Jul 29, 2026
VITAMIN C SERUM OXIDATION: WHY MASS-PRODUCED FORMULAS LOSE POTENCY BEFORE THEY REACH YOUR SKIN
She has been using a Vitamin C serum consistently. Applying it every morning. Watching the bottle slowly shift from pale to yellow to something closer to amber. Wondering whether to throw it out or keep going. Or she has been using it faithfully for three months and cannot see the results she expected.
The problem almost certainly is not her skin, not her application technique, and not the formula itself. It is what happened to the formula before it reached her.
Vitamin C oxidation is rarely discussed honestly in the skincare industry, yet it is the single most predictable reason that a premium serum fails to deliver on its promise. The degradation begins long before the bottle is opened — during the weeks and months a mass-produced formula spends traveling through warehouses, distribution centers, and retail environments. Summer accelerates this decline. Heat intensifies the oxidation process precisely when skin needs Vitamin C protection most.
The visible oxidation progression follows a predictable pattern: crystal clear, then faint yellow, then medium amber, and finally dark orange or brown. Each color stage corresponds to a measurable decline in potency. A clear formula represents maximal stability. A faint yellow may indicate the beginning of oxidation or the presence of other actives — context matters. Medium amber signals substantial degradation. Dark orange or brown indicates a formula that has largely lost its antioxidant capacity.
The Critical Distinction Most Consumers are Never Given:
A light natural yellow from actives like Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, and Honeysuckle Extract is different from the progressive darkening that signals oxidation. A serum that starts light yellow and stays light yellow is not oxidizing. A serum that darkens over time is.
What Each Color Stage Means for Effectiveness is Straightforward
Clear to faint yellow: full to near-full potency. Medium amber: reduced antioxidant activity, diminished collagen synthesis support, weakened photoprotection. Dark orange or brown: minimal therapeutic benefit, and at advanced oxidation, the degraded ascorbic acid can actually function as a pro-oxidant — contributing to the inflammation and free radical activity it was purchased to prevent.
The color test she can perform right now requires no equipment. Hold the bottle against a white background in natural light. Compare the current color to what she remembers from the first application. If the formula has noticeably darkened, oxidation has occurred. The serum is losing effectiveness with each passing week.
Between the moment a Vitamin C serum is formulated and the moment it touches skin, a mass-produced product travels through an infrastructure that introduces repeated exposure to the exact conditions that accelerate oxidation.
The Typical Timeline: From Lab to Skin
The typical timeline: formulation, large batch manufacturing, bottling, factory warehouse storage, freight transport, distribution center holding, retailer warehouse storage, retailer shelf display, consumer purchase, consumer home storage, and finally application to skin. Each step takes time. Each step involves varying temperatures, intermittent light exposure, and potential air contact through packaging seals that degrade over time.
The realistic timeframe for a premium mass-produced Vitamin C serum is six to nine months between formulation and consumer use. For some products shipped internationally or held in retail inventory during slow sales periods, that window extends further.
Summer presents a double bind for Vitamin C users.
UV exposure peaks during the months when heat-accelerated oxidation is most likely to compromise serum potency. The season when antioxidant protection matters most is the season when mass-produced formulas are least likely to deliver it.
UV exposure generates free radicals in skin tissue — unstable molecules that damage cellular structures, degrade collagen and elastin, and trigger the inflammatory cascades that lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C at full potency intercepts these free radicals before they cause damage. A degraded serum does not.
The dark spot formation timeline reveals why summer protection matters more than fall correction. The hyperpigmentation that becomes visible in September was created by June and July UV exposure. Melanocytes respond to UV-induced inflammation by producing excess melanin — a protective mechanism that manifests as uneven tone and localized darkening. A potent Vitamin C serum used consistently throughout summer prevents spot formation by reducing the inflammatory trigger. A degraded serum does neither prevention nor correction.
Summer Storage at Home Compounds the Supply Chain Problem.
Bathrooms reach higher temperatures during warm months. Leaving serums in gym bags, suitcases, or cars exposes them to heat spikes that dramatically accelerate oxidation. A formula that survived months in the supply chain may degrade rapidly under consumer storage conditions during peak summer.
One practical storage guideline applies regardless of which Vitamin C formula is used: keep the serum in a cool, dark location away from bathroom heat and steam. A bedroom drawer or a climate-controlled closet extends the effective life of any ascorbic acid formula. Refrigeration further slows oxidation, though condensation from repeated temperature changes can introduce moisture into some packaging types. Consistent cool storage without temperature fluctuation is ideal.
What Dual-Soluble Vitamin C Does That Standard Formulas Cannot
The skin's lipid barrier exists to protect underlying tissue from environmental threats. This barrier — composed of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids organized in layered sheets — is highly effective at its protective function. It is also highly selective about which molecules it allows to pass.
Standard L-ascorbic acid is water-soluble. It works effectively at the surface epidermis, where it can scavenge free radicals and support surface-level brightness. However, water-soluble compounds struggle to penetrate the lipid-rich barrier that separates the epidermis from the deeper dermal layers where melanin production originates and where collagen synthesis occurs.
Oil-soluble Vitamin C derivatives — specifically Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate — are formulated to cross the lipid barrier. Their molecular structure allows them to integrate into the lipid matrix and reach the dermis, where they can interrupt melanin production at its source and deliver antioxidant support to the fibroblasts responsible for collagen and elastin synthesis.
Dual-soluble Vitamin C formulas contain both water-soluble and oil-soluble forms. This approach addresses brightening at the surface and deeper-layer tone correction and collagen support simultaneously. A standard serum works in one dimension. A dual-soluble formula works in two.
Why this matters for dark spots specifically: hyperpigmentation originates in the basal layer of the epidermis and the upper dermis, where melanocytes reside. Surface-only Vitamin C can address visible surface pigmentation through exfoliation and oxidation of existing melanin deposits, but it cannot interrupt melanin production at its source. Oil-soluble Vitamin C reaches the melanocytes themselves, modulating tyrosinase activity and reducing the inflammatory signals that trigger excess pigment synthesis.
The concentration question becomes less relevant when freshness is prioritized. A 20% dual-soluble serum delivered fresh — formulated recently and stored minimally — outperforms a 20% single-form serum that has been oxidizing in a supply chain for months. Potency at application matters more than potency at formulation.
The Micro-Batch Difference: What Fresh Vitamin C Actually Means
Micro-batch production refers to making smaller quantities more frequently rather than large batches infrequently. For Vitamin C — one of the most oxidation-prone actives in skincare — it changes everything.
The supply chain comparison is instructive. Cell Active products move from formulation to consumer in weeks rather than months. There is no factory warehouse holding period, no multi-tier distribution network, no retail shelf aging. The timeline compression means the Vitamin C that reaches skin is closer to its original potency — the percentage on the label more accurately reflects the percentage in the formula at application.
Why this matters more for Vitamin C than for most other actives comes down to chemical stability. Retinoids are sensitive but can be stabilized through encapsulation. Peptides are relatively stable in properly formulated systems. Niacinamide is highly stable. L-ascorbic acid and its derivatives oxidize under conditions that are essentially unavoidable in conventional supply chains. The micro-batch model does not eliminate oxidation — it reduces the time during which oxidation can occur.
The Nine-Active Formula Context Distinguishes Cell Active from Simpler CE Ferulic Formulas.
Beyond the dual-soluble Vitamin C foundation, the serum contains Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, Resveratrol, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica, and Milk Thistle. Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, and Honeysuckle Extract give the formula its natural light warm color from the first application — which remains }\
Clinical Outcome: 98% Brighter, more radiant skin. 97% Visibly plumper, firmer-looking skin. 92% More even tone and faded dark spots. 86% Better protected against environmental stressors.
Results from MAXDAHLIA clinical study of 42 participants ages from 28-65
The value proposition becomes clear when formula composition and freshness are considered together. An $88 nine-active dual-soluble micro-batch formula versus a $166 three-active mass-produced single-form formula. This is not primarily a price conversation. It is a formula conversation about what reaches skin and in what condition it arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why did my Vitamin C serum turn orange?
Orange color in a Vitamin C serum indicates significant oxidation of the L-ascorbic acid compound. As ascorbic acid degrades through exposure to light, air, and heat, it produces byproducts that progressively darken the formula from clear to yellow to amber to orange. An orange Vitamin C serum has lost meaningful potency and at advanced oxidation may act as a pro-oxidant — contributing to skin stress rather than preventing it.Is a yellow Vitamin C serum oxidized?
Not necessarily. A faint yellow tint that is present from the first use and remains stable may be natural — coming from botanical actives like Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, or plant extracts in the formula. The sign of oxidation is progressive darkening over time — a serum that was lighter when you opened it and has visibly darkened since is oxidizing. A stable light yellow is different from a formula that started clear and is turning amber.What is dual-soluble Vitamin C?
Dual-soluble Vitamin C refers to a formula containing both water-soluble and oil-soluble forms of Vitamin C. Standard serums use only water-soluble L-ascorbic acid, which works effectively at the skin surface but struggles to penetrate the skin's lipid barrier. Oil-soluble Vitamin C derivatives can cross the lipid barrier to reach deeper skin layers — where dark spots originate and where collagen support is most needed. A dual-soluble formula addresses both surface brightness and deeper tone correction simultaneously.What is micro-batch skincare?
Micro-batch skincare refers to producing formulas in smaller, more frequent quantities rather than large batches distributed through extended supply chains. For Vitamin C specifically — one of the most unstable active ingredients in skincare — micro-batch production significantly reduces the time between formulation and application. This means the Vitamin C reaches skin closer to its original potency rather than after months of supply chain exposure.How long does Vitamin C serum stay potent after opening?
An opened Vitamin C serum exposed to daily air contact typically begins showing meaningful oxidation within three to six months depending on storage conditions, packaging type, and formulation stability. Summer heat accelerates this timeline. Keeping Vitamin C serum in a cool, dark location away from bathroom steam and sunlight extends its effective life. Micro-batch formulas that arrive fresher from the manufacturer give more of that effective window to the consumer.The Bottom Line on Vitamin C Potency
If a Vitamin C serum has stopped delivering results or has been darkening in the bottle, the most likely explanation is not skin type, not application technique, and not even the formula itself. It is what happened to the formula between the lab and the bathroom.
Oxidation is not a defect. It is a predictable consequence of the time and conditions that mass-produced formulas encounter in conventional supply chains. The months spent in warehouses, transport, and retail distribution expose ascorbic acid to heat, light, and air — the exact conditions that trigger degradation. Premium packaging slows this process but cannot eliminate the fundamental time problem.
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03 - 01 - 2022
Acids for Skin Rejuvenation 101
They’re the miracle ingredients used to fight acne, wrinkles, age spots, scarring, and uneven skin tone. But with so many acids available, it can be overwhelming to remember which you should use — and for what — and which products to buy. So we made a little guide to help you navigate and choose the RIGHT acids (AHA's) for your skin needs!
GLYCOLIC ACID is the most popular alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used in skin care. It comes from sugar cane, and has the smallest molecular structure, so it’s the most effective at getting into the skin. Glycolic acid is a fantastic anti-aging agent that is very effective at exfoliating the skin, reducing fine lines, fading dark spots, increasing skin thickness, and evening out skin tone and texture. Be careful when using, it can desensitize the skin so you want to make sure you are counting the side effects with a barrier repair product like HYDROFLORA Barrier Repair Oil Gel.
LACTIC ACID is an organic acid that naturally forms when certain foods or bacteria go through the process of fermentation, It helps speed up cell turnover and stimulates cell renewal—the processes by which your skin sheds old cells and replaces them with new ones revealing a brighter and fresher complexion. It is a gentle AHA unlike glycolic acid and is a better choice for those who have more sensitive skin types. You can find it at 15% concentration in our Petal Peel Resurfacing Jelly Serum
SALICYLIC ACID well-known for its ability to exfoliate the skin and keep pores clear, reduce inflammation and redness associated with acne and breakouts. Often times you will see salicylic acid in acne products
MANDELIC ACID is a alpha-hydroxy acid that is derived from bitter almonds. Like glycolic acid, it works as an exfoliant and helps prevent acne, treat sun damage, and even out pigmentation.
Due to its larger molecular structure, it doesn’t penetrate skin as deeply as glycolic acid, so it’s less irritating to the skin.
KOJIC ACID is produced by bacteria used in the fermentation of rice for the production of sake. It’s a popular ingredient in Asian skin care products thanks to its anti-aging properties and it's ability to lighten dark spots/hyper-pigmentation.
TARTARIC ACID Naturally found in grapes, tartaric acid helps improve skin texture and reduce visible signs of aging. It's very unique because not only is it an AHA but it contain antioxidant properties and has the ability to increase skin hydration and helps bind moisture. Good for ALL SKIN TYPES as and gentle enough for more sensitive skin types. You can find it at a 5% concentrate in our Petal Peel Resurfacing Jelly Serum
OTHER NON ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS (AHA'S)
FERULIC ACID antioxidant ingredient that’s most commonly used in conjunction with vitamins C and E serums. This powerful antioxidant trio is well known for its ability to protect the skin from the damaging free radicals generated by UV radiation by stabilizing the formula and boosting one another's power. You want to use it in your daytime skin routine. You can find this antioxidant trio combo in our Cell Active Ferulic C+E Serum
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID powerful antioxidant that helps protect against the damage caused by free radicals formed by exposure to the sun, pollution and heat. Powerful alone it also enhances the antioxidant effects of vitamins C and E similar to Ferulic Acid. Your can find it in BOTH our DAY prouducts FLORA-C Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer and our DAY serum Cell Active Ferulic C+E
AZELAIC ACID is a compound found in wheat, rye and barley often used to help fight moderate acne. It helps keep pores clear, kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. It is gentle enough to use on all skin type but could possibly irritate sensitive or barrier compromised skin types. Also used as a skin lightening ingredient for fading post-acne marks, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It’s frequently combined with retinoids as a milder alternative to hydroquinone.
We hope this guide helps you through understanding which acids work best for your skin needs so you know where to begin on your journey. Remember to always use a quality SPF during the day (and yes reapply) especially when using products that contain AHA's because all the work you put in towards your skin can reverse or make you even more prone to hyper pigmentation.
GLYCOLIC ACID is the most popular alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used in skin care. It comes from sugar cane, and has the smallest molecular structure, so it’s the most effective at getting into the skin. Glycolic acid is a fantastic anti-aging agent that is very effective at exfoliating the skin, reducing fine lines, fading dark spots, increasing skin thickness, and evening out skin tone and texture. Be careful when using, it can desensitize the skin so you want to make sure you are counting the side effects with a barrier repair product like HYDROFLORA Barrier Repair Oil Gel. LACTIC ACID is an organic acid that naturally forms when certain foods or bacteria go through the process of fermentation, It helps speed up cell turnover and stimulates cell renewal—the processes by which your skin sheds old cells and replaces them with new ones revealing a brighter and fresher complexion. It is a gentle AHA unlike glycolic acid and is a better choice for those who have more sensitive skin types. You can find it at 15% concentration in our Petal Peel Resurfacing Jelly Serum
SALICYLIC ACID well-known for its ability to exfoliate the skin and keep pores clear, reduce inflammation and redness associated with acne and breakouts. Often times you will see salicylic acid in acne products
MANDELIC ACID is a alpha-hydroxy acid that is derived from bitter almonds. Like glycolic acid, it works as an exfoliant and helps prevent acne, treat sun damage, and even out pigmentation.
Due to its larger molecular structure, it doesn’t penetrate skin as deeply as glycolic acid, so it’s less irritating to the skin.
KOJIC ACID is produced by bacteria used in the fermentation of rice for the production of sake. It’s a popular ingredient in Asian skin care products thanks to its anti-aging properties and it's ability to lighten dark spots/hyper-pigmentation.
TARTARIC ACID Naturally found in grapes, tartaric acid helps improve skin texture and reduce visible signs of aging. It's very unique because not only is it an AHA but it contain antioxidant properties and has the ability to increase skin hydration and helps bind moisture. Good for ALL SKIN TYPES as and gentle enough for more sensitive skin types. You can find it at a 5% concentrate in our Petal Peel Resurfacing Jelly Serum
OTHER NON ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS (AHA'S)
FERULIC ACID antioxidant ingredient that’s most commonly used in conjunction with vitamins C and E serums. This powerful antioxidant trio is well known for its ability to protect the skin from the damaging free radicals generated by UV radiation by stabilizing the formula and boosting one another's power. You want to use it in your daytime skin routine. You can find this antioxidant trio combo in our Cell Active Ferulic C+E Serum
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID powerful antioxidant that helps protect against the damage caused by free radicals formed by exposure to the sun, pollution and heat. Powerful alone it also enhances the antioxidant effects of vitamins C and E similar to Ferulic Acid. Your can find it in BOTH our DAY prouducts FLORA-C Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer and our DAY serum Cell Active Ferulic C+E
AZELAIC ACID is a compound found in wheat, rye and barley often used to help fight moderate acne. It helps keep pores clear, kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. It is gentle enough to use on all skin type but could possibly irritate sensitive or barrier compromised skin types. Also used as a skin lightening ingredient for fading post-acne marks, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It’s frequently combined with retinoids as a milder alternative to hydroquinone.
We hope this guide helps you through understanding which acids work best for your skin needs so you know where to begin on your journey. Remember to always use a quality SPF during the day (and yes reapply) especially when using products that contain AHA's because all the work you put in towards your skin can reverse or make you even more prone to hyper pigmentation.
12 - 10 - 2020
Quick Guide to Repair Skin Barrier And Why It Matters
Human skin acts as the primary barrier between the body and the environment. Nobody really thinks about how much our skin does for us, we all just want it to look pretty but in order for that to happen, we truly need to understand it a bit more so that when changes happen, we have a better understanding on how to proceed with care and caution and what type of modifications we need to make in our own beauty routines in order to make the skin happy and functioning the way it's meant to again.
The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your epidermis (and the epidermis is the outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up your skin). A healthy skin barrier keeps irritants out, while locking natural oils and moisture in. An unhealthy skin barrier doesn’t really act as a barrier at all…instead, it allows irritants to penetrate into your skin, and that can weaken it and prevent it from functioning properly to maintain your skin’s health. This can also manifest itself in the form of dry, irritated red skin. Signs of a compromised skin barrier are often mistaken for other skin concerns such as acne or rosacea which then gets mistreated making things much more worse!!
1. Sudden dryness
2. Irritated skin
3. Itchiness
4. Scaly and dehydrated complexions
5. Stinging and or burning sensations
6. Flakiness and peeling
7. Tightness (dehydration of moisture deprived skin)
8. Redness
9. Rosacea
10. Increased breakouts
11. Rough skin to the touch
1. Simplify and adjust your regimen- If you suspect your barrier is disrupted, first thing you should do is take a break from ALL actives and only use a barrier repair product like HYDROFLORA Barrier Repair Oil Gel. This doesn't mean you will never be able to use skin actives, this just means for the time being (and it might be as short as a couple of days) you need to focus solely on repairing the skin barrier!!
2. Reduce cleansing- Try and reduce your cleansing from 2x a day to 1x. Even if you use a gentle cleanser like Petal Powder, the reduction of cleansing helps! You can even switch to a micellar water cleanser for the time being. Micellar water requires a cotton pad and the micellar water. Apply only your moisturizer after cleansing until your barrier is happy again.
3. Hydrate- No brainer, you want to keep the skin moisturized. If after an hour of moisturizer application you find that your skin feels tight or dry, gently tap some more moisturizer into the skin to keep it hydrated.
4. Take a break from makeup- Let your skin breathe and heal. If your skin barrier is compromised, applying foundation to the face or makeup can invite unwanted bacteria into the skin which you do not want. If that happens, there is a good chance you will breakout or even worse, get an infection!
5. Supplement your diet- Eat omega-rich foods such wild caught salmon, flaxseed and nuts and add supplements like fish oil or evening primrose that are high is essential fatty acids for hydration from the inside out.
6. Cut the alcohol- We know, sorry! It's just not good for you or your skin!
7. Never skin SPF- Even when you are not planning on leaving the house, spf is a much every day whether you are having skin barrier issues or not!
The good news is if your skin barrier is disrupted, now you know how to identify it and what to do to fix it. The body is pretty amazing at fixing itself as long as you stop exposing it to the culprit and you help guide it through the repairing process. Just be vigilant and aware and you should have a happy, healthy skin barrier for life. Remember, without a healthy skin barrier, it will be impossible to crush your skin goals. Healthy skin barrier should ALWAYS be the first step in reaching your skin goals.
The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your epidermis (and the epidermis is the outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up your skin). A healthy skin barrier keeps irritants out, while locking natural oils and moisture in. An unhealthy skin barrier doesn’t really act as a barrier at all…instead, it allows irritants to penetrate into your skin, and that can weaken it and prevent it from functioning properly to maintain your skin’s health. This can also manifest itself in the form of dry, irritated red skin. Signs of a compromised skin barrier are often mistaken for other skin concerns such as acne or rosacea which then gets mistreated making things much more worse!! 1. Sudden dryness
2. Irritated skin
3. Itchiness
4. Scaly and dehydrated complexions
5. Stinging and or burning sensations
6. Flakiness and peeling
7. Tightness (dehydration of moisture deprived skin)
8. Redness
9. Rosacea
10. Increased breakouts
11. Rough skin to the touch
1. Simplify and adjust your regimen- If you suspect your barrier is disrupted, first thing you should do is take a break from ALL actives and only use a barrier repair product like HYDROFLORA Barrier Repair Oil Gel. This doesn't mean you will never be able to use skin actives, this just means for the time being (and it might be as short as a couple of days) you need to focus solely on repairing the skin barrier!! 2. Reduce cleansing- Try and reduce your cleansing from 2x a day to 1x. Even if you use a gentle cleanser like Petal Powder, the reduction of cleansing helps! You can even switch to a micellar water cleanser for the time being. Micellar water requires a cotton pad and the micellar water. Apply only your moisturizer after cleansing until your barrier is happy again.
3. Hydrate- No brainer, you want to keep the skin moisturized. If after an hour of moisturizer application you find that your skin feels tight or dry, gently tap some more moisturizer into the skin to keep it hydrated.
4. Take a break from makeup- Let your skin breathe and heal. If your skin barrier is compromised, applying foundation to the face or makeup can invite unwanted bacteria into the skin which you do not want. If that happens, there is a good chance you will breakout or even worse, get an infection!
5. Supplement your diet- Eat omega-rich foods such wild caught salmon, flaxseed and nuts and add supplements like fish oil or evening primrose that are high is essential fatty acids for hydration from the inside out.
6. Cut the alcohol- We know, sorry! It's just not good for you or your skin!
7. Never skin SPF- Even when you are not planning on leaving the house, spf is a much every day whether you are having skin barrier issues or not!
The good news is if your skin barrier is disrupted, now you know how to identify it and what to do to fix it. The body is pretty amazing at fixing itself as long as you stop exposing it to the culprit and you help guide it through the repairing process. Just be vigilant and aware and you should have a happy, healthy skin barrier for life. Remember, without a healthy skin barrier, it will be impossible to crush your skin goals. Healthy skin barrier should ALWAYS be the first step in reaching your skin goals.
09 - 29 - 2020
FACIAL GUA SHA: Health & Wellness
1-Improves circulation .
Facial Gua Sha helps improve lymphatic circulation, it also improves the quality of blood circulation and qi circulation. Qi in Chinese Medicine is referred to as the "vital energy" inside our bodies. Everything is based on qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, according to Dr. Greg Sperber, a doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine. “Blockages of qi, deficiencies of qi, [and] too much qi are what cause illness. What we do with acupuncture, herbs, and all of Chinese medicine is we try to line up qi.”
2-Improves Product Absorption . Gua Sha can be used with your favorite moisturizer, preferably a facial oil (HydroFlora is a match made in heaven paired with gua sha), and it’s also a very effective way to help products absorbed deeply.
3- Releases and relaxes tension.
Facial Gua Sha is a very effective tool for relaxing tension in the face and neck. Not only does it feel amazing, it helps soften tension from “poor face posture” (brought on by active facial muscles constantly forming a “worried” or “strained” face). Gua Sha is used to bring back a “relaxed” face, which in turn looks more refreshed and youthful.
4- Helps with contouring and defining facial features.
Gua sha facial helps lift and contour the face by working it out and training the facial muscle. It also helps break up adhesions in the fascia (the connective tissue in between the muscle and the skin). Essentially what you are doing is training the muscle and de-puffing which overtime leads to a more lifted, sculpted and contoured face.
5- Helps depuff puffy eyes
Often times puffy eyes are simply a result of fluid retention underneath the thin skin under your eyes. Gua sha helps move this fluid along, de-puffing the eyes for a more rested look.
6–Fine lines and wrinkle
Rather than freezing fine lines and numbing facial muscles like with Botox, Gua Sha forms new pathways of blood flow and nutrients to soften signs of aging and support youthful skin over time.
HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF A GUA SHA FACIAL
5. Be gentle with your under-eyes. Because the under-eye area is the most sensitive spot, it’s important to apply super-light pressure, gliding the gua sha tool from the inner corner of the eye to the temple. Repeat three to five times on each side, then repeat these steps in the same manner across your brow bone. Once you reach your forehead, sweep in an upwards motion from the eyebrows to the hairline. Repeat three to five times on each side giving a little wiggle at the end of each swipe.
Facial Gua Sha helps improve lymphatic circulation, it also improves the quality of blood circulation and qi circulation. Qi in Chinese Medicine is referred to as the "vital energy" inside our bodies. Everything is based on qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, according to Dr. Greg Sperber, a doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine. “Blockages of qi, deficiencies of qi, [and] too much qi are what cause illness. What we do with acupuncture, herbs, and all of Chinese medicine is we try to line up qi.”
2-Improves Product Absorption . Gua Sha can be used with your favorite moisturizer, preferably a facial oil (HydroFlora is a match made in heaven paired with gua sha), and it’s also a very effective way to help products absorbed deeply.
3- Releases and relaxes tension.
Facial Gua Sha is a very effective tool for relaxing tension in the face and neck. Not only does it feel amazing, it helps soften tension from “poor face posture” (brought on by active facial muscles constantly forming a “worried” or “strained” face). Gua Sha is used to bring back a “relaxed” face, which in turn looks more refreshed and youthful.
4- Helps with contouring and defining facial features.Gua sha facial helps lift and contour the face by working it out and training the facial muscle. It also helps break up adhesions in the fascia (the connective tissue in between the muscle and the skin). Essentially what you are doing is training the muscle and de-puffing which overtime leads to a more lifted, sculpted and contoured face.
5- Helps depuff puffy eyes
Often times puffy eyes are simply a result of fluid retention underneath the thin skin under your eyes. Gua sha helps move this fluid along, de-puffing the eyes for a more rested look.
6–Fine lines and wrinkle
Rather than freezing fine lines and numbing facial muscles like with Botox, Gua Sha forms new pathways of blood flow and nutrients to soften signs of aging and support youthful skin over time.
HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF A GUA SHA FACIAL
5. Be gentle with your under-eyes. Because the under-eye area is the most sensitive spot, it’s important to apply super-light pressure, gliding the gua sha tool from the inner corner of the eye to the temple. Repeat three to five times on each side, then repeat these steps in the same manner across your brow bone. Once you reach your forehead, sweep in an upwards motion from the eyebrows to the hairline. Repeat three to five times on each side giving a little wiggle at the end of each swipe.
09 - 17 - 2020
Dry brushing is a health and wellness practice that has stuck around for over 5,000 years originating from India and now used in spas worldwide to help smoothen the appearance of cellulite and help with lymphatic drainage as well as exfoliate the skin. The methodology behind it is it helps improve blood circulation that flushes waste and toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system and by removing dry dead skin cells that sit on top of the skin. Here are the 5 top benefits of dry brushing:Step 1: Use a natural-bristle brush that has an easy to grasp handle or a dry brush with a longer, ergonomic handle for reaching tough angles.
Step 2: In circular motions, rub the brush over the skin starting with the feet and working upward toward the heart to properly massage the lymphatic system. Avoid areas of skin that exhibit inflammation, scratches, or open sores. Do this prior to bath or shower and follow with a deep body moisturizing product like Velvet Butter. Spend about 10 minutes dry brushing your entire body.
AND, that's it. Dry brushing can be practiced anywhere from 2-3 times a week. If your skin is ultra-sensitive, be very gentle and reduce the amount of time you dry brush to 1 time a week. Be sure to cleanse your dry brush with a gentle cleansing wash like a clean baby shampoo at least once a month to remove the dead skin build up that accumulated on the brush.
Comment below and share your dry brushing experience <3
08 - 16 - 2020
Most Common Skincare Mistakes to Avoid
1. NEGLECTING A GOOD SKINCARE DIETOne of the less obvious skincare mistakes: you are what you eat. Ever notice a blemish come through after a weekend of binge eating pizza, candy, and ice cream? Sugar and high carb foods actually spike inflammation, cause breakouts, and break down collagen. Yikes!
Try this instead: Avoid a high-sugar and heavily greasy diet. Incorporate more whole foods to nourish your skin from the inside out, which includes getting your daily dose of vitamins through fruit and veggies.For some food suggestions, check out our blog 5 Foods for Healthy Glowing Skin. Most importantly, keep your skin hydrated. Drinking plentiful amounts of water is a key factor for keeping skin hydrated, young, and healthy.
2. LEAVING YOUR MAKEUP ON OVERNIGHT
Clogged pores, oily skin, (and not to mention ruined pillow cases) prove that all signs point to no-makeup slumbers. In 2013, the Daily Mail conducted an experiment where one woman volunteered to not wash her makeup off for an ENTIRE MONTH, and continued to reapply on top of it every morning. The result: Her skin aged by 10 years. Dirt and makeup trapped in your skin can cause acne, premature aging, complexion issues, and so much more.
Try this instead: Take off ALL of your makeup every single night before you go to bed and be sure to thoroughly cleanse your skin until there’s not residue of makeup left. Of course use your cleanser of choice but we promise you Petal Powder or Banana Bright will be your best friend. Just remember to double cleanse at night to get every last bit off (no toner needed if using our cleansers).
3. OVERDOING IT WITH THE SKINCARE ROUTINE
It’s so important to have a good skincare routine that incorporates cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and protecting your skin. But just like everything else in this world, you can’t overdo it.
If you’re using your Clarisonic on full force every morning and night, in addition to harshly exfoliating your skin on the daily, your skin won’t be happy. Or if you start piling on the actives (especially if your not educated on which ones work together) You’ll start to break down your skin’s protective barrier, causing dry skin, as well as potential breakouts due to off balancing your skin's own oil production.
Try this instead: Always listen to your skin and to any changes to it! If it starts to become drier or more sensitive, back off the actives and focus on rebalancing your skin barrier. HydroFlora does wonders on barrier repair. If your skin barrier is compromised from a spa treatment like a peel or if you are using tretinoin at night, products that focus on "barrier repair" is a must and will help bring your skin to happiness and balance once again.
4. TOUCHING YOUR FACE
One of the easiest and most common ways to get a breakout: constantly touching your skin. Your hands naturally carry oils on them as well as all kinds of bacteria, which can easy transfer to the skin of your face when you’re touching it causing breakouts or making your current breakouts spread.
Try this instead: Don’t touch your face!! I am sure because of covid you might have grown accustomed to reducing your face touching but if you notice a habit of resting your face on your palm, or dabbing your fingers on your face – be conscious of it and seriously try to avoid it. Be sure to wash your hands on the regular to keep the dirt transfer to a minimum.
5. NOT CLEANING YOUR CELLPHONE
Did you know your cell phone is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat?
Yup, pretty nasty!! We’ve become so immune to bringing our phones with us everywhere, that we forget just how many surfaces it’s touched before placing it upon our beautiful skin…only to experience a breakout shortly after.
Try this instead: Get in the habit of wiping down your phone with a Clorox wipe or a baby wipe. Better yet, do what I do and put all your calls on speaker! That will ensure your face never touches your screen.
6. AVOIDING SPF
One of the biggest contributors to aging skin is caused by sun exposure. But even worse, too much unprotected sun exposure can lead to different types of skin cancer, which is why it’s extra important to wear sunscreen before going out into the sun.
Try this instead: Find a good SPF (I prefer mineral over chemical) that has an SPF number of 40 or greater and make sure it's "Broad Spectrum"! Apply it after your protective serum or moisturizer. Do not rely on SPF in a moisturizer because the amount you need to apply in order for it to be effective is about a nickel sized amount, way more then the amount most people apply moisturizer. If you planning a day in the sun, make sure to reapply. SPF wears off typically 2 hours or less after application.
7. NEVER CLEANING YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES & SPONGES When’s the last time you did a serious deep clean of your makeup brushes and sponges? And, when was the last time you did it before that? If you answered more than a week to either of those questions, then you’ve got to start cleaning those brushes, pronto! Tons of oil, grease, and bacteria build up on your makeup brushes on the daily, so cleaning them on the regular is key. Try this instead: Makeup brushes and sponges should be cleaned on a weekly basis. If you’re guilty of skipping out on a weekly cleanse, you’re putting your skin at serious risk of a breakout. Are you guilty of making any of these skincare mistakes? Let us know in the comments below!
10 - 29 - 2019
How Skin Ages: What You Can Do To Slow Down The Process
UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSE OF AGINGIn the fight against time, people need to arm against two independent processes that accelerate skin aging: chronological or intrinsic, and environmental or extrinsic aging. Intrinsic (internal/chronological) aging signs usually start appearing around 30 years when the cell renewal work slows down and hormone production undergoes changes that reflect directly on the skin. Extrinsic (external) aging is the result of exposure to external elements, like UV radiation, pollution, exposure to certain chemicals, that affect the rate of normal skin aging through the formation of free radicals, which attack the skin's structure destroying the collagen and elastin fibers, impairing hydration, with consequences such as: dyschromias, changes in skin relief and wrinkles. Collagen and elastin fibers essentially keep the skin structure lifted and intact so when they are damaged, they begin to sag and pull downward causing wrinkles and sagging skin.
The biggest extrinsic culprit of skin aging is UV exposure and pollution. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information “Photo-aging is primarily responsible for skin aging. UVA and UVB radiation interact with intracellular chromophores and photosensitizing agents, generating oxidative stress and transient genetic alterations.” Here is a visual representation of UV damage. The New England Journal of Medicine published this portrait of a 69-year-old truck driver, which due to the nature of his job, meant that only one side of his face was consistently exposed to the sun. The difference is dramatic, and it shows just how strong the impact of UV damage really is.
Another case study shows identical twins, age 61 when these photos were taken. The twin on the left looks dramatically younger than the twin on the right that lives in Florida and loves spending time in the sun. Not only does she have far more darks spots and hyperpigmentation than her twin on the left but she also has significantly more wrinkles and sagging skin.
SELF PRESERVATION: SLOWING DOWN THE PROCESS
Good news is you CAN arm yourself against free radical damage through prevention and protection by limiting exposure and supplementing the skin and body with nutritious antioxidants. When designing FLORA-C, we combined the most powerful antioxidants proven effective through scientific studies. The antioxidants we chose to have in our formula, specifically work synergistically together and super charge one another’s potency to help over power and neutralize free radicals, ultimately reducing the damage they would have caused. To double down on the free radical battle, we created CELL ACTIVE Ferulic C+E Serum. You can learn more about Cell Active by clicking on the link.
You can’t stop aging from happening but you definitely can dramatically slow the process down by understanding the process and taking measures to counteract the usual causes. Reducing sun exposure, wearing protective SFP daily (all year round), using skincare with potent antioxidants, eating a high vitamin diet, exercise, staying hydrated and getting the recommended amount of sleep will all keep you looking and feeling youthful for decades longer, maybe even your lifetime.
#skinaging #aging #antiaging #hyperpigmentation #uvdamage #collagen #antioxidants #skincare #healthyskin #selfpreservation
08 - 29 - 2019
The Beauty and Wellness Power In Flowers
For thousands of years, flowers have been used widespread, throughout many different cultures from all over the world, to help treat health related ailments, as well as used for beauty and overall wellness. Each culture having their own access to specific botanical species found in their part of the world, engineered their own herbal concoctions that they then passed on from generation to generation. Our ancestors observed (from patterns throughout time) the health benefits these plants and flowers possessed. They couldn't tell us the specific compounds of each of these plant species that modern science can explain to us today, but they knew of and had experienced the healing powers of these florals themselves, passing their knowledge on to the next generation to further explore and innovate. At this current point in time, we now can understand why our ancestors used these plants with actual scientific explanation. Not only gorgeous, our list of florals below are packed with skin loving super powers that we are excited to tell you a bit about.
DANDELION: Known for its skin refining, soothing, detoxifying and anti-aging benefits. Dandelion is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, all of which possess powerful antioxidants that protect skin against free radical damage and signs of aging. These particular vitamins are well documented in boosting collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The zinc and magnesium properties of dandelion help aid in detoxification particularly useful for acne prone skin types. Find it in PETAL POWDER
HIBISCUS: Known for it's abundant source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and antioxidants, the hibiscus flower is highly effective in reviving the skin’s elasticity, reducing hyper-pigmentation, brightening the complexion, and fighting off the most common signs of aging. Find it in PETAL POWDER, FLORA C and FLORA A
HONEYSUCKLE: Rich in flavonoids and saponins known to be highly beneficial in free radical neutralization. Naturally helps lighten and brighten dull complexions revealing a more radiant glow. Find it in CELL ACTIVE FERULIC C+E SERUM
ROSE: Valued for its complex array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, rose is extra beneficial for those with dry skin types because of it's moisturizing capabilities. Rose is also useful for sensitive skin types because of it's anti-inflammatory properties and for acne prone skin due to it's anti-fungal properties.
ROSE HIP: Highly concentrated in vitamins A and C, minerals and essential fatty acids. Known for correcting dark spots and reducing hyper-pigmentation, boosting elasticity and collagen production, improving the look of fine lines. Find it in FLORA A
EDELWEISS: Very high radical scavenging activity due to it's powerful antioxidant properties, twice that of vitamin C in fact. Edelweiss can be very beneficial for aging skin. It helps protect the skin's collagen from breaking down while promoting collagen production at the same time. Find it in FLORA C
CHAMOMILE: Highly useful for inflamed or irritated skin types. It's anti-inflammatory effects block the release of a potent chemical responsible for promoting inflammation in your body—called prostaglandin E2—and also decreases the release of histamine. It's soothing effect is extremely helpful for sensitive skin types. Stay tuned for the future release of a barrier repair creme made for irritated, unbalanced and sensitive skin types with chamomile as one of the ingredients.
PEONY: Provides superior antioxidant powers and is particularly useful in protecting against free radicals caused by UV induced exposure. Containing Paeonol, an active compound found to activate the skin’s natural defense mechanisms and help it to regenerate, thereby toning and firming the epidermis. Find it in FLORA C
CALENDULA: This soothing flower has restorative properties that deeply calm, hydrate and heal damaged skin. It's antibacterial properties help clear the bacteria in the pores which further lead to breakouts. Find it in PETAL POWDER
#botanicalbeauty #poweroftheflower #naturalskincare #organicskincare #antiaging #antiagingskincare #cleanbeauty #healthyskin #antioxidants #skincare #nontoxicskincare #cruetlyfreeskincare #skinbrightening #aging #floralextracts #skincareingredients #dandelion #hibiscus #calendula #peony #chamomile #edelweiss #rosehip #rose #honeysuckle #maxdahlia 
01 - 19 - 2019
You have probably noticed that our products do not come with outer packaging and although we agree, there are some attractive outer packaging out there, usually it gets thrown out as soon as the product is taken out of it. According to statistics, the average person accumulates 4 pounds of garbage each day, that is 1,400 pounds a year. As of now (1.19.19), there are 7.7 billion people living on Earth and of course growing. Just imagine all of that trash!! And even though we do think outer packaging looks fancy, it wasn't a good enough reason for us to mass produce it.
Another really important Earth friendly approach we take is using clean, non-toxic ingredients in our formulas that won't harm marine life when it gets washed off and travels down the drain. Whenever water goes down the drain, it travels through a sewer, then to a water treatment facility where it is filtered and eventually gets disposed into rivers, lakes and oceans. There are too many products that contain large amounts of toxic chemicals that end up harming marine life and eventually human life. It will always be important to us to find better ways to reduce our carbon footprint. If you have any suggestions for us, please contact us or comment below.
Stay beautiful! Stay mindful <3
#ecofriendly #cleanerearth #greenmentality
Another really important Earth friendly approach we take is using clean, non-toxic ingredients in our formulas that won't harm marine life when it gets washed off and travels down the drain. Whenever water goes down the drain, it travels through a sewer, then to a water treatment facility where it is filtered and eventually gets disposed into rivers, lakes and oceans. There are too many products that contain large amounts of toxic chemicals that end up harming marine life and eventually human life. It will always be important to us to find better ways to reduce our carbon footprint. If you have any suggestions for us, please contact us or comment below.
Stay beautiful! Stay mindful <3
#ecofriendly #cleanerearth #greenmentality