Welcome back to #InsideAlpyn, where we break down the products that, as a young brand, are already being deemed cult classics. For our third installment, we’re focusing on our PlantGenius® Melt Moisturizer. At the height of summer, its use of barrier-protecting Ceramides and Bakuchiol–a sun-friendly retinol alternative–feels as relevant as ever.
Our founder Kendra Kolb Butler spoke with Vogue Beauty Director Celia Ellenberg about the PlantGenius® complex’s Wild Actives for this profile on Vogue.com
“Clients were coming in saying that they needed more moisture, or they were looking for something that worked better on dark spots because they were outdoors for the majority of the day at very high elevation,” Kolb says—not unlike those aforementioned plants and wildflowers. With the help of local farmer, she created what she calls her Plant-Genius Complex. The blend of wildcrafted anti-inflammatory arnica and chamomile is sustainably foraged from local forests.”
Here, we’ll explain the blend of research-backed and plant-based ingredients that make our PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer so powerful. Below, a no-nonsense breakdown of its star players:
ANTI-AGING DEFENSE: BAKUCHIOL + CERAMIDES
You’ve heard of retinol–have you heard of Bakuchiol? For those with sensitive skin and pigmentation-prone conditions like melasma and photodamage, Bakuchiol is not only 100% plant-based (derived from the medicinal babchi plant known for its regal purple blooms), it’s also a sun-safe alternative. Plus, clinical studies show that it rivals the results of retinol (think smoother texture and boosted collagen) without the harsh side effects like flaky skin, redness, or retinol’s “hyperpigmentation mustache” that Wellandgood.com spotlighted.
Often described as “skin-replenishing” ingredients, Ceramides are naturally occurring in your body with levels that require replenishment as we age. Once you hit 30, it’s estimated that you’ve already lost 40% of your natural Ceramide stock–and it continues to drop. Aside from fine lines, this drop can result in conditions like eczema, rosacea, and thinning skin. Helping skin remain plump, moisturized, and glowy, these fatty molecules are essential to maintain barrier function, defend against environmental damage, and lock in hydration.
WILD PLANTS: ARNICA + CHAMOMILE
Derived from a yellow mountain daisy that’s part of the sunflower family, Arnica has been used for centuries to treat bruises and burns, increase circulation, and speed up healing. And while it’s one of our nourishing Wild Plants, there’s a ton of science that backs its benefits. For example: Sesquiterpene lactones (aka SLs) and flavonoids found in Arnica, when applied topically, help rejuvenate the skin thanks to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal activities (to name a few).
Similarly, Chamomile is not only relaxing in herbal tea form, its flowers and leaves also soothe the skin when incorporated into our whipped moisturizer. A natural alternative to hydrocortisone cream, it’s been found in double-blind studies to be even more effective at soothing eczema. Plus, recent studies show that Chamomile heals wounds faster than corticosteroids without thinning skin. Instead, our Wild Chamomile’s super-powered antioxidants both reduce DNA oxidative damage on a cellular level and can even fade acne spots and scars on a surface level.
No wonder it’s become our hero product.
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