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Summer Beauty

Summer is a time for beach days, pool parties, and vacations. But while summer is full of fun in the sun, the longer hours of daylight and hot, humid weather can affect your skin differently than the colder and darker days of winter. In this blog, we will explore how summer can impact your skin, share hot weather tips, and even bust a few summer skincare myths. 

How Summer Affects Your Skin

Every season impacts your skin differently. If you notice your complexion changing during summer, it could be because the hot, humid weather is having an effect. Here’s a look at the changes your skin may undergo during the summer: 

  • High heat and humidity can make your skin oilier. Your sebaceous glands are more active in hot weather, and with the increased oil on your skin, breakouts can become more likely. 1 
  • The heat can make your sweat glands more active. Excessive sweating can affect more than just your face. The combination of sweat, bacteria, and friction from your clothing may also cause breakouts on your back and chest.2
  • Chlorinated water may dry out your skin. Swimming is a great way to cool off in the summer, but the chlorine in the water can strip your skin of its natural hydrating oils. As a result, your skin may feel dry and flaky or even develop an itchy rash after spending an afternoon at the pool.3
  • UV rays can change your skin in several ways. You may be excited to get a tan this summer, but sun exposure does more than just darken your skin and make freckles appear. For instance, if you’re outside too long without protection, you could get sunburned. Excessive UV rays can also cause swelling, irregular pigmentation, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging.4
  • Summer heat can trigger eczema flare-ups. While psoriasis sufferers often benefit from UV exposure and high humidity, it’s a different story for people with eczema. In fact, the heat of summer can trigger increased skin irritation and redness, so it’s important not to let your skin overheat if you have this condition.5
  • Bacteria can sabotage your skincare products. Bacteria thrive in heat and humidity, making summer the ideal season for them to grow. To discourage bacteria growth, be sure to store your skincare products in a cool, dry place. You can also replace your brushes and pads frequently to help your skin stay clean and clear.6 
  • Fake tanning products can have a drying effect. A faux glow is safer than a natural one, but your fake tanner might be the source of mysteriously dry, sensitive skin. Check the ingredients list, and if you see specially denatured (SD) alcohol or ethanol, consider switching to a new product.7

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type System

Scientists developed the Fitzpatrick Skin Type System in 1975. It remains a useful way to determine skin type, skin cancer risk, and is an accurate predictor of a patient’s reaction to UVA rays. Skin cancer is a common type of cancer in the United States, and according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.8

Experts established the Fitzpatrick Skin Types by asking individuals how their skin reacted to the sun. The results showed clear trends that allowed researchers to identify six different skin types according to how much melanin was present.  A 2013 study also confirmed that the system was useful in identifying who was most at risk of sunburn.9 

The table below shows a summary of the Fitzpatrick Skin Types and their features:

Source: Laser Hair Removal

Remember: The Fitzpatrick Scale acts as a guide rather than a definitive classification. A person’s skin type may not fit neatly into one category. 

How To Protect Each Skin Type

The sun’s UV rays can cause damage to any skin type. Regardless of their skin type, individuals who are spending time outdoors should: 

  • Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30.
  • Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Sit or walk in the shade when possible.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that block UV rays.
  • Wear protective clothing if out in the sun for extended periods.
  • Check your skin at least once per month for changes and seek medical advice if any occur. 

The sections below discuss the risks associated with each skin type and why everyone needs to protect their skin:

Types I and II

Those with skin types I or II often have fair skin, freckles, and light hair, which the American Cancer Society (ACS) lists as risk factors for melanoma. Individuals with very fair skin should take additional precautions to protect their skin.

For example, they should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. It’s also best for those with skin type I or II to avoid sun exposure as much as possible and wear protective clothing that reflects the sun’s rays.

Types III and IV

If a person has skin type III or IV, their skin can burn, but it will also tan. The risk of skin cancer due to sun exposure is lower than it is for those with types I and II, but there is still a risk. It’s vital to always wear sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 or higher, along with limiting sun exposure and wearing protective clothing.

Although the Fitzpatrick Skin Types vary widely among people of a similar origin, those with Types III and IV often include people of Mediterranean, Southern European, Latino, and Asian ancestry.10 Skin cancer accounts for 2–4% of all cancers in people of Asian origin and 4–5% of all cancers in people of Hispanic origin.11

The authors of a 2012 study expressed concern about the risk of skin cancer among Hispanic people in the U.S. They called for “culturally relevant, tailored interventions” to raise awareness of the need for sun protection and preventive measures.12 The ACS also expresses concern, noting that skin cancer rates have risen by nearly 20% among Hispanic people in the U.S. in the past 20 years.13

Types V and VI

People with skin types V and VI also have a risk of developing skin cancer, though the risk is lower than it is for people with types I or II. Even if the skin does not burn, sun damage can lead to cancer and early signs of skin aging. 

Skin cancer accounts for just 1–2% of all cancers in Black people.14 When it does occur, the outlook may be worse for several reasons, including the following:

  • Awareness: As with Hispanic communities, Black individuals and their healthcare providers may be less watchful for signs of skin cancer, given that it mainly affects lighter skin.
  • Expectation: Healthcare workers are less likely to expect that skin cancer will be present in darker skin and may not perform a full check. Lesions may also look different on darker skin than those shown in educational materials.
  • Location: In Skin Types V and VI, changes may occur in places that are not exposed to the sun, such as the soles of the feet. This may make them less noticeable.

Protective measures are as essential for skin types V and VI as they are for the other types. However, sunscreens designed for lighter skin may leave a residue on the face that gives an ashen or chalky look. According to one expert, writing for the Skin Cancer Foundation, creams that contain nanoparticles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide may work well. 

Fact or Myth: Summer Skincare Edition

We’ve all fallen victim to believing a skincare myth that made us think we could get away with something because it was easier. From SPF and acne myths to the truth behind facial oils, we’re here to bust some myths so you can hit the beach informed, confident, and most importantly – sunburn free. 

Myth: Skin Is Oilier in the Summer, so You Don’t Need Moisturizer

Fact: Moisturizers are still a must during summer. They not only discourage the build-up of dead skin cells by keeping the skin cells healthier, but if you toss your moisturizer altogether, your skin can get dry and dehydrated, and actually increase oil production in response.

Myth: Lips Don’t Get Sunburned

Fact: The truth is lips can get sunburned and sun-damaged, and burns on the lips can contribute to the development of lip cancers. SPF-containing lip products are the key to keeping your lips healthy and sunburn-free. Check out Sun Bum’s Vegan and Cruelty-Free Lip Balm SPF 30.

Myth: Misting With Water Keeps You Hydrated

Fact: This actually can cause more dehydration. As the mist evaporates, it pulls your surface moisture with it and your skin ends up with surface dehydration, which leads to clogged pores, and then you’re unable to blend your makeup. So if you like to mist your face, make sure to use mists that have humectants and actually keep the moisture in, instead of pulling it out. You can try the Dalba White Truffle First Spray Serum Mist which features excellent humectants. 

Myth: Sun Exposure Is a Great Way to Treat Acne

Fact: Although it’s true that sun exposure can down-regulate the immune system in the skin and therefore temporarily improve inflammatory acne, this is not a safe way to treat breakouts. The side effects of accelerated aging and skin cancer risk are much more serious than acne, and sun exposure actually emboldens dark spots.

Myth: Always Use Creams With Sunblock in the Morning

Fact: SPF disintegrates after a certain time, depending on its number and your skin, so using it only in the morning is counterproductive. The only way you can truly stay safe is by reapplying every one to two hours. So, while we encourage applying every morning or before you leave the house, it’s also really important to top up throughout the day. 

Myth: You Don’t Need Sun Protection for Your Body Because You Are Wearing Clothing

Fact: A typical cotton or linen t-shirt only has an SPF of five. This means you can still get sunburned through your shirt. To protect yourself consider wearing sun-protective fabrics. There are fashionable options out there that provide UPF 50+ (The letters UPF refer to how much UV ray radiation is absorbed by the fabric). The skin cancer foundation has some great tips and advice on UPF-rated clothing, which you can check out here.

Myth: The Higher the SPF, the Better the Sun Protection

Fact: Higher SPF only gives you marginally improved UV protection. It’s easy to think that sunscreens with SPF 70 or 100 would provide better coverage. But a higher SPF may actually give you a false sense of protection (and you may stay out longer in the sun or forget to reapply sunscreen after getting out from the water), thus you may burn more.

What’s more important is that your sunscreen is broad-spectrum, meaning that it blocks UVA and UVB, and that you reapply every two to three hours as recommended or after the skin gets wet from water or sweating.

Myth: People With Oily Skin Shouldn’t Use Face Oils

Fact: On the contrary, people with oily skin many times tend to over-strip their natural oil by using products with harsh ingredients. Using face oils can help to replenish the skin’s natural oil production, keeping oil levels balanced. Check out the Herban Wisdom® Facial Oil to keep your skin feeling fresh, healthy, glowing, and summer-ready.

A Guide to Summer Skincare

When you dream about your skin in summer, you might envision it being tanned, smooth, and glowing, but the reality can be somewhat different as you tackle the risk of sweat, sunburn, and premature aging due to the sunny conditions. While you may think you need to completely restructure your skincare routine to beat the summer heat, the reality is that with a few small tweaks, your skin will be feeling and looking its best all season long.

Here are some warm weather skincare tips you can try this summer:

SPF Is Your BFF

According to Dr. Stefanie Williams, dermatologist and medical director at Eudelo, “I always recommend using sun protection all year around. The reason for this is that while the burning UVB rays are much weaker in winter, the skin aging UVA rays don’t fluctuate as much throughout the seasons.”

“My recommendation is to wear an SPF 30  to slow down the aging process and keep your skin in optimal condition long-term,” she says. “However, should you have down-graded your SPF (or even worse, not used one) in the winter, then now is certainly the time to go back to daily SPF.”

Product Spotlight

CeraVe 100% Mineral Body Sunscreen SPF 50 with Zinc Oxide and Titanium DioxideTo shop the CeraVe 100% Mineral Body Sunscreen SPF 50 with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, click here.

Opt For a Lighter Skincare Routine

In the summer, we commonly change up our wardrobe to better reflect the warmer weather. Similarly, your skin-care routine may need to be a little more lightweight. The heat and humidity of summer mean you can swap out a heavier cleanser (think cream or oil cleanser) in favor of a gentler foaming option.

Product Spotlight

Honest Beauty Calm On Foaming Cream Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid + Phytosterols and Phospholipids + Amino AcidsTo shop the Honest Beauty Calm On Foaming Cream Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid + Phytosterols and Phospholipids + Amino Acids, click here

Adopt a Dual-Purpose Moisturizer

To help lighten things up, you can consider switching to a combination moisturizer and sunscreen during the summer. A lightweight moisturizer with SPF of 30 or higher may be plenty for most people as long as you’re applying a generous amount and reapplying every couple of hours, as with a regular sunscreen.

Thicker moisturizers can lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and acne; especially if you have acne-prone or oily skin. With summer causing increased sweating, clogged pores can really be an issue. Replacing one of your skin-care steps with a combination moisturizer/SPF can help keep skin clear and fresh during summer.

Product Spotlight

Paula’s Choice Calm SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Sun ProtectantTo shop the Paula’s Choice Calm SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Sun Protectant, click here

Add In a Good Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C serums are a necessity in an anti-aging skincare regimen. Vitamin C has been proven to:

  • Brighten your complexion
  • Reduce the appearance of scars and dark spots
  • Even out your skin tone
  • Smooth out fine lines and wrinkles
  • Prevent skin sagging

Vitamin C is even more essential in the summer when your skin takes the most damage from harsh UV rays and drying breezes. For optimal results, you can try layering a few drops of a vitamin C serum on your skin between cleansing and moisturizer.

Product Spotlight

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Perfect C SerumTo shop the MyChelle Dermaceuticals Perfect C Serum, click here

Always Exfoliate

Dermatologists often remind us not to over-exfoliate, but in the summertime, you can add a little more exfoliation to your routine, especially if you have oily skin. Instead of going all-out with it, slowly increasing the number of days you exfoliate per week will allow your skin to adapt much more quickly.

Product Spotlight

BABOR Enzyme Cleanser, Gentle Antioxidant Daily Face Exfoliator, with Vitamin C and Active EnzymesTo shop the BABOR Enzyme Cleanser, Gentle Antioxidant Daily Face Exfoliator, with Vitamin C and Active Enzymes, click here

Take Shorter, Cooler Showers

Nothing feels better after a long day than taking a nice hot shower. Unfortunately, hot water dries out your skin, which is an even bigger predicament during the summer. Instead, try to take a cool or lukewarm shower for 15 to 20 minutes. Not only will this keep your skin healthy during the warmer months, but it will also give you a chance to cool off from the heat.

Product Spotlight

Everyone 3-in-1 Soap, Body Wash, Bubble Bath, and Shampoo With Organic Plant Extracts and Pure Essential oilsTo shop the Everyone 3-in-1 Soap, Body Wash, Bubble Bath, and Shampoo With Organic Plant Extracts and Pure Essential oils, click here

Stay Hydrated

While this may not seem like a skincare tip, drinking water may have an impact on your skin’s health. Our bodies need water to keep cells, organs, and tissues operating at their best. Water is also necessary for temperature regulation and maintaining other bodily functions. In summer, it’s more important to drink water as we lose a significant amount of hydration through sweat. 

Drinking water can help you stay cool, which prevents breakouts and clogged pores. It can even prevent skin wrinkling. You can use this calculator to find out exactly how much water your body needs every day.

Product Spotlight

Sahara Sailor Water Bottle, 32oz Motivational Sports Water Bottle With Time MarkerTo shop the Sahara Sailor Water Bottle, 32oz Motivational Sports Water Bottle With Time Marker, click here

In Conclusion

Summer is warmer and sunnier than winter, and it’s only natural that your skin has different needs during the changing seasons. When you’re spending more time in the sun, it’s important to be mindful of sunscreen. Find a broad-spectrum SPF 30 and reapply every 2 hours to protect your skin from premature aging and skin cancer.

After all, a summer-friendly beauty routine will keep your skin happy and healthy all season long.

What is your favorite SPF? Do you have any summer skincare tips or tricks? Let us know in the comments!

 

References:

https://www.getthegloss.com/article/how-to-deal-with-oily-skin-in-warm-weather [1]

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/aug/how-sweat-works-why-we-sweat-when-we-are-hot-as-well-as-when-we-are-not/ [2]

https://coloradospringsdermatologyclinic.com/info/can-swimming-pool-and-hot-tub-chlorine-harm-your-skin/#:~:text=Add%20to%20that%20the%20fact,contributing%20factor%20to%20premature%20aging. [3]

https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/radiation-exposure/uv-radiation.html#:~:text=UV%20rays%2C%20either%20from%20the,actinic%20keratosis%2C%20and%20solar%20elastosis. [4]

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-to-minimize-the-risk-of-eczema-flare-ups-on-hot-summer-days#:~:text=For%20those%20living%20with%20eczema,sun%20on%20hot%2C%20dry%20days. [5]

https://www.herworld.com/beauty/skin/10-things-consider-storing-your-skincare-fridge/ [6]

https://www.cocoandeve.com/blogs/news/how-to-shower-for-a-longer-fake-tan#:~:text=Many%20fake%20tans%20can%20be,skin%20while%20still%20slightly%20damp. [7]

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/ [8]

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/1737180 [9]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3709783/ [10]

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/ [11]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3533808/ [12]

https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/dispelling-myths-to-decrease-skin-cancer-in-latinos.html [13]

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/ [14]

Can CBD Help Hair Grow?

It’s certainly high times for the world of cannabis right now. As legalization continues across North America, it’s clear that the stigma around cannabis has been dramatically reduced with more people than ever buying and using cannabis products. CBD is a substance derived from the cannabis, or hemp, plant that has been proven to assist with an array of maladies; however, CBD is an all-natural gift that may also perform wonders for more than just your medicinal health. In this blog, we’ll explore CBD and its benefits for scalp health and hair growth.

A Brief Look At CBD

Cannabis sativa L. is a hearty, nutrient-rich plant containing about a thousand and one molecules, including about 113 cannabinoid compounds. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of those compounds. Cannabinoids occur naturally in the body and, as studied, CBD has been shown to provide relief for several ailments and illnesses including depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and epilepsy. Additionally, CBD may provide significant benefits to the wellbeing of your skin and hair.

CBD should not be confused with THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. The US government made a distinction to classify Cannabis sativa L. plants low in THC (less than 0.3% in dry weight) as hempThe 2018 Farm Bill legalized the regulated production and commercialization of industrial hemp on a federal level; however, each state has the final say in whether or not cannabis-derived products are legal within their territories.

CBD fact sheetSource: My Golf Spy

You can learn more about CBD here.

The Stages of Hair Growth

The growth and loss of hair may seem like a simple process, but the hair growth cycle is actually composed of three distinct phases. The three phases — anagen, catagen, and telogen — cover the growth and maturation of hair and the activity of the hair follicles that produce individual hairs. 

Here’s a brief look into the stages of hair growth:

Anagen: Growing Phase

The stages of hair growth begin with the anagen phase. It’s the longest phase, lasting about three to five years for the hairs on your head, though for some people, a single hair could continue growing for seven or more years.

During the anagen phase, your hair follicles are pushing out hairs that will grow until they’re cut or they reach the end of their lifespan and fall out. At any time, about 90% of the hairs on your head are in the anagen phase.

Catagen: Transition Phase

The catagen phase starts when the anagen phase ends and tends to last about 10 days. During this phase, hair follicles shrink and hair growth slows. The hair also separates from the bottom of the hair follicle, yet remains in place during its final days of growing. About 5% of the hairs on your head are in the catagen phase at any given time.

Telogen: Resting Phase

Telogen is the resting phase and usually accounts for 6% to 8% of all hairs. It lasts for about 100 days for hairs on the scalp and longer for hairs on the eyebrow, eyelash, arm, and leg. During the telogen phase, new hairs start to form in follicles that have just released hairs during the catagen phase.

Stages of hair growth

Pictured: Phases of hair growth    Source: Advanced Hair Studio

CBD May Balance Hormonal Activity and Stress

Hormonal fluctuations and stress are some of the most common reasons for hair loss. The common hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) interferes with the hair’s growth cycle by shrinking and shortening the hair, thus making it easier for it to fall out and more difficult for it to grow back. 

DHT is derived from testosterone, which is a hormone that’s present in both men and women. As you get older, testosterone and DHT have many benefits for your body, such as maintaining your overall muscle mass and promoting sexual health and fertility. 

About 10% of testosterone in all adults is converted to DHT with the help of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). Once DHT is freely flowing through your bloodstream, it can then link to receptors on hair follicles in your scalp, causing them to shrink and become less capable of supporting a healthy head of hair.

CBD interacts with several receptors; it works to achieve hormonal balance to aid in coping with hair fall and also stimulate hair growth.1 In addition, while testosterone comes from reproductive organs in response to the hormones LH and FSH from the hypothalamus, it’s been shown that CBD may affect LH and FSH levels, which can result in hormonal balance.2

Stress can also have an intense impact on your scalp health and overall nutrient availability for hair growth, which can influence hormone fluctuations that further the problem. CBD is known to possess anti-anxiety benefits that can aid in balancing stress levels in the body and in turn, keep hormones at the right levels to promote healthy hair.

Can CBD Support Healthy Hair Growth?

One of the primary benefits of CBD for hair is that it contains a wide range of different amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. As a result, CBD oil can potentially strengthen thinning hair and stimulate hair growth.

According to a study administered by Gregory L. Smith and John Satino, CBD oil may help with hair regrowth after hair loss. The study showed that people who topically applied CBD oil to their hair and scalp for six months saw successful regrowth.

In Smith and Santino’s study, the TRPV1 receptors, which are responsible for sending your hair into the catagen phase, were researched. CBD was found to communicate with the TRPV1 receptors by working to activate and soothe them excessively to the point that they become desensitized to other stimuli.

With the TRPV1 receptors being desensitized to outside factors, the study found that they are less likely to initiate the catagen phase of hair growth, thus prolonging the anagen phase and allowing hair to grow for a longer period of time.3

Before and after photos of participants in Gregory L. Smith and John Satino’s study of CBD’s effects on hair growth

Before and after photos of participants in Gregory L. Smith and John Satino’s study of CBD’s effects on hair growth

Pictured: Before and after photos of participants in Gregory L. Smith and John Satino’s study of CBD’s effects on hair growth     Source: Hair Loss Cure

Subject change in hair count over six months in Gregory L. Smith and John Satino’s study of CBD’s effects on hair

Pictured: Subject change in hair count over six months in Gregory L. Smith and John Satino’s study of CBD’s effects on hair    Source: Research MJ

CBD also demonstrated promising results in a recent case study on 35 people at the Hair and Scalp Center in Clearwater, Florida. After six months, the hair in the temporal area increased by 74.1% in men and 55.2% in women. For the vertex, the findings showed an increase in hair growth of 120.1% for men and 64.9% for women.4

Additionally, after extensively studying hair follicles from patients with alopecia, a 2021 study found that CBD might also have a modulating effect caused by hormones or an excess of the signaling pathways. The study concluded that CBD may be a promising application for alopecia treatment.5

There are an array of compelling studies that suggest CBD is good for the scalp by reducing inflammation, therefore supporting hair growth. With that being said, CBD could be a game-changer when it comes to hair rejuvenation.

CBD and Scalp Health

CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is composed of a network of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids and their receptors. The ECS plays a crucial role in maintaining a state of balance throughout the body and mind.

In addition to interacting with endogenous ECS receptors, CBD can also influence cell receptors outside of the ECS. This includes binding to TRPV1 receptors, which are receptors that play a role in the perception of heat and pain.

All of these different receptor types exist on the scalp. Endocannabinoids have even been found in certain cell populations of hair follicles; therefore, it stands to reason that CBD could hold the potential to influence scalp health.

Many different issues can affect the scalp, and some are extremely common. Here are just a few of the most widespread scalp conditions, and how CBD might be able to help:

Itchy Scalp

As many as 25% of adults may suffer from an itchy scalp, which can be associated with other ailments or nerve damage. However, in some cases, there is no apparent physical cause.

The scalp produces large amounts of an oil called sebum, which helps protect the skin and hair. It also controls the microbiota of the scalp, which is the population of microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast that naturally live on the skin.

One particular genus of yeast, known as Malassezia, has an intimate relationship with sebum; it converts the sebum into free fatty acids that leave a residue on the scalp. If this residue becomes excessive, it can cause scalp itching, irritation, and dandruff.

It’s possible that, by interacting with endocannabinoids, CBD could help to relieve an itchy scalp. In fact, a 2006 study for the journal Der Hautarzt found that 14 out of 22 patients who applied a cannabinoid cream topically experienced a reduction in itchy skin. 6

CBD is known to reduce sebum production; therefore, it could potentially relieve scalp itching that stems from overly productive sebaceous glands.7 However, more research is necessary to confirm how effective it is.

Dandruff

Dandruff

Pictured: Dandruff    Source: First Derm 

Dandruff is another common scalp problem that affects up to 50% of adults. As well as causing itching and irritation, dandruff can be a cosmetic concern due to the flakes that it produces. Like an itchy scalp, dandruff is often related to sebum production and yeast overgrowth.

CBD may help reduce the effects of dandruff in many of the same ways it could relieve itching. In fact, reducing itching could also limit scratching, which often leads to a flaky scalp.

There is currently no research specifically on CBD oil for dandruff; however, there is some evidence that it helps with the maintenance of healthy skin, so anyone – with a doctors approval – could give CBD-infused products a try.8

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Pictured: Seborrheic Dermatitis     Source: Midlands Dermatology

Yet another condition associated with sebum, yeast, itching, and dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis. In addition to the above symptoms, this skin condition can also cause redness and lesions on the scalp. It’s a common problem in babies and is known as “cradle cap.” Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect the face and chest.

The primary cause of seborrheic dermatitis is the overproduction of sebum. A 2014 study for The Journal of Clinical Investigations found that CBD has sebostatic effects, meaning it inhibits the release of sebum.9

Most of the research to date has focused on how CBD could help acne.10 However, in combination with its anti-inflammatory effects, CBD could potentially provide an effective treatment for seborrheic dermatitis as well.

Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp Psoriasis

Pictured: Scalp Psoriasis  Source: Health Central

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition in which skin cells grow too rapidly, forming thick patches known as plaques. Plaques are often itchy, red, and covered in scales. One of the most common areas affected by psoriasis is the scalp. In fact, as many as 80% of patients with psoriasis have it on their head.11

One primary concern associated with scalp psoriasis is that it can also lead to hair loss. Therefore, in addition to suffering the various discomforts of the disease itself, people with psoriasis often feel self-conscious about their appearance.

A 2007 study published in The Journal of Dermatological Science found that cannabinoids could have beneficial effects on psoriasis. The researchers tested CBD, THC, CBG, and CBN on human keratinocytes (skin cells) and the results showed that all of the compounds inhibited cell proliferation in a “concentration-dependent” manner.12

The Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom® Facial Oil

The Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom® Facial OilThere are simple ways of utilizing the power of CBD to promote healthy and beautiful hair. For example, you can explore CBD infused hair care on the market or use other high-quality CBD oil-based products, such as the Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom® Facial Oil.

Not only can the Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom® Facial Oil be used on your skin, but it can also be applied to your scalp and hair to provide deep moisture and reduce redness and irritation.

We are meticulous about the quality and purity of the cannabinoids contained in our products as well as the accuracy of our claims. That’s why we triple-test every batch as follows to ensure you receive products with cannabinoid quality, potency, purity, accuracy, and consistency

It’s important to know that Humanist Beauty products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions, so if you’re suffering from hair loss or a scalp condition, visit your practitioner to see if CBD infused products are right for you.

You can shop the Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom® Facial Oil here.

 

Resources: 

https://cfah.org/cbd-oil-and-testosterone/ [1]

https://juna-world.com/blogs/news/cbd-hormones [2]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17157480/ [3]

https://ilesol.com/3-4-mg-of-cbd-once-a-day-leads-to-93-5-increase-in-hair-growth/ [4]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8220510/  [5]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16874533/ [6]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4151231/ [7]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7736837/ [8]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25061872/ [9]

https://wayofleaf.com/cbd/ailments/cbd-for-acne [10]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683126/#:~:text=Of%20those%20affected%20by%20psoriasis,have%20involvement%20of%20the%20scalp.&text=Scalp%20psoriasis%20may%20occur%20in,with%20other%20forms%20of%20psoriasis. [11]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17157480/ [12]

4 Ways to Use A Skincare Facial Oil

As the name suggests, a facial oil is a skincare product with an oil-based formula. It is applied topically to moisturize, nourish, and balance the skin barrier for maintained health and resiliency. Many believe that facial oils should be avoided on oily or acne-prone skin, but that’s completely false; facial oils can benefit every skin type. Oils, including your skin’s natural oil, known as sebum, are made up of lipids and fatty acids. Facial oils typically have a unique composition of these fatty acids. They often include oleic acid and linoleic acid in a particular ratio, giving each oil its individual properties. Since incorporating facial oils into your skincare regime can seem intimidating, let’s explore a few simple ways you can add facial oils into your morning and nightly routine.

1.  Apply Facial Oil With Your Moisturizer and Night Cream

Moisturizers work to increase the water content of the skin, and oils are an excellent seal to help retain that moisture. Using a moisturizer rich in humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid help attract water to the skin. Following that step with a facial oil is an excellent way to lock in water as well as nutrients. Well-hydrated skin is plump and dewy, and applying oils is a great step in achieving that glow.

Night creams are generally thicker in consistency than their daytime counterparts and tend to have a higher concentration of ingredients that boost cell turnover, hydration, and circulation. While moisturizers usually protect against the elements—pollution, dryness, cold, heat, and UV rays—night creams are better focused on the reconstruction process of the skin. Pairing a facial oil with your night cream can be beneficial for skin replenishment and restoration, because the facial oil can assist in sealing in active ingredients to work more effectively overnight.

Tip: When using facial oil combined with moisturizer, you can apply it to your skin twice daily. Before bed, try applying facial oil after your night cream to seal in all the goodness overnight.

2. Mix a Few Drops of Facial Oil Into Your Foundation

Aside from helping you achieve a dewy complexion, blending a facial oil into your foundation can help you customize your coverage. It can thin out full coverage, make a matte foundation look more luminous, and can make your application glide on more easily.

When using a facial oil with your foundation, you can apply a thin layer of the oil directly onto your skin as a foundation primer, or you can use your fingers or a foundation brush to combine a couple of oil drops with a dollop of foundation in your hand. For the primer method, you may not want to cover your entire face with oil before applying your foundation. Instead, try sticking to the high points of the face like the tops of the cheeks and not on the areas of the face that produce oil on their own, like the T-zone. This will keep your makeup looking more lit-from-within. If you are prone to oiliness and shine, you can use a small amount of powder to set your foundation in place.

Tip:  If you’re using facial oil in the morning and you typically apply SPF, try using the facial oil first. The SPF should be applied as the last step before makeup.

3. Mix Facial Oil and Exfoliants

While the exfoliant of your choice works to get rid of dead skin cells, a facial oil can help keep moisture in your skin. For the face, it’s best to use smaller, gentle grains such as sugar or ground coffee. And if you’re looking to exfoliate your whole body, opt for a salt-based mixture. It’s important to use natural ingredients when mixing exfoliants with your facial oil to avoid microbeads, which are a huge environmental hazard.

A few natural exfoliants to consider include:

  • Salt: Salt is great for eliminating rough, dry patches of dead skin that appear on your body. However, keep in mind that some people with sensitive skin or breaks in their skin may experience a burning sensation from a salt exfoliator, so it isn’t for everyone.
  • Sugar: Sugar is the most popular of all the natural exfoliants, and it’s heavenly on the skin. If you have sensitive skin or you’re looking for an effective exfoliant that’s gentle enough for your face, you’ll want to use something finer than salt. In this case, brown sugar is the least abrasive and is wonderful for a gentle exfoliation.
  • Oats: If your skin tends to lean to the sensitive side, you might want to check out the gentle effectiveness of organic oats as a physical exfoliant. You can use oats for a gentle body scrub or even as a facial scrub alternative.
  • Ground Coffee: Coffee may be in the running as a favorite choice when exfoliating your body. It contains notable antioxidant properties and also promotes collagen formation, which is the building block of your skin. Additionally, ground coffee is known to treat cellulite as an exfoliant.

Tip: Ideally, you can exfoliate with facial oil up to three times a week. Start one time a week and gradually build up to every other day or more. Everyone’s skin is different and also changes with seasons, so you may only need to exfoliate once a week.

4.  Apply Facial Oils Neat

Besides mixing facial oils with other products, you can also apply them to your skin neat. Facial oils can be viewed as a bodyguard for your skin, or like a topcoat that works to seal all the products that are underneath deep into the skin. It’s important to note that all skin types — including combination and oily ones — can benefit from facial oils, especially if you live in a climate with little to no humidity.

Furthermore, facial oils can help prevent damage from environmental stressors that your skin faces from the outside world. Oils are a great last step in your evening routine to keep your skin soft and supple, and if you’re thinking about doing any kind of facial massage or gua sha, try incorporating a facial oil for added slip and circulation benefits.

Tip: Try warming a few oil drops between your palms then pressing onto your face, neck, and chest for optimal results.

Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil

These days, a lot of us are feeling more stress and sensitivity. And of course, the emotions we feel have a way of showing up on our skin. That’s why Humanist Beauty hand-crafted Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil to feel like a soothing sanctuary for weary, worried, vulnerable skin. Just a few drops incorporated into your own self-caring ritual helps visibly recharge skin to appear calm and balanced, radiating with a gorgeous natural glow.

The Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil can be applied to help visibly repair, deeply nourish and diminish signs of stress on your skin twice daily. As part of your holistic wellness regimen, it can also be used on pulse points and other skin externalities to help aromatically calm and soothe your mind, body, and soul.

To shop the Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil, click here.

Herban Wisdom Facial Oil

Do you use a facial oil in your skincare routine? Tell us in the comments below.

10 Female AAPI Beauty Leaders You Should Know About

The western beauty world has been forever changed by the explosion of Asian beauty, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to influential female Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) bringing their unique lens, experiences, and expertise to makeup, skincare, and beyond. Whether their journeys involve bringing Asian beauty philosophies and approaches to the United States, creating products for their community’s skin tones, or simply taking the unconventional route of becoming an entrepreneur — they’ve persevered through it all, while also building amazing brands. To support this gift-giving season, we’d like to shout out ten of the most influential AAPI beauty leaders that you should know about.

1. Soko Glam by Charlotte Cho

Soko Glam Logo

About Soko Glam: Charlotte Cho and her husband, David, launched Soko Glam in 2012; however, it was not supposed to be a business. Instead, the two saw it as a passion project that eventually grew into something bigger than they could have ever imagined.

At the heart of everything Soko Glam does is a desire to inspire good days ahead for everyone. Due to this, Soko Glam makes a point to give back to organizations making a meaningful impact on communities, which includes Black Lives Matter, Hate Is a Virus, Heart of Dinner Stop AAPI Hate, and many others.

Soko Glam knows that what you put on your skin is important. This is why they scour and test thousands of products to ensure that their curations are authentic, safe, and provide superior results.

You can find out more about Soko Glam and shop their collections here.

About Charlotte Cho: Charlotte Cho, a California native, travelled to South Korea in 2008 to assist Samsung in its marketing and communications department. During her trip, she met and married US Army Captain David K. Cho, and they both began curating Korean skincare and makeup products to the U.S. market.

Along with Soko Glam, the two also created “The Klog”, which is a platform that educates community members on the importance of adapting the Korean “skin first” philosophy to their daily routines. In 2018, Charlotte also launched In Then I Met You: A premium skincare line, inspired by the Korean concept of Jeong, a deep connection that encourages empathy and generosity while creating a sense of belonging.

Charlotte hopes that learning about beauty from a Korean perspective will change the way you think about your skin and how you treat it. She is constantly striving to empower people with the knowledge they need to have confidence in their skin.

Currently, their company, Soko Glam, is considered one of the most prominent firms specializing in K-Beauty products and treatments in the U.S. Charlotte is also known to be a major contributor to the current K-Beauty emergence in the U.S.

Charlott Cho of Soko Glam

Pictured: Charlotte Cho    Source: Forbes

2. Uma by Shrankhla Holecek

Uma Logo

About UMA: Uma is a luxury beauty and wellness collection made of rare, precious botanicals grown in India and built around the 5000-year-old wisdom of Ayurveda. Every ingredient is cultivated with the utmost care and obsessively considered for its efficacy and holistic healing benefits for the skin, body, mind, and spirit.

For centuries, the Uma estate has farmed and crafted the world’s finest organic oils, securing the coveted role of trusted supplier to the world’s most prestigious beauty brands, such as Tom Ford and Estée Lauder. Uma’s botanicals are raised on the Uma estate, which is a 100-acre meadow that was carefully chosen for its rich, nutritious soil. Uma’s caretakers select the finest seeds and care for them through the growing season. This results in unparalleled purity and amazing therapeutic benefits.

Uma embraces technological advancements in all of its processes but believes technology will never be a substitute for experience, judgment, and personalized attention to products. This is why the brand carefully inspects every harvest and handcrafts its oils in small batches. Every bottle of Uma is the culmination of rich tradition, powerful science, and love. Uma aims to transform skin and overall well being, with products as distinctive as the women who wear them.

You can learn more about Uma and shop their oils here.

About Shrankhla Holecek: Shrankhla Holecek was raised in India where she was immersed in the knowledge and cultural tradition of Ayurveda and holistic medicine. When Shrankhla moved to Beverly Hills for business school, she soon found herself surrounded by misappropriations of the Indian rituals and Ayurvedic practices she had grown up with. Frustrated, she decided it was time to create a line of products with integrity and one that would do justice to her family’s heritage.

Uma is named after Shrankhla’s aunt, who played an important role in raising both her and her sister. She hopes to honor her aunt with a brand that celebrates her generous spirit and strong sense of self. Shrankhla wants the brand to bring out the inner Uma that we all have. Her aunt taught her that true beauty is found in simplicity, integrity, and equilibrium, and Uma honors that by ensuring every drop of their oil consists of the same.

Shrankhla Holecek of Uma

Pictured: Shrankhla Holecek    Source: WM Magazine

3. Live Tinted by Deepica Mutyala

Live Tinted Logo

About Live Tinted: The onset of Live Tinted began when the founder, Deepica Mutyala, went viral with her red lipstick hack video, which showed how to combat dark under-eye circles and hyperpigmentation using red lipstick. In it, she gave a lot of tips specifically to women who have complexions similar to hers. Shortly after, she founded Live Tinted, a beauty brand whose mission is to create products that don’t exclude people from their shade offering.

Live Tinted officially launched a digital community focused on inclusive and diverse beauty, which shapes a storytelling platform focused on underrepresented people in beauty, along with their culture and identity journeys. Live Tinted believes that beauty is a vehicle for connection. Their multicultural community offers a place to discuss all things beauty and culture, and have those discussions lead product development.

This year, for Diwali, Deepica is joining forces with Meena Harris, founder of Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign, a social enterprise e-commerce platform and media company to create a special gift set, which includes three Live Tinted Huesticks, in the shades Legacy, Origin, and Change; Live Tinted’s RAYS Copper Eye Masks; a Phenomenal bright orange hoodie that says “phenomenally brown”; and a handcrafted Diya oil lamp. Deepica and Meena partnered to celebrate the new generation of South Asian entrepreneurs, executives, and artists.

You can find out more about Live Tinted and shop their collections here.

About Deepica Mutyala: Deepica Mutyala is a South-Asian beauty entrepreneur, businesswoman, and founder and CEO of Live Tinted, a multicultural community about beauty and culture. Her viral Youtube video, currently sporting 10 million views, has launched her into appearances on The Today Show and The Dr. Oz Show, as well as featuring in the New York Times, CNN, Vogue, Marie Claire, Refinery29, and other media outlets.

From 2015 to 2018, Deepica dedicated her efforts as an on-air beauty expert, YouTuber, and activist collaborating with brands on panels and campaign efforts geared toward minority representation. She’s partnered with major beauty brands including Estee Lauder, Coty, LVMH, and Unilever. She’s also been seen in commercials for L’Oreal and Samsung airing during the 2018 Academy Awards.

Deepica Mutyala of Live Tinted

Pictured: Deepica Mutyala     Source: Forbes

4. Tatcha by Vicky Tsai

Tatcha Logo

About Tatcha: Months from birthing her first child, Vicky Tsai eagerly studied the natural Japanese ingredients and timeless rituals that transformed her skin. Alongside a team of scientists, geisha, and cultural advisors – from Kyoto to San Francisco – she began a learning journey that continues to this day. Tatcha is a celebration of the wisdom and wonders learned along Vicky’s journey through life.

Tatcha promises to help bring you harmony from skin to soul. They’re phasing out the use of “normal” as a skin type because it implies that the natural condition of skin is somehow abnormal. Additionally, they’re phasing out “anti-aging,” as a term because they believe that aging is a gift and that skin should be celebrated at every age. Every formula is crafted at the Tatcha Institute in Tokyo, where leading scientists innovate within tradition: balancing timeless Japanese botanicals with proven clinical ingredients to work with skin, not against it.

Tatcha is invested in making quality education accessible to all. In 2014, they created the Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Futures fund to keep girls in school to reach their potential through Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program, and to bring diverse books to underserved communities in the United States through Room to Read’s U.S. literacy initiative by the end of 2021. To date, their support has provided 6M days of school for Girls’ Education Program students and will soon support the printing and distribution of 70,000 diverse books in the Bay Area with the U.S. literacy initiative.

You can find out more about Tatcha and shop their collections here.

About Vicky Tsai: About 10 years ago, Vicky Tsai, a Taiwanese-American, decided to leave her thriving career and travel the world in search of happiness and meaning in her life. Her job in corporate America caused Vicky to be disillusioned and suffer from acute dermatitis that required daily steroids and antibiotics.

After quitting her job, Vicky unexpectedly found herself in Kyoto, where she encountered a culture of harmony, beauty, and well-being. Her life-changing moment, though, was when she had a meeting with a geisha. She learned some of their natural skincare secrets which healed her skin and soul in the truest sense and she wanted to bring the same experience back with her to the U.S.

Today, Tatcha is available in Sephora and QVC and is the second-fastest-growing, women-led company on the Inc 5000 list.

Vicky Tsai of Tatcha

Pictured: Vicky Tsai    Source: Mecca

5. Peach & Lily by Alicia Yoon

Peach & Lily Logo

About Peach & Lily: Peach & Lily’s mission is simple – to empower you to transform your skin. Whatever your skin concerns, struggles, or goals, Peach & Lily aims to provide you with the knowledge and Korean skincare products you need to achieve your best and most healthy skin yet. Since Alicia Yoon launched Peach & Lily, the brand has embraced and created ground-breaking K-Beauty products and innovations, such as the Acne Spot Dots.

The brand uses natural ingredients along with innovative skincare technologies to heal and transform your skin from the inside-out and is very transparent about their curation process. Peach & Lily rejects the use of harsh chemicals to induce temporary improvements since these short-term gains can have significant mid and long-term downsides. The brand promises to always provide you with 100% Worry Free skincare with formulas that deliver big results with zero compromises.

You can find out more about Peach & Lily and shop their collections here.

About Alicia Yoon:  Alicia Yoon’s love of skincare comes from a personal place. She struggled with severe eczema and problematic skin growing up, worrying that her skin would be itchy, rashy, and dry for her entire life. Alicia attended esthetician school in Korea and discovered the knowledge, techniques, and Korean Beauty product technologies that helped her take back control of her skin.

For the past 20 years, Alicia has continued to study skincare ingredients, formulas, and techniques in both Korea and the USA, while also obtaining her New York esthetician license and practicing her own unique and effective skincare treatments on friends, family, and customers.

Currently, Alicia is working on the Peach Skincare Academy, which you can follow to keep up with content on skincare and esthetician-led expertise to help you achieve your healthiest, best skin yet.

Alicia Yoon of Peach & Lily

Pictured: Alicia Yoon    Source: Makeup.com

6. Glow Recipe by Christine Chang and Sarah Lee

Glow Recipe Logo

About Glow Recipe: Glow Recipe is a K-beauty-inspired brand that formulates natural, fruit-powered skincare designed to help bring out your inner glow. All of the brand’s products are 100% natural and cruelty-free. Additionally, the brand is Leaping Bunny Certified and promises to never formulate with animal by-products, environmental hazards, and colorants.

Glow Recipe is built on the philosophy of taking it day by day, skin by skin. The brand knows that skin changes daily and it wants to empower you to love and treat your skin based on its ever-changing needs.

Glow Recipe is committed to giving back to both the planet and organizations that better the world. Sustainability and charitable giving are both integral to Glow Recipe’s mission. It’s constantly looking for ways to give back to the environment by reducing its carbon footprint and give back to communities through mentorship, allyship & monetary support.

You can find out more about Glow Recipe and shop their collections here.

About Christine Chang and Sarah Lee: When Glow Recipe founders Christine Chang and Sarah Lee were living in New York and working in the beauty industry, they noticed global brands looking to Korea for the latest advancements in skincare and ingredients. Christine and Sarah found that the whole industry was intrigued, but the K-beauty brands didn’t share some key secrets behind the approach.

Both Christine and Sarah grew up in Korea, where beauty was interwoven into their everyday lives. Their mothers and grandmothers took pride in their beauty routines, utilizing natural ingredients as much as possible. Witnessing this over the years is what inspired them to introduce Glow Recipe to the world.

Christine and Sarah’s mission with Glow Recipe was to introduce the latest skincare innovations from South Korea to the world and offer accessible best-in-class skincare. They also wanted to educate consumers on K-beauty trends and how to use advanced ingredients to get the best out of their skincare routines.

Sarah Lee and Christine Chang of Glow Recipe

Pictured: Sarah Lee and Christine Chang    Source: Kwiat

7. Tower 28 by Amy Liu

Tower 28 Logo

About Tower 28: Tower 28, which was created by Amy Liu, is known for its clean formulas, beach-inspired shades, colorful packaging, and accessible price points. According to its website, Tower 28 is the place where two iconic LA worlds come together. It sits at the crossroads of the Santa Monica pier and gritty Venice Beach. A meeting place for locals, Tower 28 symbolizes community, healthy fun, and clean living.

Tower 28’s products are non-toxic, non-irritating, vegan, and cruelty free. The brand is very transparent with its consumers by keeping an updated list of ingredients that will never make the cut for its products.

This year, the brand launched a Class of 2021 Clean Beauty Summer School, which is a collective effort by founders and leaders in the beauty industry to support the growth of majority BIPOC-owned small clean beauty businesses. The Class is coming together to provide education, network mentorship and opportunity to help accelerate BIPOC entrepreneurs. The mission behind the program is to make the beauty industry more diverse and inclusive.

You can find out more about Tower 28 and shop its collections here.

About Amy Liu: Amy Liu struggled with compromised, inconsistent, eczema-prone skin since she was in college. After looking for products for her skin type, she noticed there weren’t any makeup products that addressed these issues. Amy wanted to wear makeup when she had flare-ups, but her biggest fear was making it worse by using products.

Amy’s parents immigrated to America from Taiwan, which is what inspired Tower 28. Being born in the U.S. and raised in California, she didn’t feel that she fit the typical standards of the American beauty culture which surrounded her. This influenced her decision to integrate a beach theme, with the shores of California being filled by more than just blue eyes and blonde hair.

Amy Liu of Tower 28

Pictured: Amy Liu    Source: The Every Mom

8. Strange Bird by Tina Rudolf

Strange Bird Logo

The Company: Strange Bird Beauty is an all-natural skincare brand that combines ancient Chinese beauty traditions with high vibrational alchemy to help you create a daily practice that supports your skin goals and your life goals. Strange Bird’s products are supercharged with the magic of flower and gem essences to help you reconnect with yourself.

Through Strange Bird, Tina Rudolf honors her skincare-obsessed Chinese mother and grandmother by incorporating the ingredients ginger, ginseng, and goji berry. Each of these ingredients serve an important purpose in skin care; the teachings of which have been passed down to her from her family.

The brand donates 1% of sales to supporting women’s mental health and is Leaping Bunny Certified and USDA Certified Organic (or ECOCERT). Additionally, Strange Bird’s packaging is almost entirely recyclable.

You can find out more about Strange Bird and shop its collections here.

About Tina Rudolf: As a child, Tina Rudolf saw her mom doing extensive, daily skincare rituals. Those two-hour, 12-step skincare routines and twice-daily showers were a part of something that Tina, a first-generation Chinese-American, says is deeply embedded in her culture. Tina’s mother taught her that skincare is self-care and a time to connect with yourself.

As an adult, Tina found skincare presented her with the very same opportunity. Her daily ritual was a time to truly be herself, connect to herself, feel present, and feel free. At the same time, Tina was supporting other women as a social worker and life coach. When she became pregnant with her daughter, Gaia, she began to dream of starting a business, which is how Strange Bird began.

Strange bird, Tina Rudolf’s nickname, was given to her by her husband of 16 years who calls her a very strange bird. For Tina, Strange Bird doesn’t only represent the mission of celebrating your authenticity, but is personal and has become a love letter to her very own family of strange birds.

Tina Rudolf of Strange Bird

Pictured: Tina Rudolf    Source: Parents

9. Common Heir by Cary Lin

Common Heir Logo

About Common Heir: Common Heir was founded by Cary Lin and Angela Ubias and is plastic-free, cruelty-free, biodegradable, and silicone-free. The brand was founded on the idea that even the most coveted skincare can also be kind to the environment.

Common Heir is clinically tested and Leaping Bunny certified. Additionally, the brand is a  member of 1% for the Planet and partners with Ocean Blue Project to donate $1 from every email signup, equivalent to removing one pound of microplastics from the ocean. It also offers carbon neutral shipping.

During the pandemic, Common Heir launched their first product, which is a zero plastic, low-impact 10% Vitamin C Serum. The product’s zero plastic outer packaging and biodegradable capsules put no burden on the consumer to recycle the product properly. As important as recycling is, you can be ensured the packaging does not harm the environment even if it ends up in your trash can instead of your recycling bin.

You can learn more about Common Heir and shop their Vitamin C Serum here.

About Cary Lin: Cary Lin immigrated to the United States at the age of 5 and grew up in Berkeley, CA, which she found to be a unique place since it felt like everyone recycled, cared about environmental causes, and valued entrepreneurship.  As a first generation Chinese-American, Cary felt caught between two beauty standards that she never truly fit into. As a result, her love for skincare isn’t really about conforming to a particular look, but rather about finding whatever brings out the best, most confident version of yourself.

Cary, a graduate of Harvard and MIT, always felt as if she’d never fit in perfectly to any given cultural idea because she occupied the space between multiple cultural beauty ideals. This is why Cary isn’t forward about leaning into her specific ethnicity throughout her journey with Common Heir. Instead, Cary and Common Heir’s co-founder, Angela Ubias, choose to focus on the things that unite the two.  Common Heir was born out of this vision, Cary’s belief in our collective power to make change, and her quest to preserve beauty in the world.

Cary Lin of Common Heir

Pictured: Cary Lin    Source: Popsugar

10. Humanist Beauty by Jennifer Norman

Humanist Beauty Logo

About Humanist Beauty: Humanist Beauty, a Certified B Corporation, Social Enterprise Alliance member, and Leaping Bunny Approved business, is a beauty brand dedicated to the life-long practice of self-love. The brand is the first launched by The Human Beauty Movement (The HBM), a purpose-driven company on a mission to support inclusion, wellness, and sustainability in the beauty industry and beyond.

Humanist Beauty believes it has a responsibility to be a better beauty brand and stand for radical inclusivity. Additionally, Humanist Beauty believes in giving before receiving. The brand has donated funds to Gates Philanthropy Partners and Change.org to support projects that help those affected by the COVID pandemic. Donations have also been made to the mighty Black Lives Matter and Hate is a Virus social causes. And notably, the brand commits to donating 3% of gross revenues – not net revenues or net profits – to well-vetted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that improve the well-being of underserved humans and enhance environmental health.

The Human Beauty Movement, including all Humanist Beauty operations, is a carbon-neutral organization with offsets made through carbonfund.org reforestry projects. All formulas are made from scratch, and corners are never cut when it comes to the quality and wholesomeness of the ingredients used. Every single ingredient used in every single product is carefully scrutinized for benefit, safety, and ethical sourcing. In terms of packaging, Humanist Beauty strives to use the most environmentally conscientious options it can and even offers a consumer recycling service of old products through a Zero Waste Program.

To learn more about Humanist Beauty and shop its products, check out this page.

About Jennifer Norman: Jennifer Norman was born in South Korea, but at the age of two, she was adopted by a Caucasian family and raised in a very white suburban neighborhood. She had no connections to her Korean heritage or to Korean culture, so growing up, she often felt like the ugly duckling and like she didn’t belong.

Jennifer was completely floored when K Pop and K Beauty became such massive global phenomena. Witnessing the elevation of Korean culture in such an aspirational light gave her a sense of pride that she had never felt before in her life. She had always known that fermentation was a big part of Korean culture, so it made sense to her that it would find its way into beauty ingredient technology.

Throughout her journey, Jennifer mentions being fascinated by the profound wellness benefits of natural botanical oil fermentation. When she first discovered that Korean fermented oils (FermentOils) significantly outperform their original counterparts in antioxidant activity and feel, Jennifer knew she had to pay homage to her heritage by including them in her first formula, the Herban Wisdom Facial Oil.

Jennifer Norman with Herban Wisdom Facial Oil
Pictured: Jennifer Norman for Humanist Beauty 

 

 

 

 

 

A Look at Native American Beauty and Style

Native American culture has long been rooted in respect for the land and living in harmony with nature, so it’s natural for Indigeous fashion and beauty traditions to be a strong reflection of these values. As November is National Native American Heritage Month, pausing to learn about the history and evolution of Native American traditions is one small way we can broaden our awareness and support the integrity of precious Native American culture.

Native American Traditional Clothing and Style

The clothing of Native Americans was closely tied to the environment and spiritual beliefs. Ranging from tropical and woodland regions to deserts and mountains, Native Americans developed diverse styles of clothing. In the warmest regions, little clothing was worn. In California, for example, Indigenous men were normally naked, but women wore simple knee-length skirts. In the coldest areas of the Subarctic and Arctic, warm trousers, hooded anoraks, and mittens protected Indigenous people from freezing temperatures. Despite the vast differences in climate and clothing styles, Native Americans had in common the basic notion of living in harmony with nature.

Clothing Materials Used by Native Americans

Native Americans made use of the natural materials available to them from their environment. Here are some notable materials commonly used for clothing:

Animal Skins

Native Americans were, and continue to be, survivors. Generations ago, they fished, hunted, and gathered edible plants. Some tribes, such as the Navajo in the southwestern United States and the Oneida of northern New York, tended flocks of sheep or grew crops to add to what they found in nature. Native Americans developed methods of tanning animal skins to make soft leather, and from this leather, they made clothing and shoes. Leather clothing was soft and strong, and if the animal’s fur was left on the skin, it was also warm, which was ideal for tribes in cooler regions.1

To Native Americans, all of nature, including animals and plants, have spiritual power. Wearing parts of an animal blesses the person with some of the animal’s power and strength. The wearing of animal skins became more than just putting on a form of comfortable and durable clothing for Indigenous people.

Animal Hide Dress

Pictured: Animal hide dress     Source: Bear Lake Rendezvous

Plant Fibers

One of the most plentiful natural resources was the bark of trees. It was stripped, dried, and shredded to make fibers. These fibers were used to weave soft, comfortable clothing. Typical shredded bark clothing included skirts, aprons, shirts, belts, hats, capes, and even raincoats. In the southeastern United States, the Cherokee used mulberry bark to make soft shirts, while the Pomo living along the West Coast used shredded redwood bark to make wraparound skirts. Tribes of the rainy Northwest coast of North America, such as the Tlingit and the Suquamish, wove rain-hats and raincoats from the bark of cedar trees.2

Plant Fiber Skirt

Pictured: Two-piece plant fiber skirt     Source: Natural History Museum

Woven Cloth

Although many tribes used handmade methods of weaving, natives of the American Southwest were the first to develop a loom, or weaving device, for weaving cloth. In 1200 A.D., long before the arrival of the first Europeans, Native Americans in the Southwest grew cotton and wove it into cloth. They also wove yucca, wool, feathers, and even human hair into fabrics.

The continued contact with Europeans and white settlers halted Native Americans’ ability to continue making clothing traditionally due to being pushed off their homelands and onto reservations during the 1800s. This caused them to lose the ability to hunt for or gather the necessary materials for their clothes. Their new circumstances forced them to buy clothing from Europeans, which drastically changed the Native American clothing style.3

Woven Cloth Shirt

Pictured: Woven Cloth Shirt With Intricate Details   Source: Silver Stage

Traditional Garments Worn by Native Americans

Today, traditional clothing is still worn by Native Americans to express their culture and heritage. While there are several prominent garments often worn by Indigenous people throughout history, here are a few of the most influential:

Headdresses

A Native American headdress, or sometimes known as a war bonnet, is a headpiece with feathers that are attached to the entire top edge of a leather headband. Commonly, they’re embellished with intricate beadwork or natural leather. The feathers decorating headdresses are typically from birds that are indigenous to the local area of the tribe. The feathers are held together with leather thread or sinew and can be designed in many different and unique ways. The Native American headdress is a well-known symbol of strength and bravery to the indigenous people of North America, and they’re typically worn by the most powerful and influential members of the tribe.4

War Bonnet Dance

Pictured: Native American girls taking part in a War Bonnet Dance   Source: Sings in the Timber

Breechcloths and Leggings

A breechcloth, also known as a loincloth, is a long rectangular piece of tanned deerskin, cloth, or animal fur that is worn between the legs and tucked over a belt. Breechcloths leave the legs bare, so Native American men often wore leggings for warmth. Native American leggings are tube-like footless pant legs, usually made from buckskin or other soft leather. Leggings varied from tribe to tribe with some being fringed and others painted with different colors.5

Breechcloth and Leggings

Pictured: Native American man in a breechcloth and leggings    Source: Traditional Clothing

Breast Plates

Breastplates are made from a variety of materials including bone hair-pipe, deer hide, and glass beads. Breastplates provided spiritual protection to the men who wore them, giving a sense of strength and security to them as they fought for their tribes. The decorations on each particular breastplate are deeply meaningful to its owner and often include feathers, quills, handmade beads, and mirrors. Oftentimes, the wealth and strength of a warrior could be determined by the number of hair-pipe bones that made up his breastplate, as well as the particular items it was adorned with.6

Breast Plates

Pictured: Native American Children in Breast Plates     Source: Sings in the Timber

Native American Beauty Traditions

For many cultures, makeup was used to define social and military status or to assert ferocity. This is mirrored in nature with animals displaying markings to their advantage, whether it be for hunting purposes or to defend themselves against predators. For Native Americans, though, face painting was a way to show tribal identity.

Native American Face Painting

Face painting has been used in Native American culture since antiquity with each tribe having its own unique patterns and designs. Face painting is an important tradition that allows Native American people to connect with their heritage, tell stories, and assert their social standing and power. The uses, colors, and symbolism of face paintings, though, have varied throughout time and tribe.

The Significance of Colors

Colors in Native American culture have special significance:

  • Red is a violent color and signifies war.
  • Black is usually considered to be an inauspicious color in most cultures, but for Native Americans, it’s the color of living and is worn during war preparations.
  • White is the color of peace.
  • Green is worn under the eyes to empower the wearer with night vision and indicates endurance and harmony.
  • Yellow is the color of death, as it is the color of “old bones,” and is commonly worn during mourning.
  • Blue symbolizes confidence, wisdom, and authority.7

Face Painting

Pictured: Face Painting     Source: White Wolf Pack

Native American Face Painting Symbols and Their Meanings

Certain symbols were used by tribes to communicate with other members. Each symbol had its own significance and was usually painted on an individual’s clothes, tepees, and other belongings to mark their heroic achievements.

A few common symbols and their meanings include:

The Eye of a Medicine Man Symbol

Medicine Man Symbol

The Eye of a Medicine Man was a very powerful symbol that represents the Medicine Man or Shaman who was believed to have magical powers of spiritual healing and also see the future. The outer lines of the symbol signified the four directions: North, South, East, and West. The inner line signified the Spirit world, which the Medicine Man was knowledgeable of, and the circle in the center signified the eye of the Medicine Man and his spiritual vision.8

Lightning Symbol

Lightning Symbol

The Lightning symbol was commonly seen painted on the face or across the forehead of warriors. It was believed that the symbol brought power and speed to the wearer. A Lightning and Zig-Zag symbol, if painted in red, also symbolized the Thunderbird, which was considered to be a powerful spirit that flashed lightning from its beak and eyes.9

The Morning Star Symbol

Morning Star Symbol

The Morning Star mainly symbolized a warrior’s gallant acts and other major events of his life. It represented hope and guidance and was used by many Native American tribes concerning past spirits and ancestors.10

Hand Symbol

Hand Symbol

The Hand symbol meant that the warrior was successful in a hand-to-hand battle. It symbolized life and was perceived to impart energy to the warrior. The Hand symbol was also commonly used due to being fast and easy to apply, requiring no artistic skill.11

To learn more about Native American symbols used for face painting, click here.

Native American Beauty Secrets

Many modern beauty products contain ingredients that have been used by Native Americans throughout history. Hundreds of years ago, ancient elders discovered the skincare and beauty benefits of a wide range of plants, such as yucca and juniper.

Here are a few cosmetic ingredients with amazing benefits that Native Americans discovered:

Blue Corn

Corn was very important in ancient Native American life and still is today. Blue corn was a food staple of many Native American tribes, including the Hopi, Pueblo, Navajo, and Zuni for hundreds of years. In addition to being used as food, it was also used for religious ceremonies. Corn was actually considered a deity in some cultures and a clan symbol for certain tribes. For the Hopi, it represented the Eastern rising sun and the beginning of life and wisdom.12

Many Native Americans used ground corn to cleanse and purify the skin. It was rubbed onto the skin before ceremonies to rid the body of impurities. Ground corn also acts as an exfoliator, ridding the skin of dead cells, thus encouraging cell renewal.

Blue Corn

Pictured: Blue Corn    Source: Specialty Produce

Sweetgrass

This flat-leafed bladed grass was considered sacred and was commonly smoked to purify individuals and their surroundings, while also being used in ceremonies. 13 Additionally, some Native American women decorated their hair with sweetgrass. As a wash, sweetgrass was used to treat windburn and chapped skin. Sweetgrass tea was also used as a hair tonic to make the hair shiny and fragrant.

Sweetgrass

Pictured: Sweetgrass    Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia 

Juniper Root

The berries from Juniper, an evergreen shrub (also called creeping cedar), were made into a tea that was used as a wash for the skin. Juniper root was also soaked in water to wash the horses, making their coats shiny.14 It’s now used in hair care products meant for shiny and healthy hair.

Juniper Root

Pictured: Juniper Root    Source: Gardenia

Yucca

The yucca plant was used by several Native American tribes to encourage hair growth and to prevent baldness. The crushed roots were soaked in water to make a hair wash. Other methods involved peeling the bark of the root, which was rubbed in a pan of shallow water to make suds to rub into the hair and scalp. Yucca was also used as a hair wash for newborns by the Zuni Indians to try to help their hair grow healthy and strong.15

Yucca

Pictured:  Yucca    Source: El Sol Brands

Native American Hair Traditions

Hair has special spiritual and cultural significance for Native Americans, though traditions and styles vary from tribe to tribe. Whether worn long, braided, or bound in a knot, most Native Americans see hair as a source of strength and a physical extension of hopes, dreams, thoughts, prayers, aspirations, history, and experiences. It’s sacred.

Long Hair in Native American Culture

Native Americans’ beliefs around long hair, as with many of their beliefs, are tied to the earth and nature. Long hair has symbolic significance tying them to mother earth whose hair is long grasses. It’s believed that long hair in Native American culture is a physical manifestation of the growth of the spirit, and some say it allows for extrasensory perception and connection to all things. Some Native American tribes believe that the hair is connected to the nervous system, and it reaches out like tentacles to pull energy and information from the world around us.16

Throughout time, Native Americans held the belief that when one’s hair is cut, they lose a small aspect of their relationship with themselves. The Navajo, for example, traditionally and ceremonially cut their children’s hair on their first birthday, and thereafter let it grow unimpeded.17 However, many tribes cut their hair while grieving the death of an immediate family member, or to signify a traumatic event or major life change. Cutting the hair at these times represents the time spent with the deceased loved one and its ending; it can also represent a new beginning. Additionally, cut hair is never thrown away by Native Americans. It’s usually ceremonially burnt with sage or sweetgrass in smudging rituals to release the hope, prayers, and dreams of the owner to the Creator.18

Native American Long Hair

Pictured: Native Americans with Long Traditional Hair    Source: White Wolf Pack

Common Native American Hairstyles

The archetypal Native American hairstyle is long and flowing or with long plaits or braids and a center part. Hair and its styling were traditionally of enormous importance and held great symbolism for Native Americans.

Native American men in varying tribes wore the following hairstyles:

  • Men of the Blackfoot and Sioux tribes cut their hair to denote shame or when in mourning. They frequently wore a forelock between the eyes or a pompadour.
  • Pueblo men often wore a chongo (low bun at the nape of the neck) or shoulder-length hair, but by the 1800s, this style was worn with a bandana. Some men of the southwest wore dreadlocks or topknots.
  • Seminole Indians believe that hair is sacred and must be protected from others seeking to do them harm, so Seminole men traditionally wore a large fan shape over the front of the head to keep it safe.
  • Men who had long braids or shaved heads often wore artificial roaches. These were commonly made of brightly dyed deer or porcupine hair.
  • Iroquois and Lenape warriors of the northeast shaved their heads, leaving only a single lock of hair at the crown (scalplock), a roach (the stereotypical “mohawk” style), or a tonsure (a fringe running around the head).
  • The Apache cut their hair each spring in a ceremony to bring success and good health.

Native American Men's Hairstyles

Pictured: (Left to Right) Salish man with flowing hair, 
Crow chief with braids and pompadour, 
Caddo man with roached hair, 
Native American actor wearing a scalplock, Pueblo man with short hair, 
Mojave man with painted hair rolls.    Source: White Wolf Pack

Native American women in varying tribes wore the following hairstyles:

  • Some women painted their hair with horizontal stripes or dyed their center part with a bright color.
  • Navajo and Pueblo women typically wore their hair in a chongo style. Others cut their hair to the shoulders in a blunt cut with bangs.
  • Seminole women from the Lower Creeks of Georgia and Florida wore a complex hairstyle, with their hair fanned into a disk over a tilted frame that remained in place under the hair.
  • Unmarried Hopi women were renowned for their unique hairstyle of elaborate squashblossom or butterfly whorls worn at their ears. This style was achieved by the girl’s mother winding her hair around a curved wood frame and then removing the frame after securing the hair in place. Once a woman married, this style was no longer worn.
  • Women from the Creek and Chickasaw tribes wore their hair in topknots.

Native American Women's Hairstyles

Pictured: (Left to Right) Klamath woman with flowing hair, 
Cayuse woman with long braids, Seminole woman with a topknot, 
sketch of a woman wearing a top knot, Hopi maiden with squashblossom whorls. 
Source: White Wolf Pack

How You Can Honor and Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month

National Native American Heritage Month is a time to acknowledge our country’s past and its impact on tribal citizens, educate oneself and others on particular challenges Native American communities face, and recognize how Indigenous people are combating those issues today. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Although the name eventually changed, it started an annual tradition upheld in communities across the United States.

For those wanting to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, here are three ways to honor Native Americans this month, and every month:

Visit a Reservation or Museum

The US holds in trust 56.2 million acres of land for various Native American tribes and individuals, according to the US Bureau of Indian Affairs. There are approximately 326 reservations.

These reservations are not tourist attractions; many are the remnants of native tribes’ lands, while others were created by the federal government for Native Americans who were forcibly removed from their lands. They are homes for tribes and communities; it’s where many live, work and raise their families.

However, some reservations welcome visitors and have even erected museums to educate the wider public about their history and culture. For example, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, North Carolina, features an engaging exhibit fit for all ages. The Cherokee community also hosts cultural events and sells items nearby.

Support Native-Owned Businesses

Black Friday is just one day after Thanksgiving, so instead of spending all your money on Amazon, consider buying from Native American owned businesses. It’s a great way to support native communities’ economic well-being as well as contribute to worthwhile social causes.

A few Indigenous-owned beauty brands you can support are:

  • Cheekbone Beauty: Cruelty-free, high-quality beauty products that are sustainably packaged and inspired by the 7000 Indigenous languages.
  • Sḵwálwen Botanicals: Honoring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) teachings, the products incorporate wild-harvested plants that are acquired sustainably and respectfully, which means they’re free of harsh chemicals, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, and parabens.
  • Blended Girl Cosmetics: The brand focuses on vibrant palettes that connect to Indigenous culture and has donated to Black Lives Matter, Page Outreach, and Navajo/Hopi COVID-19 Relief.

“Decolonize” Your Thanksgiving Dinner

The Thanksgiving story of pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a friendly meal will be reenacted and celebrated across the country, but many Native Americans actually consider it a “Day of Mourning.” To Native Americans, the story overlooks how the introduction of European settlers spelled tragedy for indigenous communities.

For this reason, some Native American groups and their allies are calling on Americans to “decolonize” their Thanksgiving celebrations. Some ways of doing this include putting away Native American decorations and tropes, introducing native dishes to the dinner table, and conversing about Native American history with guests.

Check out these Indigenous recipes to add to your Thanksgiving dinner.

How will you be celebrating and honoring National Native American Heritage Month? Let us know in the comments.

 

 

 

References:

http://www.woodlandindianedu.com/morethananimalhides.html [1]

https://quatr.us/nativeamerican/native-american-clothing-history.htm#:~:text=Most%20people%20in%20North%20America,Aztec%20people%20south%20of%20them. [2]

http://www.native-languages.org/clothing.htm [3]

https://us.tribaltradeco.com/blogs/teachings/the-significance-of-the-native-american-headdress [4]

http://www.native-languages.org/breechcloth.htm [5]

https://wanderingbull.com/breastplate-plains-style/#:~:text=The%20Hairpipe%20Breastplate%20has%20historically,are%20used%20to%20make%20Breastplates. [6]

https://www.bergerpaints.com/imaginecolours/colour-culture/colours-and-native-american-culture [7]

https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/eye-medicine-man-symbol.htm [8]

https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/lightning-symbol.htm [9]

https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/morning-star-symbol.htm [10]

https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/hand-symbol.htm [11]

https://mobilestyles.com/blog/posts/show/923-traditional-native-american-beauty-secrets-you-need-to-know#:~:text=Some%20native%20cultures%20or%20tribes,blue%20corn%20as%20an%20exfoliator. [12]

https://tzikal.com/blogs/blog/give-thanks-five-herbs-used-by-native-americans-for-beautiful-hair-all-natural-haircare-with-ojon-oil#:~:text=Sweet%20Grass%20%F0%9F%8C%BE%3A,it%20as%20natural%20hair%20freshener. [13]

https://mobilestyles.com/blog/posts/show/923-traditional-native-american-beauty-secrets-you-need-to-know#:~:text=Some%20native%20cultures%20or%20tribes,blue%20corn%20as%20an%20exfoliator. [14]

https://mobilestyles.com/blog/posts/show/923-traditional-native-american-beauty-secrets-you-need-to-know#:~:text=Some%20native%20cultures%20or%20tribes,blue%20corn%20as%20an%20exfoliator. [15]

https://www.notesfromthefrontier.com/post/native-hair-traditions [16]

https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/why-navajo-hair-matters-its-our-culture-our-memory-and-our-choice [17]

http://keepersoftheword.org/traditions/native-americans-long-hair/ [18]

 

The Difference Between Beauty Marks and Moles

When you think of beauty marks, you may envision the iconic celebrity faces of Marilyn Monroe or Cindy Crawford. Beauty marks have been deeply rooted in aesthetic value for decades, but they also have an intricate past relating to the ways different cultures viewed them. You may be wondering what beauty marks really are. Are they freckles? Are they moles? Are they dangerous? For answers to these questions and more, read on.

Are Beauty Marks and Moles Different?

In truth, the term “beauty mark” was coined to describe a dark spot on your face that’s seen as attractive or beautiful, meaning beauty marks are essentially just glorified moles. Most of the time, these spots are considered beauty marks when they are located somewhere visible and give the person who possesses them a unique look. For example, if a mole appears on the face, by social standards, it’s deemed a beauty mark. However, if a mole appears on your shoulder, then it’s typically labeled as an ordinary mole.

While pop culture may have us believe that beauty marks are for the fair and few, this is simply not true. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most moles appear in early childhood and during the first 20 years of life, and it’s normal for a person to have between 10-20 moles by adulthood.1

The History of Beauty Marks

Throughout history, beauty marks have come to represent more than just moles. As with many features on the face, they have been highly regarded in aesthetic value. In many contemporary societies, the beauty mark is deemed trendy and is sought after by many, which has even caused people to create fake beauty marks with makeup and tattoos. However, the value of beauty marks has vacillated throughout time and across various cultures.

Ancient Rome

The Romans’ view on beauty marks had a dark connotation. Moles, freckles, and other marks were considered problematic, and many Roman women attempted to remove or fade them with ashes made from snails. On the other end of the spectrum, formerly enslaved Romans would use faux moles to conceal the scars they accrued from the abuse they endured during their time in bondage.2

Artwork of a Woman from Ancient Rome

Source: Popsugar

Ancient China

Mian Xiang, or face reading, was developed during the period of the Yellow Emperor (2700 BC) as a form of divination. This ancient practice, which is still used today, involves analyzing certain facial features to provide insight into someone’s future and character. The color of a mole is a central aspect of Mian Xing. Red and black moles are seen to be favorable, while brown moles represent grave warning signs.3

Sculpture of a Woman from Ancient China

Source: Popsugar

18th Century Mexico

In 18th century Mexico, it wasn’t uncommon for women to wear faux beauty marks made from tortoiseshell and fabric. These artificial patches were called chiqueadores and were commonly placed on the temple or forehead as a trend. It’s been suggested that the origin of the patches may be related to holistic cures for headaches, which involved medicinal herbs being placed under the patch.4

Portrait of a Woman from 18th Century Mexico

Source: Unframed

18th Century Europe

With smallpox being a common problem, Europeans quickly thought to use markings to cover the scars that resulted from the disease. These rapidly became a fad of artificial beauty marks that swept the aristocratic class, having different colors and shapes such as stars, moons, and suns. Nicknamed mouches by the French, these adhesive moles made from either moleskin or velvet became a unique fashion statement that often conveyed a person’s mood based on their placement. A mouche on the cheek was considered a sign of flirtation.5

Portrait of Two Women from 18th Century Europe

Source: Wikipedia

The 1950s to Present Day

Fast forward to the mid-1900s in America, and the world of Hollywood couldn’t get enough of the beauty mark. American actress and singer Marilyn Monroe helped to popularize the style with a natural beauty mark on her cheek; however, questions have surfaced regarding its legitimacy.6 She led the way for Elizabeth Taylor, Etta James, and Edie Sedgwick’s beauty marks, which seemed to grow bolder as their fame rose.

Quite a few stars and icons have emerged with beauty marks since then, such as Cindy Crawford, Madonna, Eva Mendez, and Blake Lively, all-embracing their natural beauty marks as key to their signature looks. Some others, such as Amy Winehouse, didn’t have a beauty mark; opting to wear a Monroe piercing instead, which is a tiny stud placed in the area of Marilyn Monroe’s beauty mark to portray a similar look.

Marilyn Monroe

Source: Independent

What Are Moles?

Moles are a common type of skin growth, often appearing as small, dark brown spots. One mole is called a nevus, while more than one is known as nevi. Generally, moles emerge during childhood and adolescence, but as the years pass, they usually change slowly by becoming raised or changing colors due to different conditions ranging from sun exposure to pregnancy. Some moles even disappear over time.

Moles occur when cells on the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These particular types of cells are called melanocytes, and they make the pigment that gives skin its natural color.

A Brief Look at Melanoma

Most moles are harmless, but if you notice changes in the appearance of one, it’s always recommended to have a doctor take a look at it. Most of the time, it’s nothing, but it could be melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops when melanocytes start to grow out of control. Other names for this cancer include malignant melanoma and cutaneous melanoma. Most of the time, melanoma cells still function to make the darkening pigment in your skin, so melanoma tumors usually appear brown or black.

Melanoma is usually caused by too much UV exposure but can develop anywhere on the body, most likely starting on the chest or back in men and on the legs in women. Melanoma is much less common than other types of skin cancers but is more dangerous because it can potentially spread through the body when not caught in its early stages.

A crosssection diagram of skin showing a melanoma

Pictured: Melanoma     Source: University of Minnesota

You can reduce your risk of melanoma by:

  • Avoiding the sun during the day. In most places on Earth, the Sun’s rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM, so you can try scheduling outdoor activities at other times or when it’s cloudy.
  • Wear sunscreen year-round. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days.
  • Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs. Many companies also sell protective clothing, which your dermatologist can recommend.
  • Avoid tanning lamps and beds. Tanning lamps and beds emit UV rays and can increase your risk of skin cancer. Spray tans are a great alternative to the harshness of tanning beds.

3 Types of Moles You Should Know About

Skin moles are common; everyone has them. With so many shapes, sizes, and colors, it’s hard to know if that spot that has taken residency on your body is normal or a potential health threat. Most adults have common moles, which are harmless. However, other types of moles can increase your risk of melanoma.

Here are a few types of moles to take a look at:

Acquired Moles

If a mole appears on your skin after you’re born, it’s known as an acquired mole or common mole. Most people who have fair complexions usually have 10 to 40 acquired moles. However, according to statistics, having 50 or more of these moles increases your risk of melanoma. Acquired moles are usually not cancerous but can be.

Acquired moles are usually:

  • Round or oval
  • Flat, slightly raised, or sometimes dome-shaped
  • Smooth or rough
  • One color (tan, brown, black, red, pink, blue, or skin-colored)
  • Unchanging
  • Small (¼ inch or less; the size of a pencil eraser)
  • May have hairs

Common Moles

Pictured: Common Moles    Source: Visuals Online

Congenital Mole

Congenital moles are commonly called birthmarks and vary widely in size, shape, and color. About 0.1 to 2.1% of infants are born with a congenital mole. Larger congenital moles have a greater risk of becoming malignant in adulthood (4 to 6% lifetime risk). Changes in growth, color, shape, or pain of a birthmark should always be evaluated by a doctor.

Some birthmarks may be treated for cosmetic reasons, which include:

  • Surgery
  • Dermabrasion (skin resurfacing)
  • Skin shaving
  • Chemical peel for lightening
  • Laser ablation for lightening

Congenital Mole

Pictured: Congenital Mole     Source: WebMD

Atypical Mole

Atypical moles, which are also known as dysplastic nevi, can appear anywhere on your body, but rarely on the face.They have the potential to become cancerous, but it’s estimated that only 1 in 10,000 atypical moles turn into cancer. Most commonly, these moles are harmless, but if you have 4 or more of them, there is a higher risk of developing cancer.

If members of your family have a lot of atypical moles, you may have what’s called “familial atypical multiple mole melanoma” (FAMMM Syndrome). Your risk of melanoma is potentially 17.3 times higher than people who don’t have FAMMM Syndrome. Seek out the advice of a doctor to schedule yearly exams if you have a personal history of atypical moles.

In general, atypical moles are:

  • Irregular in shape with uneven borders
  • Pebbled in texture
  • Varied in color – mixes of tan, brown, red, and pink
  • Larger than a pencil eraser, 6 millimeters or more
  • More common in people who have high sun exposure
  • More common in fair-skinned people

Atypical Moles

Pictured: Atypical Moles    Source: Melanoma Education

DIY Mole Checks

Regular mole checks can help keep tabs on your moles to make sure you aren’t at risk. By doing regular checks, you can increase the chance of detecting and treating melanoma and other types of skin cancers. Dermatologists recommend doing your own monthly check-ins to see if there are any changes in the color or appearance of your moles.

Here are a few tips to follow when taking part in a monthly DIY mole check:

  • After a Shower. According to the American Cancer Society, it’s best to look at your skin straight out of the shower.7
  • Use a Mirror. A full-length mirror paired with a hand mirror will let you get a close, accurate view of your moles. If you’re just beginning your mole check journey, you should check the entirety of your body. You can also have a family member help you take a look at the difficult-to-see places like your back.
  • Take Pictures. To make your monthly mole check easier, try taking photos of the moles that you find. Pictures are a great way to stay on top of any changes that may have occurred.
  • Know Your Tactic: It’s best to get into a routine, which can make it easier to remember where all of your moles are. Try examining the same way every month.
  • Don’t Skip Your Toes. Unfortunately, it’s true; moles can pop up on hidden areas like your toes. Other secret hiding places for moles are your fingers, backs of your knees, groin, and the soles of your feet.

The ABCDE Rule

Now that you know how to perform thorough mole checks, it’s time to learn what exactly you’re looking for. Use the ABCDE rule, which was created by dermatologists, to look for common signs of melanoma.

ABCDE stands for:

  • Asymmetry: Check to see if one part of the mole doesn’t match the other.
  • Border: Irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred edges may be a sign of melanoma.
  • Color: Keep a close eye on the color of your moles. Unusual shades of brown or black, pink, red, white, or blue are a possible negative sign.
  • Diameter: Be cautious about the size of your mole. The spot shouldn’t be larger than ¼ inches across (size of a pencil eraser), but sometimes melanomas can be smaller.
  • Evolving: Is your mole changing in size, color, or shape?

The ABCDE Rule

Pictured: ABCDE Rule     Source: MiiiSkin

Getting Rid of Moles

While at-home options exist for mole removal, it’s important to always seek a professional’s advice before using any type of removal kit. In addition to the benefit of safety, doctors will also send the sample of tissue to a lab to be tested for melanoma. If you remove the mole at home, you won’t know if your mole was cancerous or not.

 Here’s why common techniques pose a risk:

  • Topical pastes can cause allergic reactions when applied to the skin, and they don’t usually succeed at removing moles.
  • Shaving to remove moles often leaves traces of the mole on your skin, along with a potential scar. This also carries the risk of infection.
  • Tattooing over moles makes it hard to detect changes in your mole if they occur.

Safety is always key, so don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist. If one of your moles does turn out to be cancerous, it will be much easier to treat early on. If it turns out to be benign, you’ll have a piece of mind.

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4410-moles [1]

https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/photo-gallery/18372937/image/18373547/Ancient-Rome [2]

https://www.btbmagazine.com/mian-xiang-the-art-of-face-reading/ [3]

https://unframed.lacma.org/2018/02/01/beauty-eye-beholder-fashion-18th-century-mexico#:~:text=by%20Rafael%20Doniz-,Beauty%20in%20the%20Eye%20of%20the,Fashion%20in%2018th%2DCentury%20Mexico&text=These%20spots%20are%20not%20mistakes,applied%20to%20the%20wearer’s%20head. [4]

https://www.geriwalton.com/french-mouches/ [5]

https://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/8/prweb9758916.htm [6]

https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun/skin-exams.html [7]

Men and Makeup

Not long ago, a man’s grooming regimen consisted of soap, shampoo, cologne, and shaving cream. Today, the men’s beauty market is a billion-dollar industry, estimated to grow to $18.92 billion by 2027. Men are now open to using a variety of products, including facial cleansers, exfoliants, serums, moisturizers, and most recently, cosmetics.1

The modern era has sashayed in broadening non-binary acceptance of products previously only advertised to women. Thanks to a focus on radical acceptance that breaks stereotypes and gender norms, men in makeup are now celebrated, not scorned. While cosmetics are becoming more commonly used by men beyond the stage and screen, an astonishingly long history of men wearing makeup is noted across ancient cultures around the globe.

Men’s Makeup Throughout History

The earliest records of men wearing makeup date as far back as 3000 BC in China and Japan. Men during this period used natural ingredients to create a sort of nail polish, which was a sign of status and wealth. Additionally, the earliest archaeological discovery of makeup tools used by men was found in China. It consisted of a “portable” makeup box with a bronze mirror, wooden comb, scraper, powder box, and small wooden comb.2

The “portable makeup” box and its components

Pictured: The “portable makeup” box and its components
Source: New Han Fu

Ancient Egypt

The striking cat eye makeup look is rooted in ancient Egypt. Men would rim their eyes in black to emulate cat patterns as a sign of wealth. They also wore pigments on their cheeks and lip stains made from red ochre.4 Makeup was an important way of showcasing masculinity and social rank.

Egyptian men and women wearing makeup

Pictured: Egyptian men and women wearing makeup
Source: Oasis Academy Temple

Ancient Korea

The Silla people believed that beautiful souls inhabited their beautiful bodies, so they embraced makeup and jewelry for both genders. Hwarang, which was an elite warrior group of male youth in Silla, wore makeup, jade rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other accessories. They used face powder and rouge for added pigment to their cheeks and lips.5

The guessed image of a Hwarang

Pictured: The guessed image of a Hwarang
Source: Glamour Flare

Elizabethan England

The Elizabethan Era heralded the look of flawless skin. Men wore powder all over their faces to whiten the skin as a sign of wealth, intelligence, and power. However, cosmetics during the period were highly dangerous due to the presence of lead in the majority of products. In many cases, these cosmetics led to premature death.6

Man donning the lead face powder

Pictured: Man donning the lead face powder
Source: Byrdie

The Victorian Era

From 4000 BC to the 18th century, men wore makeup every day for various purposes, traditions, and simple enjoyment. This changed when Queen Victoria associated makeup with the devil and declared it a horrible invention.3 Soon, makeup was perceived as feminine, thus vilifying its use by men, narrowing the depiction of masculinity.

Men’s Makeup in Modern Times

More recently, counterculture male personalities wore makeup as an act of rebellion. Rock stars, punks and goths would wear eyeliner, nail polish and other makeup for flair and self-expression. Today, male beauty influencers give tutorials on themselves rather than on female models. The negative stigma of men wearing makeup that was implanted during Queen Victoria’s reign seems to be dissipating. Men are now celebrated by progressives for wearing makeup and embracing the freedom to be and look how they desire.

The 1970s and 1980s

During these two decades, men’s makeup was hardly mainstream. Instead, it was reserved for rock ‘n’ rollers and stars who gained notoriety by bending social norms, such as Boy George, Prince, and David Bowie. However, many of the most well-known male makeup artists began their careers in the 70s and 80s. Way Bandy started to work in the beauty field in 1967, followed by Kevyn Aucoin in 1982, and a plethora of others soon followed.7

Boy George wearing makeup in the 1980s

Pictured: Boy George wearing makeup in the 1980s
Source: Like Totally 80s

The Early 2000s

The concept of “guyliner” hit mainstream in the early 2000s. Pete Wentz, lead singer of the rock group Fall Out Boy, and countless other men lined their eyes in black to achieve a smoldering, bad boy look. The trend was most popular with rock bands and their followers.

Beauty brands began to launch “metrosexual” products specifically targeted to the man who wanted to look sophisticated, well-groomed and polished. Yves Saint Laurent, for example, released the male version of its best-selling Touche Eclat concealer in 2008.8

Pete Wentz wearing “guyliner”

Pictured: Pete Wentz wearing “guyliner”
Source: Marie Claire

The 2010s and Today

A surge of social media allowed male beauty gurus to share their makeup and makeovers on a grand scale. Covergirl and Maybelline broke the mold by introducing star influencers James Charles and Manny Gutierrez, respectively, as spokespeople for their mass color cosmetic brands. This mainstreaming of cosmetic-clad male influencers has helped to dismantle gender-specific beauty stereotypes.

Today, we are seeing more gender-neutral ad campaigns from high profile beauty brands like Milk Makeup and Fenty Beauty. Additionally, skincare has become less stigmatized, and this acceptance is slowly seeping into cosmetics.

Male Celebrities with Impressive Beauty Tips

From Cleopatra to the Kardashians, we have long been intrigued with the beauty secrets of powerful women. The truth of the matter, though, is that today men also offer impressive makeup and skincare tips. Here are a few:

Peter and Harry Brant

Models Peter Brant and his late brother Harry Brant have amazing makeup tips. The brothers received the majority of their pointers from makeup artist Pat McGrath, and they even call her, “Mother Makeup.”9 In an interview, Harry mentioned, “Mother Makeup never uses any brushes because the heat of your fingers helps products go on smoother.”10 The brothers launched their own MAC Brant Brothers Collection in 2015, which also includes an eyeshadow palette with shades that can be used for all areas of the face.

Pictured: Brant Brothers
Source: Ok! News

John Stamos

Actor John Stamos has been named one of the most beautiful men in the world, but he claims the real winner is his skincare routine. He allows 1 day a week for his skin to breathe sans makeup. On Sundays, he stays away from makeup and uses his favorite facial mask, which is the Bioxidea Miracle 24 Face Mask for Men.

John Stamos in men’s face mask

Pictured: John Stamos in the Bioxidea Miracle Men’s Mask
Source: Instagram

BTS

The members of BTS are avid skincare enthusiasts. According to Jin, J-Hope, and Jungkook, K-beauty sheet masks and a well-thought-out skincare routine keep their skin glowing. The group notes that toner, face cream, and drinking lots of water are essential to a beautiful complexion. Additionally, J-Hope says that he tries to see a dermatologist whenever he has free time.

BTS is also known for its edgy makeup looks. Recently, the group collaborated with VT, which is a K-beauty makeup brand that is known to marry effective ingredients with innovative scientific technology. There are multiple products within the VT x BTS collections, such as makeup brushes, toothbrushes, lip balms, hand creams, eyeshadow palettes, and more. To grab a product or two from the collections, click here.

Pictured: BTS
Source: Style

Manny Gutierrez

Beauty blogger Manny Gutierrez, or more commonly known as Manny MUA, has an abundance of makeup tutorials online where he shares a multitude of tips and tricks. A few of his pointers include:

  • Always moisturize before applying foundation to combat dryness.
  • Use a dampened beauty blender to avoid cakey foundation.
  • After your foundation is applied, lightly dab your sponge over your face to pick up any excess product that may be leftover.
  • Spray your face with primer water for a little extra hydration.11

To check out more of Manny’s pointers and to watch his full tutorials, check out his Youtube channel.

Manny Gutierrez for Maybelline

Pictured: Manny Gutierrez for Maybelline
Source: Bored Panda

David Yi

The founder and editor-in-chief of Very Good Light, David Yi, recently wrote a book titled, Pretty Boys: Legendary Icons Who Redefined Beauty (and How to Glow Up, Too.) in which he explores self-care and wellness. He states that feeling beautiful transcends time, boundaries, and binaries.12

On his blog, Very Good Light, almost all of the posts provide skincare and makeup tricks. In one recent article, he offers tips for your best summer skin, which are:

  • Use an exfoliator to help reduce oiliness that tends to get worse during summer.
  • Find a foaming cleanser for your skin to help with oil control.
  • SPF always!
  • Avoid retinol in the summertime because of increased sun sensitivity.
  • Opt for lighter makeup, such as a tinted moisturizer.

Click here to view more of Very Good Light’s tips and tricks, and check out David’s skincare line, Good Light, that’s all about beauty beyond the binary.

Pictured: David Yi
Source: ONS

Are Men’s Beauty Needs Different From Women’s?

The belief that men’s skin is drastically different from women’s is what many believe to be the culprit behind the unspoken partitioning of the beauty cabinet. Structurally this is true, but Mumbai-based dermatologist Dr. Madhuri Agarwal believes that the skincare requirements for both genders aren’t all that different. According to studies, Dr. Madhuri Agarwal says, “Men’s skin is 20% thicker, 70% more oily, 40% more sweaty than women’s skin.”13

It has also been proven through research that male skin contains more collagen, thus it can retain a tighter, firmer appearance. The collagen content of male skin declines at a constant rate over time, while female skin declines faster later in life, especially after menopause. Thus,  female skin thins out more dramatically than male skin.14

Male and Female Skin Thickness Over Time

Source: Eucerin

Dr. Madhuri Agarwal also mentions, “Environmental exposure, stress levels, and testosterone can also cause a variance from women’s skin. However, the ingredients for treating skin problems will be the same, such as salicylic acid for acne. The only difference is men may require a higher percentage or higher frequency of product usage as compared to women.”15

4 Gender-Neutral Brands To Love

More brands are moving away from traditional norms for greater inclusivity, diversity, and representation. Celebrating people of different sexual orientations and gender identities is becoming more common within the beauty industry. Here are 4 gender-inclusive beauty brands worth noting:

  • Fluide: A vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free cosmetics brand built for all skin tones and gender expressions. Fluide also donates part of its sales to LGBTQ+ organizations.
  • Noto: Founded by a queer womxn, Noto is a gender-neutral, multi-use beauty brand that is committed to self expression and representation. Though it claims that its packaging is bio-degradable (ahem, it’s not), Noto’s dedication to equality and acceptance is exemplary.
  • TooD Beauty: TooD Beauty’s founder, Shari Siadat, created the brand to break beauty standards and celebrate everyone for who they are. The label’s clean products can be used anywhere on the face, hair, or body.
  • Byredo: Ben Gorham launched Byredo’s cosmetics line in 2020 after concluding that fragrances shouldn’t be classified based on gender, so cosmetics shouldn’t either. The brand released a range of makeup products claiming pigments for all skin tones.

Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil

Humanist Beauty believes that beauty products shouldn’t be gender-specific. Our Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil is for everyone, no matter what gender or race you are.

We created the Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil to feel like a soothing sanctuary on skin. It can be applied to visibly repair, deeply nourish, and diminish signs of stress on your skin twice daily. As part of your holistic regimen, it can also be used on pulse points and other skin externalities to help aromatically calm and soothe your mind, body, and soul.

To grab your bottle, click here.

References:

https://www.beautypackaging.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2020-05-28/mens-skincare-market-worth-1892-billion-by-2027/ [1]

https://www.newhanfu.com/14573.html [2]

https://www.thefashionfolks.com/blog/victorian-era-makeup/ [3]

https://historyofyesterday.com/ancient-egyptian-men-and-their-obsession-with-makeup-da06be7bacb3?gi=f9553935d5c4 [4]

https://glamourflare.com/blogs/reviews/the-history-of-korean-cosmetics [5]

https://strangeremains.com/2017/01/31/beauty-to-die-for-how-vanity-killed-an-18th-century-celebutante/#:~:text=Lead%2Dfilled%20makeup%20made%20many,her%20beauty%20and%20societal%20exploits. [6]

https://www.byrdie.com/history-makeup-gender [7] [8]

https://www.vogue.com/article/harry-brant-interview-mac-cosmetics-collection [9] [10]

https://www.allure.com/story/manny-mua-foundation-hacks?epik=dj0yJnU9ZllVMXV0cms1dFdQWl84dEFtUTNyR0hBMC1EZjZWR0wmcD0wJm49RnpheUdrb0VMZ0pabzBHdkRLWnNyQSZ0PUFBQUFBR0QwbWQw [11]

https://www.hmhbooks.com/shop/books/pretty-boys/9780358410683 [12]

https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/skincare-for-men-male-beauty-grooming-industry-trends [13][15]

https://int.eucerin.com/about-skin/basic-skin-knowledge/male-and-female-skin#:~:text=In%20general%20male%20skin%20is,has%20a%20tighter%2C%20firmer%20appearance. [14]

 

Ingredient Spotlight: Squalane

Your skin has a built-in moisturizing system, but as you get older, it doesn’t always provide enough hydration, which is why many people turn to external moisturizers. Squalane, a moisturizer worth taking note of, mimics your skin’s oils, making it an excellent emollient. Squalane can also help address stubborn acne and provide antioxidant defense against free radical damage.

Squalane vs. Squalene

Sometimes reading product labels can seem like a daunting college exam. Small spelling variations between ingredients can mean a difference in safety, efficacy, or potency. Squalene and squalane, for example, can easily be mistaken for each other, however, the two agents are actually quite different.

Squalene

Squalene (with an “e”) is a fat-soluble antioxidant that naturally occurs in the skin. It is produced during cholesterol synthesis. Similar to Vitamin E, squalene can help protect against environmental stressors.1 However, squalene is highly unstable, making its shelf life extremely short. Squalene is also highly comedogenic.

Additionally, squalene is a lipid produced naturally by your own body, but the amount of squalene your body creates drastically declines with age. The peak production of squalene occurs in your teen years, and it gradually slows down after that.2

Your Hydration Timeline

Source: Biossance

For many generations, squalene was used in beauty products for its moisturizing benefits. The primary source of commercial squalene was, believe it or not, sharks. Millions of sharks were slaughtered for their squalene-rich livers to keep up with the demand. Up to 80% of the oil in sharks’ livers is comprised of squalene, which is notable considering that a shark’s liver makes up 25% of its mass.3 Alternative squalene sources do exist, such as olive oil, rice bran, wheat germ, plant sugars, and amaranth seeds.4

Squalane

Squalane (with an “a”) is a hydrocarbon that’s derived from the hydrogenation of squalene (with an “e”). Squalane is the saturated and stable form of squalene. It’s also much lighter than its “e” counterpart, thus making it a preferred option for acne-prone skin. Squalane’s shelf life is also longer as it does not oxidize as quickly. Thus, it is far more commonly used in skincare today than squalene.

Like squalene, squalane also naturally occurs in small amounts in the lipid layers of the skin. It helps to prevent moisture loss while restoring the skin’s suppleness and flexibility.5 Squalane is readily emulsifiable, has excellent dispersion properties, and is highly compatible with other skincare ingredients. It also can be used without limits in many different types of formulas, as it is considered non-toxic and non-irritating.6

A company called Amyris has created a proprietary non-animal version of squalane that is made with fermented yeast and sugarcane. Known as Neossance Squalane, this noteworthy ingredient has helped to sustainably replace the shark-derived ingredient, saving more than 2 million sharks per year.7

About Amyris

Amyris was founded in 2003 with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The company ferments various yeast strains in sugarcane syrup to convert basic plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules. As of this year, Amyris has created and commercialized 13 sustainable ingredients that are used by more than 3,000 top global brands.8

Amyris is commendable in its mission is to shift the world to sustainable ingredients. It maintains an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report documenting its impact.9 Sharing the belief that human health, wellness, and beauty can be assisted with clean chemistry, brands like L’Oréal, Shiseido, Estee Lauder, and now Humanist Beauty have all chosen Amyris as an ingredient partner.

About Neossance Squalane

Neossance Squalane is a high-quality, highly versatile emollient used in a wide variety of beauty products such as skincare, sun care, color cosmetics, makeup removers, and deodorants.10

The key skincare benefits of Neossance Squalane:

  • Moisturizes
  • Improves skin elasticity
  • Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
  • Enhances skin barrier integrity
  • Promotes cell turnover
  • Brightens skin
  • Absorbs quickly
  • Non-comedogenic

There are many environmental reasons why Neossance Squalane is superior to other types of squalane. First, it is made from highly renewable Brazilian sugarcane which requires little to no irrigation due to abundant natural rain. Second, sugarcane helps to naturally offset greenhouse gas emissions. And third, Neossance Squalane has been proven to be far more predictable in quality than squalane derived from other botanical sources such as olive oil.

A comparison of squalane from shark, olive and sugarcaneAprinnova and Neossance Squalane Clinical Studies

Clinical studies show that Neossance Squalane has amazing effects on the skin. Aprinnova, which is a joint venture between Amyris and the Nikkol Group, administers the bulk of Neossance Squalane research-based studies.

A clinical study performed by Aprinnova had a panel of 40 women aged 37 to 60 apply Neossance Squalane oil to their skin twice daily for 28 days. The results showed that Neossance Squalane had a smoothing effect plus a reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet.

Source: Aprinnova

Another clinical study performed by Aprinnova had a panel of 30 women aged 40 to 60 apply Neossance Squalane twice daily to facial skin for 28 days. The study showed transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was reduced by an average of 18%, and the skin-lipid barrier was enhanced.

Clinical Results of Reduced Transepidermal Water Loss

Source: Aprinnova

Additionally, after applying Neossance Squalane once a day to body skin after showering, 32 women aged 20 to 65 were surveyed with the following results:

  • 100% agreed that dryness on elbows and knees was reduced.
  • 97% agreed that legs were smoother and more moisturized.
  • 96% agreed that arms and legs had a healthy and radiant glow.
  • 94% agreed that legs appeared younger-looking.

Natural Assurances of Neossance Squalane

Neossance Squalane is ECOCERT-approved. ECOCERT is a well-established product certification that standardizes criteria for “natural” and “organic” ingredients. To be ECOCERT-approved, an ingredient or formula cannot contain:

  • GMOs
  • PEG
  • Silicon
  • Parabens
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • Nanoparticles
  • Synthetic perfumes and dyes
  • Animal-derived ingredients

Neossance Squalane is also a USDA Certified Bio-based Product. This certification attests that ingredients come from renewable biological sources. Products that are bio-based help increase the use of renewable resources while decreasing the use of non-renewable resources.12 In many cases, bio-based products are cost-comparative, readily available, and perform as well or better than their petroleum-containing counterparts.13

Humanist Beauty Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil

Neossance Squalane is one of the key natural, sustainable, high-performance ingredients found in Herban Wisdom Facial Oil. It is formulated at an active level to help prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while restoring skin suppleness and flexibility.

The Herban Wisdom™ Facial Oil is a powerful facial treatment fusing clean plant nutrients rich in antioxidants, adaptogens, anti-aging, and moisturizing properties. It is light in feel yet potent in activity.

Humanist Beauty is fully transparent about every ingredient in each of our products. We ensure that you are getting the highest quality formulations comprised of clean, vegan, nutrient-rich, ethically sourced, highly effective botanicals. If you’d like to review our complete ingredient summary, click here.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squalene#:~:text=Squalene%20is%20an%20organic%20compound,squalene%20as%20a%20biochemical%20intermediate. [1]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6253993/ [2]

https://usa.oceana.org/shark-squalene#:~:text=Sharks%20that%20live%20in%20deeper,is%20a%20compound%20called%20squalene.&text=Sharks%2C%20especially%20deep%2Dsea%20sharks,squalene%20found%20in%20their%20livers. [3] [4]

https://aprinnova.com/neossance-squalane/ [5] [6]

https://amyris.com/ingredient/squalane [7] [10] [11]

https://amyris.com/about-us [8]

https://amyris.com/sustainability [9]

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2016/02/18/fact-sheet-overview-usdas-biopreferred-program#:~:text=The%20USDA%20Certified%20Biobased%20Product%20label%20is%20designed%20to%20provide,amount%20of%20renewable%20biological%20ingredients. [12] [13]

The Evolution of Beauty

A glimpse behind the curtain of selling beauty by the decade.

 

Beauty Marketing, Y2K Style

When I started working in the beauty business, it was around the year 2000. At that time, it was understood that beauty’s ideal age was 25 years old. If a model was younger, she was made up to look older, about 25. If a person reading the magazine was older, then she wanted to look like she was 25. At 25, a person was fertile, skin was plump, there was a confidence of moving past the teen years, but not a desperation associated with the notion of turning 30. At 25, chances are you didn’t have graying roots or nasolabial wrinkles. If you were an ideal model, you didn’t have too much sun damage that would cause facial discoloration or unsightly hyperpigmentation. When you were 25 and an ideal model, you didn’t yet have stretch marks or cellulite or varicose veins. Ah, 25. Beauty’s golden age. Back then, the ideal target consumer for beauty products was 18-34. Over 35? You were dead to beauty marketers. No one was interested in targeting you, because you simply didn’t matter. At 25, Cosmopolitan Magazine said you could be a modern single career woman! You could be a fun fearless female! You could conquer the world!

Most of the general public wasn’t aware of the extent of brands’ PhotoShop manipulation until Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty went viral. Two parallel commentaries arose when that campaign was first released. The first was from the general public. It was overwhelming praise for Dove’s unveiling of what the beauty industry had done to manipulate consumers for years. The second was from the beauty industry. It was dubious as to whether Dove’s bold campaign would actually sell more Dove products. And so the beauty industry was slow to follow. It wanted to wait and see if consumers would vote with their dollars to support an ‘anti-beauty beauty company’. It took some time, but soon the democratic diversity appreciation movement called all beauty tactics into question. Why aren’t there more dark shades of foundation available? Why aren’t bigger girls a part of your ad campaigns? Why aren’t boys seen as beautiful? The answers were simple, but never before discussed. The answer was always money. Dark shades didn’t sell as well as lighter shades of foundation, and so they were eliminated. Bigger girls weren’t seen as aspirational, no one wanted to look like them, and they didn’t sell product. Lesbians, gays, transgenders, and alternative lifestylers were too controversial. The Bible belt would be outraged. Too risky. Can’t afford to go there.

Despite the daring artistic culture, at that time, the beauty industry was filled with stuffed shirts and risk-averse businesspeople that for the most part made decisions based on the bottom line. Things were done the way that they were done, and that was understood from the top of the organization on down.

Beauty Marketing, 2010 Style

Fast forward a decade to 2010. The Sex and the City TV series has ended, and its big-screen release in 2008 was considered a commercial success. Western culture began to embrace beauty over 40…albeit a thin, white, urban, fashion-obsessed impression of that beauty. Older women everywhere felt empowered! Forty was the new 25! You didn’t need a man to be happy, but if you wanted one, it would be on your terms! Buy the Manolos, you deserve it! Buy the Louis Vuitton bag, it will complete you! C’mon girls, keep up with the Kardashians! On YouTube, upstart Michelle Phan would revolutionize worldwide beauty culture with DIY beauty tutorials that empowered girls to reveal their bare faces and be their own makeup artists. Instagram made its debut, and a year later Snapchat released. Hello, selfie sticks, selfie filters, selfie blogs, and smartphone apps for just about everything. In the beauty industry, the likes of Sephora saw a different kind of competition in the rise of subscription beauty boxes. Birchbox and ipsy would soon transform the way women sampled and shared makeup, creating a monthly frenzy of trial and churn. This decade was defined by a splintering in the marketplace. Suddenly it became ok to shop prestige, mass, and every retail outlet in between. The supermodel ideal crashed and burned. Everything you thought you knew about carbs and grains and fat in your diet changed. In essence, the media migration from TV and print started flocking to phones and tablets. The individual was better served, and everyone became a content creator. And somewhere, somehow in the midst of it all, you clung onto your sanity. You enjoyed dabbling in the hype, at types getting caught up in the media whirlwind, but something inside you felt empty.

Beauty Marketing, 2020+ Style

Fast forward another decade. It’s now 2021, and we’re finding ourselves in a whole different place. A place precipitated by forces other than Madison Avenue and the consumption machine. In fact, we find ourselves questioning our previous priorities, all the things we thought were so important. The things we bought and the way we looked and keeping up with appearances are now so obviously statements of vanity and luxury. Perhaps some of us had started longing for a different kind of ‘more’ even before the global pandemic of 2020. The rise of yoga, plant medicine, the natural movement, meditation, environmental issues, and spirituality over religion had just started peaking. So many of us had been searching for answers, but our minds were all too often muddled by daily obligations and mundane busy-ness to dedicate the effort to find answers to all our burning questions. We were also faced with news that seemed to reinforce the unpleasant side of humanity rather than its goodness. And so now, we continued to ponder our questions even further. We long to understand our purpose. Why are we here? What does it all mean? Rather than acquiring more, how can I become more?

Perhaps this is the time-out we’ve all been secretly wanting and needing. It seems that this pandemic is a crossroads to test our character to its core. Will we stand in fear or hope? Will our minds be filled with anxiety or calm? Will we allow stress to tear us apart or strengthen our resolve? The line in the sand is drawn. Where will you stand?

Beauty Marketing’s Backlash

The fact is that many of us have a love-hate relationship with the concept of beauty. We’ve become conditioned to rate people’s beauty as a superficial contest. The most beautiful women in the world? The most beautiful men in the world? Magazines used to sell out based on those stories. We would roll our eyes but then also secretly beat ourselves up for not achieving such status or recognition in life. In the past, we beauty marketers would pour through model books and headshots to hire the tallest, skinniest, most asymmetrical models we possibly could. We would evaluate A-list actresses and secretly sneer at the ones who in person had such noticeable flaws – acne, wrinkles, age spots, thin lips, sagging jowls, frizzy hair, ugh! It would drive us crazy. It made our post-production work that much more difficult! Back then, retouching was a given. There would be no way we would have a model represent our brand where the entire photograph wasn’t completely redone. Hair color, skin color, contouring, everything was altered. And when the images came out in the magazines, every girl wanted to look just like that picture. They would paste the pictures up in their bathrooms, on their vanity mirrors. They would bring the pictures to their hair salons to copy the cut. These phake-ographs became the beauty aspirations of a generation.

Now, it seems the pendulum has swung in the other direction, thanks to social media and exploding interest in spontaneous user-generated content. Glimpses into the real lives of real people are the new form of entertainment. Perfectionism has been replaced by authenticity. Inclusion and representation matter. Big planet-killer brands are boycotted and obsolete. It’s cooler to shop indie brands that align with values. Beauty becomes more intrinsically tied to you being the best possible you and not someone else. Real full-spectrum wellness is the ultimate goal.

Now, Inner Beauty is Real Beauty

Today, I sense that there is a greater appreciation for the human being. For kindness, empathy, support, and compassion. Today, I see a movement toward recognition of inner beauty. That which has the power to warm the heart and light up the soul. Today, I see the potential for all people to come together, connected for a common purpose. To be beautiful, and to spread human beauty to all corners of the earth. My wish is for the pendulum to rest in a place where every human respects and loves every other human, regardless of outward appearance. I dream that all humans will find peace with themselves, so that the restless feelings of emptiness, anger, bitterness, and hatred subside, morphing into harmonious resolution, orchestrating a brighter, more mellifluous future. I visualize humans that are unified to solve collective problems, expending precious energy in collaboration instead of competition. When beauty becomes synonymous with love of self and love of others, that’s when I see humans, being.