You’ve probably heard time and time again how beneficial dark leafy vegetables are for your health and how you should basically try to incorporate one of those greens in every single meal -- okay not every meal, but like a lot of meals. Well, Kale is one of them! It’s an incredible superfood for your body, but have you ever thought about all the amazingly good things it can do for your skin? We definitely have.   First off, Kale is full of vitamin C which helps produce the collagen needed for skin strength. It’s also a wonderful source of antioxidants that helps your skin fight against free radicals. Second, it’s got lots of Vitamin A -- a super skin-friendly vitamin that promotes healthy cell growth, both externally and internally.  If you haven’t yet, meet Kale-Lalu-yAHA, a chemical exfoliator that’s part of our Supplement Series. Kale-Lalu-yAHA was one of our very first products launched, and since then, we’ve received a few commonly asked questions about it. We’ve decided to clear everything up right here so you can focus on the important stuff: feeding your skin just what it craves.  How do I pronounce Kale-Lalu-yAHA? Exactly like hallelujah -- just replace the “ha” with “kale” and you’ve got it down. Is Kale-Lalu-yAHA a toner? Can I use it as one? No, no, no -- please don’t use Kale-Lalu-yAHA as a toner!  Whereas toners can be used in the morning and twice a day, Kale-Lalu-yAHA should not be used in the morning or used twice a day. The combination of the sun & Kale-Lalu-yAHA will cause photosensitivity, and potential sun damage. Instead, save your AHAs for nighttime and make sure to always apply sunscreen the next morning (and reapply throughout the day, if needed!). I want to use Kale-Lalu-yAHA correctly but I’m not sure how!  We recommend using Kale-Lalu-yAHA on your clean, dry skin directly after cleansing with or without a cotton pad. The product fully absorbs pretty quickly, so feel free to go straight into the next step of your routine! I want to use both AHAs and BHAs! Can I do that? That depends! Kale-Lalu-yAHA actually contains BHA Betaine Salicylate. As BHAs don’t cause photosensitivity like AHAs, you could alternate the nights when you use a BHA versus AHA, or even use your BHA in the morning! If you’re an active expert and your skin is used to using AHA, it might be able to get along with using a separate BHA and Kale-Lalu-yAHA together -- just listen to your skin.  I’ve got super sensitive skin. Can I still use Kale-Lalu-yAHA? You definitely can -- just be careful about it and listen to your skin. Containing only 5.25% glycolic acid, it’s a relatively gentle exfoliator. If you have sensitive skin, we would recommend starting off using it once or twice a week and then building up from there. To minimize any potential irritation, you can mix it in with your favorite moisturizer! Whether it’s once a week or every other day, it all comes back to giving your skin what it craves. What ingredients, if any, should I avoid when using Kale-Lalu-yAHA?  There are no particular ingredients that should be avoided. You can use a wide range of supplemental products in conjunction with Kale-Lalu-yAHA, including those containing Vitamin C and Niacinamide.  However, do be cautious of over-exfoliating your skin, whether it’s with Kale-Lalu-yAHA or other exfoliating/skin resurfacing products (retinoids, scrubs, peels, etc). Signs you’re over-exfoliating can include redness, peeling/flaking, dry patches, and breakouts! Having that constant conversation with your skin is key to keeping it healthy.  If you’re curious about anything Kale-Lalu-yAHA and we didn’t cover it here, leave it down in the comments, DM us or reach out to us at hello@kravebeauty. For closer looks at all of our products, check out our Instagram story highlights!

Ever wonder why we separate our products into the Core Series and the Supplement Series, and what exactly is the difference? Let’s talk about that, but before we answer that for you - we need to ask you something. Have you ever thought about the actual construction of your skincare routine? Like when did you add in that toner, essence, serum, oil, sleeping mask - and do you really need it? Or did you subscribe yourself to a cookie-cutter formula of what your sister, your favorite Youtuber and/or some Pinterest infographic told you your skincare routine should look like? If so, no shame. We’ve all been there. But if you find yourself applying products because you think you should, instead of understanding what value it actually provides your skin, it might be time to #PressReset and think about skincare a little differently. The first switch? Skin, not skincare.Everyone’s skin is so unique so, of course, each individual’s skin needs will look a little different. It’s important to remember that just because your best friend uses a toner, doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to. Or just because a bottle says use morning and night, it doesn’t mean that you need to cleanse twice a day. #PressReset on the idea that your products or your routine is the answer to your skincare concerns, but instead treat them like supplements that you give or don’t give your skin. For example: If you eat a fiber-rich diet and all is healthy in your bowels, supplementing that lack in fiber isn’t even a question for you - you don’t need it. But if you don’t eat a fiber-rich diet, then supplementing that fiber (be it in the form of tablets or food) may be something you consider adding into your mix. Make sense? Your skin essentially works the same way. If you’ve been with us for a little while now, you’ve probably heard us say this and we’ll say it again (and again and again), but your skin is smart. It is a living, breathing organ that knows how to take care of itself if you simply give it what it needs to function at its best. It’s all about what works for you and your skin. All we want you to do is #PressReset, tune out the noise, and listen to your skin’s true cravings.  Resetting the “Skincare Essentials” Repeat after us: “Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated” and you don’t need to check the boxes of someone else’s routine just to check those boxes. There are a few basic steps that your skin needs to function, so let’s bring it back to the basics and make things a little simpler: (1) Cleanser, (2) Moisturizer and (3) Protection (SPF) aka the Core Series. Everything else (toner, eye cream, essence, mask, etc.) should be personalized to your specific skin concerns and cravings, aka the Supplementary Series. It’s not that you don’t need the products that are supplementary, it’s just that not everyone needs them. It all comes back to your unique skin and giving it exactly what it craves. Next time your scrolling through Instagram and someone tells you that you absolutely need to try that new sheet mask or oil - pause for a second and really think: Is that what your skin is craving? Stress-free skincare And to finally get to our original questions:  What’s the difference?  The Core Series is a simple yet purposeful range of products that help your skin function at its best. Nothing more, nothing less.   The Supplement Series is a range of functional, targeted solutions that address specific skin concerns. At KraveBeauty, these products deliver results without compromising your skin’s natural functionality, microbiome, and epidermal barrier function.  And why do we separate our products into the Core Series and the Supplement Series?  It’s simple - to empower you to make intentional decisions so you only give your skin what it craves. Because skincare doesn’t haven’t to be complicated. 

Full Name: Alice WuOccupation: Social Media Intern at KraveBeauty, soon-to-be Analyst at SPMBLocation: San Francisco Bay AreaAge: 21Skin Type or Concerns: Combination-oilyLife Motto: You are exactly where you need to be. Everyone is on their own path.Fun Fact: Boba is my weakness – sadly, I am not committed enough to my skin to give up sugar and dairy :( My Skin Journey | Let’s start from the beginning My skincare routine up until my sophomore year of college consisted of a single product: a 10% Benzoyl Peroxide cleanser. Yup. My skin was so dehydrated and dull, yet I had no idea because it was also overproducing oil to the point that I was blowing through packs of blotting paper. Not to be dramatic, but the catalyst was actually a terrible breakup that forced me to reevaluate my entire life, skincare included. I realized that I had been neglecting myself mentally and physically, and I resolved to start taking care of myself. One of the ways I chose to better my self-care habits was skincare, and on Youtube I searched “control oily skin.” The first video I clicked on was from someone called Liah Yoo, and the rest is history. I had been posting about skincare and makeup for a while on my personal Instagram when I noticed that no one in my life really cared about it as much as I did. I was following a few skincare Instagram accounts at the time, and I thought, “Why can’t I do that, too?” I started my beauty Instagram on January 1, 2018, and that’s when my skincare journey really took off. Once I gained more followers, I was flooded with skincare products from brands (that I am incredibly lucky to receive!) and felt very overwhelmed. My skin was also hating the constant testing of new products, and burnout was inevitable. Since that period, I have taken a step back because that’s what my skin deserves. As much as I enjoy learning about and testing new products, I owe it to my skin to be kind to it. I’ve learned to maintain a balance to both fuel my interest in skincare and listen to what my skin needs. Skincare Products I Can’t Live Without KraveBeauty Great Barrier Relief: Your skin barrier’s health is essential to maintain, and Great Barrier Relief is such a versatile product to use. I can use it as a serum, a moisturizer, and even an eye cream if I need to! I use it every single day and after two weeks of initially using it, I noticed that my skin did not produce as much sebum as it used to. It was hydrated and plump, and even my boyfriend noticed that my skin was “bing bing”! I didn’t know I needed Great Barrier Relief until I had it, but now, it’s a long-term, committed relationship. Laneige Cream Skin Refiner: This was a game-changer in my skincare routine. I’ve never experienced anything as hydrating as this refiner – I find myself literally skipping skincare steps because I don’t need them! It contains white leaf tea water, which has amino acids that help rebuild and strengthen the skin barrier (are you seeing a pattern here?). KraveBeauty Kale-Lalu-yAHA: Kale-Lalu-yAHA took years off my skin, I swear. Every time I use it, I wake up the next morning with glowing, bright skin. Last year, I got severe food poisoning that was so bad that I was almost in the hospital. As you can imagine, I did zero skincare for two weeks and was looking rough in the aftermath. The first thing I did was exfoliate with Kale-Lalu-yAHA and saw an immediate improvement from the dull ashiness that had been my skin. It’s just…*chef’s kiss* Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil: Indie Lee’s story is incredibly inspiring, and her commitment to her products is evident in how simple yet effective they are. Her Squalane Facial Oil is great for acne-prone and oily skin (meee!) and is intensely hydrating and nourishing. I pat 3-4 drops in at night and my skin just drinks it up.My Current Skincare Routine A.M. Routine Cleanse with water Primera Miracle Seed Essence Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster OR Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb KraveBeauty Great Barrier Relief (it makes a great moisturizer!) The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil KraveBeauty The Beet Shield P.M. Routine DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (only if I’m wearing makeup) KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser KraveBeauty Kale-Lalu-yAHA OR Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Laneige Cream Skin Refiner Belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask What #PressReset Means to Me #PressReset means, to me, taking a step back to reevaluate your priorities, where you are, and where you want to be. It is all about self-reflection and refocusing on what really matters. How I #PressReset Beyond Beauty It is easy to feel lost in the shuffle of everyday life. I struggle a lot with my mental health, and when I’m not doing well my life tends to descend into a hazy spiral. It is difficult to function normally when I am not doing my best mentally, and that is okay. But after I have passed through the low point of such a spiral, I do certain things to clear my mind and #PressReset on my life. The first step is to clean my room. I firmly believe that one’s living space is a reflection of one’s mental space, and for me, tidying my room is a physical reflection of decluttering my mind. I take time to write: what had happened, why I was feeling that way, what I can do next time to avoid a mental decline, etc.. It’s nice to read back on what I had written in the past to see how far I’ve come. I also jot down goals I want to accomplish in the following weeks. The goals can be as small as “take trash out” – any accomplishment is a good one. I go outside and I see my friends. I do a face mask and I make myself food. I listen to a podcast and I open the windows. Little steps go a long way. Beyond beauty, I press reset to be kind to myself. I used to beat myself up after mental health regressions because I blamed myself for being too lazy, too irresponsible, too little. But I cannot be honest with myself if I believe that I can always be on 100% of the time, giving my 100%. Pressing reset means giving myself the time and the space to get myself back to where I want to be, in the direction I want to go. It means to be forgiving and understanding of my mind and body and accepting that life will go on no matter what. Most of all, it means showing myself love.What I’ve Been Loving  MakeupI’ve been crushing hard on cream blushes all month long to get that perfect sunkissed look! Among my favorites are the Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Desired Glow and the Ilia Color Haze in Stutter. Desired is a warm nude and Stutter is a burnt orange, but both are incredible formulas that will give you that I’m-sunburnt-but-not-actually-because-I-use-sunscreen-like-a-responsible-person look.Books/MusicLizzo has been my big summer mood – so full of energy and life! I love nothing more than driving along the California highways and belting out Truth Hurts. As for books, I recently finished Becoming by Michelle Obama (lives up to the hype and more!) and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and loved both.  PlacesBy the time you’re reading this, I’ll be in Europe, wining and dining my way across Dublin, Paris, Seville, and Barcelona! Taking one last big trip before I enter the workforce – traveling has been a big part of my life and I am incredibly lucky to have been able to see the world. 

Image is courtesy of @laviedefawn   With so much information floating around the skincare world, it’s almost impossible to differentiate fact from fiction. That’s why we’re here to set the record straight and bust those myths. Keep on reading for the truth behind the most common myths that pop up all over the internet -- but hopefully not in your skin!   1. “Everything you apply topically is going to be absorbed.” This might be the mantra of a lot of organic skincare brands pushing you to use natural products instead of chemical or synthetic, but this is far from the truth.  Let’s get into the nitty-gritty: there are three different layers in the skin. The first layer that we see on top of the skin is called the epidermis. The second is called the dermis (where collagen and hyaluronic acid gets produced) followed by the third layer which is the subcutaneous tissue (or hypodermis).    The truth is that it’s a challenge for skincare products to even penetrate beyond the epidermis layer because while your skin barrier protects your skin from losing hydration, it also works to protect your skin from penetrating external substances.  Myth busted: It’s VERY hard for most skincare products to actually get past the skin barrier, which is why the delivery system of products and their ingredients is just as important, if not more important than the ingredients themselves when considering efficacy. Think about it like you're using the best dry shampoo in the world with a shower cap on if the product can’t get through the shower cap - what’s the point?    2. “‘Non-Comedogenic, Hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested/recommended’ products are better” In order to make these claims, companies need to assemble a group of individuals and have them use the product. However,  many have it done independently and only gather, let’s say, ten people who have perfectly normal skin. As you can imagine, this doesn’t reflect a real-life situation since most people have a lot of other skin concerns and may not have any allergies at all. So the product may have been non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic for those individuals with really great skin and no allergies, but that doesn’t mean it would be for the greater population.   Myth busted: The dermatologists who “tested” the products might not have even liked them. The companies are only stating that the dermatologists tested it, not that they found the product effective. If you don’t get the full picture from these brands, the best thing to do it to test the product out on your own skin and look at the entire formulation, not just one ingredient.    3. “Occlusives form a non-breathable barrier” This one’s far, far from the truth. Occlusives are not like plastic wrap. They don’t heat up and cause you to sweat if you wrap it around your skin.  Occlusives help lock in moisture by preventing skin water loss. When you apply a very heavy-duty moisturizer, your skin still feels pretty comfortable, right? Myth busted: Many people think that silicones are suffocating and that they clog your pores. On the contrary, silicones are one of the most breathable occlusives out there!    4. “If the ingredients are similar, go for the cheaper one.” The ingredients may be similar but that doesn’t mean that the formulas are on par quality-wise. Just because the ingredients are the same, doesn’t mean it’s the same product. Take chocolate chip cookies, for example. Let’s say two people use exactly the same ingredients but one person cooks them perfectly and the other person leaves them in the oven too long and burns them. One batch is probably going to taste better than the other even though they used the same ingredients, right? It works very similarly with skincare.  Myth busted: Ingredients aren’t everything, the formulating technology is what makes all the difference!    5. “Apple Cider Vinegar works as a toner for clearing up acne. “  This one’s less so a myth and more so something we just want to clarify for you. ACV has a superior exfoliating property and a very potent antibacterial property, so it can potentially help with acne. However, we wouldn’t recommend that you use this daily since the overuse of antibacterial products can diminish or eliminate good bacteria that protects your skin.  Myth busted: If you want to start using ACV on your skin, only use it once a week and always dilute it with water so that the pH is more skin-friendly.    6. “Make sure you cleanse really, really well.”  Please don’t believe this myth! It’s one of the most skin damaging advice you could follow. Cleansers contain surfactants which eliminate makeup, dirt, and grime from your skin when you wash your face. But surfactants can’t differentiate dirt with your natural moisture and oils, which means it can take away everything if you cleanse too often.  Many people with skin barrier disorders tend to cleanse obsessively, but doing this is likely causing more harm than good. Instead of over-cleansing, look for gentle, non-stripping pH-balanced cleansers that won’t strip the good stuff. Myth busted: Don’t cleanse more than twice a day! See what works best for you, but skipping your morning cleanse might be just what your skin craves.    7. “If you have a darker skin tone, you don’t need to apply sunscreen.”  Nope, nope, and nope. Repeat after us: Everybody needs to wear sunscreen. Here are some things you should know:  There are two specific UV rays that you want to protect your skin from. UVB ray burns your skin and UVA ray ages your skin. UVA ray is why we won’t stop bugging you to wear sunscreen every day, because it exists in rainy and cloudy weather, not just when the sun is out. Most importantly, wearing SPF will help prevent skin cancer. Sun damage is one of those cases where “better safe, than sorry” cannot be truer. Myth busted: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day, no matter your skin tone, to protect yourself and your skin from UVA and UVB rays.    8. “It’s best to start using anti-aging skincare early on”  Earlier is not always better. There are many preventative methods that everyone should be doing like moisturizing properly, wearing sunscreen daily, and not causing too much physical friction on your skin. That means no more rubbing your skin dry, try patting instead.   When it comes to choosing skincare, you really don't need to actively look for “anti-aging” skincare because: They’re usually super expensive.  They’re trying to shorten the amount of skin cell turnover rate, but you likely already have it running at a very healthy rate if you’re in your teens or early 20s. Once you get to your late 20s, you might want to consider adding actives (like vitamin C) and then moving up to retinoids or retinol later on.   Myth busted: Respect your skin! It’s smart and it knows how to take care of itself.    9. “Purging and breaking out is the same thing.” Purging is a period when your skin detoxifies, which usually happens after you start incorporating retinoids, retinol, vitamin C, or AHA into your routine. Those products are shortening the period that your skin regenerates and rejuvenates, so you get new skin faster. If the products your using don’t have any active ingredients that promote skin cellular turnover,  it’s likely your skin is just breaking out, not purging. You should also consider other factors that might cause a breakout like stress, hormonal fluctuations, or that triple-scoop ice cream you devoured last night. We feel you - it happens to the best of us.  Myth busted: Purging occurs after adding certain ingredients to your routine. Breaking out occurs from stress, hormones, and diet.     10. “Your products will stop working once your skin gets used to them.”  Your skin does not build up a tolerance to products. You might think this is happening if you’re using active ingredients (vitamin A, vitamin C, AHA) since they tend to deliver a dramatic result in a short period of time. But what’s happening is that if you’re using these ingredients for a long time, the effects just won’t seem as drastic since the major change occurs when you start using the products.  Myth busted: You might think products with these ingredients stopped being effective but really they’re still progressively working, it’s just not as instantaneous as it was when you first started using the product. #PressReset on Instant Gratification. There you have it! 10 skincare myths debunked. Let us know in the comment which one surprised you the most.  

When you have oily skin, it’s easy to fall into the trap of instant gratification. Washing and scrubbing your face until it feels super squeaky clean and aggressively mattifying your skin with astringents reduces shine immediately but ultimately makes things worse in the long run. Here are five rules to follow to help fix the underlying problem, not just temporarily get rid of the symptoms. Rule #1: Properly Hydrate and Moisturize Sebum has a purpose. Our body produces it for a specific reason, and it’s to moisturize our skin. The more you aggressively dry out the shine and excess grease, the more your skin will overproduce sebum in an attempt to protect your skin barrier. Rule #2: Cleanse Gently Cleansing products contain something called surfactants, which are the detergents that bind to the oil on your skin and dissolve them in water when you wash your face, enabling us to get clean. The downside of cleansing too much is that these surfactants can dissolve our natural lipid barrier. The more you wash your face, the drier your skin gets, which means there’s more reason for your skin to overproduce sebum. Switch your cleanser to a gentle, non-foaming, gel cleanser that is SLS-free and has a pH of 4.5 to 6. Also, do not leave cleansing water on your skin! Cleansing water contains surfactants that will continue dissolving the healthy lipids in your skin if you do not wash it off. Rule #3: Oil is Not Your Enemy! Not every oil is your enemy. Oily to combination skin types tend to be deficient in linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid. Sebum deficient in linoleic acid is stickier and more likely to clog pores, so if you choose the right oil that is high in linoleic acid, it can really help rebalance your skin. Rule #4: Look for Sebum-Regulating Ingredients Like Niacinamide and Zinc Niacinamide is a great ingredient for regulating sebum production. The interesting thing is that it doesn’t regulate sebum by blocking your oil production, but rather by boosting your ceramide production so your skin stays naturally more hydrated and moisturized. Therefore, your sebum doesn’t need to overcompensate for dryness. Zinc is special because it is known to be a sebum inhibitor. Zinc comes in many forms including zinc PCA, zinc sulfate, and zinc oxide. Rule #5: Your Diet Matters! Vitamins A and D are fat-soluble vitamins that affect our sebaceous glands. Vitamin A is one of the most important vitamins for healthy skin, and Vitamin D helps reduce oil production. We’ve already talked about zinc in skincare, but it can also reduce the quantity of your skin surface sebum upon consumption!  You will also want to stay away from the foods that will encourage your sebaceous glands to pump out more oil, such as sugar, high-glycemic foods, and dairy. These foods are the ones that can affect acne and trigger inflammatory responses in the body. It’s best to stay away altogether, or keep these at a minimum level in your diet!