The average stressed-out woman or man is only too happy to yield to the soothing touch of a therapist's hands as cleansers, exfoliants, moisturisers and other potions are coaxed into the skin.
But who gives a thought to the ingredients in those products that are supposed to cleanse, tone and nourish?
"Not too many people," says Trevor Steyn, who produces a range of chemical-free organic skin care products in his Richmond factory.
"The average person trusts the big cosmetic names to use ingredients that are safe, but I believe - and this is backed up by research - that some of the ingredients may be harmful."
On his website, www.esse.co.za, Steyn voices concern about ingredients like parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate and petrochemicals that are used extensively in over-the-counter skin care and personal care products.
And it was because of his concern that Steyn, who has a master's degree in chemistry, established his organics business three-and-a-half years ago.
"I was fortunate on the stock exchange for a year, but it didn't feel sustainable,"says Steyn.
"I felt I wasn't contributing to society." he says.
He decided to put his money where his heart was and started Esse, a company that manufactures products that are 100 percent natural, made from only certified organic ingredients and are not tested on animals.
While Esse products are available in 35 outlets in South Africa, Steyn has now opened a 100 percent organic skin care salon at the Breathing Space in Glenwood, Durban. The aromatic, fully equipped salon, called House of Esse, is a haven of organics in the chemical soup of Durban and Steyn hopes it will be the first of many salons that will strive for purity over profit.
"Some 60 percent of what goes on to our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream so you should choose your cosmetics with as much care as the food you eat," he says.
"Many people are very careful about what they eat and drink but when it comes to skin care and personal care products, they give little thought to what they use."
Steyn's Esse range is free of artificial fragrances, colouring, animal by-products, and preservatives - many of which have the potential to harm the body at worst, or irritate the skin, at least.
"We believe that nature supplies all the active and base ingredients that are needed to prevent premature ageing," says Steyn whose master's thesis was on new pharmaceuticals from indigenous plants.
"Our base oils are pressed from certified organic or sustainably wild-sourced plants. So are the essential oils that we use for fragrance and for their therapeutic effects.
"We go to great lengths to source products that offer scientifically proven results but only use ethical sources.
"We don't use animal ingredients, alcohol or any other ingredients that we feel may irritate skin or have other health concerns.
"Our products are sourced purely from the earth's plants, microbes and minerals."
Leonie Booysen, the therapist at the salon, is also committed to the chemical-free cause, having made the shift from a mainstream salon.
Steyn believes that as the public becomes aware of the dangers of chemicals in personal care products, the organics market in South Africa will grow.
"The global organic skin care market grew by 83 percent last year, compared with the conventional skin care market that grew by one and a half percent," he says.
For more information see www.esse.co.za or e-mail info@esse.co.za
To contact the salon, call 031 201 6047.