The global beauty and skincare industry is in mourning following the passing of Trevor Steyn, the visionary South African scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Esse Skincare — a brand that pioneered microbiome-skincare and sustainable luxury in tandem. Though his life has ended too soon, his legacy lives on through the many lives he touched, the paradigm shift he sparked in skincare, and the enduring ethos he instilled in the brand he built.
A Life Guided by Science, Nature and Empathy
Born and educated in South Africa, Trevor Steyn began his career as an organic chemist, motivated by the rich botanical diversity of his homeland and the untapped potential of indigenous plants. kosmetikkmagasinet.no+1 He earned a master’s degree in 1996 and began intensive research into plant-based actives and bio-active compounds from African flora. kosmetikkmagasinet.no+1
In the early 2000s, he founded Esse Skincare in South Africa. The mission was simple yet revolutionary: develop skincare grounded in green chemistry, microbial skin-ecology, and ethical practice. gpmediavaktijdschriften.nl+1 Under Trevor’s leadership, Esse pivoted in 2009 to a microbiome-friendly formulation approach and in 2015 launched what was described as the world’s first live-probiotic serum for skin care. kosmetikkmagasinet.no+2Omics Online Publishing+2
Reshaping the Skincare Landscape
Trevor’s vision challenged conventional skincare narratives by emphasising the skin not as a barrier to be assaulted with chemicals, but as a delicate ecosystem of human cells and microbes. As his 2018 conference paper noted: “The human skin microbiome is very different … this new wave of treatments will form a new wave of skincare.” Omics Online Publishing
Under his stewardship, Esse became a global brand available in over 40 countries, highly regarded for combining high-performance formulations with ethical sourcing, fair-trade practices, and microbiome science. kosmetikkmagasinet.no+1 The brand’s commitment to sustainability — from packaging to manufacturing — became a benchmark for others in the industry.
Trevor also kept his feet firmly on the ground: friends recall that he preferred time in nature, surfing, hiking, and immersing himself in the natural environment that so inspired his work. kosmetikkmagasinet.no
A Beloved Leader & Community Builder
Those who worked with Trevor remember him not just as a brilliant scientist, but as a warm human being whose kindness, curiosity and mentorship were as impactful as his formulations. He actively participated in community upliftment, promoting fair-trade partnerships with African herbal cooperatives and encouraging women’s empowerment through his sourcing policies. gpmediavaktijdschriften.nl+1
Colleagues say he had an infectious laughter, a willingness to listen, and a genuine belief in doing well by doing good. In an industry often criticised for superficiality, Trevor brought depth, purpose and integrity.
A Legacy Carried Forward
While Trevor’s passing is a tremendous loss, the foundations he laid ensure that his spirit will endure:
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The brand he founded continues its mission of sustainability, science and accessibility.
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The shift towards microbiome-skincare that he championed has become a major segment and will likely grow further.
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The ethical sourcing and fair-trade frameworks he implemented serve as an example within and beyond skincare.
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Perhaps most importantly, the many people — scientists, formulators, brand-builders, activists and everyday users — who were inspired by his work will carry forward his ideals of compassion, innovation and environmental stewardship.
In Tribute
To Trevor Steyn we say: thank you for showing that skincare can be more than skin-deep. You taught us that science, sustainability and humanity need not be separate paths. You reminded us that the skin — our largest organ and barrier to the world — deserves care through respect for its ecosystem, for the planet, and for the people who inhabit it.
Rest in peace. Your vision, your kindness, your laughter and your achievements will continue to resonate across the skincare world and far beyond.
Hashtags to Honour His Memory
#TrevorSteyn #EsseLegacy #Sustainability #ProbioticSkincare
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