FACE TIME: SKIN CARE IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING

Zoom fatigue. Mask-ne (could there be a more repelling term?). And a devastating global pandemic, no less. There has been plenty to bemoan over the past few months, but when it comes to proverbial silver linings, for me it has meant remotely connecting with friends new and old (not that old, mind you!) while turning the opportunity of less face-to-face time into more “face time.”

I have revisited some long-time favorite skin care products and added a few new discoveries/obsessions to my skin care routine that I have included at the end of this post, but I have also particularly enjoyed getting to know the lovely Emily Vickers, clean beauty advocate of blog and social channel Social Dearest. I love tuning in for Emily’s tutorials and product reviews on Instagram (plus a little needlepoint and tablescaping, natch!) and am delighted that she has joined me here to share some of her secrets to clean skincare and quarantine survival in the age of social distancing...

What does “Social Dearest” mean, and how did you get your name?

I wanted my website and Instagram to encompass the things I love: clean beauty, ethical fashion, children, home, etc., and I wanted it to be a gathering place of sorts. And dearest means “loved,” so I just thought I would be representing a social, and loved place to discuss my favorite things - mainly clean beauty!

What inspired you to start consulting and writing about clean beauty? 

I grew up with eczema and it is still a daily battle. To this day, I hunt for safer alternatives to steroid creams. Ten years ago I began researching (and near obsessing!) about safer alternatives to skincare and makeup. My friends and family were asking for advice about non-toxic beauty and home alternatives and that's when my blog was born. 

This year, I began consulting for friends and family. The clean beauty market has grown in popularity and size, but trusted information and user perspective remains scarce. That’s where I come in. Following a questionnaire, you’ll receive a detailed evaluation with product recommendation replacements and why. (Learn more about working with Emily here.)

How do you define “clean” ?

I define clean beauty as products that are free of toxic ingredients, their ingredients and mission is about transparency, ethically made and with sustainability in mind. “Clean” means products don’t irritate your skin or cause cancer. The beauty industry is not regulated, so it’s important for you to be educated as a consumer. These five toxic ingredients are are a no-no for me.

What has this time at home taught you — what are you learning and how are you growing?

Prior to Covid-19, my husband was offered a new opportunity at his company in Manhattan (we live in Boston)! He was going to work in Manhattan during the week while we stayed in Boston and then he’d come home on weekends. Having to be in quarantine together has ended up being a blessing as he wouldn’t have had this much time with me and the children otherwise. Instead of parties, trips and date nights it’s helped us really prioritize our time with our children and realign our priorities for when quarantine is over such as going out less and instead having themed date nights at home (think Parisian restaurant on your back patio. Get dressed up, make a cheese plate, set the table with beautiful India Amory linens, open a bottle of rosé and set Spotify music to Pink Martini. (YES to all!)

What are your favorite quarantine guilty pleasures?

• H Hazel Eye Gel Treatments. I have been using these nonstop! They decrease puffiness, reduce appearance of fine lines, and combat discoloration.

• “Nice cream” (blend together frozen bananas, a splash of nut milk and nut butter). Add a handful Hu Kitchen chocolate chips on top. Bananas have folic acid which makes your hair shiny. Dark Chocolate has flavonoids which is known to protect your skin from UV rays (but still wear your sunscreen!) 

• Playing with makeup. I’m currently experimenting with taupes and purple eyeshadows to highlight my blue eyes. Beautycounter’s Statement and Romantic eye palettes are my favorite.

• Shopping while my husband isn’t monitoring the Amex! I’ve loved using this time to focus on supporting women owned businesses such as Doen. 

. . .

And who among us couldn’t stand a little more quarantine shopping? As for yours truly, Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Serum and Vintner’s Daughter’s Active Botanical Serum are perennial staples on my shelf, but by far my best and proudest quarantine discovery (by way of our local Aspens Market) is Saint Jane’s Luxury CBD Serum. I have used it day and night since my household entered quarantine in early March, and not only does it smell heavenly and feel like silk, it is packed with anti-oxidants and full-spectrum CBD (which, I am now aware, does not stand for Could Be Dolls…). While I do not have naturally oily skin, my skin is picky about absorbing product, and beauty oils tend to leave a greasy film on my face, but such has not been the case an I am able to apply Saint Jane even immediately before applying makeup.

Maybe it’s Maybelline, maybe it’s CBD?

Thank you so much, Emily!