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Skincare Journal

Winter Skincare Tips: How Facial Mists Can Hydrate and Revitalize Dry Skin

Winter Skincare Tips: How Facial Mists Can Hydrate and Revitalize Dry Skin

 

Winter weather is notoriously unkind to your skin. The drop in temperature, paired with low humidity levels and harsh winds, strips your skin of its natural moisture barrier.

Indoors, things aren't much better—artificial heating zaps the air of any remaining moisture, leaving your skin tight, flaky, and prone to irritation.

It’s not just about discomfort; when the skin barrier is compromised, your complexion becomes more vulnerable to environmental aggressors, redness, and sensitivity.

In these conditions, maintaining a consistent and effective skincare routine is critical. One simple yet powerful addition? A hydrating facial mist. Often underestimated, facial mists can provide a much-needed boost of hydration, soothe dryness, and enhance the performance of your skincare products.

Here’s everything you need to know about using facial mists to elevate your winter skincare routine.

How Facial Mists Can Help

Facial mists go beyond a refreshing spritz—they’re a versatile skincare staple that can transform how your skin looks and feels. Here’s why they’re a winter essential:

1. Instant Hydration

When your skin starts to feel parched, a facial mist delivers an immediate surge of moisture. This is especially useful on cold, dry days or when you’re on the go.

2. Replenishes Dry, Flaky Skin

Dryness and flakiness are common in winter, but hydrating facial mists can help restore your skin’s moisture levels. They work wonders when layered with other products to lock in hydration and keep skin smooth and supple.

3. Comforts Reactive, Sensitive Skin

Winter skin often becomes more reactive, but a soothing facial mist—like our Neroli Hydrasoothe Treatment Mist—can help calm redness and irritation. Ingredients such as neroli, aloe vera, and chamomile provide instant relief for angry, stressed skin.

4. Refreshes Makeup

Makeup tends to crack and settle into dry patches when skin is dehydrated. A quick spritz of facial mist not only revives your makeup but also enhances its longevity, leaving you with a dewy, fresh-faced look.

5. Preps Skin for Maximum Absorption

Hydrating mists help prepare your skin to absorb serums, essences, and moisturizers more effectively. Applying mist before these steps creates a hydrated base, ensuring your products penetrate more deeply for optimal results.

For the ultimate winter skincare indulgence, try layering our Neroli Hydrasoothe Treatment Mist with Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence and The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum or Purist Delicate Skin Serum. Together, these products create a comforting ritual designed to restore balance, vitality, and radiance to winter-stressed skin.

Crafting a Holistic Winter Skincare Ritual

To keep your skin healthy and luminous all winter, adopt this easy yet luxurious routine:

Step 1: Gentle Cleansing

Start with a gentle, hydrating oil cleanser to remove impurities without stripping the skin. Choose a formula that nourishes while maintaining your skin’s natural oils.

Step 2: First Mist

Spritz your face with Neroli Hydrasoothe Treatment Mist. This step balances your skin’s pH, refreshes, and preps it for the next steps in your skincare routine.

Step 3: Essence

Apply Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence to brighten, firm, and deeply hydrate your skin. An essence provides a layer of nourishment that enhances the benefits of subsequent products.

Step 4: Serum

Massage a few drops of The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum or Purist Delicate Skin Serum into your skin. These serums address specific concerns such as dryness, fine lines, and dullness while delivering long-lasting hydration.

Step 5: Final Mist

Seal in all the benefits with another spritz of facial mist. This final step helps set your makeup, lock in hydration, and protect your skin throughout the day.

PRO TIP: Look for facial mists containing hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and fresh botanical extracts like aspen bark. These ingredients work together to nourish, soothe, and refresh your skin.

What to Look for in a Winter Facial Mist

Not all facial mists are created equal. When selecting one, look for key ingredients that address hydration, soothing, and nourishment:

  • Hyaluronic Acid: A hydration powerhouse that attracts and retains moisture.
  • Aloe Vera: Calms and soothes irritation while providing lightweight hydration.
  • Botanical Extracts: Ingredients like neroli, chamomile, or aspen bark provide antioxidant benefits and help reduce redness and sensitivity. 

Maximize Your Winter Glow

Incorporating a facial mist into your skincare routine is more than just a refreshing addition—it’s a proactive step toward protecting and rejuvenating your skin during the harsh winter months. Combine it with a holistic skincare ritual featuring products like the Neroli Hydrasoothe Treatment Mist, Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence, and The Purist Delicate Skin Serum to ensure your skin stays radiant, hydrated, and healthy.

With consistent care and a few skincare staples, your skin can thrive even in the coldest months. A mist here, a serum there—it’s the little luxuries that make all the difference.

 
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Hyaluronic Acid: Size Matters

Hyaluronic Acid: Size Matters

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies. In skincare, it's prized for its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, giving skin a soft, plump texture and a more even tone. It can also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and is generally gentle on the skin barrier.

However, not all hyaluronic acid molecules are created equal. There are different sizes, and these variations significantly impact how the ingredient interacts with your skin. Hyaluronic acid is often listed on ingredient labels as sodium hyaluronate (INCI = Sodium Hyaluronate), which doesn't specify the molecular size. Therefore, understanding the difference between these sizes is crucial for achieving your desired results.

Think of hyaluronic acid as a big drink of water for your skin. But the way that water is delivered depends on the size of the molecules. We can broadly categorize them by molecular weight: low and high.

High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid

High molecular weight hyaluronic acid molecules are larger and cannot penetrate the skin barrier. Instead, they form a film on the skin's surface, binding with keratin upon evaporation. This film provides surface hydration, improves elasticity, and has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. However, because it sits on the surface, this film is easily washed away, offering only short-term benefits.

  • Pros: Surface hydration, improved elasticity, anti-inflammatory, soothing.
  • Cons: Short-term effects, easily washed away, no deep penetration.

Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid

Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid molecules are smaller and can penetrate deeper into the skin, reaching the connective tissue. Here, they bind water to skin cells, infusing all layers of the skin with moisture. This deeper hydration contributes to firmer, more supple skin and can visibly reduce wrinkles. The key advantage is that the moisture is stored more sustainably within the skin, providing longer-lasting effects. However, it's important that low molecular weight HA is used in proper ratios, as improper concentrations can potentially irritate the skin.

  • Pros: Deep hydration, improved firmness and elasticity, visible wrinkle reduction, longer-lasting effects.
  • Cons: Potential for irritation if used in improper concentrations.

Myths About Hyaluronic Acid: What Most People Get Wrong

Hyaluronic acid is often considered a “miracle ingredient” in skincare, and while it truly offers impressive benefits, there are several misconceptions surrounding its use. These misunderstandings can lead to suboptimal results or even frustration with products that contain HA. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you’re using HA effectively and seeing the results you deserve.

1. All hyaluronic acid is the same

One of the biggest misconceptions is that all hyaluronic acid is created equal, but in truth, its molecular size determines how it works and what it can do for your skin. Many products simply list "sodium hyaluronate" or "hyaluronic acid" on their ingredient label, leaving customers in the dark about the molecular weight of the HA being used.

  • Why This Matters:
    High molecular weight HA sits on the surface of your skin, forming a temporary hydrating film that feels silky but lacks deeper, long-term impact. In contrast, low molecular weight HA penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin, replenishing hydration where it’s needed most and supporting long-lasting moisture retention.
    However, many brands avoid specifying molecular weights in their marketing materials because high molecular weight HA provides an immediate plumping effect, which can be visually convincing in the short term but doesn’t support skin health over time.

  • Takeaway for You:
    If your goal is to achieve long-term hydration, elasticity, and improved skin texture, look for products like Telluride Glow's Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence, that use low molecular weight HA in proper concentrations to sustain moisture levels beneath the surface.

2. More hyaluronic acid = better results

Another common myth is that products with higher concentrations of hyaluronic acid will deliver better results. While this might seem logical, it’s not how HA works.

  • The Science Behind It:
    Hyaluronic acid has the unique ability to bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water, but it doesn’t act as a self-contained moisturizer. Instead, it draws moisture from its surrounding environment—either from the air or, in dry conditions, from the deeper layers of your skin. When used in overly high concentrations or without proper occlusion (a sealing layer like a serum or oil), HA can actually dehydrate the skin by pulling moisture out and allowing it to evaporate.
    Additionally, HA that is too concentrated can sometimes disrupt the skin’s barrier, leading to irritation, especially for individuals with sensitive or compromised skin.

  • Takeaway for You:
    Rather than seeking the highest concentration of HA, focus on formulations where HA is balanced with complementary ingredients and designed to work in harmony with your skin’s natural processes. Proper formulation matters more than percentage claims on a label.

3. Hyaluronic acid works alone

Many people believe that hyaluronic acid is a one-stop solution for hydration, but this is another oversimplification. While HA is excellent at attracting water, it doesn’t necessarily lock that water into the skin on its own.

  • The Science Behind It:
    Without a sealing layer, the moisture HA attracts to your skin can quickly evaporate, leaving your skin feeling drier than before. This process is called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In fact, HA needs to be layered with occlusive or emollient ingredients—like oils or rich serums—to create a protective barrier that prevents moisture from escaping.
    Think of HA as the water your skin needs, while occlusives are the lid on the container that keeps that water from evaporating. This combination ensures your skin stays plump, hydrated, and radiant throughout the day.

  • Takeaway for You:
    For best results, follow your HA application with an occlusive product, like Telluride Glow’s Alpine Phytonutrient Serum or The Purist Delicate Skin Serum, to lock in the moisture and amplify the benefits of hyaluronic acid. This two-step hydration strategy is especially important in dry climates or during colder months when environmental factors can exacerbate dehydration.

4. Hyaluronic acid is universally gentle

While hyaluronic acid is often praised as a safe, non-irritating ingredient suitable for all skin types, even this claim has its caveats. Though rare, HA can cause irritation or dryness when used improperly.

  • The Science Behind It:
    Low molecular weight HA, in particular, is known to penetrate deeper into the skin. While this is beneficial for hydration, it can occasionally irritate individuals with highly sensitive or reactive skin if used in excessive concentrations or without balancing ingredients. High molecular weight HA, on the other hand, is less likely to cause irritation because it remains on the surface.
    Another source of irritation can come from how HA is formulated. If the product includes unnecessary fillers, synthetic fragrances, or drying alcohols alongside the HA, these can counteract its hydrating effects and irritate the skin barrier.

  • Takeaway for You:
    Always check not just for the type of HA used, but also for the overall formulation. Products like Telluride Glow’s Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence are specifically designed with low molecular weight HA in carefully calibrated concentrations to deliver results without compromising the skin’s health. And, as always, follow up with a moisture-sealing layer to reduce any chance of irritation.

5. Hyaluronic acid can replace moisturizer

One of the most persistent myths is that using a hyaluronic acid serum eliminates the need for a moisturizer. This misunderstanding can lead to underwhelming results for customers who stop moisturizing altogether after introducing HA into their routine.

  • The Science Behind It:
    HA is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to itself. However, it doesn’t add fats or oils to the skin, which are necessary for supporting the lipid barrier and preventing water from escaping. Skipping a moisturizer, especially in colder or drier climates, can leave your skin vulnerable to dehydration despite using HA.
    Additionally, hyaluronic acid works synergistically with moisturizers and emollients, meaning the combined effect is greater than either product alone.

  • Takeaway for You:
    Think of HA as the hydration hero, and your moisturizer or serum as the partner that helps lock in that hydration for the long haul. To maximize results, follow your HA with an occlusive layer, such as Telluride Glow’s Alpine Phytonutrient Serum, which not only seals in moisture but also adds nutrient-rich oils to nourish your skin.

6. Hyaluronic acid always comes from natural sources

Finally, it’s important to note that while HA is naturally present in the human body, not all HA used in skincare products is sourced naturally. In fact, much of the HA on the market today is synthetically derived or produced via bacterial fermentation.

  • Why This Matters:
    While synthetic HA is effective, it’s important to choose formulations that prioritize purity and safety, particularly if you have sensitive skin or are concerned about environmental sustainability. Some formulations may include synthetic additives or stabilizers that compromise the integrity of the product.

  • Takeaway for You:
    When choosing an HA product, consider brands like Telluride Glow that are transparent about their ingredient sourcing and formulations. Knowing how and where your HA is sourced can ensure you’re getting the safest, most effective hydration for your skin.

Our formulas 

At Telluride Glow, our first priority is to formulate effective and safe products. We use a low molecular weight in our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence to give you lasting results, with proper ratios to ensure a non-irritating formula. Some brands typically use a combination of high molecular weight as it shows immediate effects to convince the buyer of its effectiveness. However, the effectiveness isn’t long lasting if your goal is to support your skin in the long run.

Best way to apply a hyaluronic acid serum

Though hyaluronic acid can attract and retain moisture, it doesn’t necessarily keep that moisture from evaporating over time. That’s why it’s important to maximize the benefits by adding occlusive products after the essence, like our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum or The Purist Delicate Skin Serum. These serums seal in the moisture drawn into skin by the hyaluronic acid, and the two work together to ensure skin is both hydrated and stays that way.

Fun fact

Tremella mushroom Tremella fuciformis, is a key ingredient in our Snow Rose Recovery Mask for water retention. Tremella's particle sizes are actually smaller than those of HA, giving Tremella the ability to hold 5 times more water than hyaluronic acid!

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful tool in your skincare arsenal, but it’s not a magic bullet.

By understanding how molecular weight affects its function, how to properly layer it with other products, and why thoughtful formulations matter, you can make informed decisions that deliver real results.

Telluride Glow’s HA-based products are crafted with transparency, effectiveness, and long-term skin health in mind—because we believe in giving your skin the hydration it deserves, backed by science and nature.

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A Fall Guide to Skincare

A Fall Guide to Skincare

As the golden hues of aspen leaves signal the transition from summer's warmth to cooler days ahead, our skin, too, undergoes a transformation.

Exposed to environmental factors, it reacts sensitively to seasonal shifts, requiring a recalibrated approach to skin care. 

"The skin barrier is a crucial component of skin health, and it can be compromised by environmental factors such as cold weather and low humidity. Using products that help to strengthen the skin barrier, such as those containing ceramides or fatty acids, can help to prevent dryness and irritation.Journal of Dermatological Science

Understanding Seasonal Skin Changes

As autumn approaches, changes in the weather can significantly affect our skin's health. Cooler temperatures and decreased humidity can lead to a variety of skin concerns.

Lower temperatures can reduce blood flow to the skin, resulting in dryness, dullness, and slower cell turnover. This can leave the skin looking lackluster and feeling rough.

Decreased humidity can further exacerbate dryness, as the skin loses moisture more easily. This can lead to sensitivity, itching, and a compromised skin barrier.

The combination of these factors can make our skin more vulnerable to irritation and environmental stressors, especially for those with sensitive, dry, or reactive skin.

Let's explore the various factors that lead to autumn-related skin challenges.

Why Fall Affects Our Skin

Ambient humidity: The air's moisture content plays a crucial role in determining our skin's hydration levels. Higher humidity levels in summer can help keep skin supple, but the drier autumn air wicks moisture from our skin leading to dehydration, and enhancing fine lines and wrinkles

Summertime after effects: While summer offers skin health benefits like increased circulation from outdoor activities, the negative impacts like sun damage and the residual effects of chlorine or salt from pool swims can linger into the fall.

Fluctuating fall weather: The inconsistencies in fall weather patterns, characterized by varying temperatures and increased wind, demand a dynamic response from our skin. When our skin is overly challenged by these fluctuations, it can start to feel tight, itchy or develop seasonal sensitivities.

Read on for 9 tips on how to easily adapt your skin care routine to maintain healthy glowing skin this fall…

Recalibrating Your Fall Skin Care Routine

1. Rethink Your Cleanser

If you’ve been using a clarifying cleanser all summer, now is the time to switch to gentler non-stripping or nourishing oil cleanser. The goal is a cleanser that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight post-wash. You can find a simple at-home oil cleansing recipe that is non-drying and noncomedogenic, here.

2. Update Your Toner

Transition from refreshing summer toners to ones that offer an extra hydration boost. Our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence containsboth tonifying Aspen Bark extract that helps firm skin without drying and micro-mollecular hyaluronic acid that provides continuous hydration throught the day.  Avoid toners with alcohol, as they can further dry out skin.

3. Opt for Richer Moisturizers

Fall's cooler days require deeper hydration. Lighter moisturizers might suffice in the summer, but as fall progresses, consider using a restorative serum that offers a stronger moisture barrier, especially before bed. Our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum is a great choice for nighttime care as its nourishing whole-plant actives work to tirelessly restore skin while you sleep. 

4. Address Lips & Under Eye Areas

Carry a lipid rich lip balm in your purse and reapply often. Lips are especially sensitive to changes in temperature and can easily dry out. Try dabbing a small amount of the Purist Delicate Skin Serum to your lips just before applying lipstick for an extra boost of hydration and a little added sheen. You can also dab a little Purist under your eyes as a light eye serum to help combat fine lines caused by dehydration.

5. Regular, Gentle Exfoliation

To counteract any leftover summer sun effects, add weekly exfoliation to your beauty ritual. Our Snow Rose Recovery Mask can be used as a petal soft polish to gentlly exfoliate dead skin cells. However, avoid over-exfoliating, which can irritate skin, especially in drier climates.

6. Focus on Pores

Post-summer, pores can appear enlarged due to increased sweating during warmer months. Keep them clean and refined with a purifying clay mask. 

7. Embrace Hydrating Masks

Beyond your regular moisturizer, a hydrating mask can offer additional fortification against drier fall air. To enhance hydration, add a pump of our Purist Delicate Skin Serum or Alpine Phytonutrient Serum to your weekly Snow Rose Mask. 

8. Prioritize Hydration

Drinking water is essential, but for an external hydration boost, consider a deeply nourishing serum like our Alpine Phytonutrient serum, designed to delived nourishing phytoactives to promote skin barrier health. Serums offer additional restorative benefits and can help your skin barrier to cope with the changing seasons.

9. Add a Humidifier

"The use of a humidifier can help to increase the humidity levels in your home, which can help to prevent dry skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Journal of Dermatological Therapy

Switch on your humidifier to restore moisture to the air in your home. This will help counteract the drying effects on the skin from indoor heaters and furnaces. 

Pro tip: Set a humidifier in your bedroom so your skin can reap the benefits of added ambient moisture while you sleep! Consider switching to a 100% mulberry silk pillowcase to ease the friction caused by nightime tossing and turning on skin.

Tailoring Your Routine

The core tenets for fall skin care are self observation and adaptation. As you recalibrate your skincare routine pay special attention to:

  • Monitor your skin's response to the changing season.
  • Tweak your routine based on how your skin both feels and looks.
  • Introduce changes gradually for optimal adaptation. This is especially important for those with sensitive skin.

Adapting your skin care routine for fall is essential in ensuring your skin remains resilient and radiant. Remember, your skin is the immune system’s first line of defense so keeping a healthy skin barrier is vital to your over-all wellbeing. Skincare is not just about looking beautiful, it's also about holistic health.

With attention to detail and the right products, you can confidently embrace the season's beauty while ensuring your skin stays at its best.

Sources:

Han, S. H., & Lee, J. H. (2014). The influence of environmental factors on skin barrier function. Journal of Dermatological Science, 76(2), 111-116.

Lee, S. H., & Park, Y. M. (2019). The role of humidity in skin health. Journal of Dermatological Therapy, 30(1), 1-7.

 

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10 Innovative Tips to Glow Up Your Skincare Routine

10 Innovative Tips to Glow Up Your Skincare Routine

We love hearing about the innovative ways you’re using our formulas to achieve your best skin!

Here are a few standout testimonials on how you’re making the most of TellurideGlow.

To Set Makeup

“After my makeup and powder are on and I am finished making up my face, I put a little of the oil on my hand and then pat a little bit on my face to “set my makeup”. It gives me a youthful hydrated look and it keeps my makeup on. Even in the Louisiana heat.”

~ Nancy J.

Paired With Tretinoin 

 “I bought this product because I saw my friend's skin and she was glowing. and after using it I'm in love!!!! This needs to be advertised as “ tretinoin’s best friend”!  The combination together is amazing. I have struggled for years with trying to find a product that would hold enough moisture in my skin to be able to use tretinoin, this product is the holy grail!”

~ Deberonca M.

On Baby’s Eczema

“Alpine Phytonutrient Serum & The Purist serum are my go to oils for all things not perfect! My eyes get dry & irritated from the weather? I use Purist. Results are practically instant. My 18 mo old grandson gets eczema, so I put Purist on his baby skin. I am always confident it will heal.‌Thank you for clean products I can trust!”

~ Gloria J.

Want more? Here are 7 additional ways to glow:

  1. As an under-eye serum: The Purist Delicate Skin Serum is gorgeous under the eyes. It absorbs quickly and smoothes skin while being gentle enough to use on the delicate area under your eyes.
  2. As a lip oil: Dry lips? Dab a drop or two of the Purist onto your lips for instant hydration. Follow with a swipe of your favorite lipstick to add a little color and voila, soft nourished lips!
  3. With mineral sunscreen: Mix 1 pump Purist or Alpine Phytonutrient Serum with your mineral sunscreen to improve spreadability and empart a delightful aroma.
  4. On the backs of hands: Got leftover serum in your palm? Massage it into the back of your hands to help improve the appearance of sunspots and rejuvenate skin.
  5. As a facial treat: Mix one tablespoon of raw honey with one tablespoon of Snow Rose Recovery Mark for a luxurious polishing exfoliant.
  6. As an mask enhancer: Mix 1 pump Alpine or Purist Serum into your favorite face mask to boost hydrating effects and deliver protective antioxidant benefits to your skin.
  7. Instant sugar scrub: Mix 1 pump Purist or Alpine to a tablespoon of sugar and use as an exfoliating scrub on damp skin.

However you choose to use get the most out of our formulas you can rest assured knowing that you are giving your skin the absolute best nutrition available. 

Have a personal tip you want to share? Leave a comment below and let us know!



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Nepalese Goji Berries: A Superfood for Radiant Skin Health

Nepalese Goji Berries: A Superfood for Radiant Skin Health

Goji berries embody much more than just a tasty addition to your breakfast bowl. These nutrient-rich super-berries, also known as “wolfberries”, serve as a potent source of nutrients for your skin.

Originating from the lush landscapes of Asia, goji berries ( Lycium barbarumhave been revered in traditional medicine for centuries.

Lauded for their disease-preventing and immune-boosting properties, goji berries contain a dense concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and phytonutrients.

Antioxidants galore 

The secret behind goji berries' efficacy in promoting skin health lies in their exceptional antioxidant capacity. These antioxidants shield the skin from oxidative stress, which is a key contributor to premature aging. 

By neutralizing free radicals—unstable molecules that can damage skin cells—goji berries help maintain the skin's collagen and elastin integrity, ensuring its texture remains firm and youthful.

The rich nutrient profile of goji berries, including carotenoids, vitamin C, oleic acid, and polysaccharides, plays a crucial role in enhancing skin color, texture, and overall resilience.

Let’s take a look at each one of these constituents in detail.

Carotenoids, nature’s answer to the sun's rays

Carotenoids, responsible for goji berries' vibrant red color, are formidable allies against environmental aggressors.

Zeaxanthin and lutein, two prominent carotenoids found in goji berries, help guard against UV-induced damage and pollution, safeguarding the skin's structural components and mitigating inflammation.

Skin vitality trio: beta carotene, vitamin C, and zinc

This powerful trio works synergistically to support skin health.

Beta carotene, a vitamin A precursor, excels in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, helping to preserve the skin's elasticity and promoting collagen synthesis.

Vitamin C, known for its brightening effects, contributes to an even skin tone and smoother texture. Zinc enhances these benefits by supporting fibroblast function, essential for maintaining the skin's strength and resilience.

Anti-inflammatory heroes: polysaccharides and betaine

Goji berries are rich in polysaccharides, which not only hydrate and plump the skin but also soothe it, offering protection against harmful biochemical processes. 

Betaine, another key compound, combats inflammation and helps to preserve collagen and elastin from degradation, particularly from sun exposure, thereby preventing premature aging.

Moisture-locking oleic acid

Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid found in goji berries, reinforces the skin's barrier function, minimizing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and ensuring lasting hydration.

Its anti-inflammatory properties, coupled with its antioxidant benefits, provide comprehensive protection against environmental damage and aging.

Why we use Nepalese goji berries

Nepalse goji berries are particularly beneficial for skin health.

This is because the high altitude, clean air and strong sunlight of the Himalayas contribute to a denser nutrient profile that other goji berry varieties.

The glacial deposits over centuries have enriched the Himalayan soil with minerals, ensuring that the goji berries grown here are packed with a higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants essential for skin vitality. Nepalese goji include significant levels of antioxidants such as zeaxanthin and polysaccharides.

You can find goji berry oil inclueded in our best-selling Alpine Phytonutient Serum.

Goji berries for skin health

The integration of goji berries into skincare formulations and dietary habits stands as a testament to their multifaceted benefits for skin health. By offering protection against oxidative damage, enhancing collagen production, and maintaining hydration, goji berries present a holistic approach to achieving radiant, healthy skin.

Incorporating goji berries into both your skincare routine and diet helps nurture and preserve the skin's natural vitality and beauty. 

Goji berries are a clear favorite for anyone seeking to bolster their skin health through nutrient-rich, natural ingredients.

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Skin Barrier Health: Maintaining Vibrant Skin into Your 50's & Beyond

Skin Barrier Health: Maintaining Vibrant Skin into Your 50's & Beyond

As we age, our skin's texture and ability to retain moisture start to change. This is because the amount of natural oils your skin produces declines dramatically after the age of 40. Some might go so far as to say that their oil glands have gone on strike!

But it’s not just that our skin produces less natural oils. The structure of our skin also changes, becoming thinner and less dense, a change that can further contribute to trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and impaired barrier function.

Both thinner and drier skin can greatly diminish optimal skin barrier function. One of the best things you can do for mature skin is to make sure your skin barrier remains intact and healthy by providing it with the vitamins, nutrients, and moisture that it needs.

Specifically, phytoceramides, precious oils and hyaluronic acid, which act synergistically toghether to mimic the composition of the skin’s natural barrier. Both our serums and our Aspen Dew Essence are designed to provide these key actives and help to promote optimal skin barrier health so you can keep your glow going.

For more on how to naturally boost your skin health and improve barrier function, check out our tips below...

How you can boost skin barrier health

Use a serum daily 

Invest in a clean, results-driven serum, like The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum or Purist Delicate Skin Serum, that fortifies and nourishes depleted skin with vitamin renewal while shielding against oxidative damage that leads to premature aging.

Use a gentle cleanser twice a day

Oil cleansers are preferred as they clean without stripping. Avoid anything that leaves your skin feeling “squeaky clean” as this is a sure sign your skin is being stripped of its natural oils and moisture.

Get your Omega 3s

Take a high-quality fish oil or flaxseed Omega 3 supplement, to improve the fatty acid composition of your skin and balance its inflammatory response. Our favorite is Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega.

Avoid hot water

Use warm (not hot!) water on your face so you are not stripping your skin of its natural oils and limit over-bathing.

Use SPF

Upgrade your sunscreen game, use a non-nano SPF sunscreen to protect against age spots and skin cancer. Makeup with SPF does not provide the same level of protection. While using SPF may feel over-stated, it remains one of the single most powerful ways to help prevent premature photo-aging. For more on this topic, check out our post on the myriad ways UV rays damage skin.

However you choose to support your skin barrier health, remember, caring for your skin is always an act of self-care. 

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Maintain Glowing Skin While Traveling

Maintain Glowing Skin While Traveling

Have you ever hopped on a jet only to disembark at your destination and have your previously glowing complexion look dry, flaky, or just plain out of sorts?

There’s a reason this happens during travel. To understand why we must first take a look at our skin’s natural moisturizing factor, or NMF for short.

Your Skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)

To stay hydrated, your skin produces what’s called a natural moisturizing factor (NMF). It consists of water-attracting compounds, like amino acids, urea, lactic acid, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, and other small molecules. These substances work together to bind ambient water molecules to the skin, keeping it hydrated and in a state of balance.

The fascinating thing is, your skin naturally adjusts how much NMF it produces. And it does this based on the environment you’re in.

For example, let’s say you live in a dry climate with low humidity levels like Colorado. Your skin will make more NMF than if you lived someplace with higher ambient humidity levels like Texas or Florida.

When you travel, your skin senses the change in environmental humidity, altitude, sun exposure, etc., and works overtime to bring itself back into a state of homeostasis, or balance. 

But this adjustment takes time and it’s one of the big reasons our skin can react negatively, looking dry and dull or on the opposite spectrum, breaking out within days after arriving on vacation.

To help your skin bounce back more quickly while you travel, try these tips and tricks.

Tips for Maintaining Glowing Skin While Traveling

Consider air travel

Any air travel you do will dehydrate your skin as cabin air has very little humidity. Before boarding apply a moisturizing facial serum like the Alpine Phytonutrient Serum and reapply during your flight.

Don’t worry, at one ounce each, TSA will allow you to carry on multiple full-sized TellurideGlow serums. This will help protect your skin from drying out as a result of the constant wicking effects of dry air being circulated in the cabin. Plus the soothing scent of the Alpine will add a little extra relaxation to your trip. 

You can also use a hydrating facial mist and spritz your face periodically during the flight. This will help add moisture back onto the surface of your skin, and since TSA won’t allow you to carry on a personal humidifier, it’s your next best option. 

Bring a lip ointment or dab some Purist Delicate Skin Serum onto your lips to keep them from cracking and chapping.

Pick up a water bottle so you can stay well hydrated while you fly. To that end, avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol, both are known diuretics. 

This will help your skin bounce back more quickly and reduce the effects of jetlag if you're traveling overseas. You can always have a Parisien cappuccino or an Aperol Spritz once you land.  

Moisturize

Once you arrive at your destination, restore moisture to dehydrated skin with our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence. As a water-based formula, the Aspen Dew will deposit moisture back into your skin while the micro-molecular hyaluronic acid in it will help to continuously pull ambient moisture back into your skin. 

Follow with a skin barrier recovery serum like the Alpine to help balance skin post-travel. The phytoceramides found in both the Alpine and Purist will help protect your skin from additional moisture loss by preventing further trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).

Cleanse gently

For cleansing while traveling, avoid harsh soaps or foaming products as these will strip your skin barrier of its natural oils. Skip potentially irritating hotel soaps and cleansers. Look for an oil-based or cream cleanser to help deposit lipids back onto your skin. 

And tempting as it might be, try not to over-cleanse while traveling. Over-cleansing can cause an inflammatory reaction in your skin, worsening dryness, hormonal breakouts, and skin conditions like eczema. 

Be mindful of chlorinated water

The water at your destination may have more chlorine, water softeners, or hard minerals than what you’re used to back home. These can worsen dry skin and aggravate reactive skin. 

This rule applies to swimming in chlorinated pools. Always rinse off after you get out to help remove any residual chlorine.

Sunscreen

You have heard it a million times but it bears repeating, always protect your skin from the sun. Especially if you’re traveling to a mountain town like Telluride where intense UV exposure and high altitudes can literally worsen every skin condition under the… ahem, sun. 

Choose a non-toxic sunscreen with a pleasing texture that you will enjoy using and apply it every few hours when out of doors.

Wishing you happy travels and glowing skin this summer!

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Is Your Skin Acting Up?

Is Your Skin Acting Up?

One of the most noticeable changes in mature skin is in the way the skin feels.

A slower cell turnover and reduction in lipid production on the skin's surface means roughness and dryness are more likely. As this particular layer of the skin ages, it becomes more sensitive to UV light.

Over-cleansing, over-stripping, and over-drying your skin can compromise the moisture barrier and microbiomes (skin flora), which are really important for skin protection.

A less-is-more approach is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin from potential irritation, allergic reactions, and blemishes from congestion.

Because the skin’s lipid barrier replaces itself less frequently as we get older, it can become irritated more easily and cause increased sensitivity over time.

A less-is-more approach is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin from potential irritation, allergic reactions, and blemishes from congestion.

One way to address these issues is to streamline your skincare routine and focused on pure ingredients with no irritants.

Not only is using fewer products immensely liberating, but it’s also better for your skin health!

Read on for our streamlined skin ritual with our Vibrant Skin Duo…..

Streamline your skincare with our vibrant skin duo

Step 1: Apply Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence

The “Dew” as many fans call it, is an active product that has everything you need for healthy skin.

Moisturizing: Quad humectants for deep, progressive hydration including micro-molecular hyaluronic acid, phytocerimides, and Niacinamide (B3).

Brightening: Bearberry extract for brightening skin and the appearance of spots.

Rejuvenating: Swiss Edelweiss flowers protect from environmental stressors and helps revitalizes tired skin.

Smoothing: Aspen Bark smooths and conditions skin.

Botanical retinol alternative: Dew Bean helps reveal a fresh and radiant complexion without the associated irritation from traditional retinol.

Step 2: Apply Alpine Phytonutrient Serum

The Alpine Phytonutrient Serum delivers serious skin recovery. You get gorgeous moisture while fortifying your skin barrier, and hydrating depleted skin.

This hard-working serum absorbs instantly, leaving skin smooth, radiant, and supple. Free from harmful chemicals, preservatives, alcohol, artificial colors, or fragrances.

Defend against photo-aging: Alpine adaptogens help guard skin against the effects of premature photo-aging. 

Nourishing: High-performance alpine Sea Buckthorn Berry, arctic Cloudberry, and Rosehip provide skin-beautifying nutrients for an instantly luminous complexion. 

Plumping: Uniquely encapsulated phospholipids from Nepalese Gogi berry and acai promote hydrophilic plumping of the skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines.

Revitalizing: Superstar moringa, known as the "tree of life" instantly restores tired skin.

Calming: Arnica Montana flower targets puffiness and soothes reddened skin.

Scaling back on complicated skincare routines, and replacing them with fewer but higher quality products, is often an easy way to help resolve skin problems.

Whatever routine your choose, trust that your skin knows best! 

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Are You Getting The Most Out Of Your Oil Serum?

Are You Getting The Most Out Of Your Oil Serum?

It's an ah-ha moment

Someone recently told me she just tried an oil serum for the first time and thought, "Why haven't I done this before?"

It's pretty eye opening because you see immediate visible results, plus long term results if you have chosen a quality product. As with everything, there are many choices in price and quality.

“I looked for a product for my face for years, trying absolutely everything. Nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to your products.”  ~ Chris Char

Ways to use oil serums

● Use alone on clean skin for a light, natural glow.
● If you choose to use a skin cream (it may not be necessary), press into skin on top of the cream to seal in nutrients and moisture. Or blend 2 drops right into the cream.
● If you use our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence, apply after the Essence. Or mix one pump Aspen Dew and one pump oil serum for a faster application.
● Refresh during the day by pressing a drop over makeup to create subtle highlights.
● Blend one pump into your Snow Rose Recovery Mask when mixing.

How to apply oil serums 

If you are new to oil serums, it is easy to assume you use the same amount as a cream, and therefore use too much. You conclude the product is just 'too greasy.'

But a good oil serum is waterless, making it very concentrated, and it shouldn't have fillers that take up space. Every ingredient should have a job to improve your skin health for improved skin tone and texture.

If the product imparts a greasy feel instead of a velvety feel, you may be 1. using more than necessary or 2. may need a different combination of ingredients. Our pump is calibrated to give most people what they need in one pump, so there is no guessing and no waste. Plus no spills from messy droppers.

Pump once onto the back of your hand, then dot it on the most needy parts of your face, neck and décolletage.

Press and massage in with upward strokes until you get a replenished, nourished, and silky feel.

If you just need a drop or two as mentioned above, barely press the pump and you'll get just the right amount.

If your skin is sensitive or reactive as mine is, The Purist may be the one for you. It's equally as potent as The Alpine with absolutely no irritants. I love it around the eyes to diminish the appearance of fine lines and provide ongoing nourishment and anti-aging benefits.


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