Where we started

Akasha Be Well Skincare is a sustainable, clean skincare line that aims to solve major issues in the modern-day beauty routine; routine, time, toxicity, and waste. In 2016, our Founder decided to launch this line after taking a holistic approach to her own skincare issues and wanted to help others who may be dealing with the same issues. During this time, she observed the excessive amount of single-use plastics, toxic and ineffective ingredients, and how many brands didn't adequately address the skincare needs. Did you know the average women applies 16 cosmetic products each day which may contain up to 168 different chemicals? Did you know, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, and personal care products are a large part of that problem. Over 129 billion units of packaging are wasted by the cosmetic industry every year.

Akasha Be Well Skincare addresses these issues and more. To begin, all our products are made with minimally altered plant ingredients. What that means is, we select ingredients that are as close to their natural form as possible to ensure they maintain their effectiveness and potency. Our multi-functional products are formulated to provide what you need to maintain healthy, balanced skin. We carefully source our materials, focusing on using high quality ingredients and sustainable packaging to keep the products fresh and effective prior to your use.  Our environment greatly benefits from recyclable materials using minimal plastics.  Last, we ensure our packaging reflects our beliefs. We use minimal plastics in manufacturing, in the end products, and shipping. We encourage the reuse and recycling of the little plastics and amber glass we do use. We do all of this while maintaining the small-batched and hand-crafted quality which our customers have come to love and expect.

Akasha Be Well Skincare is not simply a skincare line but a lifestyle. It came out of a need to find a clean, sustainable, and effective solution to my issues with oily and sensitive skin. I created a line that I am proud to use on the skin of my family, friends, and my own. To continue providing this amazing skincare experience, we need your help to scale, continue growing, and share the benefits of sustainably clean and all-natural skincare for your face and body.

Meet our Founder

I am Tesa Edmonson Jones, the owner and founder of Akasha Be Well Skincare. For most of my adult life, I've battled a multitude of skincare issues and tried many, many methods to try to "fight", "attack", and "fix". I suffered from cystic acne, uneven skin tone, excessive hyperpigmentation, different types of scarring to include hypertrophic and keloid, excessive dryness, and rebound oiliness. After the birth of my second child in 2000, my skin really took a turn for the worse.

As a teenager, my skin was normal and clear with minimal hormonal breakouts, however, after my child's birth, I felt like my skin began to attack me. I suffered prolonged breakouts, persistent and painfully deep cystic acne, and irritated, dry, flaking skin. I began to try to fix my skin with any product that promised results but only further exacerbated my issues and spawned rebound oiliness which I then tried to "fix" as well. As a result, my self-esteem plummeted, and I felt lost and confused. The products and methods I used, I later realized, were toxic and causing my persistent irritation and breakouts.

For the next several years, I researched different ingredients in the products and learned which ones were detrimental to my skin and which ones were beneficial. I was inspired to begin to DIY my own skincare. Through many trials, I finally found solutions that worked! Not only to clean my skin but to keep it clear, vibrant, glowing, and best of all, healthy. As a result, I spent many years refining and perfecting my processes and formulations to ensure the highest quality and efficacy.

The Products

Our product line is carefully formulated using the highest quality natural and organic ingredients from sustainable sources. We chose ingredients that support your overall health and wellness, skin, and our environment. We handcraft each product in small batches in Denver, CO. Our line includes three cleansers, a hydrating mist/toner, two serums, two facial masks, a moisturizer, a body buttercream, and lip balm. With a few new products slated to be launched by September 2020.

We Need Your Support to Meet our $10K Goal

The funding goal of $30,000 is to complete the process of obtaining our trademark, certifications (EWG, B Corp, ECOCERT, Leaping Bunny), corresponding extensive product testing to ensure highest manufacturing standards, and to increase our visibility via marketing  and advertising. Right now, the basic testing has been completed, but we still need to do the extensive testing required for certification. We have a need for additional staff to help with increased production as well as increased production costs for retail and wholesale contracts. Our products need continued marketing which translates to requiring photography and video production to properly meet marketing demands to stay in line with current trends and standards. The largest portion of the fund will be the actual testing, video, photography, and manufacturing costs.

The Expanded Mission

Over the years, I have realized how a good skincare routine can double as a part of your self-care practice. A facial becomes more than a skin treatment, it becomes a moment to relax and de-stress. An at home facial is no longer just about cleansing and moisturizing the skin but about resetting and recharging the mind and body. Therefore, I am now looking to expand the mission of Akasha Be Well Skincare to create products that help people build practical self-care routines. We call this expanded mission Be Akasha, which means to seek balance in your daily healthy self-care routine.

Water conservation and sustainability

Did you know water makes up as much as 70-80% of your average skincare products – leaving just 15-25% of the product made up of “actives” (the skin-beneficial ingredients) and preservatives?

Did you know…

• Oceans cover around 70% of the Earth’s surface and account for 97% of its water.
• Only 3% of all water on Earth is freshwater.
• Most of this freshwater is locked away in the form of ice caps and glaciers located in the polar regions.
• Only about 1% of all water found on this planet is easily accessible for human use.

To stay aligned with our current mission and vision, we have partnered with One Tree Planted to support our environment by planting trees in Rocky Mountain National Park. With every product purchase, a tree is planted. We are excited to continue to do this and we would like to expand into areas surrounding clean water, sustainability, and accessibility. In our efforts to do this, we will partner with established non-profits and community organizations. Together we're stronger!

Our Campaign

The money we raise through this campaign will be used to:

• Scale our existing skincare business

• Help secure additional certifications
• Upgrade packaging to include biodegradable plastic pumps and shipping materials.
• Expand the product line
• Acquire Commercial Lab Space
• Creating professional video content and product videos
• Production staff pay
• Wholesale account cash flow
• We want to continue to share the importance of regular self-care as well as healthy skincare and we need your help to do it. Your support means you are just as committed to this balanced wellness journey as we are and for that we are ever so grateful.