Embrace Veganuary with Quintessential: A Vegan Skincare Choice for Sustainable Beauty

As the New Year unfolds, many embark on the journey of Veganuary, a commitment to a plant-based lifestyle for the entire month of January. Veganism s a movement that transcends dietary choices and extends to every aspect of life, including our skincare routines. At Quintessential, we celebrate Veganuary wholeheartedly, not just as an introduction to a lifestyle choice but as a commitment to a sustainable and compassionate world. In this blog, we explore the profound connection between Veganuary, cruelty-free beauty, and sustainability, shedding light on why choosing vegan skincare is a crucial aspect of this transformative lifestyle.

The Impact of Vegan Choices:

Veganism is a global movement that transcends personal choices; it's a collective effort to reduce our impact on the environment. Animal agriculture, a common source of many beauty ingredients, is a significant contributor to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and habitat destruction. By choosing a Vegan lifestyle you actively participate in mitigating these environmental challenges and promoting a more sustainable world.

The Vegan Lifestyle Beyond Diet:

Veganism isn't just about what we eat; it's a holistic lifestyle choice that extends to every facet of our daily routines. Skincare and make-up are often overlooked because it’s not always clear that there are animal based ingredients in the bottle. Things like Collagen and Lanolin are common place and are derived from animal sources. Choosing vegan skincare is an integral part of the Vegan journey, ensuring that the products we use are free from animal-derived ingredients and cruelty-free. We understands the importance of this comprehensive approach and offer skincare that is ethically crafted, respecting the sanctity of all living beings.

Sustainable Beauty: A Quintessential Commitment:

Beyond cruelty-free and vegan formulations, Quintessential is dedicated to sustainable beauty. Our commitment goes beyond the products themselves, encompassing every step of our production and packaging processes. From recyclable packaging to ethical sourcing, we prioritize environmental responsibility, contributing to the larger goal of reducing our ecological footprint. Beauty shouldn’t cost the world - either in price of a bottle or cost to the planet.

The Quintessential Vegan Advantage:

Quintessential Skincare stands proudly as a vegan brand, offering a range of cruelty-free, plant-based products that prioritize both your skin's health and the well-being of the planet. When you choose Quintessential, you're not just opting for skincare; you're choosing a brand that aligns with your values and contributes to a more sustainable future.

Explore our exquisite range of vegan skincare products designed to cater to various skin needs. From our cleansers to serums, eye creams, and moisturizers, each product is crafted with precision using plant-based ingredients. Embrace the power of nature in your skincare routine, and let Quintessential be your companion in this transformative journey.

The Veganuary Challenge:

As the founder of Quintessential, I'm excited to take on the Veganuary challenge alongside you. It's not just about adopting a plant-based diet for a month; it's about embracing a lifestyle that reflects our commitment to a better, kinder world. Join us in this empowering journey, and let's inspire positive change together.

As you embark on this transformative journey, consider the impact of your skincare choices. Quintessential Skincare is here to support you with a range of vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products that align with your values. Let's make Veganuary 2024 a celebration of mindful choices, both for ourselves and the planet. Embrace the beauty of vegan living, and let Quintessential be your trusted partner on this incredible adventure.

A Cosmetic Ingredients Environmental Threat We Can't Ignore

Introduction

In our quest for healthier living, we've grown more conscious of the ingredients in our everyday products. Triclosan, once seen as a microbial hero, has now revealed its darker side, posing a significant environmental threat. In this Quintessential blog post, we'll explore why triclosan is detrimental to our planet and how to navigate this unseen danger.

1. Persistent Pollution: Triclosan's Long-Lasting Impact

Triclosan doesn't disappear once it enters the environment; it lingers, resisting degradation and contaminating waterways. Its longevity makes it a formidable pollutant, infiltrating rivers, lakes, and oceans with a lasting grip.

2. Toxic Trouble for Aquatic Ecosystems

Studies have shown that triclosan is highly toxic to aquatic organisms, even at low concentrations. Algae, fish, and amphibians suffer disruptions to their hormonal systems, leading to reproductive and developmental issues. This disruption has far-reaching consequences, affecting the entire aquatic food chain.

3. Fueling Antibiotic Resistance

The widespread use of antimicrobial agents like triclosan contributes to antibiotic resistance. Triclosan's ubiquity can breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a grave threat to human health. These resilient bacteria can infiltrate the environment, complicating efforts to combat infectious diseases.

4. Terrestrial Impact: Soil and Crop Concerns

Triclosan isn't confined to water; it can accumulate in soil, affecting plant growth and potentially disrupting ecosystems. Its use in agriculture can lead to groundwater contamination, compounding pollution issues and threatening crop yields.

5. Pervasive Presence in Consumer Products

Triclosan is found in numerous consumer products, from hand sanitizers to toothpaste and cosmetics. Its widespread use magnifies its environmental impact, intensifying its detrimental effects on our planet.

Conclusion

Triclosan, once celebrated for its antimicrobial prowess, now stands as a potent environmental adversary. Its persistent presence, toxic effects on aquatic life, role in antibiotic resistance, and pervasiveness in consumer products all warrant reconsideration. As eco-conscious consumers, we have the power to drive change. By choosing triclosan-free products, supporting regulations to limit its use, and exploring sustainable alternatives, we can pave the way to a cleaner, healthier planet, free from the hidden harm of triclosan.

The Quintessential Moisturiser is and always has been Triclosan free.

Unmasking the Environmental Impact of Skincare Ingredients: A Greener Path Forward

In the quest for radiant skin, it's essential to consider not only what we put on our faces but also the impact these choices have on our planet. The skincare industry, although offering a plethora of options for enhancing our beauty routines, often leaves behind a trail of environmental repercussions. Let's delve into some common skincare ingredients—petroleum-derived compounds, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and palm oil—and unveil the environmental consequences they bring, both during their production and when they enter our ecosystems.

Petroleum-Derived Ingredients: A Fossil Fuel Footprint

Petroleum-derived ingredients, often hidden behind scientific-sounding names like "mineral oil" and "petrolatum," find their way into skincare products due to their moisturizing properties. However, the extraction and processing of petroleum are resource-intensive, contributing to air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions. These compounds have a long-lasting impact on the environment and can persist for years after being washed down the drain, posing a threat to aquatic life.

Synthetic Fragrances: A Scented Conundrum

Synthetic fragrances might make your skincare products smell enticing, but they often come with a hidden cost. Many synthetic fragrances contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to air pollution and can trigger respiratory issues. When washed off, these fragrances enter our water systems, where they can interfere with aquatic ecosystems and potentially harm aquatic life.

What's even more concerning is the lack of transparency in fragrance formulations. When you see "fragrance" listed in the ingredients, it's actually a catch-all term that can hide a litany of potentially harmful substances. Skincare companies are not required to disclose the specific chemicals used to create the fragrance, making it impossible for consumers to make informed choices about what they're putting on their skin.
That’s why we did not add fragrance to our moisturiser. It smells the way it does because of the natural ingredients we use, a little oaty but fresh.

Parabens: A Preservative Predicament

Parabens, commonly used as preservatives to extend the shelf life of products, have faced scrutiny due to their potential endocrine-disrupting properties. Beyond their potential effects on our health, parabens can also end up in the environment after being washed off. Once they enter water bodies, they can disrupt hormonal systems in aquatic organisms and contribute to ecological imbalances.

While the use of preservatives is essential to maintain product integrity, at Quintessential Skincare, we've embraced innovation to minimize the environmental impact. Our innovative packaging, designed to be airtight and opaque, ensures that our products remain protected from external elements. This means our products can't go off as they are shielded from the outside world, reducing the need for excessive preservatives. This approach is particularly significant for moisturizers in pots, where every dip of a finger introduces bacteria into the container, necessitating higher amounts of preservatives.

Palm Oil: A Dilemma of Deforestation

Palm oil, frequently used as an emollient in skincare products, poses a complex challenge. The expansion of palm oil plantations has led to deforestation in sensitive ecosystems, contributing to habitat loss for endangered species and exacerbating climate change. Furthermore, palm oil production has been linked to poor labor practices and social injustices in some regions.

Choosing skincare products with a conscience doesn't mean sacrificing your self-care routine. By being mindful of the ingredients in your products and supporting brands that prioritize environmental responsibility, you can contribute to a healthier planet and a more beautiful future.

Together, we can take steps towards a greener, more radiant world—one skincare choice at a time.

Sustainable Beauty: Our Ethical Packaging Journey in the Cosmetics Industry

In an industry that prides itself on enhancing natural beauty, the cosmetics sector often falls short when it comes to the beauty of our planet. Excessive and wasteful packaging has become an all-too-common practice, prioritizing aesthetics over environmental impact. However, at Quintessential Skincare, we have embarked on a transformative journey to embrace ethical, recyclable, and functional packaging that not only preserves the integrity of our products but also protects the world we cherish.

Unveiling the Packaging Predicament:

The cosmetic industry's packaging obsession has led to a global environmental crisis. Countless products are packaged in layers of plastic, glass, and other non-biodegradable materials that end up in landfills and oceans, suffocating wildlife and polluting ecosystems. It's time for a shift in mindset, one that emphasizes sustainability over vanity.

Ethical Sourcing and Responsible Materials:

At Quintessential Skincare, we began our ethical packaging journey with responsible sourcing. We collaborate with suppliers who share our vision of sustainability, ensuring that our materials have minimal environmental impact. From recycled plastics, that can continue to be recycled after use, to biodegradable options, our goal is to leave a lighter footprint on the Earth.
We have looked at every aspect of our practices from the packaging that our product comes in, to the box it is shipped in, to the thank you card.

Recycling and Reusability:

While many companies offer recyclable packaging, the reality is that a significant portion of plastic waste never finds its way to recycling facilities. To combat this issue, we have taken the extra step of providing clear instructions on how to recycle our packaging properly and ensured that our packaging is easy to sort and recycle for recycling facilities.

The Power of Airtight and Opaque Packaging:

Protecting the integrity of our products is crucial to us. We use an airtight pump system that prevents air from entering the container, safeguarding the efficacy and freshness of our formulations. Moreover, by utilizing opaque materials, we shield our products from harmful UV rays, preserving their potency and extending shelf life.

Balancing Functionality and Elegance:

In our quest for sustainability, we understand that packaging should not only be eco-friendly but also functional and appealing to our customers. We carefully balance elegance with practicality, ensuring that our packaging not only complements our brand image but also serves a purpose in the daily lives of our consumers.

Educating Consumers:

We believe that an educated consumer base is a powerful catalyst for change. Through our website, social media channels, and product packaging, we educate our customers about the importance of making environmentally conscious choices. By raising awareness, we hope to inspire a collective commitment to protecting the planet.

Conclusion:

The cosmetics industry has the potential to redefine beauty beyond skin deep. As a brand that advocates for ethical and sustainable practices, we take our role seriously. Our journey towards embracing recyclable and functional packaging is a testament to our dedication to preserving the planet and nurturing beauty in all its forms.

In a world where appearances can deceive, we choose to focus on the substance beneath the surface. Our airtight, opaque, and recyclable packaging reflects not only our commitment to product quality but also our responsibility as a company. Together, we can break free from the chains of excessive packaging and celebrate a new era of sustainable beauty.

As we continue to evolve, we invite you, our customers, to join us in this pursuit of sustainability. Together, let us redefine beauty, one responsible choice at a time, and make the world a more beautiful place for generations to come.

Alcohol in Skincare Explained

Skincare results - Guaranteed

Today we are launching our guarantee. Use our Moisturiser for six weeks and if you don’t think it’s the best Moisturiser you’ve ever used, we’ll give you your money back.

Why are we doing this?

We know our product works. We know you’re (finally!) going to see the results you want. We also know that a new company needs to build trust, we’re new, we have big claims and we’re here to show you we have the goods to back it up.

How can we guarantee results?

Well, your skin (like every other cell in your body), needs nothing more than Essential Nutrients. This the name for a class of nutrients that your cells can’t make, so they need to come from your diet, you already know what these are, Vitamins, Minerals, Omega 3, 6, & 9. Our Moisturiser has all of them, in levels that make a difference, so your skin has everything it needs to work at its best.

Completely nourished skin is able to tackle and heal wrinkles, pigmentation, dryness, control excess oiliness and look flawless.

So our promise is the best Moisturiser you’ve ever used, delivering completely nourished skin, or we’ll give you your money back.

Why You Should Avoid Oil Free Skincare

Oil gets such a bad rep in the world of skincare and it’s easy to see why. Over the years there have been trends that have put many of us off using oils altogether. A decade ago the world of skincare became obsessed with Coconut oil. It was marketed as the cure for any skin concern you could have, from breakouts to pigmentation, wrinkles to irritation, even as a natural toothpaste. What did most of us get from this trend? Blackheads.

‘Oil Free’ skincare is often heralded as the solution to looking greasy or shiny but it’s actually counter-intuitive. More on that later but let’s start with why Oil is important.

Vitamins are divided into two types, water-soluble and oil-soluble (although in nutrition it’s often called fat-soluble but those terms mean the same thing!). Oil-soluble vitamins (A, D, E & K) are just as important for your skin as they are for your diet. They play vital roles in the health of your skin, see below;

• Vitamin A (Retinol) - helps cell turn over (anti-wrinkle), speeding up healing

• Vitamin E - strengthens skin barrier, antioxidant

• Vitamin D - skin cell growth, skin protection

• Vitamin K - wound healing and repairing, anti-inflammatory

Skincare that doesn’t have oil in it, cannot have any of the above Vitamins in it, as there’s no fluid to carry it in. So when we apply things without oil, we’re doing a disservice to our skin, we are giving it some of the things it needs and not all. We’re also then missing out on all of the benefits that oil-soluble vitamins have to offer and let’s remember that Vitamin A (commonly known and marketed as Retinol) is one of the best anti-wrinkle ingredients in the world.

There’s a misconception that if your skin is oily, you should avoid using anything with oil in it and that this will then reduce the shininess. In reality, your skin produces oil to try to lock moisture in and reduce the amount of water that is lost throughout the day. Oil sits on top of the skin to work as a physical barrier to stop that water loss. If your skin is overproducing oils and you feel it looks shiny or greasy, it’s almost always very dehydrated. A moisturiser that has both oil and water, will work to add water to the skin and use oil to lock it in. Once the skin is completely nourished and maintaining optimum hydration levels, it will slow down the production of oil, in turn reducing the shine.

Using ‘Oil Free’ may help in the very short term with oily/ greasy skin but it’s not working on the root cause or helping your skin to lock moisture in.

When it comes to adding oils to skincare, not all oils are created equal, there are some that can feel heavy on the skin, that aren’t easy to absorb (think of any time you’ve ever gotten Coconut or Olive Oil on your skin when cooking and how it can be a pain to get off even with soap). But other oils exist that are much thinner, are easily absorbed and still have high levels of the oil-soluble nutrients in them. In our Moisturiser we use a blend of Jojoba, Sunflower Seed and Oat oils that is completely absorbed into the skin, leaving no residue but full nourishment.

Packaging that does more than look pretty

Moisturiser is a beautiful mix of water, oils, plant extracts and added nutrients, all stewed together like a big broth. While Quintessential uses natural ingredients, even chemical based cosmetics need to consider how to stop the product going off.  There are two problems facing cosmetics in the real water - separation and bacteria.

Oil and water are not meant to mix, over time these ingredients separate, active ingredients will react with anything possible and become less active, some will oxidise if air gets in, others will break down if presented with light.  Companies put additives in that stop active ingredients reacting and the oil and water from separating.

The other problem that cosmetics face is bacteria. When you open a jar and put your fingers in to get some out, you are transferring bacteria into the pot.  Once in, the bacteria has moisture, air and nutrients, everything it needs to multiply.  To counter this, companies have to put preservatives in that will stop them growing.  

You’ll see on the back of your containers is a symbol of an open jar with a number in.  This shows you long you have to use a product once it’s opened. This is done through clinical trials that test how long before bacteria can grow and the oil separates (which ever happens first)

We opted not to use preservative so that every ingredient could be active, which presented us with some issues - how do we stop things living in our moisturiser?  Well if we can make sure no bacteria can get in, by having a sealed product that is dispensed, coupled with no air getting in, there’s no need for preservative.

Our airless pump has a base inside that moves up with every pump, creating a vacuum.  This means that you get it dispensed onto your fingers instead of sticking your fingers in and no air gets into the container for anything to grow. 

Light proves another issue - some of our active ingredients (vitamin A and C) are photosensitive, so they break down under light.  We chose an opaque container meaning these ingredients remain intact until they touch your skin.

Our pumps are 100% recyclable and sourced from inside the EU.  This helps us keep a small carbon footprint and care for the planet.  Please recycle yours when done.

Not all vitamin C's are made equal

Vitamin C and Retinol are the buzz words in skincare at the moment and with very good reason. They promise results you will see at home in a short period of time. In this blog we are going to focus on Vitamin C, we will discuss Retinol in another blog.

Vitamin C is a really exceptional compound. This isn't news, we’ve known about this since pirates started using oranges to stop scurvy.  It’s one of the few ingredients that makes a visible difference to skin within a week or two, so it was one of the first ingredients we knew we had to get right.

You see, the thing that makes this vitamin so exceptional is also it’s difficulty - it’s really active.  It’s active properties are what gives it the ability to be an antioxidant (more on than later) but this means it will react with itself, the air and any light it comes into contact with, thus constantly degrading the compound.  If you are using normal vitamin C (ascorbic acid) this can happen within weeks, meaning that after production, you would have to start using the product within that time to see any benefit.  At Quintessential, we knew it was imperative that you got all of the vitamin C into your skin that we put into our product, so we sourced a self-preserved form of the vitamin.  Stable for decades, this compound breaks down upon contact with your skin, delivering vitamin C where you need it, in your skin. 

To ensure that you get as much of the vitamin C and all of other ingredients that we use, we made sure our packaging was smart and worked for our needs.  Many active ingredients, including this one, will react to light or oxygen.  These are the ingredients you want as much of as possible because they are going to give you the results you want.  There are two options, use lots of preservatives or use smart packaging.  I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to understand we went with the latter.  Our packaging is an air tight pump, with a mechanism inside that moves up instead of letting air in, all packaged into an opaque container that doesn’t let light in.  The best part?  The whole pump is 100% recyclable!.

Antioxidant is a term that is thrown around, many people can tell you the names of antioxidants but not what they actually do, so we thought we would bring you up to speed.  Every cell in your body may seem small but they have a lot going on inside.  There is all forms of metabolic processes and reactions happening, to maintain the life of the cell and ultimately you.  Some of these processes create free radicals.  Free radicals are tiny, highly reactive compounds that flurry around looking for something to bind with.  While searching for something to bind with, they can damage the inside of cells and our DNA.  This is completely normal and a part of everyday life for every cell (certainly human anyway) in the world. Antioxidants are your best defence against free radicals, they are the perfect partner for binding with free radicals.  Vitamin C is just one example, among many, of antioxidants and is something your body is already using to fight it. 

Vitamin C is used in every cell in your body, helping to protect and keep cells healthy, it even helps with wound healing.  When applied topically (to your skin), it visibly reduces pigmentation, increases radiance and evens out skin tone. 

So we know it's really important for every cell in the body and when it is used in skincare enhances radiance and helps diminish skin pigmentation and nourishes your skin.

The Quintessential Story

Our journey started with a strive to understand skin. Too many skincare products promise a quick fix. They use light-enhancing particles to give the false appearance of radiance and instant plumping agents to temporarily reduce lines. These need to be re-applied constantly to work, and your skin remains deprived of the building blocks it needs to truly look its best. We asked, what active ingredients have a real, lasting effect on common concerns such as dry or oily skin? When we want fewer lines, more radiance and a lasting glow—what does our skin actually need?

It turns out that skin cells are no different to any other cell in the body. They need the same goodness to sustain their natural processes—the same vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fats and energy present in what we eat. They’re the same compounds that nourish the rest of our bodies, so when we’re deficient in them, it makes sense that our skin cells struggle to thrive.

Quintessential is our solution to nourishing every skin cell in your body. Our moisturiser contains no artificial plumping agents or filler. It’s designed for all skin types, providing a unique blend of essential nutrients which give your skin everything it needs to thrive and look its best for longer. A concoction of perfectly balanced, natural ingredients, Quintessential is the ultimate formula for crease-free, vibrant skin. We believe that when your skin cells have all the nutrients they need, they’ll do the rest, naturally.

But we’re not stopping there. We want to revolutionise skincare industry by educating people about what real skin health needs.

The most overlooked ingredient in skincare

Above all else, the number one ingredient in your moisturiser is water. The number one thing your moisturiser should do is hydrate. 

Nowadays we ask for a lot from our moisturiser, to get rid of pigmentation and wrinkles, make us look radiant and younger, and while our cream certainly does that, these should be add-ons.  The number one thing our skin needs, the number one essential nutrient is Water.

How many of us are guilty of not getting enough water in our diets?  Too much coffee during the day or wine in the evening?  Even if you make the recommended 8 glasses of water, chances are your skin is still dehydrated.  Most people think they have dry skin, when they in fact have dehydrated.  Once you know the difference, it’s easy to spot – dry skin needs oil, dehydrated skin needs Water.  While your skin can be both, most (yes even oily skin) is dehydrated long before it becomes dry.

Throughout the day your skin loses water through evaporation, with a technical term of ‘transepidermal water loss’ it can be confusing so we’re choosing to just call it water loss, it’s important to make sure your skin is well hydrated in both the amount of water you’re drinking and in the products you use.  Dehydrated skin has less radiance and appears duller, while also becoming less plump it will accentuate fine lines and wrinkles and can even make them appear in places you hadn’t seen any.  This is why a lot of moisturisers have ‘plumper’ ingredients that make your skin fuller so that these lines are diminished.  Sadly these ingredients are temporary and at maximum last only 12 hours, so we’ve stayed away from them, opting for ingredients that have benefits longer term.  Proper hydration can stop the formation of wrinkles in their tracks.

Now we are talking about water in the skin but oil is crucial in this process.  Your skin naturally produces oils and one of the jobs they play is to slow down water loss in the skin and lock it in.  If you’re skin is overproducing oil and you’re using products that are oil free, it’s worth seeing if your skin is dehydrated.  You can keep applying your moisturiser but if your skin can’t retain the water, it’s going to keep producing oils to try and lock it in but that’s for another blog on why oil is crucial to ALL skin.

Skin cells, like every other cell in your body, are made up mostly of water.  Not having enough water can lead to undesirable symptoms like dryness, tightness and flaky skin but also flat, dull and wrinkled skin.  We’ve use purified water in the Quintessential Moisturiser and combined it with water soluble nutrients, oils and oil soluble nutrients to make sure your skin has everything it needs to work at its’ best.