Seasonal Skin Refresh
A skin refresh is a great way to kick off the new season, helping to restore hydration and giving your complexion a renewed glow. When it comes to building a routine, consistency is key for overall balance and deep hydration. As we move through all the facets and responsibilities of life sometimes our skincare routine falls apart, and that is okay. You can always pick it back up where you left off or give it a kickstart with an add-on ingredient from your refrigerator.
For our brand, the building blocks of a balanced routine include the use of a cleanser and hydrator 1-2 times a day along with a gentle exfoliant once weekly. Consistency with this weekly step is important especially when it comes to lipid-based hydrators, as it helps to remove dead skin cells, promoting a cellular turnover and allowing for better absorption of skin nutrients.
It is important to cleanse skin before your weekly exfoliant and to follow with your favorite hydrator or layering of hydrators from lightest to heaviest. If your replenishment step is rich in antioxidants and barrier-supporting lipids, the hydrator is formulated to help combat dullness, dryness and the negative affects of environmental stressors.
If you find that skin needs a deeper refresh or a kickstart, we love to utilize food-based acids in addition to a balanced routine as we shift into a new season. To include this additional step into your spring routine we recommend these steps:
- Cleanse with Sweet Orange & Rosemary Cleansing Milk
- Application of food-based acid, listed below
- Chamomile & Oats Clay Facial Mask
- Hydrate with single or a layering of facial hydrators from lightest to heaviest
Lactic Acid
One of our favorite food-based add-ons to help purify skin is incorporating alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) from low levels of lactic acid through the use of yogurt. Derived from milk or plant source, lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the skin, removes dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover while supporting the skin’s natural microbiome.
Additionally, it acts as a humectant drawing moisture to the skin and improving its ability to retain hydration, which can help prevent dryness and flakiness. Lactic acid can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production, improving skin elasticity and helps to reveal brighter and smoother skin underneath.
To use, we recommend applying 1 tablespoon of plain, greek yogurt to face, neck and chest after cleansing. Leave on skin for 1-3 minutes with a maximum of 5 minutes then rinse, exfoliate and hydrate as above.
Tartaric Acid
Another way to incorporate the benefits of AHAs without the use of a dairy-based product is through the use of organic grapes.
Tartaric acid is also an AHA that works by dissolving dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover, and revealing a brighter, smoother complexion. Regular use can fade dark spots, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Because of its larger molecular size, tartaric acid penetrates the skin less deeply than glycolic acid, making it a potentially less irritating option for sensitive skin.
To use, we recommend slicing an organic grape in half and sweeping over face, neck and chest until grape has softened and skin is fully covered. Leave on skin for 1-3 minutes with a maximum of 5 minutes then rinse, exfoliate and hydrate as above.
Ellagic Acid
Ellagic acid is a powerful antioxidant naturally found in fruits like pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, and walnuts, known for its skin-protective and brightening benefits. It helps neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that contributes to premature aging, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.
One of its standout benefits is its ability to inhibit melanin production, making it effective in fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation for a more even complexion. Additionally, ellagic acid supports collagen preservation helping to maintain skin firmness and elasticity. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it beneficial for soothing redness and irritation, promoting a healthier, more radiant glow.
To use, we recommend slicing an organic strawberry in half and sweeping over face, neck and chest until grape has softened and skin is fully covered. Leave on skin for 1-3 minutes with a maximum of 5 minutes then rinse, exfoliate and hydrate as above.
As with the use of any acid, it is important to incorporate these in a way that helps to protect skin from future damage. To reduce skin sensitivities when using AHAs, it’s important to introduce them gradually and use them in a way that supports your skin barrier. Avoid combining AHAs with other strong actives like retinol or vitamin C in the same routine, as this can increase sensitivity.
Lastly, using broad-spectrum sunscreen daily is crucial, as AHAs make the skin more photosensitive. If irritation occurs, reduce the amount of time on skin or buffering them with a hydrating serum to help maintain exfoliation benefits without irritation.