our science

our standards are high for the quality and performance of our products. we don’t make unrealistic claims about what our skincare does. instead, we create highly effective natural products that help your skin look amazing naturally with consistent use. all of our skincare formulas are proprietary and developed by our team in our artisanal skincare labs. this step is important to our commitment to quality so we have oversight on every ingredient, origin and method of processing.

we focus on the scientific skin-beneficial properties of the botanical ingredients. when selecting our high performance ingredients, the first step is research, research and more research. understanding the chemical compounds of the plant parts that make up the raw material we ultimately source for our formulas is key so that we can build stable and effective formulas.  for example, we love using borage seed oil (borago officinalis) in our sleep repair oil because it’s one of the richest plant sources of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which our skin can’t synthesize - so we must obtain these GLA’s elsewhere. we also love it for it’s proven anti-inflammatory properties which help to repair and protect breakout prone skin. 

we do extensive research to understand how the natural chemical compounds in the botanicals we use will interact and benefit our skin. we take this step to ensure our formulas are stable and the beneficial properties of the ingredients we choose are effective. (yes! you read that right, all plants are made up of chemical compounds!) that’s why you’ll never see us make unrealistic claims for our products, like “chemical free”. 

the last, but arguably most important ingredient choice that helps us deliver healthy products to our community is the safety of the final formulation. any water-containing formula requires preservation to be shelf-stable, and prevent bacteria growth from accumulating in the product. when you see claims of “preservative-free” on skincare products, it’s a good opportunity to consider what that really means.

compare the idea of preservative-free to how we store and handle our produce in the kitchen. we wouldn’t leave whole fruits and vegetables in a humid and warm place (like the bathroom, where skincare is generally stored) for months. produce lasts for days at room temperature, and a few more days in a cool fridge because they are raw, and unpreserved. it’s a similar principle when using raw botanical ingredients in skincare formulations! 

when choosing a preservative system for our formulas we only use organic, ecocert approved preservatives. these ingredients are mild, gentle and very safe to use in skincare when used properly. this approach results in a shorter shelf life (months versus years) than what you typically see with skincare from the drugstore. for this reason, our products are packaged in small containers that will be used up in 2-3 months.  

the final safety step we take in developing our formulas is working with a third party laboratory to test the preservative efficacy of our final formula, which ensures the formula will remain free of contamination during the shelf-life we’ve established when stored as directed. this safety testing is recommended, but not currently required of cosmetics sold in the US per the FDA, however we feel it’s a critical step to ensure the health of our products to protect our customers.