5 Best Natural Skin Care Products: From Summer to Fall

These are Jessica’s five favorite natural skin care products for the transition from summer to fall — all from Eminence Organics.

We’ve featured many amazing natural skin care products on this blog over the last year. With fall around the corner, I wanted to highlight five client favorites that will help skin recover from any damage that occurred over the summer and transition seamlessly into your autumn and winter skin care routine. I always like to help you shop smart so there’s no need to worry that you have products sitting unused.

Bamboo Firming Fluid

As the name suggests, the Bamboo Firming Fluid helps achieve tighter-looking skin. It’s great for normal to dry skin, and especially mature skin. The product’s namesake, bamboo, brings antioxidants, proteins, and vitamins to the mix — nourishing skin as the retinol alternative tightens.

The plant-based Natural Retinol Alternative supports aging skin with benefits similar to retinol (a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A):

Increases skin healing
Promotes healthy cell function
Smooths uneven skin texture
Minimizes fine lines & wrinkles
Keeps skin firm and plump

All this, without the unwanted effects reported with regular retinol use — redness, irritation, UV sensitivity, peeling, and itching.

Eminence Organics’ Natural Retinol Alternative Complex uses a blend of chicory root and tara tree extract and was developed by scientists from Pfizer. Chicory root increases cellular turnover with oligosaccharides that stimulate skin cells’ healing response, helping your skin shed dead layers more efficiently and replace them with healthy new cells. This process activates collagen and elastin production to soften fine lines. Mixed with tara tree extract, this Natural Retinol Alternative increases collagen levels by 25% in just 6 days!

Order Bamboo Firming Fluid, here.

More Products Like This: A Natural Retinol Alternative for Beautifully Aging Skin

Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum

This extra-strength brightening serum from Eminence Organics is great for hyperpigmented skin (skin that looks darker than the skin around it, typically on the forehead, cheeks, neck, above the upper lip, and on the backs of the hands). It contains all natural skin care products.

Licorice extract contains liquiritin, a compound that helps disperse and remove melanin in the skin. It can help prevent new dark spots from forming, while fading existing ones. Licorice also contains antioxidant-rich compounds that benefit the skin. And it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce swelling and redness.

Eminence Organics’ Natural Hydroquinone Alternative is made from African potato and tara tree. It offers the same skin-lightening properties as over-the-counter hydroquinone without the safety concerns, and it’s safe for all skin colors.

This serum also has lactic acid to gently exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. It’s a common ingredient in products to treat hyperpigmentation and age spots, and it’s gentler than many other acids used in skin-care products.

The Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum also contains a trademarked concentration of “GigaWhite” that’s derived from well-researched plant extracts to brighten skin, including mallow, peppermint, primrose, lady’s mantle, and more. This serum is a Tyrosinase inhibitor, which means it blocks the enzyme that destroys healthy melanin production.

Purchase the Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum.

More Products Like This: Our Favorite Natural Products For Hyperpigmented Skin

Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil

There’s talk of regular mask wearing again, with new variants of COVID spreading and a new school year upon us.

While there are steps you can take to avoid breakouts, you could follow every recommendation and still get maskne. To prevent it, pay special attention to exfoliation and hydration.

Cue Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil, one of my favorite natural skin care products for deep hydration. The main ingredient, camellia oil, is pressed from the seeds of Camellia oleifera, better known as the plant that gives us tea. The precious oil is prized around the world for being highly moisturizing, revitalizing, and rejuvenating.

This luscious, solid face oil also includes crushed pink tourmaline, a gemstone that encourages positive thoughts.

Another prized ingredient in this moisturizing blend is marula oil, which contains up to 60% more antioxidants than Argan oil. It also has antimicrobial properties, making it a perfect option for anyone dealing with maskne. Marula oil is rich in fatty acids and combats visible signs of aging due to drying environmental stressors.

The final ingredient in this luscious formula is hemp seed oil that’s rich in vitamins and antioxidants and can improve the appearance of aging.

Add our Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil to your Skincare Routine!

More Like This: How To Treat Maskne + 3 Tips For Preventing It

Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel

This Eminence Organics exfoliating peel gets its name from acai berry juice, rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and vitamins to improve skin tone. Best for normal to dry or mature skin types, this firming solution will hydrate as it exfoliates, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Supporting ingredients include:

Grapefruit, packed with antioxidants and vitamin C to tone the skin.
Goji, a source of antioxidants and carotenoids.
Lactic and glycolic acids, gentle and rejuvenating exfoliants that bring firmer looking skin.
Noni fruit reduces the look of inflammation and the appearance of wrinkles.
Sweet pea to improve skin elasticity and firmness.

Regular use of this peel will visibly increase skin’s firmness, restore its elasticity and reveal a smoother, softer, younger looking complexion.

Please note: Although this peel features natural skin care products, after using it skin will be more sensitive to the sun. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product.

Order the Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel.

Strawberry Rhubarb Masque

Astringent strawberries gently exfoliate with naturally occurring salicylic acid, while rhubarb nourishes with antioxidant-rich vitamins.

Hyaluronic acid from marshmallow plant extract binds moisture at the molecular level to smooth and plump the skin, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in tissue throughout the body, and is quite gentle on the skin. A quick review of its benefits:

Maintains hydration levels, giving skin a naturally radiant glow.
Protects against fine lines and wrinkles.
Supports the repair and regeneration of skin cells.
Helps maintain healthy stem cells.

Although our bodies produce their own hyaluronan, adding natural skin care products with hyaluronic acid to your routine can amplify its complexion-improving benefits. Our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid as we age, and the molecule is also degraded by exposure to UVB rays. A topical solution can help keep skin looking youthful, and may even help speed recovery from breakouts.

Finally, shea butter seals in moisture with its triglycerides and fatty acids, softening and soothing the skin.

Purchase the Strawberry Rhubarb Masque.

More Like This: Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid For Skin: 3 Plant-Based Solutions

In Closing,

Late summer is a great time to help skin recover from seasonal stressors, whether that was a bit too much sun or a mask-related breakout. These natural skin care products will also transition well into fall and winter skin care routines, so you can continue to use them as the seasons shift.

Shop all Eminence Organics products, here.

Eliminate the guesswork with personalized skin care recommendations.

Discover the path to your best skin with a one-on-one consultation. Licensed Esthetician Jessica Goneia is a knowledgeable guide who can offer recommendations specific to your skin type and the environmental stressors you face day to day.

Schedule your virtual skin care consultation today!

“At Home” Facial

Many of our clients have expressed how much they miss our facials at the Apothecary. Facials provide a much needed break from the world as well as increased radiance and skin tone! Our services also foster a trusted relationship that you may have come to value. While I cannot offer much more than a virtual face-to-face at this time, I can give you some instruction on how to build and maintain healthy home care rituals that support your skin care goals and help you manage stress.

This 2-part “At Home” Facial includes practices I have cultivated during this pandemic for health and beauty. Part one involves self care steps you can take in the evening and part two details a routine for morning. You can pick and choose aspects you personally want to embrace, and for specific product recommendations don’t forget to reach out for a free skin consultation!

Part one- Evening:
1. Cleanse
2. Masque and Tonique
3. Gua Sha with Rosehip Oil
4. Restorative Mind-Body Ritual Oil
5. Night Cream

In the evening, I recommend cleansing as soon as you know you are “in” for the night. This will ensure that you are not too tired for your self care routine. Apply a masque of your choice and go about your evening with whatever you need to do (check emails, knit, read a book…). For a list of masque suggestions and their benefits check out my recent blog post: Botanical Masques for Self Care. After 10-20 minutes remove your masque, dry your face, and pat with your favorite tonique. My tonique of choice these days is the Eminence Organics Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist because it increases the skin’s ATP and delivers micronutrients. Then, apply a generous amount of your favorite face oil and find a comfortable place to sit for Gua Sha facial massage. Massage using this simple tool helps promote detoxification and increases microcirculation. I find myself spending 15 minutes on this step because it is very soothing. When you’re done, apply the Stony Creek Aromatics Restorative Mind-Body Ritual Oil on aromapoints and pulse points. Instructions for Gua Sha and the Restorative Mind-Body Ritual can be found here. Lastly, on top of the face oil, apply a lightweight moisturizer like the Eminence Organics Lotus Detoxifying Overnight Treatment or the Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream.

Part two- Morning:
1. Steam
2. Cleanse
3. Exfoliate
4. Finishing Products
5. Sun protection

After coffee and breakfast I have been starting my day with an old fashioned steam. In a pot of hot water add one drop of cypress essential oil and 1 drop of eucalyptus globulus and inhale for 10 minutes with a towel over your head. Cypress is high in pinene and cinene, and Eucalyptus is rich in 1,8 Cineole, chemical components that helps fight infection and clear respiratory mucus. I can blend them for you order you can order high quality essential oils from Aromatics International. I recently started incorporating eight quick lung strengthening and clearing breathes during my steams. I learned the technique from my friend and Ann Arbor area yoga instructor, Natasha Schaffer, in this video tutorial. After your face and lungs have been purged, cleanse the impurities from your skin. Following your cleanse I recommend stepping up your exfoliating routine by applying the Eminence Organics Firm Skin Exfoliating Peel or Bright Skin Exoliating Peel. Leveling up to the use of acids on your skin increases the cell turnover and promotes a healthy skin surface. Choose the Firm Skin if you want to see a decrease in fine lines or the Bright Skin if you are concerned with hyperpigmentation. Both of these peels are around 4% so using them every day is safe as long as you are following up with a moisturizer. Now that spring is finally here, don’t forget the sun protection too!

As with everything during this pandemic and in life, don’t let what you see other people are doing on social media make you feel like you aren’t doing enough. Try choosing just one or two things you could incorporate that helps you feel healthier and happier. You are worthy of love and care, and deserving of positive self thoughts. Stay healthy!

For more tips on how to give yourself a facial at home, visit “How to do a facial massage at home” by Eminence Organics.

“At Home” Facial VLOG:

Best Botanical Masques for an Organic Facial

If you are like me, your skin is missing its monthly organic facial. The added stress from the pandemic, paired with a lack of routine, can lead to increased acne, dryness, and an overall lackluster skin surface. As you try to establish a new normal for yourself, consider adding a face masque twice a week. Feeding your skin with high-quality botanicals will keep your skin vibrant, and may even nudge you into feeling a little brighter on the inside, too!

At Jessica’s Apothecary, we stock a wide variety of masques! How would you choose the best one(s) for your organic facial? Allow me to present them to you by skin concern.

(In general, masques should be applied to clean, dry skin and left on for 10-15 minutes.)

Organic Facial: Masques for Dryness

Dryness in the skin is due to a lack of oil in the epidermis. Some people consider their skin dry even when it is just dehydrated, which is a lack of water. Dehydration can still coexist with an underlying condition of excess oil production. A masque can alleviate dryness, but a consultation with your esthetician can help get to the cause. Whether from a lack of oil or a lack of water, any of these botanical face masques are a good choice for your organic facial if your skin is dry.

For dryness with some mild acne issues, choose our Strawberry Rhubarb Masque.
For dryness with hyperpigmentation, choose our Stone Crop Masque.
For dryness due to a lack of oil, choose the Bamboo Age Corrective Masque.
For clients with chapped or sensitive skin, even those undergoing radiation therapy, the Yellow Sweet Clover Anti-Redness Masque is the best choice.
To address dryness on weathered skin types, choose the Snow Mushroom & Reishi.

Organic Facial: Masques for Dullness

The skin usually appears dull because of a lack of cellular turnover. As we age, our skin’s metabolism slows down.

For the most dramatic increase in circulation, try the Eight Greens HOT with Hungarian Paprika. Your skin will get very flushed and may utilize the increased oxygen for the next few hours.
For weathered skin, the antioxidant-rich Firm Skin Acai Masque is best.
To improve skin tone and vitality, choose the Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Masque.
For dryer skin that needs a boost, the Snow Mushroom & Reishi Masque.

Organic Facial: Masques for Acne

Acne occurs in both oily and dry skin.

Hands down the best acne-fighting mask I have ever used is the Acne Advanced Clarifying Masque. Not only can you mask your whole face with it once or twice per week, but you can spot treat and sleep with it on your pimples. The winning combination is sulfur (but you can barely smell it!), salicylic acid, and three different kinds of clay.
If you have hormonal acne and your skin isn’t too sensitive, lean towards the Eight Greens HOT.

For mild acne and some dryness, the Strawberry Rhubarb Masque has a touch of salicylic acid but is also rich in hyaluronic acid.

Organic Facial: Masques for Hyperpigmentation

Pigmentation is best treated during a facial; however, masks extend the benefits of your organic facial at home.

The Stone Crop Masque is a gel masque that balances uneven skin tone and increases moisture content in the skin.
For advanced hyperpigmentation on dry skin types, the Bright Skin Masque is very beneficial.
The Eight Greens Phyto HOT delivers plant-based estrogens to regulate hormonal acne and assist in oxygenation while lightening post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

All these options are best when followed up with a daily botanical lightener, like our Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster Serum or our Bright Skin Overnight Correcting Cream.

Organic Facial: Masks For Fine Lines and Elasticity

The Firm Skin Acai Masque is loaded with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to plump superficial lines on weathered skin.
The Bamboo Age Corrective Masque contains Swiss Green Apple Stem Cells to promote elasticity. It’s also in a shea butter and argan oil base for nourishing dry skin.

In Closing,

I hope this helps you find the right masque for your mini, organic facial at home. If you still have questions, you can email contact@jessicasapothecary.com to set up a virtual skin consultation. All Eminence Organics products can be purchased on our website.

Pharmaceutical and Organic Peels

Pharmaceutical Grade Peels

Don’t let the word “peel” scare you. Fruit acids, acids from sugar cane, and pineapple enzymes are all considered peels. A chemical peel is just a way of exfoliating skin off the surface by dissolving dead skin cells (verses a physical peel which uses beads and hulls to manually remove the skin). Chemical peels range in concentration and depending on which acids are used, have different attributes. Scroll down for more information on our new organic peels and what acids are used for different skin conditions. For our October Special we are offering a Glymed Plus 30% Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Peel which consists of 15% Glycolic and 15% Lactic. It is a 3.4 pH which means it will not dry your skin too much but, rather, is hydrating! If you have never had a peel, we may just apply this one layer. If you are ready to move on to treating hyperpigmentation and fine lines, we will apply the 2 leave-on peel layers at the end of the facial: the Glymed Plus 5 Berry Peel with 15% TCA and berries to lighten pigmentation (this one doesn’t make you peel), and the Glymed Plus Vitamin A Peel with 15% TCA and Vitamin A (which DOES make you peel). As you can see this treatment is customized to your skin and what you want out of it.

Organic Peels

The NEW Eminence Organics Exfoliating Peels have quickly found their way into our hearts (and our at home skin regimens). There are 4 peels to choose from: Firm Skin, Bright Skin, Clear Skin, and Calm Skin. They are ingenious because they pair acids that help each skin condition with botanicals to support each condition.

Directions for application: Every other evening after cleansing, apply on face and neck using 2 pumps from the airless jar on cotton round (included), let absorb for 3 minutes, do not remove, apply eye cream, night serum, and night cream.

Firm Skin Exfoliating Peel– 4% Fruit acids (from lemon and passion fruit), Glycolic acid (from Naseberry), Tartaric acid (from grapes) and Lactic acid (from milk). Botanicals include grapefruit, goji, acai, noni and sweat pea flower. Good for fine lines.

Bright Skin Exfoliating Peel– 3% Azelaic acid (from grains), Lactic acid (from milk), and Mandelic acid (from almonds). Botanicals include licorice, baobab, and daisy blossom. Good for hyperpigmentation and fine lines.

Clear Skin Exfoliating Peel– 3% Azelaic acid (from grains), Salicylic acid (from willow bark), and Lactic acid (from milk). Formulated with sulfur to help with oil control. Botanicals include lilac, willow, and tomatoe extract. Good for oil production and acne.

Calm Skin Exfoliating Peel– 1.5% Lactic acid (from milk) and Mandelic acid (from almonds). Botanicals white genepi, chamomile, and arnica. Good for Rosacea and sensitive skin.

Having trouble choosing? Your Esthetician will choose for you!