Skincare for Every Body with Leah of Shop Good
My mom was born in Scotland and our family is from the very northern coast in a tiny town called Bettyhill. It’s the kind of place where you have to wear a coat and scarf in the middle of August. There are no tan people in Scotland. Growing up on the beaches of California, my mom always covered my brother and me in sunscreen. We wore zinc on our noses and high SPF as kids. As I grew into a teenager, my friends and I would hang out at the mall. Eventually, they all started to get into Clinique. Remember the kit with the face wash, toner and lotion? I can practically smell it now. These are really my only experiences with skin care. That and the St. Ives my mom had in the shower (ouch). I never really felt the need to take care of my skin until recently. A few years ago, I ditched the face wipes and started shopping at Shop Good.
Maybe you’re like me and don’t know much about taking care of our skin. After chatting with Leah, owner of Shop Good, I can tell you, I care a whole lot more. And I just doubled down on my SPF as the sun comes out for spring.
Leah Kirpalani, the founder of Shop Good, is a trailblazer in the clean beauty industry. With a background in holistic nutrition, she launched Shop Good to provide a curated selection of non-toxic skincare products. Her dedication to transparency and commitment to wellness have made Shop Good a trusted resource and community hub for clean beauty education and empowerment. Keep reading, there’s a discount code for ya at the end of the article.
What should every 30-something be doing right now for optimal skincare?
As a late-thirty-something, I always recommend that customers in their 30’s adopt a simple yet proactive skincare approach, and to not be afraid to lean into aging with grace and pride. Incorporating a comprehensive and intentional routine is key, beginning with a gentle yet functional cleanser that maintains vs strips the skin’s barrier. An antioxidant-rich and/or vitamin C serum can aid in combating environmental stressors and work to brighten the skin’s tone. The most important of all - a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 will ensure daily protection against premature aging and UV damage. Finally, a well-formulated moisturizer with ingredients like jojoba, rose geranium or hyaluronic acid can help to maintain skin’s hydration, promote elasticity, and minimize the appearance of fine lines.
Can you outline the changes our skin undergoes in various decades, and how we can best care for it?
Understanding (and being grateful for!) the awesome evolution of skin throughout different life stages can empower you to seek a super-tailored skincare strategy with one of our Product Experts or Estheticians. In your 20’s, a focus on maintaining hydration and water content is key. Transitioning into your 30's involves intensifying hydration efforts and understanding your exfoliation needs (if any) to keep cells turning over. In your 40 and 50’s, I recommend a Vitamin A, C and E blend (find the perfect combo in Marie Veronique’s Gentle Retinol) and incorporate a collagen-boosting supplement, like our Holi(Mane). Most importantly, wear SPF! Every decade, everyday!
How often should I be getting a facial to maintain healthy skin?
At Shop Good, our Holistic Estheticians recommend returning every 4 weeks. Regular facials can contribute significantly to sustaining your skin’s optimal health (which is why we relaunched our monthly membership program last fall!) These sessions with our Estheticians go beyond what standard at-home care can do, providing thorough cleansing, deep yet safe exfoliation, and personalized, professional-grade formulations for specific skin concerns. The magic really comes alive when the combination of monthly Shop Good facials and a consistent at-home skincare routine is followed, enhancing the skin's resilience, keeping pores clean and promoting a super-glowy complexion.
How often should I exfoliate?
The answer to this question will be different for everybody. Some skin types need very little exfoliation. Others may need to exfoliate 2-3 times a week. Regardless of frequency, opt for products with natural exfoliants such as fruit acids or enzymes, fostering a gentle yet effective approach that won't puncture or scratch the skin’s surface. (Yes, toss that St. Ives scrub now!) Exfoliating at the right frequency will help promote cell turnover, revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion. I’d say just pay close attention to what your skin is telling you, or an even easier route; work with an Esthetician to avoid risking over-exfoliation-induced irritation or barrier damage.
If someone walked in without any kind of skincare regimen, what 3 products would you send them home with?
For those starting their skincare journey, a fundamental trio can lay the groundwork for an effective routine. Begin with a gentle cleanser (I love Klur’s Gentle Matter), followed by a well-balanced serum or oil to lock in hydration levels and condition the skin (my favorite for a while now has been Berlin Skin’s Prickly Pear Facial Oil.) Note - it’s best if you apply over a water-based toner or hydrosol for optional absorption! A broad-spectrum SPF has to be product #3. There’s nothing else you’ll regret not using more than SPF. This will all lay a nice foundation for a minimalist yet impactful skincare regimen.
Besides topical products, what additional steps can we take to improve our skin's health?
Prioritizing your body’s hydration with optimal water intake is #1. Other great skin-boosting lifestyle habits include eating a diet rich in antioxidants and leafy greens, regular exercise and adequate stress management. And if that sounds slightly unattainable based on everything you’re balancing in life, I feel you. That’s why I like to stock Shop Good with tools for shortcuts. Like our Cymbiotika Super Greens (hefty dose of leafy greens + chlorophyll in seconds), Moon Juice Mini Dew (for quick, tasty, optimal hydration with ionic trace minerals) and even recommend incorporating a simple breathing exercise on your way to work to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and cool stress on the daily.
We often think of skincare as just our face. What should we put on the rest of our body to keep it hydrated and healthy?
I love this question! At least once a week (and if my babies slept through the night) I’ll wake up early and do a ‘body facial’. I love dry brushing before I hop in the shower, cleansing with our ultra-soothing and gentle Shop Good Body Wash and an exfoliating natural loofa, then applying Wonder Valley’s Seaweed Body Scrub. I’ll let that sit while I use Innersense’s Scalp Scrub (my favorite part) and then while my skin is still damp, finishing with Le Prunier’s Plumbody. Ahh this process is so soothing and energizing for a busy day ahead.
How crucial is sun protection, and what options do you suggest?
Whoever doesn’t believe that sun protection is the cornerstone of any skincare routine, send them to Shop Good! SPF plays such a pivotal role in preventing premature aging and minimizing the risk of skin cancer. You’ll want to find an everyday, mineral, broad-spectrum SPF that you love, which will defend against both UVA and UVB rays. The great news is, there’s been so much innovation and formula development in the sun-protection world, that you can effortless avoid any white-cast or slick sunscreens - literally no excuse not to wear it on the daily. My staff and customers’ favorites include: Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40, Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31, Suntegrity’s Clear SPF and Tubby Todd’s (S)undercover for the kiddos.
What are your go-to natural skincare tips for those mamas-to-be?
I didn’t change much about my skincare routine during my pregnancies due to the gentle and natural nature of my existing products. I do recommend to prioritize gentle, natural ingredients to address skin concerns with hydration remaining a central focus. To tackle specific issues like pigmentation, I’d consider products containing pregnancy-safe ingredients like vitamin C. Always consult with professionals for personalized guidance during this special time.
If someone is shopping for a gift, what 3 products do you recommend?
My favorite gifting items on our shelves right now are:
Le Prunier Plumbody - just one of my all time favorites
Mount Lai LED Gua Sha Tool - wows people every time and super effective when used regularly.
Botnia’s Apothecary Face Mask Set - its like having our professional spa back bar in your bathroom cabinet. Don’t forget to throw in a mask brush and bowl!
What do you have with you at all times?
My daily carry-all ride-or-dies:
Berlin Skin’s Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream
Nue Co.’s Water Therapy roller
Leah has offered our readers 10% any order using the discount code: MIHOSG10 at check out. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Enjoy.
