KOOPE, Clean Beauty

About a decade ago, I started my self-care journey. I had a passion for skin health, had been qualified as an esthetician since my early 20s, and worked as a skin therapist before starting my career in the corporate world. When I wasn’t in the office, I was dabbling in new skincare products, everything from solo ingredient products to high-priced luxury treatments.

However, a few years later, everything changed when I developed large, fiery red welts that covered my face and neck. These welts disrupted my life for almost a year, causing intense pain and inflammation that made it impossible for me to leave the house. 

I lived in Europe then, where skincare ingredient regulations are the strictest in the world. I saw doctors and holistic practitioners who diagnosed me with everything from lactose intolerance to autoimmune disorders.   

Finally, a dermatologist diagnosed me with dermatitis and chronic urticaria (hives), which were caused by my skincare products. I told her that I had been using the same products for years without any issues. She explained the link between allergens and the immune system. I was going through a divorce at the time, and the stress was weakening my body’s ability to fight off the allergens I had exposed my skin to for years. 

And so my research began. I studied common sensitizers (known allergens) used in products labeled “clean” or “luxury,” and began avoiding them. When I removed these ingredients and pared back my routine, the hives immediately began to subside.   

But with my new safe routine, I wasn’t getting the nutrients and anti-aging nourishment I sought. I searched for skincare products free of allergens that included ingredients to slow down the signs of aging and revitalize my skin, but no products like this existed. Shopping for clean products proved to be complicated. Surely it didn’t have to be like this?  

Then, during the early days of the COVID pandemic, I envisioned creating a skincare brand that would be safe for all skin types, simple to use, and highly effective. I was passionate about brands that gave back, and I couldn’t understand why consumer brands didn’t use their exposure to make a positive impact on people’s lives. This was when Koope was born.

Three rules for Koope formulations

When formulating Koope products, I follow these three rules:  

If it doesn’t benefit the skin, don’t put it in – If an ingredient is added purely to mask a scent or give a more luxurious feeling, in my opinion, it has no value and may have the potential to irritate or damage the skin. Fragrances and essential oils are high on this list. While they might add a pleasant scent, they very often cause sensitivity and, in some cases like my own, can trigger painful skin conditions.  

Not every ingredient works best applied topically – Some ingredients work wonders when applied directly to the skin. However, some work better for your skin when taken orally as a supplement or part of your diet. It’s easy to be enamored by an International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) list full of vitamins and other actives, but they’re not always working hardest when in your skincare product. We don’t fill our products with actives that we know will work better as part of a healthy diet (and unnecessarily hike up the price tag). 

Always choose vegan and cruelty-free – In addition to getting nutrient-rich ingredients from plants and seeds, by choosing only vegan ingredients,
we’re leaving out potential pesticides and animal by-products that do nothing good for our skin and bodies.   

Ingredient favorites

Hyaluronic acid – Holding up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water, this ingredient is a staple in any skincare routine. Both hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate penetrate deeply into the skin to hydrate, smooth texture, and soothe it. 

Centella – Centella asiatica is a gentle antioxidant, anticellulite, and anti-inflammatory ingredient that moisturizes and heals the skin. Some studies even suggest that it helps slow signs of aging. 

Niacinamide – This powerful ingredient helps build keratin proteins, strengthening, smoothing, and brightening the skin. There are also ongoing studies that find niacinamide helps balance oil production. 

Oat amino acids – Not only do they replace SLS/SLES, a common foaming agent known to irritate the skin, but they also help retain moisture, and soothe and soften the skin. 

Ceramides – Commonly referred to as an “anti-aging powerhouse,” ceramides are naturally occurring fatty acids. They protect against free radicals that destroy elastin and collagen. 

Koope is hyper-focused on using quality, allergen-free skin care with the finest clean ingredients while giving back to communities. Above all, Koope prioritizes people over profit because we believe in positively impacting the world. We do this by sourcing cause-driven ingredients where available, such as our baobab oil, part of the Eco-Products® foundation – a non-profit initiative committed to buying fruit directly from rural harvesters and providing under-resourced preschool areas with infrastructure, education equipment, toys, swings, and jungle gyms, right in the community the baobab is harvested.
For more, please visit our website at koope.com

Switching your skincare routine can be easy: 

• Tip 1: Ditch the dirt – If it has nasty ingredients, no need to wean off. You can ditch that product right away! 
• Tip 2: Let your skin adjust – Give your skin a few days to adjust to new ingredients, just like you would a new vitamin or supplement.
• Tip 3: Be consistent – Just like your stomach or any other part of the body, experimenting might cause discomfort. Be consistent with your products to keep
  your skin happy.