Our guest today is natural skincare expert Karen Sinclair Drake. Karen is in charge of strategic development and research and development at Cosmetic Research Laboratories, and also lent a helping hand in creating the upcoming SPA Dr. Daily Essentials skincare line.
In part 3 of our 4-part Skincare Secrets series, we talk about combining natural ingredients to promote beautiful skin and along the way you’ll learn:
- How pH affects your skin.
- The top ingredients in natural skincare.
- How to use a natural approach to treat common skin conditions, including rosacea, eczema, and acne.
- Exclusive details on the upcoming SPA Dr. Daily Essentials skincare line. Sign up to be a VIP here and get priority access.
Is coconut oil good for your skin? Find out at the 15 minute mark.
The Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Skin pH
Skin needs acidity to function in a healthy manner and natural skin is pH5 or lower. Using topical alkaline products causes an imbalance of good bacteria, so it is important to only use mildly acidic products on your skin.
The Best New Natural Skincare Ingredients
- Virgin Cold-Pressed Camelina Seed Oil: Packed with omega 3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation.
- Organic Seabuckthorn Seed Oil: Nourishes and promotes tissue regeneration, reduces signs of aging, and skin wrinkling.
- Pullulan: Possesses antioxidant benefits and has an instant lifting effect on the skin.
- Pichia-Resveratrol Ferment Extract: Reduces fine lines and wrinkles and also firms and lifts skin.
The Best Traditional Natural Skincare Ingredients
- Cocoa and Shea butter
- Virgin Cold-Pressed Vegetable and Fruit Seed Oils: Especially jojoba oil
- Almond Oil: Packed with antioxidants and high in proteins that help repair the skin
- Hemp Seed Oil: Very high in essential omega fatty acids
- Essential Oils: Smells great and possess topical benefits for the skin
- Coconut Oil: Excellent as a cleanser when combined with the right ingredients and is gentle on the skin
Using Natural Ingredients to Treat Common Skin Conditions
Treating skin conditions requires a two-prong approach: Using topical products that are mildly acidic and keeping yourself as alkaline as possible internally.
Aging Skin and Premature Aging
Using products that are mildly acidic will offset premature aging. Karen also suggests incorporating internal supplements with anti-inflammatory properties.
Mild acidity is truly the fountain of youth.
Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Common skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema are often correlated with increased skin pH (alkaline skin). Ingesting alkaline foods has anti-inflammatory benefits on your skin. You can also try reducing carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta, etc.) to inhibit gut bacteria fermentation and bacterial overgrowth.
Acne
Do not over sterilize or over wash your skin. This leads to increased oil production that will trigger even more acne. Support good gut health by eating probiotics and fermented foods, and reduce your intake of cow’s milk and refined sugar.
The SPA Dr. Essential Daily System
Karen contributed her wealth of knowledge to Dr. Cates’ upcoming SPA Dr. Daily Essential skincare system and provided a wonderful overview of what you can expect from the line!
CLEAR Gentle Cleanser
With ingredients such as argan oil, virgin cold-pressed coconut oil, and aloe vera, this gentle cleanser is suitable for all skin types. It removes debris without disturbing the skin’s natural barrier and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.
NOURISH Antioxidant Serum
Containing an award-winning brightening extract enhanced with resveratrol and aloe vera, your skin will feel lifted and hydrated.
RENEW Enriched Moisturizer
Made with camelina oil, seabuckthorn seed oil, argan oil, turmeric, and ginseng, this enriched moisturizer feels lightweight and fresh.
ENHANCE Glow Boost
Made with coq10, vitamin E, fruit seed oils, and rosehip oils, this elixir can be used on its own or mixed with the moisturizer to give your skin an added boost.
Get priority access to the upcoming Spa Dr. skincare line here.
About Karen
Karen Sinclair Drake heads strategic development and research and development at Cosmetic Research Laboratories. A recognized leader in functional beauty, anti-aging, and the natural treatment of skin conditions, she is also dedicated to the green chemistry movement, which seeks to develop products and processes that will pose little, or no harm to living things or the environment.
Reader Interactions
Awesome discussion – clear concise, and enlightening. Great new skin oil tips – thank you!
I love listening to Karen. Maybe it’s the accent, but she also shares valuable information.