The Science
We Believe You Deserve to Know What's in Your Skincare — and Why.
Most brands hide behind vague terms like "proprietary blend" or "advanced complex." We'd rather just tell you what's in the formula and what the science says it does. You're a grown adult. You can handle it.
This page covers three things: the technology behind the formulas, the quality of the manufacturing process, and the testing that proves what we claim. No fluff. No hype. Just the science.
✦ The Problem: Free Radicals
Free radicals are unstable molecules — the byproduct of UV exposure, environmental pollution, stress, and normal metabolic processes in the body. They have unpaired electrons, which makes them highly reactive.
Left unchecked, free radicals:
→ Damage cell membranes
→ Trigger inflammatory pathways
→ Break down collagen and elastin
→ Accelerate visible skin changes over time
Every skincare brand claims to fight free radicals. Most use conventional antioxidants. We don't.
✦ The Spin Trap System™: A Different Category of Protection
How Conventional Antioxidants Work
Conventional antioxidants (like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or green tea extract) work by donating an electron to a free radical, neutralizing it and stopping the chain reaction of damage. This is genuinely helpful. But once a conventional antioxidant donates its electron, it's used up.
How Spin Traps Work Differently
Phenyl t-Butylnitrone (PBN) — the Spin Trap used in the Skin Is Awesome formulas — works through a fundamentally different mechanism. Instead of sacrificing itself, PBN reacts with the free radical and converts it into a stable compound called a spin adduct.
Free Radical + Phenyl t-Butylnitrone (Spin Trap) → Spin Adduct (Stable & Neutralized)
Beyond free radical neutralization, research has found that PBN inhibits NF-kB — a protein complex that acts as a master switch for the inflammatory response in cells. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is one of the primary drivers of visible skin changes over time.
"Spin Traps are not a better antioxidant. They are a different category of protection entirely."
This technology was first studied in clinical research for its neuroprotective properties before its application in skincare was recognized. It remains rare in commercial skincare — not because it doesn't work, but because it's difficult to source and formulate correctly. Lori Howard spent years getting the formulation right. It's the reason this brand exists.
✦ Key Ingredients: Nourish & Protect (Day Formula)
🌱 Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture
Derived from the meristematic cells of the Buddleja Davidii plant, this extract has demonstrated high protection against UVA damage and UV-induced oxidative stress in clinical testing. It also inhibits matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation — the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.
💧 Sodium Hyaluronate (L)
The sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid — smaller than standard HA and penetrates more effectively into the skin's surface layers. Holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The most powerful humectant currently available.
🔬 Ceramide NP
Replenishes the skin's natural lipid barrier, sealing in moisture and protecting against environmental stressors. Essential for long-term hydration and skin resilience.
✦ Key Ingredients: Replenish & Restore (Night Formula)
🌙 Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
Aids natural skin renewal; smooths the appearance of wrinkles and improves firmness. A gentler, well-tolerated form of Vitamin A that works with your skin's overnight renewal cycle.
🌿 Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract (Comfrey Root)
A plant stem cell active that supports natural skin cell turnover without the irritation of traditional exfoliants. Promotes a smoother, more even skin tone by supporting the skin's own renewal rhythm.
🧪 Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (Yeast) Extract
Restores and revitalizes skin at a cellular level overnight. A powerful bioactive that strengthens and repairs while you sleep.
✦ Why We Use a Natural Preservative — And How We Know It Works
Every skincare formula that contains water requires a preservative system. The Skin Is Awesome formulas use Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate — a natural, fermentation-derived preservative that avoids synthetic preservatives like parabens or formaldehyde-releasing agents.
But we didn't just choose it — we tested it. The preservative system was validated by Micro Quality Labs, Inc. — an independent, A2LA-accredited laboratory in Burbank, California — using the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter 51 Antimicrobial Effectiveness Test.
The test confirmed successful inhibition of:
✅ Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria)
✅ Escherichia coli (bacteria)
✅ Pseudomonas aeruginosa (bacteria)
✅ Burkholderia cepacia (bacteria)
✅ Candida albicans (yeast/mold)
✅ Aspergillus niger (yeast/mold)
The formulas passed. You can trust what's in the bottle.
✦ Where These Formulas Are Made
Both formulas are manufactured by CoValence Laboratories (Island Kinetics, Inc.) in Chandler, Arizona.
★ FDA-registered facility
★ Certified to ISO 22716 Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice standards
★ Every batch of raw materials tested and released by a qualified QA team
★ Finished products stability tested at multiple temperature conditions
This level of manufacturing oversight is standard in pharmaceutical production. It is not standard in cosmetic production. It reflects the background and expectations of the pharmacist who designed these formulas.
Science You Can Actually Stand Behind
We're not a brand that uses the word "science" as a marketing decoration. The ingredients in these formulas were chosen because of evidence — clinical research, peer-reviewed studies, third-party testing, and 30+ years of pharmaceutical knowledge applied to a skincare problem.
If you have a specific question about an ingredient, a test result, or a formulation choice, we'll answer it honestly. That's the standard we hold ourselves to.