Temple Zen Organic Skin Care by Jashiro Dean

Jashiro and I have been playing email tag since June 2016, and for good reason. While Jashiro was rebranding and reformulating his collection, unbeknownst to me, I enrolled in a marketing research course that was taking up most of my time. Now that I have completed the program 14 months later, I have the honor of featuring Temple Zen Organic Skin Care as my first interview post graduation.

In the meantime, Jashiro sent me his new products to try, which I thoroughly enjoy and plan to publish a full review on over the next couple of weeks. But until then, get to know more about Jashiro and his approach to Temple Zen Organic Skin Care.

Introduce yourself and why you do what you do.

I’m Jashiro Dean, a nurtured dreamer from Colon, Panama whose road led to a life in the arts. Temple Zen grew organically out of my own needs and soon after those of my family and friends. My products not only provide effective skincare solutions but also helps with physical, mental, and emotional stability. It’s become a humbling responsibility to provide the products I do. It’s just not skincare to me, it’s a way of life. After years as a professional dancer and multiple injuries later, my body took all it could take. I needed a way to sustain the daily beating of being in tedious rehearsals when physical therapy was at times just too much to handle.

What is Temple Zen and how is it different from other skin care brands?

We’ve taken a holistic approach when it comes developing our products and brand. We are a small batch, handcrafted, made-to-order company that puts a focus on the therapeutic properties and organic nature of the ingredients we use in our formulations. They help not only your skin, but also your emotional and mental health. Our products are made to trigger a full sensory experience.

Do you plan to continue with the artisanal route or do you see mass production in the future?

I like the feeling of knowing every client that supports and buys my products. This gives me the ability to converse with someone who has specific needs, create something just for them, and then possibly make it a product that is offered on the site. This isn’t possible in mass production operations. I also feel like mass producing the kind of products I make may reduce the overall quality.

We are currently partnering and trying to partner with vendors who share our spirit and outlook on holistic and organic skin care and share our brand’s message to their merchants. This includes dance and yoga studios, spas, bed and breakfasts, and boutiques.

Did you have any negative experiences with skin care products in the past?

I have always been cautious about what I use on my skin, although throughout my teen years Noxzema was all the rage and never did me wrong. But as we age we start to see the effects of our environment and how that plays a part in our overall health and well-being, so even though I’ve always kept it simple with my skin care — which is my motto when creating products — I’ve never had any experience worth mentioning.

What skin care concerns does Temple Zen Organic Skin Care address?

We focus on the overall health of your skin starting from inside out. Many products just focus on the outer appearance without the internal stability to handle harsh treatments. This is why hempseed oil is a staple in all of our products that cater to restoring and healing the skin. It is a carrier of nutrients that targets the lower epidermis to stimulate natural cell regeneration. This paired with 100% organic essential oils provides the ability to treat all skin types without having to focus on any one particular skin type.

Since we last spoke, you have gone through rebranding and reformulating. What made you move in this direction and how would you describe your brand today?

I’m a firm believer of working until you feel it’s right with your soul. In terms of branding, I didn’t want to put out a product that I wasn’t proud to put my name on. The messaging and the branding needed to connect. You can have an awesome product, but if it doesn’t look good, no one is going to trust or want to buy it, not even family. I needed to figure out how I wanted my clients to feel when they held my products. After all, we are a full sensory brand, so I went to work and birthed a new baby. I wanted it to feel special and handcrafted through and through, made just for you every time. Temple Zen today is exactly what I envisioned three years ago when all I had to offer were body butters. I’m thrilled to finally be past the preface.

Get Into the Mix

Facial Cleanser + Toner: I see a spray bottle and four ingredients. Tell me more. How does this product work and what made you want to make it a 2-in-1?

Less is always more in my book. I wanted a cleanser that maintained the body’s naturally producing oils, keeping our skin vibrant, healthy, and hydrated without drying it out completely. I chose these four ingredients for that very reason. Aloe is a natural healer, cleanser, toner, and hydrator. Witch hazel leaf is an antiseptic, cleanser, and oil balancer. Eucalyptus is a natural astringent that it helps relieve sinus congestion and headaches and aids in the healing of cuts and bruises. The rosemary helps to tone and condition the skin. This product is 100% alcohol free.

Sandalwood + Almond Face Rose Scrub: I know this formula does or used to have pumice powder in it. What are the benefits of incorporating both sea salt and pumice powder?

Yeah about that…Although I might like a very vigorous exfoliant, it wasn’t what was best for my clients, so I reformulated and made a scrub that was more salt based. Finely milled to a powder is softer on the skin than pumice powder. I might introduce pumice powder in a body scrub later down the line.

Rejuvenation Facial Serum: Your serum is unique for multiple reasons. It’s in a spray bottle as opposed to most traditional serums that are packaged in an airless bottle or a bottle with a dropper. It’s also not very viscous or oily like many serums. What was your approach in creating this?

I wanted this to be a full sensory product. Using it as a mist makes sure of 2 things: 1) provide full even coverage and 2) awaken you with a calming aroma.

By nature we are amniotic beings. We start life in a chamber filled with rich nutrients. This is why a baby’s skin is so soft and flawless. With that thought I wanted to create a serum that was ideal for everyday use to inject essential vitamins and moisture into the skin without having to use an oil, butter, or lotion to do so. This particular serum water based – a 50/50% brew of marigolds and aloe vera extract later infused with 100% essential oils that all aid in restoring hydration, fading blemishes, tightening pores, and reducing puffiness around the eyes. If you have extremely dry skin, we have deeply moisturizing facial oils and body butters to help.

Body Balms: Can you walk us through the events that led up to creating a few of your favorite body balms?

Most, if not all, of our body butters are therapeutic in nature. They promote and/or aid in emotional, mental, and physical stability. My first and most popular when I started is our French Lavender. The calming soothing effects of lavender cater to those who suffer from insomnia, anxiety, and depression, and as someone who deals with these issues personally, it has definitely come to my rescue numerous times.

Relaxation Soak: How would you make recommendations for you bath salts?

We all need a recharge and sometimes a good soak is all we need to get back on our feet. Some might think soaking is a luxurious thing and is only done every so often, but if you think about the amniotic aspect of submerging yourself in a body of water, it all makes sense.

Our Mineral Detox Soak draws out toxins from the body while helping muscles to relax and restore strength and agility. This soak also helps with drawing out excess water weight. This is a great day-to-day soak.
Our Eucalyptus Sea Bath is an invigorating therapeutic bath the relieves sinus congestion, headaches, soothes aching joints, sore muscles, stress. Perfect for those prone to sickness during the winter months.
The Relaxation Formula uses the therapeutic properties of lavender essential oils and lavender buds to calm the nervous system, easing anxiety, stress, and depression in the process.
Our In the Meadow Where Wildflowers Grow is a complete luxury overload. A bouquet of five different floral essential oils and dried botanical all with skin boosting nutrients for touchable, soft skin.

Liquid Tiger: This looks like magic! Chock-full with essential oils I’ve never heard of. I need to know the story behind this.

This was inspired by my grandmother. As a child and to this day my grandmother suffers from arthritis. When I was a child, I remember her rubbing Chinese Tiger balm on her joints. It was a staple on her night stand and she was never without.

Years later, now dealing with my own joint and back pain due to injuries occurring over the years as a professional dancer, I started investigating what made tiger balm so special and how I can introduce a product that would have the same, if not better effect on the body. Depending on the severity of your particular case, the water base makes this serum quick and effective. Best used right out of the shower or bath when your pores are open. I’ve recently added hempseed oil to help boost its delivery to the source of the pain.

Do you plan to expand your face collection?

I would like to methodically expand the skin line, making sure not to add unnecessary products. I want to be sure that my clients actually need what I’m creating otherwise it’s just a waste of resources. I’d like to add another mask to the face collection, and definitely fill out our bath collection to include body scrubs, soaps, body oils, and elixirs.

How do your customers inspire you?

Getting to know my clients and social media followers gives me insight on what the community needs. I get my fair share of emails and DM’s from people from all walks of life, some with the same issues and others with completely unique and personal challenges that they’ve been enduring for years with no relief. In these cases I personally research and guide my clients to holistic options that would best suit their needs. This information helps to guide possible product ideas.

I have one particular client that I’ve become very fond of. She suffers from chronic pain and lupus. After ordering and using the Liquid Tiger, she told me it’s been years since she’s had pain relief and it was all because of the serum. This moment solidified that this is more that just a skin care brand helping people get clear skin. I realized that I’m actually helping people progress in ways they weren’t able to before.

Quick Questions

What’s on your vanity and what’s in your travel bag?

Besides my deodorant, I’m strictly a Temple Zen man. I even make my own toothpaste. What you’d see in my travel bag is my Shea Therapy Lip Balm, Purifying Hemp + Lavender Facial Serum, hair brush, ear buds, pen, notebook, business cards, and protective crystals.

What are your best sellers and what are your favorites?

Our current best seller would have to be our Facial Restoration Complex. It’s a simple 3-in-1 kit that comes with a facial cleanser, toner , and scrub. It has all the building blocks for healthy radiant skin. It tackles acne breakouts, blemishes, and scars. It helps to reduce puffiness around the eyes, balance oil production, tighten pores, and reduce the signs of aging. And the best thing about this complex is that it’s for all skin types.

Where can we find Temple Zen Organic Skin Care?

Yourtemplezen.com, Kais Natural Skincare Boutique in Bordentown, New Jersey, and soon ANGOLA!

Share your skin care regimen.

I always start with a steam shower to open my pores and then I use our Facial Cleanser + Toner. If my skin feels dull, I’ll apply the Facial Restoration Complex.

What skin care tip do you live by?

Always cleanse your face after coming in from outdoors and change your pillowcase more that once a week.

Anything coming soon?

I have a Sole Restoration Complex coming out in a few weeks. It helps with foot fungus, eczema, flaking skin, and skin splitting between the toes. I personally use it. Trust that as a dancer my feet needed all the help it could get. I’m also working on an aromatherapy collection for the bath and home.

Follow Temple Zen Organic Skin Care here:

YourTempleZen.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Use the discount code Glow15 at checkout when you place your order with Temple Zen and come back to tell us what you think.