Teenage years are marked by ups and downs. On one side, there’s the excitement of discovering who you are, new friendships, new freedoms, firsts. And on the other hand, there’s the desire to fit in, disappointments, mood shifts, self-consciousness, and of course, unpredictable skin.
For many teens, acne is more than a skin issue. It becomes a confidence issue; a mood issue. Something that directly impacts how they feel about themselves. And in a modern world where teenagers are consistently seen – on phones, in photos, on social platforms – the pressure to have good skin is higher than ever.
Naturally, there had to be a better way
Being a teenager is complicated enough, and their skincare routine shouldn’t add to that. Many teens are handed complicated routines or pharmaceutical-level treatments as first options. Active ingredients with unpronounceable names claim miracles, while harsh, prescription methods strip their skin and their confidence.
That’s where Zanna steps in. It began with Zarina, an entrepreneur and mother of teenagers navigating these challenges first-hand, and Adrian, whose business instinct pushed him to question why the market didn’t offer something gentler, more transparent, and frankly, better. This fuelled their mission to find a more ethical, natural and effective approach to teenage skincare – and after extensive research, testing, and specialist input, that is exactly what they created.
Good chemistry makes for great skin
At Zanna, they believe that healthy skin starts with great care. The formulations are built on simple, sustainable ingredients, backed by credible research and free from unnecessary additives or severe actives that can compromise young skin. After all, teenage skin isn’t the same as adult skin, and it needs to be treated differently. What’s evident in their products is that there are no dramatic claims, no overpromises – just honest, natural and clinically-proven skincare that works with teenage skin instead of against it.
At the heart of Zanna is their acnepro range: a gentle foaming wash that removes excess oil without stripping; a lightweight radiance serum designed to calm redness and support the skin barrier; and a soothing clarifying moisturiser that hydrates while keeping breakouts at bay.
Glowing reviews
The reviews of this simple yet powerful skin regimen are streaming in, and they speak for themselves.
One parent notes that her daughter had noticeably healthier and clearer skin in one week. A father writes about how his son’s breakouts reduced within two weeks. A teen from Port Elizabeth mentions that his acne is “much less and not as painful.” But the most striking reviews are more than skin deep – they speak about confidence.
“It’s not only reduced breakouts but has boosted her confidence in a way I haven’t seen with other products.” – Tamsyn
“My 13-year-old has struggled with bad acne for the last year and a half…Zanna has been the first product to show results. I am so relieved for my son that he can now feel more confident.” – Tanya
“We noticed a difference almost immediately…Most importantly, she has regained her confidence. – Sheree
Something happens when teens stop feeling at war with their skin. They stand a little taller. They make eye contact again. They stop hiding behind their hair or ducking out of photos. The shift is subtle but unmistakable; when their skin calms down, something inside them does too.
A crowd worth being a part of
What Zanna is attempting to build goes beyond products. They focus on creating a sense of community – a space where teens feel less alone in what they’re going through, and where parents feel more equipped to support them.
That idea seems to be resonating. In just a year and a half since launching, Zanna has grown from an idea to an award-winning range stocked in major retailers like We are EGG in Claremont, online at BASH and soon in one of the biggest salons in the country. For a young South African brand, the momentum is noteworthy – not because of its scale, but because of what it signals: parents and teenagers looking for a calmer, clearer and more considered approach to skincare, and a supportive community that comes along with it.
Zanna isn’t promising perfect skin and a smooth ride through the ebbs and flows of adolescence, but it does bring clarity, simplicity and calm to a life phase – and category – that’s often anything but. And that’s exactly why it’s quickly becoming the range many are turning to first – and recommending just as quickly.
To read more about the brand and shop the acnepro range, visit Zannaskin.com.
