Once in a while you come across a brand that delivers all you want; and then goes on delivering the goodness… that’s what we found when we investigated how Essence of Humanity works.
Not only do these talented people make scrumptious natural skincare, but they have created an inspiring social enterprise to give back to the communities that provoked their mission for change. Founders Cass and Stace are big believers in ubuntu – a Kiswahili word meaning ‘human kindness’ – which is why 100% of surplus generated from Essence of Humanity sales will be used to support the poorest children around the world.
1. How is Essence for Humanity designed to help?
We’re at the very beginning of our journey to build Essence of Humanity into a fundraising platform, and we’re working hard to increase the sales that will deliver a surplus. As soon as we do (with your help here!) we will support So They Can www.sotheycan.org, the not-for-profit organisation Cass founded, which works in Africa providing education to children to break the poverty cycle, and Women’s Refuge here in New Zealand.
Ed: Feel free to donate to Women’s Refuge right now to make Christmas a little better for Kiwi women and children escaping domestic violence.
2. How did your personal experiences in Africa working to strengthen communities through education and community development lead you to the decision to create a way to generate funding through ethical skincare?
Cass says that working with communities in Africa for the last 10 years has taught her the importance of exchanging material wealth for the amazing emotional wealth and wisdom those communities gift us.
“The people in these communities teach us to be grateful for what we have rather than complaining about what we don’t; to live joyfully in the present moment and to have the determination and courage to make the most out of our lives. I believe connection is so important and by connecting the two very different worlds of NZ and Africa through this reciprocal exchange (materialised through the purchasing of Essence of Humanity products) we all improve the way we live.”
After hearing Cass speak about her experiences with So They Can, Stace made a trip to see the difference they’re making in Africa and felt a really strong desire to create something that would continually support So They Can and others.
“My passion is making beautiful skincare products that people love to use, so for me it’s a double win if what I do can also help alleviate poverty, and raise awareness of the concept of conscious consumption.”
3. Essence of Humanity is committed to building an ethical social business – how do you ensure products are ethical?
The natural skincare ingredients Essence of Humanity uses for their natural skincare range are sourced from ethical and sustainable suppliers – both in New Zealand and abroad. They’re blended in New Zealand’s leading natural skincare laboratory, tested on happy human volunteers, and packaged in 100% recyclable containers.
Stace spends a lot of time researching ingredients and the supply chain. This was a key part of her job at Trilogy and she’s been completely dedicated to traceability ever since. Stace provides the manufacturer with an exact brief of the ingredients that we want, so that there can be full traceability:
“Sustainability is very important in the natural skincare world now and we are starting to see more and more local co-ops working together to promote their ingredients for this cause. PhytoTrade Africa is a great example – their purpose is to alleviate poverty and protect biodiversity in the region by developing an industry that is not only economically successful but also ethical, sustainable and Access and Benefit Sharing compliant. Their ingredients are very high quality – their Mongongo Oil, from the baobab tree, is one of the ingredients that makes our Extraordinary Facial Oil so extraordinary!”
4. What is your daily skincare and wellness routine?
Cass:
“Very quick and simple. In the morning I use Essence of Humanity Softening Cream Cleanser in the shower followed by our Nourishing Moisture Cream. Before bed I use the Softening Cream Cleanser again followed by Extraordinary Facial Oil and Oneness Cream Balm. I also have the Oneness Cream Balm at my desk and am constantly applying it to my hands/arms/legs/lips. I love the smell, lightness, freshness and ease of our Essence of Humanity products.”
Stace:
“Mine is the same! ‘Less is more, and simple but effective’ is my mantra. Softening Cream Cleanser, Nourishing Moisture Cream and Extraordinary Facial Oil. I also rub the oil through my hair in summer to boost the shine.”
5. What is your favourite product and why?
Cass:
“All of them – seriously I wouldn’t want to be without any of them. If you really make me choose, I would have to say Everything Cream Balm at the moment. I’m living in Wanaka and has been very hot and dry lately – and summer’s only just begun!”
Stace:
“All of them, obviously! If I had to choose, it would have to be the ‘Power Duo’ – the Softening Cream Cleanser and Nourishing Moisture Cream that absorbs to a matte finish and leaves your skin refreshed and happy.”
6. What is the wonder ingredient you are most proud of?
Stace loves the Kalahari Melon Seed Oil, which has over 70% Omega 6 essential fatty acid content to increase hydration and skin smoothness, plus high phytosterol content – she says this is the next ‘Super Oil’!
The rich yellow oil of Kalahari melon seeds has been used traditionally in Southern Africa as a moisturiser to protect the skin from the sun, to promote hair growth, and as an ingredient in soap. The ground seeds also have a history of use as a cosmetic, primarily being used as a face and body scrub which is said to impart a blemish-free complexion to the skin. The juicy melons, despite their bitterness, have long been a crucial source of water for desert peoples. It is said that the bushmen can survive for six weeks in the desert on Kalahari melons alone.
Mafura Butter is another wonder ingredient, sourced from a small supplier in Tanzania. NZ Customs officers nearly destroyed the first shipment when it arrived battered, worn from travel and distinctly grubby from its trip across Africa! Luckily, industry insiders rallied around to help establish the parcel’s credibility, get it cleared and delivered and Cass was able to reassure the supplier that everything was perfect when he emailed to check that she was happy with the product.
7. What’s the nicest thing a customer has said after using a product?
“One of the nicest things is when people say they will never use anything else,” says Cass, “like the gorgeous Kimbra, one of our Essence Family, who reaches out to us whenever she is running low as she loves the range.”
Stace’s favourite is when customers tell her they just “can’t live without it”!
8. What made you grow up to be the kind of person to create an social enterprise?
When Cass was 16 she went on a student exchange to Argentina and worked in an orphanage.
“It gave me the feeling that ‘every child matters’, regardless of what country we live in. I felt the concept of Ubuntu; the sadness from other people’s sadness, and I wanted to have a purpose, to work towards alleviating suffering.
Stace says that both her grandmothers inspired her.
“One practised self-care and had a facial once a week; she had the most beautiful skin even when it got all wrinkly. My other grandmother was a herbalist and was always making products out of flowers and plants – they were our xmas presents every year.” 
9. What’s next for Essence of Humanity?
Cass and Stace agree that although they have lots of future plans, the goal right now is to increase sales of the existing Essence of Humanity products. They aim to build the brand and the Essence of Humanity family to provide a platform and grow the social movement towards more conscious consumption.
“Imagine if everything we bought contributed to alleviating poverty and bringing more balance to the world.”
10. What’s your Christmas Wish?
Cass:
“For Essence of Humanity to be bought by 10 million people, creating a funding stream for the most disadvantaged in the world. I’d like to have dinner with the man who bought the world’s ‘most beautiful camel’ from Dubai this year for $50 million and show him how much more joy he would get from investing that amount of money into poverty alleviation projects.”
Stace:
“For Essence of Humanity to become a global leader in socially conscious beauty, for our world to find peace and kindness for each other.”
Shop for Essence of Humanity now, or email win@ohnatural.co.nz by 22 Dec to enter to win a gorgeous Essence of Humanity skincare gift pack containing all four products!
The post 10 Questions with Stace & Cass, Essence of Humanity Founders appeared first on Oh Natural.