pump toxic fumes into our beautiful atmosphere. Of course, modern life means that we can't turn things around in a day, but we can sure as hell make a start, and that is why organic farmers are working had to reduce their carbon footprint, and to be as energy efficient as they possibly can be, realistically.
  • Sustainability. As much as Mother Nature offers us, we quite freely take. Unfortunately, chopping down trees and picking plants could mean that supplies are dwindling, which isn't good for the future of our planet for a number of reasons. Sustainable sourcing, however, ensures that we only use what we need, and replace whatever we can.
  • Fair Trade. We believe that everyone deserves to be paid fairly, and we strongly support the need for a minimum price to be paid for an ingredient, that supports our belief of sustaining the local environment.
  • Protecting Nature. We love soil, and that might sound crazy, but without it we wouldn't be able to buy the wonderful ingredients that go into our products. We love it so much, that we support strict guidelines that state how soil should be treated, with love and care, not with nasty poisons such as pesticides and herbicides. Plants don't need them, and neither does your skin, so we never buy ingredients that have been grown using them.

What ingredients DO we use?

Ingredients are important, and we know that you think so too. So, to help you discover exactly what is in the products you would be using, we've compiled an extensive list of all of the main ingredients that are used right across the Zesteen™ range. And, because we understand how confusing ingredients lists can be, we've also included a little bit about what they are, and what they actually do!

Aloe Vera

  • Where does it come from? Aloe Vera is extracted from the thick, green leaves of the Aloe Vera plant. The leaves are in fact what make the plant unique, as they are the plants main feature, since it typically doesn't have a stem. It is believed that the Aloe Vera plant originated in Africa, however, cultivation takes place right across the globe with growers in USA, Australia, India and Pakistan amongst many other countries, and it is also possible to grow Aloe Vera in your own home, as it is fairly easy to extract the Aloe Vera from the plants leaves.
  • The Goodness: Although popularly known for its soothing antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, Aloe Vera is also considered to be anti-irritant too.
  • What does it do? A natural antiseptic, Aloe Vera is well-known for its soothing properties, which make it a popular recommendation for various forms of light burns. However, it is also beneficial for calming blemished skin, by deeply nourishing it and leaving the surface feeling beautifully soft.

Benzoin

  • Where does it come from? The Essential Oil is extracted from the resin of the Benzoin tree. It grows in Java, Sumatra and Thailand. It is one of the classic ingredients in incense. It has a sweet, warm and vanilla-like aroma.
  • The Goodness: Benzoin oil is known for its antiseptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • What does it do? It benefits the skin by improving elasticity, helping cracked skin, while aiding the healing of sores and at the same time reducing redness, irritation and itching.

Cedarwood

  • Where does it come from? The Essential Oil is extracted from the wood of the cedarwood tree by steam distillation. Cedarwood is a coniferous evergreen and is native to North America. It has a soft, woody, pencil like smell, with a faint undertone of sandalwood.
  • The Goodness: Cedarwood oil is known for its soothing, antiseborrhoeic, antiseptic and astringent properties.
  • What does it do? It benefits the skin by its sedating ability which relieves itching, common in skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis. Its astringent action is great for acne and oily skin.

Grapefruit

  • Where does it come from? The Essential Oil is extracted from the grapefruit peel by cold compression. Grapefruit are native to Asian countries; however they are now cultivated in the USA, Brazil and Israel.
  • The Goodness: Grapefruit is known for its astringent properties, and being naturally high in Vitamin C, like most Citrus-based fruits, which is of course an excellent ant-oxidant.
  • What does it do? Grapefruit Essential Oil is mainly used to add the fragrance to the product. Its antiseptic and astringent properties mean that the oil will firm and tone your skin, whilst the Vitamin C leaves your skin feeling smooth.

Jojoba Oil

  • Where does it come from? Jojoba Oil is extracted from the Jojoba plant that is native to parts of Mexico and California. The oil used, is actually a yellow coloured liquid-based wax that derives from the seeds of the plant.
  • The Goodness: Known for being an emollient, Jojoba oil is also a useful antiseptic ingredient, and is known to be a fungicide.
  • What does it do? This oil is used for its emollient properties, which make it an excellent natural moisturiser, as the oil works to create a lipid barrier over the surface of the skin which allows the skin to retain moisture and remain nourished, for longer. This creates an ingredient that is perfectly suited for products aimed at those with dry skin. Its antiseptic properties help to combat infections, whilst clearing the pores of dirt and daily grime.

Lavender

  • Where does it come from? The Essential Oil is extracted from the flower heads of lavender by steam distillation. Lavender is an evergreen woody shrub with beautiful purple/blue flowers. The main producer is France, although there are species grown across the globe.
  • The Goodness: Lavender is known for its soothing and antiseptic properties.
  • What does it do? The soothing and anti-inflammatory action of lavender oil has a balancing action on the skin and relieves itching and inflammation commonly associated with acne. It tones and revitalises the skin.

Lemon

  • Where does it come from? The Essential Oil is extracted from the fresh and zingy fruit that is Lemon. Yum! Lemons are native to Asian countries; however they are commonly grown across the globe nowadays.
  • The Goodness: Lemon is known for its astringent properties, and being naturally high in Vitamin C, like most Citrus-based fruits, which is of course an excellent ant-oxidant.
  • What does it do? Lemon Essential Oil is mainly used to add the fragrance to the product, however, the astringent properties means that the oil will firm and tone your skin, whilst the Vitamin C leaves your skin feeling smooth.

Lemongrass

  • Where does it come from? The Essential Oil is extracted from the leaves of lemongrass by steam. Lemongrass is a perennial grass native to Asian countries; however it is now cultivated mostly in the West Indies, Africa and tropical Asia.
  • The Goodness: Lemongrass is known for its invigorating and antiseptic properties.
  • What does it do? Lemongrass Essential Oil is mainly used for its antiseptic and astringent properties. This means that the oil will help to open blocked pores, firm and tone your skin.

Lime

  • Where does it come from? The Essential Oil is cold pressed from the peel of the lime. Limes are native to Asian countries and other warm countries, especially Italy, the West Indies and the Americas.
  • The Goodness: Lime is known for its astringent properties, and being naturally high in Vitamin C, like most Citrus-based fruits, which is of course an excellent ant-oxidant.
  • What does it do? Lime Essential Oil is used to add the fragrance to the product, but it is an antiseptic, antiviral, astringent and bactericidal. The astringent properties mean that the oil will firm and tone your skin, whilst the Vitamin C leaves your skin feeling smooth.

Macadamia Oil

  • Where does it come from? The oil is extracted from the macadamia nut by cold pressing. The nuts have been historically grown in eastern Australia, although it can be grown in other hot climates such as South Africa, Brazil, Hawaii, USA and Kenya.
  • The Goodness: Macadamia oil is extremely high in Omega 7 (skins natural oil - sebum). It also contains Omega 3, 6, 9 and vitamin E.
  • What does it do? The oil is essentially an emollient that is a popular additive to skin care products due to it having anti-drying properties, as well as both nourishing and protecting the skin, leaving it feeling soft. The oil also absorbs quickly into the skin, rather than lingering on the surface.

Orange

  • Where does it come from? Orange Oil derives from the rind of the orange fruit, and not from the actual fruit that is commonly eaten. The oil is cold-pressed as a by-product of the production of orange juice. The fruit is not uniquely grown in any one country, and is in fact the most widely produced fruit in the world.
  • The Goodness: Similar to other Citrus fruits, Oranges contain copious amounts of Vitamin C, but also has antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
  • What does it do? Orange Oil is typically added to beauty products for its beautiful citrus aroma, however it is also useful for calming down inflammation caused by sun burn, acne etc. Some people also believe that it is beneficial for encouraging the healthy circulation of blood.

Palmarosa

  • Where does it come from? Palmarosa is a member of the Lemon Grass genus, and more specifically derives from the Cymbopogon Martinii species of the grass. The grass originates from India, where it is grown solely for the purpose of purveying the oil, and the oil is extracted before the grass has had the opportunity to flower.
  • The Goodness: Commonly used as an insect repellent, the oil is popular for its anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic and anti-acne properties.
  • What does it do? With its unusual, exotic rose-like fragrance, Palmarosa is quite a distinctive oil that revives the mind with its relaxing scent. Its various beneficial properties leave the skin clear and help to fight off acne, whilst keeping the skin free of infections. The oil is often added to soaps and cosmetics, as well as skin care products, and is considered to be non-irritating, making it ideal for even sensitive skin. It hydrates the skin, leaving it feeling nourished and soft.

Peppermint Oil

  • Where does it come from? Peppermint Oil derives from the leaves of the peppermint herb, and is extracted using alcohol. The peppermint herb is often referred to as Mentha x Piperita, and is a very common and widely sourced plant.
  • The Goodness: Peppermint is known for its anti-bacterial and cooling properties, thanks to the appearance of menthol.
  • What does it do? This oil has a wonderful cooling effect that leaves the skin feeling fresh and revitalised. This makes it an ideal ingredient for skin that is irritated by dryness, as it will reduce the itching and it will cool the skin down. The anti-bacterial properties help to combat any potential infections. The presence of menthol also helps to brighten up dull skin.

Rose Geranium

  • Where does it come from? Rose Geranium derives from the Pelargonium Radula species of Pelargonium plants, which are most commonly referred to as a Geranium, and originates from South Africa. It is more widely used in perfumes, and as such, is often added to beauty products for its rosy scent.
  • The Goodness: Apart from the wonderful smell, Rose Geranium has calming and relaxing properties.
  • What does it do? Through its scent, the oil has both balancing and uplifting properties that calm the mind; however, the oil is also useful for skin that is prone to acne, as it works at balancing out the levels of hormones, whilst stimulating the skin to regulate the production of sebum.

Shea Butter

  • Where does it come from? Shea Butter is an emollient fat, deriving from the Shea Tree that originates in African countries.
  • The Goodness: Shea Butter is absolutely bursting with nutrients that the skin loves, including Vitamins A and E, and a wide variety of beneficial fatty acids, such as: Linoleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid etc. It also contains a rich amount of anti-oxidants.
  • What does it do? The butter is a complex fat that absorbs quickly into the skin, without leaving it feeling heavy or greasy. This allows the skin to breathe, making the ingredient incredibly nourishing for dry skin sufferers whilst not clogging up the pores, which would otherwise encourage blackheads.

Sunflower Oil

  • Where does it come from? This essential oil is extracted from the seeds found in the centre of Sunflowers. Interestingly, despite being commonly found in gardens, Russia actually has the largest distribution of Sunflower Oil in the whole world.
  • The Goodness: Being an excellent source of both Vitamins B and E, this emollient oil is guaranteed to condition and soften your skin, but that's not all, as Sunflower Oil is also high in Zinc, which has amazing healing properties for the skin.
  • What does it do? Sunflower Oil is lightweight, so it doesn't feel heavy or linger on the surface of the skin, like some oils, so the pores won't become clogged. The healing properties of the oil create an ideal ingredient for treating skin irritations such as eczema, acne and various other inflammations.

Sweet Almond Oil

  • Where does it come from? Derived from Almonds that are typically native to the Middle East, the oil is extracted using a warm-pressing method.
  • The Goodness: Sweet Almond Oil is often considered to be a "super oil", as it contains 49% of oils. These oils are made up of Iron, Calcium, Potassium, Beta-Carotene and Vitamins B1, B2 and B6.
  • What does it do? The oil is essentially an emollient that is a popular additive to skin care products due to it having anti-drying properties, as well as both nourishing and protecting the skin, leaving it feeling soft. The oil also absorbs quickly into the skin, rather than lingering on the surface.

Tea Tree

  • Where does it come from? Tea Tree Oil is extracted from the leaves of the Narrow-Leaved Paperbark plant, found along the streams of New South Wales, Australia.
  • The Goodness: The oil is an excellent antiseptic and has anti-fungal properties; this is because the oil contains a large concentration of Terpinen-4-ol.
  • What does it do? The essential oil has been used on skin since the 1920s, and is commonly used to combat acne. Indeed, Tea Tree Oil is believed to be as effective, at combating spots, as the popularly used Benzoyl Peroxide. However, Tea Tree Oil is considered to be less likely to cause irritation and itching, because whilst Benzoyl Peroxide tends to react incredibly quickly in a way that tends to dry the skin out, it takes longer for Tea Tree Oil to come to effect on the skin. The antiseptic properties of the oil are also known to soothe and calm irritated flesh, which yet again making the oil a much more advisable option than the harshness of Benzoyl Peroxide.

Tomato Leaf

  • Where does it come from? Interestingly, Tomato Leaf Oil derives from the green leaves of the tomato plant and is classed as a Vegetable Oil, despite the fact that tomatoes are actually fruits. Tomatoes are grown widely across the globe, however, the largest suppliers of the fruit, are actually the Greeks who export over a million tonnes of tomatoes every single year.
  • The Goodness: Tomato leaf Oil is rich in Copper, Iron, Manganese and Zinc, as well as anti-oxidants and Vitamins E and K. The oil also has the benefit of containing fatty acid and amino acids.
  • What does it do? The minerals in Tomato leaf Oil assist in healing the skin and reducing shine, whilst absorbing quickly into the skin, making the ingredient particularly ideal for oily skin types.

Witch Hazel

  • Where does it come from? This incredibly popular astringent derives from both the bark and the leaves of the Witch Hazel shrub that is predominantly native to North America, but can also be found in areas of Canada. The ingredient is never sold as an independent product, purely because the shrubs cannot provide enough oil to make its production viable. It is, however, a common additive in products.
  • The Goodness: Not only is Witch Hazel an astringent, due to the copious amounts of Tannin found in the ingredient, but it is also an anti-oxidant.
  • What does it do? The anti-oxidant and astringent properties create a product that is great for tackling skin that is prone to acne. Witch Hazel is also effective for soothing and treating wounds, as well as the irritation of dry, itchy skin. However, it's a perfect cleanser and toner for all skin types.