1. The Epidermis

The epidermis is our outermost layer of our skin. Below it lies the dermis and then the subcutaneous tissue or subdermis. The epidermis consists of layers upon layers of epithelial cells.  These epithelial cells are made of dead dermal cells and pigment, the epithelial cells are held together by a waxy oil called sebum. The point of the epidermis is to protect the dermis from damage and to give our body a waterproof layer, so we are able to do things, like swim and bathe. The top protective layer of epidermis is called your microbiome.

2. Microbiome

The microbiome or acid mantle is the natural ph level at which your sebum sits atop the surface of your skin. This ph level varies from person to person.  The body knows which optimal pH it needs to be in order to keep you protected best. It contains good bacteria that fights off microbes that your skin comes in contact with.

How does skincare work?

The whole point of skincare is to nourish the skin barrier (the epidermis).  If you have that in place then the skin’s normal regenerative process can take over. The skin will be allowed to self moisturize (via sebum), self exfoliate (via a shedding process called desquamation) and self protect (via the microbiome), which neutralizes bacteria and pathogens and self heals. When it doesn’t go through this natural process, problems arise. 

Which types of products DON’T allow the skin to work in its natural state?

Anything that changes the pH.

What changes the pH?

water,

cleansers,

soap,

alcohols,

creams,

lotions,

emulsifiers,

exfoliants,

enzymes,

AHA’s,

BHA’s,

Retinols,

vitamin C

(pretty much every single thing you would put on your face)

What doesn’t change the pH?

Oil.

So which oils should I use to balance my pH?

If you are stuck in a rut with your skin and feel like it needs a rebalance, do exactly that. Reset your microbiome with an oil routine. You can do that by taking the alcohol completely out of your routine by doing a full product cleanse. We suggest using our cleansing oil, Rose. With the Rose you can also use one of our 100% oil moisturizers, the Gold botanical healing serum or the Attar repair concentrate. Our other face products have very little to almost no alcohol in them. The preservation with an alcohol is found in the form or floral extracts and plant and fruit fermentations. They are still going to be great options, but are not totally alcohol free.

Ok last question!

Why do your other 3 face products contain some alcohol?

Because they contain some form of a water. We never use any normal water of course. We use Aloe Juice, and floral hydrosols in place of water, this way we can obtain the most benefits that we can from H2O but molecularly they are still water. AND anytime that you introduce a water with anything else you have to add a preservative or bacteria will grow.