With the launch of Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly, the Skin Herbalists is a line to watch.  Created by one of the foremost skincare formulators in the world, The Skin Herbalists’ founder and formulator Jacine Greenwood combines the unique wisdom of both an expert aesthetician and a certified cosmetic chemist.  Jacine is the force of nature behind the hugely successful, highly effective, and much-loved line Roccoco Botanicals.  A true creative visionary at heart, Jacine is not one to rest on her laurels and was inspired to create The Skin Herbalists to make her special blend of natural plant-based miracles available for home use. The Skin Herbalists line is 100% natural skincare that proves how effective gentle plant-based skin care can be.

The Skin Herbalists Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly

The Skin Herbalists’ first launch is a gorgeous cleanser, Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly.  Starting out with a cleanser was doubtless the explicit intention.  A true expert in all things skin, founder Jacine views cleanser as the foundational, most vital step in any skincare regimen. Why is having the right cleanser so crucial?  Cleansers contain surfactants, and if not chosen very carefully, surfactants can have deleterious effects on the skin, such that a poorly-formulated cleanser can deplete vital lipids, impair the barrier, and generate inflammation.  Moreover, when an overly-stripping cleanser damages the barrier, it can remain in the skin, further exacerbating dryness and inflammation. Without an optimal cleanser, skin is compromised from the very first step, and all the other products that follow are working at a disadvantage and likely to yield mixed results. Choosing the right cleanser is the crucial first step toward setting the skin up for success, which explains why The Skin Herbalists’ first launch falls into this category.  The Skin Herbalists have created a cleanser that avoids all the common cleanser pitfalls.  With Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly, The Skin Herbalists deliver a beautiful, balanced, and gentle formulation that does not strip skin lipids, nor remain in the skin.  Instead of causing inflammation, Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly actually reduces inflammation  and alleviates redness.  This gem leaves skin clean yet soft and hydrated.

The Skin Herbalists Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly is that special cleanser that fully and effortlessly cleanses makeup and debris in one gentle step all without stripping or irritating even the fussiest of skin.  With a rich, buttery texture and gorgeous pink glow, Rhubarb Jelly Cleanser offers a gorgeous and delightful sensory experience that serves as a perfect first step and will elevate the entire skincare ritual.  Even more impressive than the joy of using it, though, is the beautiful effects it has on the skin. Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly leaves skin gently hydrated without any greasy residue, so you get a satisfying cleanse without that parched feeling that some cleansers can cause. Infused with nutrient-dense Raspberry Seed Oil, Kiwi Seed Oil, and Passionfruit Seed Oil, the cleanser provides skin with a generous dose of Omega 3.    The star ingredient, Rhubarb Extract, increases the amount of ceramides and hyaluronic acid in the skin, softening and plumping lines and wrinkles. With its skin-plumping ingredients, Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly also reinforces the skin barrier and prevents moisture loss.   A specially-chosen concentrated, plant-derived essential fatty acid, Ethyl Linoleate, effectively targets pigmentation while delivering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection, leaving skin bright and calm.  Meanwhile, Kakadu Plum Extract delivers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for calming signs of acne or other inflammatory skin issues.  The result is a truly balanced, gentle cleanser that is effective and beneficial for any skin type.

When asked what would constitute the perfect cleanser, Jacine replied, “The perfect cleanser is gentle and doesn’t dry your skin out, yet effortlessly removes makeup, deep cleans pores and doesn’t contain comedogenic ingredients.”   With this brilliant definition in mind, The Skin Herbalists Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly is about as close to perfection as a formulation can possibly get.  Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly is versatile in the way it effectively serves many skin types and concerns, gentle in the way it reinforces the barrier and boosts hydration rather than depleting them, and effortlessly effective in the way it removes makeup and cleans the pores.  Using The Skin Herbalists Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly regularly for just over a week, I am already seeing skin that is calmer, brighter, and better hydrated with noticeably less inflammation.   If you ask me, Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly truly is the perfect versatile cleanser, and I cannot wait to see what other marvels The Skin Herbalists have in store. I highly recommend giving this beauty from the Skin Herbalists a try to see just how high-performance a cleanser can be. Prepare to be impressed!

The post The Skin Herbalists Rhubarb Cleansing Jelly appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Five Elements Skincare is a standout handcrafted, all-natural line of skin-loving botanical products from New Zealand that powerfully restore and enhance skin’s wellbeing and vitality, all without any questionable ingredients, common irritants, or harmful additives.  When Five Elements founder Karen Mackay reached out to me and offered me the chance to try a few of her botanical treasures, I jumped at the chance.  Be sure to check out my interview with Ms. Macay!  The products themselves are elegant, with clean formulations that rely on time-tested botanicals, rather than faddish ingredients, to deliver a multitude of skin benefits.  After trying a few of the products and being highly impressed at how well they hydrated, soothed and helped to heal my mature skin, it came as little surprise to me to discover that Five Elements Founder and Formulator Ms. Mackay has a postgraduate degree in Botany.

Five Elements Skincare Founder, Karen Mackay

In addition to my fondness for the products, I also love the values and integrity that this line embodies.  Quality is ensured with careful thought and attention at every step of production; they even grow their own botanicals using biodynamic principles on their herb farm in Marlborough, New Zealand.  Additionally, Five Elements Skincare routinely donates 10% of profits to New Zealand Conservation Efforts, and they frequently designate periods of time during which they donate 15% of all profits to conservation charities.  Packaging is PBA,  plastic-free and recyclable.  Their prices are amazingly accessible, and to top it off, they are also offering a special discount to my readers through the end of September (jump to the end if you can’t wait)!

The full Five Elements Skincare line consists of a lovely assortment of facial, body, and hair products.  I have thoroughly enjoyed four of Ms. Mckay’s creations:

• Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm
• Five Elements Natural Sunscreen SPF 30
• Five Elements Elemental Renewal Serum
• Five Elements Comfrey Balm

From the moment I started using Five Elements Skincare, it was clear that the products had been lovingly and thoughtfully created by someone with a keen and nuanced understanding of the healing powers of plants.  Though each the product in the Five Elements range serves a specific, distinctive purpose, the entire line is infused with impressive anti-inflammatory and restorative properties.  Moreover, I would be remiss if I did not mention that Five Elements Skincare offers some of the best value in all green beauty:  pure ingredients, high-performance formulations, all at refreshingly accessible pricing.

Five Elements Skincare is a line that was born out of pure compassion; as you can read my founder interview below my reviews, Ms. Mackay was inspired to create her initial formulation out of a desire to bring comfort and healing to a student she was teaching who was suffering from painful and debilitating eczema.  She had no intention of launching a business.  However, the culmination of her formulation efforts, a balm that she named Five Elements Skin Tonic in honor of the five healing botanicals it contained, led to such a complete transformation in the student’s condition that others soon clamored for it, continually compelling her to make more to share.  Today, Five Elements Skin Tonic is a beloved hero product to those who have experienced its benefits.  Below, I will tell you about my experience with each Five Elements treasure I have tried, starting with Skin Tonic.

The Irritation Remedy: Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to enjoy Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm, which contains the Five Elements plant extracts—a lovely blend of anti-inflammatory Ginkgo, healing Plantago, antiseptic Rosemary, antioxidant Olive, and brightening Rumex–in cold-pressed, extra virgin Olive Oil with Grape Seed Oil and Beeswax.  (The Liquid version contains the Five Elements extracts in an Olive Oil and Grapeseed Oil base.)  All the botanicals have been locally grown in New Zealand, and both the Balm and Liquid are entirely natural and clean without any harsh or harmful additives.  Personally, I cherish the Balm, especially whenever my skin is dry and irritated, which is a fairly regular occurrence for me both because of my skin’s tendencies and also because I occasionally overdo it with harsher actives.  Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm is a nourishing, hydrating, creamy remedy for inflamed skin.  Those of us with problem skin, particularly due to irritation, redness, or dryness, will rejoice at the immediate comfort and rapid healing Skin Tonic helps to provide.  The Balm is a brilliant moisturizer and soothing treatment in one.  Though it may be a little rich for highly acne-prone skin, those with normal to dry skin will love it.  I reserve it for when my skin is dry and not in particularly acne-prone phase and find it a welcome addition to my arsenal.  Remarkably, this soothing botanical gem, made with home-grown plants and lots of care, can be yours for just $17.73!  I wasn’t kidding when I said this was a fantastic value.  Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm is a mighty, healing formulation, especially wonderful for dry, dehydrated, and/or sensitive skin, and an extraordinary find for less than $20!

Ingredients: Elemental Phytoextracts (Ginkgo, Rosemary, Rumex, Plantago, and Extra Virgin Olive oil) in cold-pressed Extra-Virgin Olive Olil and Grape Seed Oil with Beeswax.

The Cleanest Natural SPF I’ve Encountered: Five Elements Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

As someone with photosensitive lupus, I am understandably picky about my sunscreen, and Five Elements Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 is an absolute winner.  I love this blend for so many reasons.  First, Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 contains my favorite ingredient for balanced UVB/UVA protection, zinc oxide, and the formula is one of few that includes as generous an amount of zinc oxide (20%) as I like to see to ensure excellent protection.  Despite the high percentage of zinc oxide, Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 does not leave a white caste and blends like a dream!  The blendability is incredible, as is its creaminess.  The formulation is ultra-pure, with just five natural ingredients (e.g., zinc oxide, shea butter in cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive and grapeseed oil base with a touch of beeswax).  Simple ingredients give way to a surprisingly elegant formulation; as someone who has tested a lot of mineral sunscreens, it’s quite impressive to experience one that is so hydrating and blendable, all without skimping on the protection.

Five Elements Natural Sunscreen is truly nourishing with an amazing texture that is luxurious and hydrating while being ultra-smooth and blendable.   In short, this is a true winner!  You get a lovely helping of protective zinc oxide in an elegant formula with a lovely creamy consistency, excellent dispersion of zinc, all with no white cast.  Plus, Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 can easily double as a lovely moisturizer, as it delivers excellent nourishment and hydration with the purest of ingredients.  This is a very complete, high-performance product despite a minimal-ingredient formula.  I love applying and wearing it and am confident in the SPF protection.  If you want to experience a feat of formulation, look no further!  Plus, the price is incredibly accessible at just $17.52.  Amazing!

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide in cold-pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Grape Seed Oil with Beeswax.

The Antioxidant Nourisher with Striking Anti-Aging Benefits: Five Elements Elemental Renewal Serum

Elemental Renewal Serum features Five Elements’ signature, biodynamically-grown five-plant healing Elemental Phytoextracts, included in the formula at a whopping 50%.  This formula is one of few oil serums I have tried that visibly improves the look of skin, no doubt it owes much to the generous proportion of carefully-chosen Elemental Phytoextracts with microcirculation-boosting and collagen-enhancing Ginkgo, soothing and toning Plantago, antimicrobial and oil-balancing Rosemary, nourishing and anti-inflammatory Olive, and tyrosinase-inhibiting Rumex.  The Five Elements are very well-rounded and complementary, and when you enjoy them at such high potency, skin reaps the rewards.  The base oils are nourishing, skin-loving Organic Rosehip, Avocado, and Jojoba Oils, so there is much here to admire.  Delivering vital minerals and vitamins A, D, and E as well as the special Five Elements healing phytoextracts, Elemental Renewal helps minimize scars, pigmentation, and acne, and it also nourishes and plumps skin while stimulating collagen production for healthy, vibrant skin.  It’s easily absorbed and makes a beautiful daily serum to leave skin soft and renewed.  I also enjoy incorporating a few drops of it into my dry masks to elevate their formulas and boost the healing and hydration.  Either way, Elemental Renewal Serum is a treasure, and it gets even better when you realize you can purchase this botanical beauty for just $26.61.

Ingredients: Contains 50% Elemental Phytoextracts (Ginkgo, Rosemary, Rumex, Plantago, and Extra Virgin Olive oil), Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Avocado Oil.  Organic Frankincense, Geranium, and Palmarosa essential oils.

Sore-Muscle Soothing: Five Elements Comfrey Balm

This blend is another winner: ultra-soothing and truly effective at relieving my muscle pain and occasional joint pain.  Better yet, Five Elements Comfrey Balm is highly effective without the overwhelming stinging, freezing, or burning of so many topical pain relief products!  It provides relief without that discomfort.  The key ingredients include the Five Elements Organic Elemental Phytoextracts plus Organic Comfrey, Therapeutic-Grade Cumin, Frankincense, and Eucalyptus in a creamy and nourishing organic base.  This is a lovely, clean formula that beautifully showcases the magic of botanicals for pain relief.  This pain relief is available for just $16.12.

Ingredients: Organic Comfrey, Organic Elemental Phyto-extracts, Therapeutic Grade Cumin, Frankincense, Eucalyptus, extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil and Organic Grapeseed Oil, Organic Beeswax.

Special Offer, Courtesy of Five Elements Skincare:  Go to their site and use the code SEPTEMBER18 at checkout for FREE Shipping (yes, internationally) for any order over $100NZ (equivalent to around $65US).

Offer expires September 30, 2018.

I’m always eager to expand my horizons! Have you tried this or any other New Zealand skin care brands?  What’s on your global skincare wishlist?

The post Five Elements Skincare: New Zealand-Grown, Botanist-Created Beauty appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Beige Dusk Greys is a delightful Etsy-hosted shop (and, in my opinion, one of the best on the wide-ranging platform) in which Dallas maker Andrea Rogers channels her creative powers and artistic talents to create two of her favorite things: handcrafted skincare products and fine paper goods.  An artisan with many talents, Ms. Rogers makes gorgeous stationery and parcel tags, but since I am skincare-obsessed, it was her skincare formulations that caught my eye.  I was searching Etsy shops for products with prickly pear seed oil and quickly found that–in a lovely blend with camellia seed oil, borage oil, jojoba oil, and house-infused fractionated coconut oil featuring nettle, rosemary, calendula, & thyme–and so much more in the Beige Dusk Greys shop.  Note:  many Beige Dusk Greys products contain coconut oil, but it is a special form that works well even on acne-prone skin.  Ms. Rogers is highly attuned to comedogenicity, so she uses fractionated coconut oil.  I am acne-prone and was initially nervous about applying anything with coconut oil–fractionated or not–but I was able to enjoy her formulations without any problems and feel totally comfortable recommending her line to others who deal with blemishes.

Andrea Rogers of Beige Dusk Greys

Ms. Rogers was exceptionally generous and gave me the opportunity to sample a true bundle of the skincare delights Beige Dusk Greys offers.  The shop is full of tempting formulations, but to get you started, here are some highlights.

Beige Dusk Greys Green Tea Oil Cleanser

Beige Dusk Greys Green Tea Oil Cleanser ($16)–-a light cleansing oil that easily rinses off cleanly, leaving skin fresh but not stripped and providing just the slightest hint of additional moisture.  The ingredients are nourishing, healing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory, with the additional benefit of gentle antibacterial properties.  This is a great cleanser that effectively removes makeup yet never overdries; it leaves skin soft and smooth without any greasiness or heavy residue.  Green Tea Oil Cleanser is high-performance in terms of functionality and well-rounded benefits from its choice actives.  A very versatile product, this would work for all skin types, including acneic or sensitive.

Ingredients: Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil, Nettle, Green Tea, Chamomile, & Ginger Infused Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Seed Oil), Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, & Camellia Sinesnsis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract.

Beige Dusk Greys Honey & Rose Toner

Beige Dusk Greys Honey & Rose Toner ($12)–-a delicious, refreshing alcohol-free toner that has a naturally fragrant base of rose hydrosol with aloe juice for soothing hydration.  Along with antioxidant-rich rose, this toner also features Manuka honey extract (fantastic for hydration and healing) along with dynamic healing Royal Jelly (great for soothing nourishment, highly reparative).  The formula also includes gentle doses of lactic acid and Vitamin C to aid exfoliation and brightening; neither the is included at a level that would cause stinging or sensitivity, particularly when combined with the other soothing, moisturizing actives in the toner.  Unlike many toners that sting or burn sensitive skin, Beige Dusk Greys Honey & Rose Toner is calming and cooling.  This is a wonderful hydrator that feels soothing on contact, and it offers great benefits for dry or sensitive skin.

Ingredients: Rosa Demascena (Rose Otto) Flower Distillate, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe), Manuka Honey Extract, Butylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, Apis Mellifera (Royal Jelly) Extract, Gluconolacctone, Sodium Benzoate, PEG -7 Olivate (Olive Esters), Glycerin, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, L-ascorbic Acid, Didecoldimonium Chloride, & Rosa Damascena (Rose) Oil.

Indigo Concentrate Beauty Balm

Beige Dusk Greys Indigo Concentrate Beauty Balm ($24)—a creamy, moisturizing balm that is perfect for nearly any skin type and divine for fussy or acne-prone types.  Indigo Concentrate Beauty Balm has a light gel-oil sort of texture that sinks right in with only the lightest residue.  The lovely hue is thanks to soothing and gentle chamazulene, from both blue chamomile and blue tansy oils.  This along with beneficial actives like yarrow, indigo, and sacha inchi oil make this Balm a wonderful remedy for irritated and inflamed skin.  Indigo Concentrate Beauty Balm is a lovely product packed with beneficial, soothing ingredients that calm troubled skin.

Ingredients: Indigofera Tinctoria (Indigo) Infused Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Plukenetia Volubilis (Sacha Inchi) Seed Oil, Corylus Americana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Seed Oil, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Infused Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Polyglycerol-3 Beeswax (Cera Bellina), Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Olive Oil (Olea Europaea), Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Tanacetum Annum (Blue Tansy) Essential Oil, & Chamomilla Recutita (Blue Chamomile) Flower Oil.

Now that I’ve piqued your interest with some of the lovely Beige Dusk Greys products, let’s meet the maker, Andrea Rogers!  Below is our interview.

What is the story behind how you became a formulator?

Andrea Rogers: In the spring of 2013 I started tinkering with some DIY recipes for a charcoal mask. I was having some hormonal acne breakouts and was trying anything I could to help it. I really enjoyed making the masks and started experimenting with serums and such and it kind of just grew from there. I was in grad school for 3 of those years, so it was my little hobby I guess you could say, on the side.

 How would you describe your beauty and skincare philosophies?

 Andrea Rogers: I think beauty and skincare is so individual that there isn’t a formula or solution that fits all. Because of that, I think that finding and curating a regime that works for you and makes you feel beautiful is important.

What are your biggest goals as a formulator/maker/founder?

 Andrea Rogers: My goals are to make an effective beautiful product. I’m an art person, so pretty things really inspire and move me. I don’t see why beauty products can’t do the same. In some ways, I view my products as functional accessories.

What are your favorite ingredients to work with, and why?

Andrea Rogers: Gosh, that a hard one. I love any beneficial botanicals I can infuse. I love playing with exotic oils, and really anything smelly, like essential oils.

What is your process for creating a new product?

 Andrea Rogers: Usually I come up with a concept, then find the necessary supporting ingredients and began with a basic recipe, and tweak it until it fits my liking. Sometimes though, I will find an ingredient that I love and build a recipe around that ingredient.

Are you self-taught?  Either way, how did you begin and what have you learned along the way?

 Andrea Rogers: I am self-taught. Really there’s so many excellent resources online. And I also have some books for reference. Practice is also an excellent way to learn. Once you know your materials well, it’s easier to predict what will happen. I have notebooks of notes I have taken along the way and that really helps.

What is your approach to preservation?

 Andrea Rogers: Preservation is obviously a must. I don’t use parabens and try and stay away from formaldehyde donors. I have a selection of preservatives that I use and I choose from there the most suitable for the product. I realize this is a touchy subject for some.

If you had to pick a favorite product or two from you line of which you are most proud, what would it (they) be, and why?

Andrea Rogers: Probably the watermelon & moringa face oil. It’s just so versatile and feels and smells so good.

How would you describe the experience you want people to have with your products?

Andrea Rogers:  I want people to experience the product as a beautiful object that helps make them feel beautiful.

What do you see as the greatest success of your line so far and what are your hopes for the future?

Andrea Rogers: The greatest success is when I have repeat customers that really love the products. I hope that I can continue to grow this business into something bigger and have fun along the way.

You first started experimenting with formulation when you were experiencing some hormonal acne breakouts a few years ago.  What did you ultimately find effective in treating this issue that impacts so many of us?

Andrea Rogers: Honestly, I learned not to over-dry my face.  When the issue is hormonal, topical products can only do so much. Typical acne products dried my skin out, and removing all the oil wasn’t conducive for balance or healing.  I have oily skin, but I’ve learned to embrace it rather than fighting it.

You started formulating during grad school days.  What were you studying?

Andrea Rogers: I was studying studio art. I’m a print maker. I just graduated in May 2016 from a 3-year program.  My Etsy shop had gained some momentum by that point, and now it has taken over most of my time. I spend close to 40 hours/week devoted to running the Etsy shop and formulating. It’s an issue of time management and finding time for studio art.

Can you describe how you moved from making your own skincare to starting your own line?

Andrea Rogers: It was primarily just a hobby at first—skincare and soap.  I had more soap than I could ever use, but there was something so rewarding and soothing about making it. Friends and family loved what I made. They started buying my products, and after a while I expanded to Etsy.  The whole transition happened over a few years.  I wasn’t trying to make money, really; I just wanted to support my addiction to formulating and playing with stuff.  I’ve always been a maker.  I love it; it gives me meaning.

What is your background in art, and how do you think that influences the way you formulate and the overall aesthetic of Beige Dusk Greys?

Andrea Rogers: Being a print maker, you’re very process-oriented, and theres a lot of problem solving involved. Formulation is also very process-driven.  They’re both very aesthetic as well.

You are self-taught as a formulator.  Many consumers want to better educate themselves. When it comes to learning about and understanding individual ingredients, what are your favorite resources that you recommend (whether books, databases, etc.)?

Andrea Rogers: There are a lot of forums online that I’ve found extremely valuable. Also, DIY websites are useful to get a base recipe for something. There’s a supplier database as well, UL Prospector, where I can find out about ingredients.  I spend a lot of time online researching; I’m a thirsty person for information.

In terms of the iterations until a product is satisfactory, it depends. Sometimes I can get it in a few tries. Other products I still haven’t released because I haven’t hit the sweet spot yet after many trials. I spend a good amount of time with products before I try to sell them.

Is Beige Dusk Greys a full-time operation for you?  How have you seen your business grow over the last few years, and do you ever find it difficult to keep up with consumer demand?

Andrea Rogers:  First, it was just a little here and there. When people started responding well to my products, I got more invested, and sales have slowly but steadily grown since then. I’ve learned a lot and grown along with the business.

If someone has your Green Tea Oil Cleanser, Green Cleanse Face Balm, and Nopal Cleansing Exfoliator, how would you advise using each of them in terms of order, frequency, etc?

Andrea Rogers: For me, I like Face Balm at night for removing makeup. Green Tea Oil Cleanser and Nopal Cleansing Exfoliator are lighter and rinse off quickly, so they might be preferable for a time crunch or the morning.

I’m a huge fan of the Nopal Cleansing Exfoliator.  I’ve used so many exfoliators that are unnecessarily harsh and end up irritating skin rather than just gently exfoliating.  How did you manage to get this texture so perfect?   Tell us more about how you developed this.

Andrea Rogers: That took a bit of tweaking. You’d be surprised how much of the formula is actually clay; there’s a lot of body to it.  The smoothness to the texture comes from including the tiniest amount of olive-based wax. I didn’t want it to be too exfoliating, and the oils in the formula add a lubricating element so it’s not too abrasive.

I love both your Watermelon & Moringa Face Oil and the Plum Seed Face Oil.  Both are nourishing and hydrating yet miraculously do not break me out.  You also have another face oil called The Cure.  What do you see as the main differences between these three lovely face oils, and how would you advise someone to choose between them?

Andrea Rogers:  Plum Seed Face Oil is great for dry or mature skin. Watermelon & Moringa Face Oil is soothing with marshmallow extract and prickly pear, a good oil for anyone. Then there is The Cure, which has the lightest texture, but is is good for all skin types. I don’t formulate for a specific skin type. I try to formulate versatile products so it’s more a matter of preference. I’m not trying to cure something with my products, but in general I avoid comedogenic oils and ingredients, because there are so many great alternatives.

Your eye serum is so rich and luscious and extremely hydrating.  What key ingredients make it so effective for the delicate eye area?

Andrea Rogers: It’s probably the rosehip seed oil and the chia seed oil; the consistency of the final product was designed to be like an oily gel.

Can you tell us a little about your masks?

Andrea Rogers: I have a Pumpkin Enzyme Mask that uses pumpkin bioferment as a key ingredient. It’s designed to be a very gentle peel with the consistency of a light lotion. In fact, I designed it to be gentle enough that you can leave it on for anywhere from 10 minutes to overnight, depending on your preference.

The Honey Mask is an oily gel mask, and when I designed it, I wanted to avoid harsher, drying clay-based masks.

The Milk Jelly Mask is designed to be moisturizing and to feel good when you rinse it off.

What are your best sellers?

Andrea Rogers: Any of the face oils tend to be best sellers; when I formulate those, I want them to feel good, and there’s a variety for different preferences in terms of the texture from light to luxurious.  Also, the Face Balm is often a repeat order once people try it.

What’s the most surprising thing about running your business been so far?

Andrea Rogers: Right now I’m trying to get my line more established. Once I get that taken care of, and it’s getting there, I’m realizing that a lot of the work is not creating but actually running the business side of things.  In terms of getting more established, I haven’t started promoting Beige Dusk Greys much yet. People discover me and reach out, and it’s also been word of mouth.

There are so many people doing what I do that, for me, the investment is in repeat customers.  Between customer service (e.g., custom orders) and products, I’m focused on maintaining as much repeat business as possible.

There’s a rewarding aspect to it as well. Beige Dusk Greys is a way for me to celebrate a love for pretty things; I want the skincare to display nicely and, in a way, serve as functional accessories.  I think people are drawn to Beige Dusk Greys because they want to have things that are handmade and specific to them.

The post Beige Dusk Greys Founder Andrea Rogers on Finding Artistry in Formulation appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.