Raise Your Hand if…
Honoring Our Younger Selves: From Baby Oil to Better Care
I have a sign on the table at my events: “Raise your hand if you ever used baby oil to tan.” Or maybe Sun-In for streaks, iodine mixed with oil, or those apricot scrubs that promised glow but left our skin raw. Whenever I share this sign at my booth, people smile, nod, and sometimes sigh with nostalgia. There’s often a trace of guilt in those conversations — guilt for not wearing sunscreen, for wearing makeup to bed after a night at the club, skipping moisturizer because we thought, “only dry skin needed it,” and for the ways we pushed our skin without knowing better.
But here’s the truth: we were just doing our best. We followed the beauty standards of the time. A golden tan, glossy lips, and feathered hair were part of the story of being alive in that moment. And by those standards, we looked exactly how we wanted to look. (And we did look fantastic, didn’t we?)
It’s okay. There’s no need to carry regret. Instead, we can honor our younger selves for their courage, joy, and desire to belong. We can hold those memories with compassion and tenderness and recognize that what felt right then was part of how we grew into who we are now.
Caring for our skin today isn’t about making up for mistakes. It’s about continuing the story with more knowledge and more kindness toward ourselves. Our skin has carried us through decades of light and experience. It deserves care, not shame.
So when we raise our hands together, let it be a gesture of gratitude: for the younger selves who lived fully, and for the selves we are now — still learning, still growing, still worthy of care.
Transition + Practical Steps
So where do we go from here? We start with making kinder choices for our skin. The skin barrier is the foundation of healthy-looking skin, supporting hydration, comfort, and resilience. When it’s supported, everything else — hydration, texture, even radiance — follows.
Some of the most effective ways to restore and protect the barrier come from nature itself:
Tamanu Oil – Revered for its ability to calm visible irritation and support the skin’s natural repair process, repairing visible damage, and softening scars.
Bakuchiol (from the Babchi plant) – A retinol alternative that promotes skin renewal and collagen production while being gentle on sensitive or mature skin.
Licorice Extract – Helps visibly brighten and even tone while soothing sensitivity.
Squalane and Jojoba – Lightweight oils that mirror skin’s natural barrier, replenishing softness and strength.
These actives don’t just sit on the surface — they support the skin’s natural functions in ways that help it heal and stay resilient.
Product Focus: Tamanu & Bakuchiol Serum
That’s exactly why I created the Tamanu & Bakuchiol Serum. It’s a concentrated, anhydrous blend designed to feed your skin barrier the supportive, restorative nutrients it needs. Each drop is packed with restorative active ingredients, supporting both immediate comfort and long-term resilience.
How to Use for Best Results
Start with hydration. Apply a mist or lightweight toner first — oils seal in water, so damp skin helps the serum absorb more effectively.
Less is more. Use 2–4 drops warmed between your palms and press gently into your face and neck. A thin, even layer is enough.
Timing matters. Evening use gives skin the longest window to absorb and repair, though morning use adds extra comfort and glow under moisturizer or sunscreen.
Layer thoughtfully. This serum plays well with hydrating serums and gentle creams. Skip harsh exfoliants or retinol on the same night to let the actives do their gentle restorative work.
Consistency is key. Skin responds best to consistent, steady care, and visible results come with time. Your skin barrier thrives on routine.
✨ Closing thought:
“Caring for your skin now isn’t about chasing youthfulness or undoing the past. It’s about creating steady conditions for renewal, comfort, and resilience, and giving your skin what it has always deserved.”
