After years of pain and fatigue caused by endometriosis an Auckland woman began her own investigation, scouring through medical literature for answers – before discovering what went on her body was just as damaging as what went into it.
Tanné Snowden was a teenager when she began suffering debilitating pain that would eventually alter her life.
It would take years for doctors to take that pain seriously.
“When I went to GPs in the past they would just tell me to take panadol or refer me to a psychiatrist.”
Finally at 23, after being turned away time and time again, the central Auckland woman was diagnosed with endometriosis – a painful disorder where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in places it shouldn’t.
Although a hysterectomy is one of the last resorts for treatment of endometriosis, Snowden said doctors across New Zealand believed this to be her only option.
However, not wanting a hysterectomy the 33-year-old travelled to Australia for a second surgery instead.
After the procedure the surgeon described her pelvis as “spaghetti” – “he stated that, in his opinion, it was one of the most difficult surgeries he had performed,” she said.
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Snowden said without her endometriosis journey she likely would not have created the body-care brand.
When she returned home she was determined to do everything in her power to prevent another operation, leading to the launch of her body-care brand Tronque in November 2021.
Well investigating ways to help her endometriosis Snowden discovered her daily skincare products contained toxic ingredients including BPA and pthalates.
BPA and pthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) meaning they can affect hormones including those that influence reproduction and weight.
Studies of potential effects of these chemicals have suggested EDCs could actually be making things worse for some endometriosis patients.
This discovery ignited a series of changes in Snowden’s life.
“It was such a pivotal moment in my life, I felt like I had been hit by a bus, have I been doing this to myself, have I been causing all this pain.
“I got scared and stopped everything, and was left with three products that were so-called ‘safe’,” she said.
She began to look for products that could help with improve scarring caused by the multiple surgeries, but said most things contained ‘toxic’ chemicals she thought could impact the severity of her endometriosis.
Snowden said she was then inspired by the “clean beauty movement”.
She had five scars on her stomach of which she hoped to improve the appearance.
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While recovering from surgery, Tanné Snowden discovered that her daily skincare contained toxic ingredients.
“I used to joke they looked like stab wounds,” she said.
So she began mixing up raw ingredients in her kitchen trying to find something that would help, until she eventually found a formula that basically removed the scars completely.
“I never thought that was possible.”
Snowden then expanded her vision and created her very own product range guided “by total transparency and sustainability”.
The products use no endocrine disruptors, and all packaging is fully compostable or recyclable, she said.
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Tronque aim to provide clean products that don’t hurt the body and don’t contain endocrine disruptors.
Snowden said without her endometriosis journey she likely would not have created the body-care brand.
“I definitely don’t think I would have ever gone down this path if it wasn’t for this surgery or reading the article.”
There is no cure for endometriosis, but Snowden said for herself she has uncovered a new way to manage the condition.
“My symptoms have completely changed since I stopped endocrine disruptors, obviously I still get some, but it has been a dramatic shift.”
For Endometriosis awareness month in March, Snowden donated over $20,000 worth of Tronque’s soft focus scar concentrate to Endometriosis New Zealand (ENZ) to help with fundraising.
Snowden said she received many emails from “grateful” endometriosis sufferers who had used the product.
1 NEWS
New research has revealed people suffering from endometriosis are waiting nearly nine years on average for a diagnosis.
Soon, the luxury brand will expand further into the United States market.
Snowden’s said her skincare and body products will be the first New Zealand brand to be stocked in either Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue – two premier style houses.
Tronque was one of only three new beauty brands to be selected by Neiman Marcus this year, she said.
“Tronque is here to challenge the status quo, and we continually strive to create the most innovative natural beauty products – this really resonated with Neiman Marcus and Saks.”
The products will begin rolling out in the US stores within the next month.
“It’s really exciting, I’m so excited to champion New Zealand through them and the beautiful ingredients we have.”
All of Tronque’s products are made in Auckland, with mostly locally-sourced products from across Aotearoa.
Snowden said the US launch had always been the dream – so growing the business within the first year was surreal.
“It just sort of solidifies where I want to take the brand, and the ethos behind it.”
Tronque is also set to launch a vitamin C body oil to add to its product collection this week.