Yes—in theory. “Wild-crafted, foraged ingredients are exposed to environmental stressors that traditionally harvested botanicals are spared from,” says clean cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline, founder of KKT Consultants. “Therefore, these stressed plants produce higher levels of antioxidants as a coping mechanism to deal with the stressors. Therefore, in principle, wildcrafted varieties have higher levels of beneficial antioxidants compared to traditionally grown.” 

That in principle mention is important: We don’t have a ton of data right now when it comes to comparing wild versus organically farmed skin care. We do have science behind extremophile endurance technology, where plants living in extreme, uninhabitable environments—the desert, depths of the ocean, the Arctic—can have some pretty potent benefits for the skin (read all about it here).

But what about wild-crafted ingredients that don’t live in extreme conditions, like the bottom of the ocean? What about plants that are just a little more stressed by living in nutrient-rich, untouched soil rather than in nice, pretty rows on cultivated ground? 

It certainly makes sense, but it’s a wider-known concept in the organic food space—with topicals, the actual science isn’t caught up quite yet. “I don’t think it’s a hypothesis that’s been tested,” says board-certified dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, M.D., founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care. “That may be a ‘cart before the horse’ situation.” 

In other words: It’s promising, but we do have some ways to go. Butler concurs: “We have only just begun to scratch the surface in regard to what benefits [wild plants] can bring to the surface of the skin when applied topically.” 

It is the next generation of advanced biotic skin care. Our hand cream delivers a blend of thoughtful, sophisticated ingredients that work to bolster every element of your skin barrier. 

To start, the pre- and postbiotics support your skin’s microbiome, or the flora living on your skin that plays several roles in your overall health. (I encourage you to read up on it in our skin microbiome guide if you aren’t already familiar.) I think that the skin microbiome is one of the most fascinating and exciting areas of research—and as we learn more, we understand just how important it is to your overall health and just how poorly modern lifestyle habits affect it. 

We wanted to do something about that: Postbiotics are some of the newest areas of development in microbiome-supporting personal care products. It all started when researchers were able to identify key outputs from the good organisms living on the skin, such as enzymes, certain fatty acids, humectants, biosurfactants, and peptides. So they took these findings and recreated those beneficial offerings, which we infused into our formula. Our special strain of postbiotics provides skin with very specific fatty acids and peptides that have been shown to soothe inflammation, help protect skin against environmental stressors, regulate microcirculation, and activate the skin’s immune system. 

For added support, we also included prebiotics to make sure that the living flora already present on the skin was being taken care of, too. There are several kinds of prebiotics to use, and we selected one made from microgreen algae that has been shown to have a soothing effect on the skin as it prevents inflammation triggered by an unbalanced microbiome. 

We also knew how important it was to enhance the lipid layer. The creamy base contains several botanicals to moisturize and soothe the skin: shea butter, moringa seed oil, aloe vera, and oat oil. Each of these individually is a powerful natural ingredient, but together they’re far more robust in their efficacy. 

Additionally, it’s topped with powerful antioxidants like coenzyme Q10, a potent antioxidant naturally found in the body, and a watermelon, lentil, and apple complex that delivers a wide range of skin-supporting nutrients and benefits. For example, citrulline and polysaccharides for water retention, vitamin B5 to smooth skin, and trisaccharides to enhance epidermal barrier function. Antioxidants are a vital part of barrier function, as they are able to help the body deal with free radicals and all the damage that comes with them. 

Short answer? Apply your vitamin C first, then pat on your HA. Vitamin C (especially L-ascorbic acid) is notoriously unstable—it loses potency when it’s exposed to air, light, and water—which is why you want to apply it on clean, dry skin right after washing. You’ll also want to let it dry completely, as piling on products right after could potentially deactivate the vitamin C. 

You don’t need to be as precious with hyaluronic acid. Yes, applying on damp skin will make it easier for the humectant to pull in water, but it can also draw in that moisture from the surrounding environment, too. Let’s not forget: Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, and you don’t necessarily have to provide that water yourself. “That way, you don’t need to worry that HA needs to go directly onto damp skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, M.D., FAAD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics.  

So you can apply your vitamin C first, let it dry completely, then apply your hyaluronic acid. Just remember to top everything off with a moisturizer—you still want to seal in the HA to lock in the hydration. 

Or, if you do want to apply your HA on damp skin to maximize its benefits, board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., founder of SkinFive, still recommends applying your vitamin C serum and letting it dry completely. “The highly reactive nature and low pH of vitamin C in serum form will usually allow it to penetrate the cleansed, dry skin quickly,” she says. After it dries, apply a water-based hydrating toner or essence (here are our favorites), then pat your hyaluronic acid serum onto the freshly misted skin. Again, follow up with a moisturizer to lock in the hydration. 

Perhaps you’re seeing an uptick in grays lately—Brown notes many of her clients have experienced something similar, largely due to the increase in stress—and you’re looking for ways to slow the process down. 

“Rosemary is an incredible gray and silvering ally. There have been some studies done where rosemary has shown the slowing down process of graying in the hair, which is pretty fascinating,” she says.  

The powerful benefits of rosemary come from its incredible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Antioxidants act as a defense system in the body, fighting against free radicals that can damage cells and accelerate aging. And rosemary is near the top of the list for herbs with the most antioxidants. 

See, when your scalp and hair follicles are inflamed and experiencing oxidative stress, they gray faster. When you are able to keep your body from entering an inflamed state, you’re less likely to experience premature graying. 

Because maintaining a solid intake of vitamins, minerals, and even phytonutrients is so essential for every aspect of our health and well-being, this leaves many of us with one simple opportunity to strengthen our nutritional foundation: a multivitamin.*

When taken consistently, a comprehensive, high-quality multivitamin acts as a nutritional insurance policy, helping to fill the gaps inevitably left by our diets (hard as we may try)—and the science shows that multis really do help to boost lagging levels of the various nutrients we need (i.e., help us achieve daily nutritional sufficiency: yes, please).*

Plus, the essential vitamins, minerals, and bioactives found in a robust multi formula support diverse, critical functions in our body, from immunity and strong bones to cognitive health and vision (and much more).*

But since many multivitamins out there don’t quite walk the walk (read: they provide unhelpful, sub-potent amounts of must-have nutrients or leave them out altogether, feature less-than-ideal forms of those nutrients, we could go on…), getting the most out of a daily multi isn’t as simple as grabbing any old bottle.

Which is exactly why mbg formulated ultimate multivitamin+. Our “one-for-all” (everyone 18 years and up) multi is comprehensive, complete, and high-potency, packing in 14 essential vitamins, 11 essential minerals, two trace minerals, and six longevity botanical bioactives.* (Oh yeah, and it’s vegan.)* Talk about next level.

It’s a truly game-changing formula—but don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what nutritionists, medical practitioners, and other health and wellness leaders have to say about it.

“Green tea is harvested later than white tea and does not go through the same oxidation process that oolong and black tea go through,” says Will Cole, IFMCP, DNM, D.C., a functional medicine practitioner and mbg functional nutrition training instructor. “Like white tea, this allows for some of the highest levels of catechins, specifically the ultra-beneficial compound epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG).”

Studies suggest EGCG can help provide anti-inflammatory benefits, support brain function, promote healthy blood sugar levels, and reduce heart disease risks.

The anti-inflammatory properties translate to gut health, as well. As a study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology writes, catechins have been shown to effectively absorb into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and may help mitigate GI challenges. What’s more, the phytochemicals in green tea help feed microbes that line the intestinal walls.

Integrative gastroenterologist and mbg Collective member Marvin Singh, M.D., previously shared that organic jasmine green tea, in particular, is one of his favorite gut-friendly beverages. “It’s a great anti-inflammatory, gut-microbiome-friendly thing to include in your regular routine,” he says.

I’m all about keeping my complexion flawless, so when I try out a new product—and a scary slew of breakouts pops up in its wake? Well, not ideal. But here’s the tricky part: Those pimples may, in fact, be a sign that the new formula is working. It’s called skin purging. And thanks to social media trends, it’s become a kind-of desirable skincare method that the internet is loving lately. But, truth be told, it’s not as simple as adopting a new skincare habit or reaching for a new formula. 

You see, skin purging isn’t for the faint of heart. Dealing with breakouts, dryness, and flaking skin for weeks at a time isn’t exactly desirable. But one thing that is, is the end result: clear, glowing skin. We tapped dermatologists to get the scoop on skin purging, what it is, and how to deal with it as it’s happening. Plus, we’ve got the inside scoop on how to know the difference between skin purging and a breakout. Keep reading to learn more.   

Listen, I love learning about the science of skin—and how you can use science to improve your own. That’s why this formula piques my interest so much: It’s a revolutionary formula that combines four targeted cosmeceutical ingredients that are shown to enhance the quality of the skin and be proactive in it’s care for the long term.*

Let’s start with astaxanthin. This potent carotenoid phytonutrient and potent antioxidant is clinically shown to protect skin cells (notably against UV exposure) and help preserve the collagen layer.* But what does that mean for your complexion as you take it? 

Well several clinicals point to real, tangible skin care benefits of taking the phytonutrient: ​​In one study, astaxanthin supplementation significantly improved skin elasticity, smoothness, and hydration in just 12 weeks.* Another study found astaxanthin improved skin wrinkles, age spot size, and skin texture.* And in a recent double-blind clinical, subjects reported significant improvement in moisture levels (especially around the eyes), overall improved elasticity, and appearance of tone.* On that latter point: I’ve been taking the new formula and have noticed significant improvement in the appearance of my eyes—they’re less sallow and sketched with fine lines, and far more supple and bright.* 

This is folded in with another favorite of mine: phytoceramides. Ceramides are a natural lipid found in the skin barrier and play an important role in keeping the skin hydrated. Plant-derived versions, when taken orally, can enhance your natural moisture levels—up to 35% according to one study.* The cool part is it really doesn’t take that long to see soft, supple skin in the mirror; just halfway through my first bottle, my skin looked and felt more dewy: Like I had upgraded to the super luxe face cream that holds a special place on the top shelf.* It’s not in my imagination either, research also shows that you may see improved skin hydration after just 15 days.*

Next on the noteworthy list is pomegranate whole fruit extract, a premium botanical concentrated in antioxidants. While consuming antioxidants in general is always beneficial, I love having this one in my routine. Why? Its ability to promote cellular resilience and its anti-inflammatory properties.* Plus, it’s clinically shown to enhance antioxidant responses, which can help the body attenuate oxidative stress (basically when your body is in free radical free fall) by increasing antioxidant capacity in the body.* In fact, pomegranate extract has been clinically shown to reduce biomarkers of oxidative stress.* 

Finally, coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring antioxidant in the body. Your body makes all on its own, and it plays many necessary functions—notably by aiding the cell’s mitochondrial function. Literally: CoQ10 is required for cellular energy production and rejuvenation.* But, like most good things in the body it declines with age. But when you supplement with ubiquinol (the most bioavailable and bioactive form of CoQ10, we might add) it is clinically shown to increase CoQ10 levels.* And this has some pretty exciting benefits for your skin cells: One clinical trial found that CoQ10 supplements reduce wrinkles and lines while enhancing skin smoothness.* 

Another surprising use? As a natural dye for fabric. Pigment-rich skins, like those in red onions, have been used to dye textiles long before artificial coloring came about. If you want to try it yourself, Anjolie Noelle, a botanical and food waste dyer, says the best way to do it is to add the onion skins to a pot of water and let them simmer for an hour before adding the fabric. Once the fabric is in the dye, let it sit for another hour.

If dyeing your own fabric is outside of your DIY-willingness, you can use the colored water to dye Easter eggs instead.