Get on the presale list for our newly formulated eye serum. 

Hi friends,

If you’ve been around EarthTonics for a while, you know I’m an absolute nerd when it comes to botanical skincare, ingredients, and formulation. After 18 years of working with thousands of clients—in the treatment room and around the world—I’ve learned a thing or two about how ingredients actually behave on skin. 

I also have a soft spot for sensitive skin… because I have it too.

One question I’ve been getting lately is: What actually makes a product safe for sensitive skin?

The answer surprised me years ago. Just because an ingredient is natural doesn’t automatically mean it’s gentle. My greatest joy is weaving together the wisdom of plants with what we’ve learned about the skin barrier and how healthy skin functions.

Here are three ingredients that often surprise people:

1. Essential oils

Yes, they’re beautiful. Yes, they’re therapeutic. But they’re also incredibly concentrated.

Essential oils are powerful plant compounds that can overwhelm an already compromised skin barrier. Many natural skincare brands use them generously to create an intense sensory experience. At EarthTonics, we intentionally use them sparingly—just enough to honor the plant without stressing the skin. 

And for those navigating sensitivity, we’ve created completely essential oil–free favorites like our Probiotic Boost Serum and Botanical Toning Mist.

2. Aggressive exfoliants, retinols & nutshell scrubs

We all love that freshly exfoliated feeling, but it’s easy to overdo it.

Those “dead” skin cells on the surface (called corneocytes) actually play an important role—they protect, insulate, and help maintain a healthy skin barrier. Much like fallen leaves nourish and protect the forest floor, our outermost skin layer serves an important purpose... think moisture retention, insulation from the elements and a habitat for beneficial skin flora!

I recommend gentle exfoliation just once or twice a week.

Our Honey + Bamboo Facial Scrub uses perfectly round bamboo microspheres instead of jagged nutshell powders that can create microscopic tears. Combined with raw honey and calming botanicals, it gently polishes while supporting the skin’s moisture barrier and beneficial microflora in a cocoon of herb-infused honey.

3. Herbal powders

This one surprised even me.

Some of you adored our original Matcha Cucumber Eye Serum, while a small number of sensitive-skinned customers experienced irritation around the eyes. I went back to the drawing board—quite literally putting the formula under the microscope—and discovered that tiny herbal particles, including matcha and chamomile powders, could remain on the skin after drying and contribute to irritation for some people.

So… I reformulated it.

Soon we’re releasing a new eye serum, completely essential oil–free and herbal powder–free, while featuring an incredible lineup of brightening, barrier-friendly ingredients that are gentle enough for daily use. My sensitive-skinned testers are absolutely obsessed, and I can’t wait to share it with you at the end of the summer.

Get on the presale list.

I could happily geek out about this all day, but these are my big three. I hope this gives you a little peek behind the scenes into how I think about formulation—and why “natural” is only one piece of the puzzle.

Thanks for letting me nerd out with you.

XOXO,

Daron