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Skincare Journal

Plant Actives for Unblemished Skin at Any Age

Plant Actives for Unblemished Skin at Any Age

Even dry and mature skin can suffer from breakouts. Why does one mark on an otherwise flawless face grab all the attention? Incorporate these botanical ingredients to maintain clear skin without a second thought.

Actives to look for

The most effective ingredients for maintaining clear skin are those that balance oil production and increase cell turnover. 

BHA'S

Reduce oil production, increase cell turnover, and are antimicrobial and antibacterial. You'll feel the tingle of natural salicylic acid in our Snow Rose Recovery Mask from white willow bark serving up BHA-like benefits. 

Ceramides

Phytoceramides are recognized for reinforcing and protecting the skin from trans-epidermal water loss and are believed to help improve epidermal integrity. Even oily skin needs hydration. You'll find phytoceramides in Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence.

Retinoids

Dew Bean is known to boost skin renewal, reduce oil production and reveal a fresh, radiant complexion as a natural, botanical alternative to retinol. Vigna Anticontifolia is our find in Aspen Dew without the irritants found in synthetic retinoids.  

Niacinamide

Vitamin B3 from seaweed (vs synthetic) inhibits the transfer of pigment to the skin to help visibly improve enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, and a weakened surface. Niacinamide is a key ingredient in Aspen Dew. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect from the environment's aggressions. Vitamin C also helps brighten skin and increase hydration. Ours is abundant and naturally occurring in its most bioavailable whole plant form in several ingredients in all our products, such as Swiss Edelweiss in our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence. 

Vitamin E

You'll often see vitamin E paired with vitamin C for better results and ours is purely whole plant from sunflowers. This vitamin E offers potent antioxidants and has emollient properties that help the skin retain its moisture. Found in Aspen Dew, the Alpine, and Purist. 

Green tea

Camellia seed oil in the Purist is a rich source of palmitic and Omega-6 linoleic fatty acids, as well as numerous anti-aging polyphenol antioxidants. Fast absorbing, it permeates deep into the lower layers of the skin, encouraging cell turnover and giving the skin support and flexibility.

Frankincense

Frankincense essential oil in the Alpine is great for oily skin and acne because it is a natural astringent, helping to regulate sebum and remove excess oil.

Jojoba seed oil

Jojoba has superb absorption properties similar to our skin’s own sebum. It helps to both balance and reduce oil production, support cell turnover, and has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. We believe so strongly in starting with balanced skin that we made cold-pressed, organic Jojoba the first ingredient in both The Alpine and The Purist.

Superoxide dismustase

A powerful antioxidant in Aspen Dew, with enzymes that assist in reducing free radical damage to the skin and subsequent signs of aging.

Rosehip seed oil

Rosehip seed oil's vitamin A and linoleic acid content help regulate sebum production, which can help prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming. It is found in the Alpine and The Purist.

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10 Vitamin C Serum Benefits For Glowing Skin

10 Vitamin C Serum Benefits For Glowing Skin

We've been hearing a lot in the news about vitamin C taken internally for its powerfully protective antioxidants, but do you know the amazing topical benefits vitamin C can have for your skin? 

According to board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler, Vitamin C is "a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals." and "Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin's natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells."

Whether you choose a single-source ingredient vitamin C serum or a synergistic botanical blend rich in naturally occurring vitamin C like our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum, we believe this vitamin should be a beauty staple in every skincare regime.

Why we prefer natural vitamin C in our serums

Look on any of our ingredient lists and you won't find the words 'Vitamin C." Synthetic and food-derived vitamin C is chemically identical.

However, plants are rich in numerous micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), dietary fiber, and phytochemicals (e.g., bioflavonoids), and the presence of some of these may affect the bioavailability of vitamin C, according to the Natural Institute of Health.

So as in all of our products, we prefer to deliver whole-food vitamin C occurring in its natural state, with minimal processing for maximum results.

And because whole plant antioxidants are less stable than synthetic versions, we package them in dark glass with treatment pumps to safeguard these valuable nutrients.

An abundance of vitamin C in our serums & essence

We believe in simplicity with a two-step daily ritual, so there is no need to buy additional vitamin C products.

Our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum and Purist Delicate Skin Serum truly deliver when it comes to natural vitamin C.  Search for oils with the highest levels of vitamin C and Seabuckthorn, Rosehip, and Jojoba will always be at top of the list, and you'll find them in high levels in both serums, plus organic certification to ensure no pesticides.

But we didn't stop there. 

Other organic ingredients include Arctic Cloudberry from Scandinavia, Gogi from Nepal, nutritionally dense Moringa from the Himalayas, exotic Neroli blossoms, Evening Primrose, Canadian Hemp, Pomegranate, cold weather Cranberry and Roman Chamomile--and every single one of them pack a punch of vitamin C.

Our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence boasts sustainably harvested Edelweiss from the Swiss Alps, with twice the free radical scavenging power of Vitamin C.

Snow Rose Recovery Mask transports its Vitamin C from the second, abundant ingredient on the deck:  Rose Petal powder, which is a natural skin brightener that also soothes irritation. 

Many of these powerful ingredients are from high-altitude survivalist plants known for their extreme nutrients.  We source worldwide to provide the highest ratios and greatest variety of cytoprotective high-altitude botanicals on the market, with 14 of our 50 whole plant botanicals grown at higher elevations.

Read on for 10 reasons you should be incorporating this powerful antioxidant into your skincare regime.

Ten reasons we love Vitamin C serum

1. Anti-aging

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect from the environment's aggressions by neutralizing free radicals, like those from damaging UV, blue light, and particulate pollution.

2. Brightening

A natural skin brightener, high-quality vitamin C serum can help significantly reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation to give your natural radiance a boost. 

3. Firms & tones skin

Vitamin C serum helps keep skin firm and toned while combating crepey skin thanks to its beneficial effects on collagen production.

4. Clarifies & decongest pores

Vitamin C serums help balance sebum production by clarifying oily or acne-prone skin. It also gently exfoliates, removing dead skin cells and decongesting clogged pores. 

5. Boosts collagen

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin for the production of collagen, a protein that gives the skin its elasticity and firmness. Using a vitamin C serum can help to boost collagen, leading to more youthful-looking skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

6. Smoothes skin 

Vitamin C helps improve skin texture by assisting in cell turnover, leading to a smoother and even skin tone. This action pairs especially with a natural retinol alternative like dew bean, found in our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence. Just one of the many reasons the Aspen Dew is so effective!

7. Hydrating

Vitamin C is a humectant, meaning that it helps skin to retain moisture, which leads to more hydrated and bouncy skin while diminishing the appearance of fine lines. 

8. Reduce the look of acne scars

Vitamin C can help to naturally support the recovery of damaged skin and reduce the appearance of acne scars and other marks left by blemishes. This makes vitamin C serum an excellent choice post-medspa.

9. Calms angry skin

Vitamin C has known anti-inflammatory properties and can help to calm down reddened and angry skin. A vitamin C serum helps maintain skin barrier integrity and protect against further damage.

10. Boosts radiance

By brightening, hydrating, and improving the texture of the skin, using a vitamin C serum can help to boost overall skin radiance, resulting in a healthy glowing complexion.

Stay well by incorporating vitamin C not just into your diet, but in your skincare as well!

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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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Moringa Oil Benefits for Skin

Moringa Oil Benefits for Skin

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is known as the "Miracle Tree."

This tenacious plant, a native to the foothills of the Himalayas, can withstand severe climatic conditions, including severe drought and frost. These extreme conditions may increase moringa’s adaptogenic potential making it the perfect skin superfood.

One study shows moringa seed oil may facilitate healing acute physiological and chronic wounds, accelerating the healing process, acting positively on collagen content and myofibroblasts.*. 

Morning seed oil is found in our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum and is a skin nutrient powerhouse.

Benefits of Moringa Seed Oil

Recovery

Moringa seeds are rich in oleic acid (omega 9) and behenic acid which support skin barrier function. These fatty acids may reduce epidermal inflammation and protect the skin from cellular damage.

Healing

Moringa seed oil has been shown in studies to accelerate rates of wound healing, reduce inflammation, and increase collagen content in the skin. It has high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins, and manganese.

Moisturizing

Morning seed oil is a natural phytoceramide that has been shown in studies to effectively boost skin recovery and protect against trans epidermal water loss (TEWL).

Anti-aging

Containing both phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, these phytonutrients provide powerful anti-oxidant protection from lifestyle-induced free radicals. Moringa seed oil may prevent premature aging caused by UV exposure and pollutants.  

Soothing

Glucosinolates offer microbial and anti-inflammatory benefits. This phytonutrient calms and soothes the skin and protects it from inflammatory processes that may lead to accelerated skin aging.

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3-Step Evening Face Massage

3-Step Evening Face Massage

Studies have shown that facial massage improves collagen and elastin production. Regular massage helps boost circulation while reducing puffiness. 

Night time is optimal to apply restorative serums to skin as absorption won’t be blocked by makeup, environmental pollutants or worn away through the course of the day. 

Step 1: Cleanse with an oil cleanser

  • Before bed, cleanse your face with 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite oil-cleanser for 30-60 seconds.
  • Place a warm damp wash cloth on your face, then wipe away dirt and makeup. 

Step 2: Smooth away fine lines

  • Evenly distribute 1 teaspoon high-grade facial oil over your face. For dry skin choose almond or argan oil. For oily skin, jojoba oil and for sensitive skin use moringa oil.
  • Press your fingertips between your brows and gently slide them up your forehead toward your hairline. Repeat several times to cover your whole forehead.
  • Massage from the center of your face past your cheeks and toward your ears. Keep this up-and-out motion across your entire face and jawline.
  • Finish with gentle vertical strokes from collarbone upward along your neck.

Step 3: Apply serums 

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