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Probiotic,
superfood facials
Small batch, using "ugly" produce
Made fresh and flash-frozen
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
– Hippocrates, 3rd century
Acne, eczema, dryness, rosacea—they’re all on the rise in industrialized nations, and dermatologists can’t keep up. Yet, despite the flood of so-called miracle products, our skin woes are multiplying. Are we not using them, or are they just not working?
Here’s the scoop: Overusing soaps, shampoos, and exfoliators strips our skin of what it needs most, leaving it vulnerable and desperate for help. Then we pile on pricey products that often make things worse, turning minor issues into major problems.
At Lumanitas, we’re here to stop the madness. We believe in a simpler, smarter approach to achieving youthful, resilient skin—one that lets your skin do its thing naturally.
For most of human history, daily washing was not the norm. When bathing became widespread (ancient Romans were known for their communal baths and meticulous personal hygiene practices) soap typically wasn’t used – eschewed for plain water or oil that they would “scrape” off after soaking.
Of course, we need to gently remove substances like makeup, sunscreen, and deodorant, particularly before going to bed. But over-washing and the use of harsher-than-necessary cleansers compromises the skin’s barrier function, disrupting the skin microbiome and inhibiting its ability to function the way it should.
And that is what we are here for – what it all comes down to: the incredible milieu of organisms our skin calls home; our microbiome.
This wonderful, sophisticated membrane that is our skin has evolved alongside the natural environment over millennia. Only recently have humans decided to intervene aggressively in this process, and the results have been detrimental to the health and beauty of our body’s largest organ.
Over-Washing Washing your skin daily? That’s a modern habit. Your skin’s natural armor—lipids, fats, and friendly microbiota—gets stripped away every time you lather up with soap. That tight feeling after washing? It’s not cleanliness; it’s a sign your skin’s protective barrier has been compromised, leaving it vulnerable to pollutants, irritants, and even UV rays.
As you strip away this defense, moisture escapes (hello, premature aging!), and your skin becomes a playground for dryness, cracking, acne, and an upset microbiome. Just look at the hands of someone who washes frequently to see the toll.
Our obsession with cleanliness and fear of bacteria have left our skin stripped and reactive. When your skin starts acting out with acne, dryness, or irritation, it’s often a protest against this harsh treatment. Instead of reaching for more products, sometimes the best thing you can do is hit pause, let your skin breathe, and reset to its natural state.
The first step to reclaiming your beautiful skin? It’s easier than you think: ditch the soaps, cleansers, and body washes, and make friends with the best (and nearly free) cleanser around—good old water.
I know, it sounds too simple. But trust me, there’s solid science behind this one small change.
Unless you’re dealing with stubborn makeup, warm water is likely all you need for gentle skin cleansing. Here’s why:
Water is a natural cleanser: It’s a powerful solvent, capable of dissolving dirt, oil, and impurities. A simple rub with your fingertips helps dislodge sweat, sebum, and dead skin cells—no soap required.
Water is polar: Its slight electric charge attracts and dissolves similar molecules, like salts and sugars found in sweat and sebum.
Water is pH-neutral: It won’t mess with your skin’s natural, slightly acidic balance (pH 4.5 to 5.5), which protects against bacteria and keeps your skin’s moisture barrier intact. Many cleansers, with their high pH, can disrupt this balance, leading to dryness and irritation.
Using high pH products (above 7) can strip your skin of natural oils and moisture, leading to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. Plus, they can invite harmful bacteria, triggering acne and other skin woes.
When removing stubborn makeup, reach for an ultra-gentle cleanser with as few ingredients as possible. Look for one that avoids:
Your skin will breathe a sigh of relief!
At Lumanitas, our facials focus on restoring your skin’s natural microbiome—because a healthy, diverse microbiome works wonders for your skin’s health and beauty.
Our skin, shaped by millions of years of evolution, has its own built-in healing powers. It’s nearly self-sustaining, as long as we give it what it needs. Your skin knows itself better than any product ever could; our job is simply to honor that wisdom and help you protect it.
How Did We Get Here?
We’re naturally wired to stay clean—it’s in our DNA to wash off dirt, avoid the sick, and be repelled by foul smells. But over the past century, we’ve blurred the lines between hygiene and cleanliness. Cleanliness now means being spotless, fresh-smelling, and adhering to social norms like shaving.
The skincare industry has fueled this confusion. In the early 1900s, soap companies began pushing the idea that being “clean” meant using soap all over your body. Their ads preyed on insecurities, suggesting that those who didn’t use soap were dirty or even uncivilized.
Fast forward to today, and the same tactics are in play. The industry thrives on buzzwords, pseudoscience, and empty marketing jargon. Take collagen, plant stem cells, keratin, and elastin—the latest “it” ingredients. In theory, they should be great for your skin, but their molecules are too large to penetrate, making them useless in most products.
Skincare brands depend on consumer confusion about what really works. Their goal? To keep us buying more products with fancy-sounding ingredients, making them rich while doing little for our skin’s health, beauty, and resilience.
A good all-over sunscreen blocking both UVA and UVB rays of at least SPF 35. Practice safe sun every day, no matter what the season or what your daily activities may be. If you’re getting direct exposure, getting wet or sweating, reapply every hour. Don’t forget protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses and shade as well. These steps will take years off your skin as you age.
Supporting a thriving microbiome and preventing moisture loss will make skin glow now and keep it looking healthy and youthful into the future. Lumanitas facials were formulated with the primary goal
of recolonizing skin’s surface with health microbiota and nourishing it with ingredients to help it thrive.
If you don’t over-wash or have dry or mature skin, you may not need a moisturizer at all.
If you use one, choose daily moisturizer containing a combination of proven effective ingredients such as:
Avoid allergens and irritants such as:
Products containing preservatives and ingredients that can serve as endocrine disruptors:
According to chemtrust.org, the best way to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals absorbed through the skin is reduce the number of cosmetic products you use.
Side note: no one needs a separate eye cream. If the moisturizer you use on your face, hands and body isn’t gentle enough for you to use around your eyes, you shouldn’t use it anywhere else either. Toss it and find something gentler.
Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains and lean protein. Avoid processed foods, high glycemic index foods (potatoes, corn, anything fried), sugar, the unhealthy “white” foods (white flour, bread, rice, pasta, etc.), and alcohol. Protect skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Never smoke. Exercise regularly. Do what you can to prevent exposure to air pollution and pesticides (rinse your fruits and veggies well.)
Lumanitas facials are designed using ingredients that have been shown effective at combating oxidative damage when applied topically. Turmeric, mango, matcha, dragon fruit, spirulina, ebony carrot, espresso bean, ginger are just a few of the powerhouse ingredients we use with efficacy supported by peer-reviewed literature.
Boosting collagen and preventing oxidative damage starts from within—diet is key. But stress, sun exposure, lack of exercise, poor sleep, and smoking can all take a toll too.
You can also give your collagen a nudge from the outside with Lumanitas facials. We use potent, natural ingredients like aloe, colloidal oatmeal, cucumber, and lemon, all shown to enhance collagen production when applied topically.
Plus, every Lumanitas facial includes vitamin A, which converts to retinoic acid and stimulates collagen from the outside in. If you’re over 30, a prescription-strength retinoid can work wonders—just use it as often as your skin can handle. And don’t be fooled by collagen-infused products—those molecules are too big to penetrate the skin, so save your money!
This is best done at the end of the day when your skin has collected dirt, pollution, makeup and excess oil and sebum, ideally right before bed. No product will do this more effectively, gently, and luxuriously as a Lumanitas facial. On other days, use a very gentle cleaner free of fragrances, dyes, irritators such as botanicals and physical exfoliants, For the rest of your body, keep in mind that water itself is an excellent solvent. A little gentle cleanser in the folds of your skin is all you ever need to be refreshingly clean without stripping your skin’s precious lipid barrier and disrupting its microbiome.
This is the one exception to leaving your skin alone: apply a retinoid. And if you can, have a dermatologist or your regular provider prescribe one for you – they are more potent than over-the-counter products and much less likely to have unnecessary additives.
Retinoids have been extensively studied over decades for their efficacy and safety. They are the closest thing to a “miracle” skincare product that exists, and benefit skin in a host of ways:
Stimulates collagen production
As we age, collagen production in the skin naturally declines, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Retinoids (particularly prescription-strength) can help stimulate collagen synthesis, a crucial protein that gives the skin its structure and elasticity. Increased collagen production can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity, leading to smoother, firmer skin.
Reduce hyperpigmentation
Maturing skin is more prone to develop hyperpigmentation, resulting in age spots or sunspots. Retinoids can help regulate melanin production, leading to a more even skin tone and fading of dark spots over time.
Increase cell turnover
Prescription retinoids promote a faster rate of skin cell turnover. This means that dead skin cells are shed more quickly, revealing fresher, younger-looking skin underneath. Prescription-strength retinoids, such as tretinoin, accelerates the rate at which skin cells are shed and replaced by new ones. This process can lead to a fresher, more youthful complexion by uncovering newer skin cells and improving overall skin texture.
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Retinoid’s ability to stimulate collagen production and improve cell turnover can lead to a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.
Unclog pores and treat acne
By speeding up skin cell turnover, retinoids can help prevent clogged pores, reducing the likelihood of acne breakouts. Retinoids are also shown to reduce inflammation, leading to a decrease in acne breakouts and the improvement of existing acne lesions.
Improve skin texture
Regular use of retinoids can lead to smoother, more refined skin texture, diminishing the appearance of rough patches or irregularities.
Prevents future signs of aging
By promoting healthy skin cell turnover and collagen production, retinoids can help prevent future signs of aging, keeping the skin looking youthful and healthy.
Evens skin tone
Retinoids can help regulate melanin production, which can lead to a reduction in hyperpigmentation, such as dark spots, age spots, and sunspots. This results in a more even skin tone and a reduction in discoloration.
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