CALL TO ACTION
It all started with our passion for nature. “Let’s make a perfect 100% natural shampoo,” was the first idea, but soon we realised that it was not entirely doable.
Therefore, we made a compromise and started to develop products with as many natural and as few synthetic components as possible. We started with our Kids line. Since the response was positive, we added shower gels and facial creams.
Do you know where the name came from?
THE BEGINNING
We started developing our line in 2010. We launched our first products in the Slovenian market in 2012.
Since we wanted our products to be Ecocert certified, we had to find producers outside the country and started as a Private labelled Brand.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Our initial idea was to sell products through direct marketing approach, but we soon discovered that the Slovenian market was too small for the desired growth.
We participated at the Vivanes fair in 2014, which indicated the company’s future orientation would be European markets. The high interest the foreign distributors expressed at the fair, and positive comments regarding the quality and the fresh looks of the products, made our desire to be on the European market even more significant.
We replaced the direct sales model with the B2B model.
WITH A NEW STRATEGY IN 2015 WE WERE REBORN
The fresh wind of change blew through the company in 2015. A new approach in marketing, new packaging design, participation in various cosmetics fairs, development of new lines.
New marketing strategy, which focused on promotion through international cosmetic fairs, started to show results. We have been participating at the world’s biggest cosmetics fairs in Europe, Asia and Middle East. Through the fairs we have been gaining new strategic partners around the world.
We achieved 100% growth. We knew we are on a right track.
FROM PRIVATE LABEL BRAND TO MANUFACTURER
With involvement of a new partner and co-owner in 2016, a dream to be manufacturer started to come true.
Bio-chemist and technologist Tine brought the relevant knowledge and experience and the opening of a lab with production facility qualified us among manufacturers. We are a manufacturer with our own internal research, development, quality control, graphic design and production.
YEAR 2016 – THE YEAR TO REMEMBER
We received the first beauty awards
The efforts of our work were first awarded at the end of the 2016, when Singapore Beauty & Wellness Awards by Beauty Insider selected Essentiq Neutral Facial Cleansing gel Green Lemon and May Chang as:
- the Winner of the category Best Face Saver by Editor’s choice and as,
- the Winner of the category Best Natural & Organic Product by Reader’s choice.
WHO WE ARE?
We are three partners, with three different backgrounds, but a common passion for nature and the preservation of the wisdom, knowledge, and traditions of our ancestors. These are the driving forces of Essentiq.
We are always busy either developing new products, improving formulations of old products to be in line with latest developments, or launching new promotional or social responsibility campaigns. But regardless of what we do, we always do it with conscientiousness and enthusiasm, as well as love and respect for nature and all living beings.
At heart, we are a team of romantics, inspired by pure beauty.
Read more about us...
Tine’s grandfather was a well-known pharmacist in Ljubljana, who had opened his pharmacy back in 1932. His focus and passion was the study of herbal plants and their healing effects. He developed two important ointments, ‘Okama’ and spruce resin. Okama, short for Oblak’s camomile ointment, was beneficial for various skin problems, such as cracked skin, burns, insect bites and inflammations. Spruce-resin ointment was used for the treatment of open wounds and bedsores. Before he died, he also developed a cream called Herbana, intended as a multi-purpose ointment, but especially for the treatment of all skin complaints (for example, dermatitis), for the care of the dry skin on the face, and for reducing allergy and inflammation of the skin. Although he considered this cream as the crown of his knowledge and experience, it never achieved the success of its two predecessors.
Tine shares and continues his grandfather’s passion for herbs and the development of herbal products. As our product developer, he makes sure that Essentiq’s products are of high quality and effective, but skin friendly at the same time.
Tanja’s perspective about cosmetics changed after the birth of her son. Similar to herself, her son suffers from dermatitis. Tanja has been on and off corticosteroids since she was four years old. But she never paid any attention to precautionary measures until her son started to suffer from the same problem. Only then she realised that it is not only important what we put into ourselves but also what we put on ourselves. And when it comes to skin protection, the quality of cosmetic products does matter. She and her son test every Essentiq product to check the reaction of their sensitive skin. She always says, ‘I would never offer customers something that I would not use for myself or my children’.
Blaž has spent his childhood surrounded by hilly vineyards, bright deciduous forests, and vast fields. He and his friends often climbed the tallest beech trees to enjoy the spectacular views of the valleys and the chequered patterns of green and golden meadows, all perfect rectangles. Blaž studied and spent his first working years in urban Ljubljana, but the images and feelings of his childhood became more and more vibrant, and finally made him move back to rural Slovenia. These days he is a happy and passionate owner of an eco-garden which is steadily growing.
Nature inspires him at his work. You can feel his love for nature in Essentiq’s graphic design. Clean, fresh and colourful.
Blaž Topolinjak, Co-owner, AD&Design
Tanja Božinac, Founder, Managing Director
Tine Oblak, Co-owner, Research and Development
FEATURES OF PRODUCTS
Our products contain 98–99% natural/organic ingredients. The remaining 1–2% include preservatives, stabilizers and active ingredients, such as vitamins.
Our products are:
- SULPHATE FREE
- PEGs AND EO FREE
- SYNTHETIC COLOURS FREE
- MINERAL OIL AND SILICONES FREE
- PHTHALATE FREE
- GMO FREE
- PARABENS and PHENOXYETHANOL FREE
All products are VEGAN and developed CRUELTY FREE. They are CERITFIED ORGANIC BY ECOGEA STANDARD.
Read more about what ECOGEA standards requite:
- A minimum of 95% of natural ingredients required natural/organic ingredients.
- 10% – 100% of processed natural ingredients from agricultural source (physically and/or chemically), depending on a product category, is required.
- Very strict limitation regarding synthetic additives with no natural alternatives.
- Products MUST NOT contain any controversial preservatives like parabens, phenoxyethanol or sources of formaldehyde, synthetic colorants, PEG (polyethylene glycol) and EO (Ethylene oxide), GMOs, mineral oil (paraffin) and silicones.
- Maximum 0.3% of fragrance is allowed in total substance. All fragrances must have IFRA certificate and precise allergen declaration.
- Packaging must be recyclable.
For more detailed information about ECOGEA standard, check here (www.ecogea.org).
2018 BREAK THROUGH
Two new lines, award nominations, new source of income initiated.
The launch of a plant stem cells based luxury line MAGIC immediately attracted attention on the cosmetic market and with end users. Cosmoprof Awards selected Essentiq MAGIC 40+ as a finalist in the category of most innovative NATURAL&ORGANIC PRODUCT, and Cosmoprof Trends, curated by Beautystreams, listed Essentiq MAGIC 40+ as one of the key products in the latest beauty trends.
We were in the process of intensive finalisation of development process of Essentiq PROLINE – organic cosmetics for professional beauty treatments. The innovative and fresh concept was developed and offered to beauticians, allowing them to combine individual ingredients and thus make personalised beauty treatments.
We started to accept private-label projects for different clients – retailers, beauty studios, on-line platforms. Soon we realised that it is a good business, worth further development.
OUR VALUES
Regardless of the changes in strategy, design or growth, after 7 years our values are still the same as when we first began …
We develop high-quality natural and organic products that are a result of traditional knowledge, enhanced with modern, innovative concepts.
We respect the environment and work in harmony with it, not destroying or harming it – we say no to ingredients that are toxic to the environment, could harm the environment, create harmful by-products or are non-recycable.
We strive to achieve satisfaction for every one who cooperates with us – if you have a question, an opinion, or wish to have more information, do not hesitate to contact us.
We will listen to every voice, so let us know your opinion, wishes or ideas, and help us shape our products to respond to your needs.