Dean Legg has set up a cruelty free Matcha skincare company which donates 5% of its profits to provide life-long sanctuary to rescued chimpanzees. We asked him why matcha is so beneficial for consumers and why primates in particular are so close to his heart.
Dean Legg
Why go vegan and cruelty free with your products?
Being cruelty free was important to us and in doing so it also made our products vegan. There is also a growing demand for vegan products so it made sense to register all of our products with the Vegan Society.
Why is Matcha green tea so good for your health and why is it so great for vegans?
Matcha green tea well…..I can't go a day without it. Personally it helps to keep me energised and makes me feel great. A lot of our customers say it has helped them to lose weight. The great thing as well is that Matcha isn't a fad product, it will be here for the long term like it's close friend regular green tea. For vegans we would say it's great for you if you're looking to experiment (it's a versatile ingredient that can be used in baking, smoothies, ice cream etc.). It's also great if you're looking for an extra energy boost but without the anxiety most people tend to get with coffee.
Please tell us about the problems you had with your skin as a teen.
I had terrible acne on my face that just really knocked my confidence. Sometimes I didn't go out because of it. I managed to improve my skin significantly by cutting out dairy and sugar and generally living a healthier lifestyle. I would also say to anyone with acne to be gentle on your skin. Keep your skin care regime really simple and gentle and avoid harsh products.
Have you seen improvements since using cruelty free and vegan products?
Yes for sure. The main reason for this is that it's opened me up to drinking regular green tea and matcha green tea.
Why did you want to donate money to the Save the Chimps charity? Why is this so special to you?
On a personal level I have always loved primates. I also think it's important for our company to give back some of our income to society. It's not really about the money for the business (although we have to make money to survive of course). It's more about doing good and building a lifestyle. We almost want our customers to feel like a friend and a brand they can trust. We're always looking to improve and are open to suggestions from our customers.
Why was it important to you to have an ethical company and what does it mean to run and ethical business?
I think it's important in the modern world to be ethical. We all have easy access to knowledge, which I feel makes the world a better place. It's important that the world continues to improve and businesses have a big role to play in this. Also work is a major part of our lives, so it's vital that businesses treat their staff well. We would hate to become greedy and purely profit-focused businesses can have a negative impact on the world.
What are the most common animal derived ingredients found in non-vegan products?
Lanolin is commonly found in skincare products. This is a fatty substance found in sheep's wool. We have also found that in natural products beeswax is very common as it helps to bind ingredients together. But beeswax is potentially a grey area for Vegans.
What is your skin routine now?
I probably shouldn't say this but it's sooooo simple. I use the PureChimp Super Cleanser once a day and that is it. I still have acne prone skin so for me it's important to keep things simple. Once a week I will try to deep cleanse my skin.
What is next for you?
Mmmmm good question. This changes on a weekly basis! At the moment we are strongly thinking about increasing our donations to charity from 5% of profits to 10%. We are also currently making it easier for international customers to purchase from us, as a UK based business I think it is important for us to bring money into the UK economy from overseas.
Tagged in Vegan