When two of the top alumni from La Prairie — one of the best skincare brands in the world — branch off to develop their own plant-based line of anti-aging miracle workers, we take notice. PLANTED IN BEAUTY by WELL WITHIN is a new collection of seven products created by Lynne Florio and Renee Tavoularis, which only uses the highest level of organic ingredients. That means they’re completely free of chemicals and toxins (AKA all the bad stuff) and chock-full of essential vitamins and minerals. Their philosophy is, “If it doesn’t exist in nature, it’s not in the products.” So, in an effort to live a more natural, greener life, we spoke with the fairy godmothers of good skin to see what all the hype is about.
Brit + Co: What inspired you to branch off and create your own natural skincare line?
Lynne Florio: “Renee and I have a long history together — side by side for 20+ years at La Prairie. I functioned as global brand president and Renee was global vice president of e-commerce and digital marketing. We had often spoken of collaborating on a business, and we said if we were to do that, it was crucial that it fulfilled a passion and a purpose and spoke to where we were currently in our lives — and that very much included wellness. For us, wellness is first and foremost a choice to assume responsibility for the quality of your life. It begins with a conscious decision to embrace balance, from beauty to nutrition to lifestyle, and that’s really how WELL WITHIN came to be.”
B+C: What are some of the game changer products in the line?
LF: “It’s hard to play favorites among our lineup because we currently offer seven SKUs in the Cleanse, Restore, and Treat categories, BUT if I had to choose, I’m partial to our Detox Exfoliant ($75). It’s an incredibly high-performance purifying exfoliator that clarifies and polishes the skin without harsh abrasives, chemicals, or toxins. Instead, raspberry, moringa seed extract, pineapple, may chang, and alpine willow herb help naturally rejuvenate and detoxify the skin. I recommend using it two-three times a week for a deep clean, and you can use it dry, or mixed with a little water.”
Renee Tavoularis: “My ‘desert island’ product is our Eye Firming Complex ($175). We created this to give the delicate eye area the TLC it needs — ensuring moisture, working to alleviate dark circles and puffiness, and giving the eyes a smoother, brighter appearance overall. It’s full of antioxidant-rich plant extracts like beech tree bud, gingko, yerba mate, and more that work wonders to do just that. I use it AM and PM — after I finish my double cleanse and toning — and just a touch under the eyes is all you need.”
B+C: What kind of science did you turn to?
LF: “We select varieties of plants with a high content of active principles, and then we precisely harvest the part of the plant with the richest content to maintain the ingredient stability. For instance, our Firm + Smooth + Brighten Reparative Complex ($200) includes some very powerfully tested active ingredients: Fagus sylvatica bud extract (beech tree bud) is rich in bio-active peptidic factors that create a softer, smoother, more youthful appearance. Punica granatum fruit extract (pomegranate) is a potent antioxidant, rich in polyphenols and vitamin C, that helps repair, brighten, and boost natural collagen production for healthy, firmer skin. Chlorella Vulgaris extract (green algae) is rich in amino acids and helps stimulate collagen synthesis, promoting improved skin firmness and smoothness.”
B+C: How is this line different from other plant-based lines on the market?
LF: “We set the bar high: no compromises in ingredients, for a line that is clean and pure, sustainable and organic. Credibility was crucial, so we sought out several third party certifications (Ecocert for the Cosmos Organic Standard, Leaping Bunny, The Certified Vegan Trademark, and EWG Verified) to ensure an ethos of transparency to our consumers. We also wanted to forgo the usual marketing jargon and make everything crystal clear to our consumers, so our product names clearly define the benefits of each product, and the packaging illustrations clearly showcase the key ingredients within the product.”
RT: “Also, PLANTED IN BEAUTY is much more than just a skincare range. It’s part of the larger picture on wellwithinbeauty.com — an all-encompassing digital content brand where you will find plant-based solutions in beauty, nutrition, and lifestyle to help you become WELL WITHIN your skin, mind, and body.”
B+C: Is this an all-or-nothing regimen? Or can we pick and choose?
RT: “The range was created to be used together (three simple steps: Cleanse, Restore, Treat), but of course our products can be worked into your existing regimen.”
B+C: What would you say to the woman who is unsure of going green with her skincare?
RT: “Many of us are aware that our skin is our largest organ, but did you know that 60 percent or more of the products we apply topically onto our skin have the potential to be absorbed into the bloodstream and circulate to our cells? It’s incredibly important to be conscious and cognizant (for your health and wellness) of what you’re applying to your skin. We have chosen to only formulate with natural ingredients, including natural fragrances, emulsifiers, and preservatives. Since organic plant matter is made up of the same vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, enzymes, and amino acids as the human body, our skin absorbs them readily and circulates them to the rest of the body. Once absorbed, they can help with everything from increasing collagen production and improving circulation to restoring discoloration and diminishing visible signs of aging, leaving skin looking vibrant and healthy. Who doesn’t crave that?”
What’s your go-to skincare product? Tweet us @BritandCo!
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