The Science 

Why do I get breakouts, anyways?

There are two root causes of acne: clogged pores and bacteria. Over time, irritants like sebum (natural oils), dead skin cells, and dirt build up in your pores and clog them. Clogged pores are breeding grounds for bacteria. To combat this bacteria, your body sends out an immune response to help unclog your clogged pores. Unfortunately, this response contributes to redness and inflammation- even if you're able to fight it off. If your immune system can't fight off the bacteria, a blackhead or whitehead grows. That's why we created our flagship product: Complexion Perfecting Face Wash.

Our active ingredient: monolaurin

Our active ingredient is one you may not have seen or heard of before: monolaurin. Monolaurin has the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria and occurs naturally in solutions like coconut oil and mother's milk. Despite it not being a well known active ingredient, it already has a wide range of applications: from being used as a surfactant in cosmetics to being used in food as an emulsifier and preservative. Further, it can also be taken alone as a dietary supplement for immune support.

The chemical structure of monolaurin.

How we use monolaurin to achieve a superior clean

It has recently been discovered that monolaurin can be effective in killing acne causing bacteria. Then, adding this to skincare products seems like a no brainer- right? Why isn't everyone using this as an active ingredient?

First, because it's patent pending technology. Second, there's one problem with monolaurin: to be most effective, it needs to be present in a solution in concentrations between 5-8% and current emulsion methods only allow it to be effectively emulsified in concentrations up to 0.15%. This emulsion issue has everyone stumped.

This is where we come in! We saw the potential monolaurin has in skincare applications, and have worked for years, going through trial and error to create our specially formulated emulsifier solution. Our emulsifier solution allows us to add monolaurin to our Complexion Perfecting Face Wash at a whopping 6% while maintaining full effectiveness and a smooth, even, creamy feel. We pair the highly concentrated monolaurin with citric acid and a surfactant to facilitate a process called hyperprotonation.

What is hyperprotonation?

Glad you asked!

Hyperprotonation occurs when biofilm defenses are neutralized and the bacteria living inside it is killed. Biofilm works for bacteria the same way adhesive works for stickers in that biofilm is what allows bacteria to stick together and to things- including your face. Gross. Hyperprotonation neutralizes this adhesive bubble that bacteria lives in to completely disinfect your skin (gently, too!).

Hyperprotonation requires the presence of monolaurin, citric acid, and a surfactant layer.The surfactant layer consists of ions with positive charges on one side, and negative charges on the other to help the positively charged monolaurin "stick" to the negatively charged bacteria. Once the monolaurin and citric acid latch on to the biofilm, it then penetrates and lowers its pH, neutralizing the biofilm and increasing the ability of the monolaurin and citric acid mix to kill the bacteria inside for amazing results.