Meet Our Founder

Kacie Schady is the founder and formulator behind Love + Light Botanicals. Inspired by her own struggles with sensitive skin, she turned her passion for wellness and science into a mission to create effective, plant-powered skincare. Her mission is to share science-based skincare knowledge and help others feel confident, informed, and empowered on their healthy skin journey.

Here’s how to keep your skin barrier healthy through the cooler months.

As a consumer, I was tired of going down rabbit holes, sifting through the beauty industry's marketing and profit-focused content to find real skincare advice that was simple and grounded in science. This frustration led me to study cosmetic formulation and skin science so that I could uncover the facts my sensitive skin needed. I’m passionate about sharing that knowledge with our healthy skin community here at Love and Light Botanicals.

As temperatures and humidity shift, our skin naturally responds in its protective role. For many of us in the US, that means bouncing between warm, dry indoor air to brisk outdoor conditions. These environmental stressors can compromise the skin's natural moisture barrier. If you notice more sensitivity, dullness, and irritation during this time of the year, these tips can help you retain moisture and avoid these sensitive-skin challenges.

1. Layer up for lasting hydration

The body is remarkable, and the skin barrier is its first line of defense. The top layer of skin (the epidermis) is made of tightly packed cells called keratinocytes, designed to create a waterproof shield. When this layer is strong, it locks in hydration and keeps environmental irritants out.

For my sensitive-skin friends, hydration is our best friend.

Try applying a thin layer of nourishing oil serum under your morning moisturizer. This creates a protective oil-based seal on the skin's surface. Because our skin naturally loves oils, this technique helps lock in hydration and prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) throughout the day. It’s my favorite way to create a long-lasting moisture boost.

2. Botanical barrier boost

If moisture is our best friend, resilience is her brave little sister. Strengthen both the epidermis and the dermis layer beneath it by focusing on barrier-supporting ingredients. Nourishing botanical ingredients are essential here.

Unlike synthetic alternatives, bioactive lipids (oils) also known as essential fatty acids (EFAs) have anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant activities that promote natural ability to repair itself. EFAs such as Gamma Linolenic Acids (GLA), Alpha Linoleic Acids (ALA) and Linoleic Acids (LA) are key to barrier repair.

Botanical oils rich in these compounds mimic the skin's own lipids, delivering nutrients that help reinforce the skin’s resilient structure and elasticity. They are the nature’s plant-powered shield against seasonal stress. Look for oils high in GLA/ALA/LA like hempseed, borage seed, olive fruit, evening primrose, pomegranate seed and argan kernel.

3. Protect sensitive skin

In the quest for results, it can be tempting to fall for the promise of a quick fix. Unfortunately for sensitive skin that often means harsh ingredients that do more harm than good.
When your skin is already stressed from seasonal dryness peels, scrubs, and retinol based treatments can make things worse and further compromise your skin barrier.

Avoid over exfoliating or using products that cause tightness or stinging, and disrupt the skin's delicate balance. There are gentle, plant-based formulas that can offer exfoliation and brightening benefits, while also prioritizing nourishment and balance.

4. Consistency is key

A consistent, simple routine always outperforms an occasional complicated one. For sensitive skin choosing gentle, natural ingredients and sticking with your daily skincare routine delivers visible results without the irritation.

Healthy skin doesn’t come from an expensive 12-step ritual. It starts with a commitment to self-care, and small intentional moments that nourish your body, mind and spirit.

Half a minute, morning and night is all you need. A simple 3-step routine takes just 30 seconds and makes self-care achievable, even on the busiest days. You deserve those moments of nourishment.

My 30-second philosophy: