Why Healthy Skin Needs More Than Hydration

Most of us know about the gut microbiome. But did you know your skin has one too?

The skin microbiome is the community of beneficial microorganisms that live on the surface of your skin. These microbes help protect, hydrate and support healthy skin function.

Together, they form a delicate ecosystem that works around the clock to keep your skin balanced and resilient.

When the skin microbiome is thriving, skin tends to feel calmer, stronger and better hydrated. When it's disrupted, skin can become dry, sensitive and reactive.

Recent discoveries have transformed our understanding of skin health, revealing that these microscopic organisms are not simply living on our skin, they're actively contributing to its wellbeing.

Which brings us to an important question.

For years, skincare focused on removing oil from the skin: oil-free products, matte finishes, squeaky-clean skin.

Yet healthy skin naturally produces oil for a reason. The skin's natural oils help support both the skin barrier and the skin microbiome, creating an environment where healthy skin can thrive.

Healthy skin isn't created by stripping things away. It's created by supporting these natural protective systems. Because skin doesn't need punishment. It needs nourishment.

The skin barrier is your skin's outer protective layer. Think of it as your body's frontline defence. Its job is to keep moisture in and irritants out.

A healthy skin barrier helps:

• Reduce moisture loss
• Protect against environmental stressors
• Support the skin microbiome
• Maintain soft, resilient skin
• Reduce dryness and sensitivity

When the skin barrier becomes compromised, skin can become dehydrated, irritated and more prone to inflammation.

That's why modern skincare is increasingly focused on supporting barrier function rather than disrupting it.

For years, oils were given a bad reputation in skincare.

Yet healthy skin naturally produces oil for a reason.

Sebum, the skin's natural oil, forms part of the skin barrier, reducing water loss, supporting the skin microbiome and helping keep skin soft and strong.

Without enough oil, skin can become dry, dull and more vulnerable.

The goal isn't to remove oil.The goal is to support healthy oils.

That's why our new Nourishing Oil contains plant oils selected to work with your skin rather than against it.

For some people, this translates to faster absorption. For others, it creates a dewy, protective finish that remains on the skin a little longer.

Both experiences are completely normal. Healthy skin isn't matte, it's protected.

Essential fatty acids play a vital role in healthy skin.

They're called "essential" because the body cannot produce them on its own. We need to obtain them through our diet.

These important nutrients help support:

• Skin hydration
• Barrier function
• Skin resilience
• Healthy inflammatory responses
• Overall skin health

That's why you'll find essential fatty acids at the heart of both our skincare and nutritional products.

Bestow Beauty Plus Oil provides a rich source of essential fatty acids to support healthy, resilient skin from within.

The Graces Nourishing Oil delivers nutrient-rich botanical oils that support the skin barrier, lock in hydration and leave skin soft and radiant.

Because nourishment isn't just what you put on your skin.

It's what you put in your body, too.

Your skin needs two things to thrive: water and oil. It really is as simple as that.

Water hydrates the skin. It helps skin appear plumper, smoother and more radiant.

Oil nourishes the skin. It supports the skin barrier and helps seal in hydration, creating the ideal environment for a healthy skin microbiome.

One replenishes. One protects.

Neither works as effectively without the other.

That's why hydration and nourishment work as partners.

The skin barrier helps keep moisture in and irritants out. A healthy skin barrier is essential for hydrated, resilient skin.

Facial oils don't provide water to the skin. Instead, they help lock in hydration and reduce moisture loss by supporting the skin barrier.

Not all facial oils are comedogenic.The Graces Nourishing Oil contains carefully selected plant oils chosen to support balanced, healthy skin.

Applying oil to damp skin helps seal in moisture and supports plump, hydrated and luminous skin.