Shanley Knox
Jasmine Tran’s inspiration for starting her own line of natural products started at the age of five, when her mother bandaged a cut on her foot with freshly cut chives in order to prevent tetanus infection.
Years later, Tran has started a business selling skincare and aromatherapy products she said employ nature’s power to improve the quality of people’s lives.
“For years, I have been hearing people telling me how they are allergic to a certain brand of skincare without understanding exactly what their skin or body is responding to,” Tran said. “Over 95% of the ingredients in our product development come from natural sources. Half of these are derived from organic materials.”
Tran launched her company, Essance, in 2010, after dedicating a year to researching the therapeutic value of botanical extracts and essential oils. Essance offers a range of natural products, including perfume oils, body, massage and essential oil blends, along with face and body cream. Tran uses her expertise with oils to use the top, middle and base notes of essential oils to help balance the mind, emotions and body.
All of the company’s oils and skin products are made in Oregon. Tran’s products include natural ingredients such as sweet almond oil, beeswax, palm oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, avocado oil and neem oil, among others. Her natural perfumes include organic jojoba oil, organic coconut oil and essential oils.
Tran said she hopes to help more people understand that, unless they purposefully choose natural products, the kitchen and bathroom can be the most toxic zone in the home.
Along with her interest in natural products, Tran said said that she began to want to help others at a young age. She said one of her goals behind Essance is to be able to provide monetary support for orphanages in Vietnam.
Essance products can be purchased online, as well as the Essance shop in Portland, Oregon.
