The 5 Basic Principles of Healthy Skin
What does well-functioning, healthy skin need? With ever-changing trends, it can be easy to lose sight of the basic, foundational needs of every complexion. But healthy skin is our passion and North Star, and we believe the best way to honor our bodies and ourselves. Read on for a primer on caring for your skin and coaxing out its natural, healthy glow.
Cleanse
Daily cleansing removes the surface layer of makeup and dirt from your skin, along with pollutants from the air that can negatively impact skin’s health. When skin is clean it can more easily absorb whatever you put on your skin, which helps the products in your routine work more effectively. Active Renewal Cleanser is an advanced, gently foaming cream formula that combines an innovative 2-in-1 cleanse that visibly brightens, balances and energizes skin while thoroughly removing makeup, sunscreen and daily buildup.
Hydrate
After cleansing, the very next step is to ensure your skin is properly hydrated. How important is hydration to the skin? Think about how important water is to nearly every body function. From digestion to muscle function to cognitive health, it is vital. And skin is no different. Hydrating the skin increases its water content. This is one of the basic building blocks of healthy skin cells, allowing for proper dermal function. Besides dry, flaky skin, another tell-tale sign of dehydrated skin is breakouts, which can seem counterintuitive, but when skin is parched it compensates by producing excess oil, bringing with it clogged pores. We formulated Active Treatment Essence to deliver hero hydrators like micro and mini hyaluronic acid and aloe, both natural humectants that increase water content in the skin cells.
Moisturize
Moisture is a separate but equally important principle to healthy skin. Whereas hydration is about water, moisture is about oil. Think of moisture (oil) as the seal that keeps hydration locked into skin while nourishing and supporting the natural barrier of our complexion. As it benefits skin behind the scenes, moisturizing can also visibly lessen the appearance of fine lines and uneven texture, smoothing, softening and addressing other concerns such as dark spots and dullness. The oil-based formula of Active Botanical Serum, is the ultimate restorative, nourishing step and includes potent botanical oils, powerful phytonutrients, critical phytoceramides (a plant-based ceramide) and fatty acids to support healthy skin.
Exfoliate
Each cell in our body has a life cycle. When it comes to skin, the cycle is around 28 days and as more and more skin cells near or reach the end of this period, the complexion can appear dull or dry. Enter exfoliation. By removing the top layer of dead skin cells, any clogged pores, dry skin and dirt are whisked away, unearthing fresher, more supple skin. Regular exfoliation has also been shown to support the skin’s natural cell turnover. When it comes to exfoliation, go easy. Over scrubbing can damage the skin’s protective layer, causing small tears which allow hydration to escape and lead to redness. This is especially true for sensitive-skin types. Much like cleansing, exfoliation also preps the skin to better receive products that follow. Infused with natural acids and plant enzymes, Active Treatment Essence is a gentle micro-exfoliator. Rather than scrub off dead skin cells from the surface layers of skin, the acids and enzymes dissolve the bonds between the undesirables, which then easily fall away to allow newer cells to rise to the surface. With this process, dullness is gently replaced with a fresher, glowier complexion.
Protect
Free radicals are particles that are known to damage healthy cells in our body, including our skin cells. Free radicals can be produced in the body naturally, but they’re also introduced from outside sources (i.e. pollution, sun damage). Natural antioxidants and omega fatty acids help to defend against the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. The biggest benefit is the part they play in maintaining the surface layers of the skin. Maintaining a healthy, strong barrier is crucial to balanced, radiant skin. Active Botanical Serum is formulated with powerful skin-defenders and free-radical fighting agents that help shield the skin from environmental stressors. These include vitamin A (as beta-carotene) to help fend off environmental aggressors like pollution, as well as a suite of fatty acids including omega-3, 7, and 9 which help to support healthy collagen levels. And of course, for daytime, sun protection is an absolute essential for supporting skin health.
