IOKA Skincare has a Hydrating Facial protocol that is filled with delicious hydrating products that Barry and Jenni both have used and LOVE! This brand also elevates hydration with its science-backed formulations that include the hugely popular ingredient, NAD+.
Thanks to IOKA Skincare for sponsoring this content.
Get To Know IOKA Skincare
Olga Goldberger, a molecular biologist, who worked for many years in the research labs of Harvard Medical School, founded IOKA Skin+Science in 2022. IOKA was rebranded in 2022, the former name of the company was Arboretum Skincare, since 2016.
IOKA is Emulsifier-Free Skincare
Olga saw a need for an emulsifier-free skincare line (she personally developed sensitivity to some emulsifiers) since there are so few of them on the market. Emulsifiers are chemicals needed to mix oil and water in the formulas, and sometimes they can stay in the skin longer and every time you wash your face emulsifiers help bind water and natural lipids from your skin, ultimately making it dryer and potentially disrupting the skin barrier function. It is a known effect called the “wash-out effect”, although not many people know about it.
IOKA decided to replace common chemical emulsifiers with plant-based phospholipids. Phospholipids can do the same job of mixing oil and water, but they are wonderful for the skin and healing for skin barrier function.
Emulsifier-free products are especially beneficial for people with all kinds of skin barrier damage- dry and dehydrated skin, oily skin/acne, rosacea and sensitive skin, UV damaged skin and also for people going through chemotherapy and radiation.
IOKA is ALL ABOUT HEALING DAMAGED SKIN BARRIER AND MAINTAINING ITS HEALTH.
2 Stellar Emulsifier-Free Products: Ageless Boost + Firming Antioxidant Serum
IOKA believes in science, discoveries, and was the first on the market, in 2016, to introduce NAD+ boosters into their revolutionary anti-aging products – Ageless Boost and Firming Antioxidant Serum. NAD+ is a cofactor present in all cells of our body that is important for multiple cellular functions including aging (and skin aging). It goes down with age and boosting its presence in skin can stimulate your own skin’s stem cells, which in turn helps to preserve a youthful and healthy look. But it is not enough to just add NAD+ to the topical product- it needs to be synthesized in our body to be effective. That’s why we use so-called NAD+ “Boosters” to stimulate production of your own NAD+ in your skin cells (NMN and Niacinamide). IOKA has a proprietary technology to protect sensitive NAD+ boosters inside the liposomes, tiny delivery vehicles, which are able to deliver bioactive ingredients deep into the skin. So it is a “slow delivery” but fast results! Most people see the difference in their skin within 2-4 days of use! Skin becomes more hydrated and supple very quickly.
Two of IOKA’s products became finalists in Clean Beauty Awards 2024- Ageless Boost and Blue Hydrating Mask (Sleeping mask).
IOKA’s ingredients are mostly organic, vegan, and free of fragrances, parabens, sulfates, PEGs, mineral oil, propylene glycol-and we added emulsifiers to this list too!
IOKA is Changing The Face of Skincare
IOKA Skin+Science is a purely natural, scientist-formulated skincare line empowering you to achieve and maintain beautiful, healthy skin at every age. We source the highest quality ingredients that, when carefully combined, are uniquely designed to stimulate the skin’s natural ability to repair, renew, and look positively radiant. Our products are all produced in small batches, by hand, in Boston, Massachusetts.
The IOKA Skincare Hydrating Facial
Cleanse with Gentle Herbal Cleanser and remove with a warm towel.
Mix Spirulina-Acai Mask powder with Papaya Enzyme Activator and Apply on the skin for 5 min. Alternatively, apply Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator, massaging gently into the skin. Leave for 4-6 minutes. Remove with a warm towel.
Tone the skin with Liposomal Toner Serum, using cotton squares, making sure to take all the residue. Spray Toner Serum on the brush, apply again, and leave on the skin for 30 seconds.
Apply Hydrating emulsion and massage for a few minutes. Apply a Blue Hydrating Mask and massage for a few minutes. Leave on the skin for 20 minutes, adding more mask and Hydrating emulsion if the skin absorbs it. It helps to cover the face with precut facial cotton sheet. Remove the mask with a warm towel and apply a little bit of Firming Antioxidant serum, follow with Ageless Boost and 1-2 drops of Illuminating Oil (optional).
Barry + Jenni Weigh in on the Key Products of the IOKA Hydrating Facial
Get rid of dirt, excess oil, and daily make-up while retaining your skin’s moisture barrier with our Gentle Herbal Cleanser.Natural ingredients like Pineapple, Vitamin E and Honeysuckle help to calm and clear the skin, while tightening your pores and fighting impurities.
Ingredient Spotlight:
- Pineapple enzymes for gentle exfoliation
- Willowbark extract to refine the pores
- Calendula extract to firm and hydrate the skin
“This lightweight cream cleanser is rich and nourishing. It’s wonderful to massage into the skin and it rinses off without leaving the skin feeling greasy. I love to leave it on my neck and face to get a smooth glide for shaving. I first cleanse with a gel cleanser and then massage the Gentle Herbal Cleanser on my face, then leave it on for a few minutes as a mask. I shave my neck and face and then rinse off what is remaining.” Barry Eichner
This truly multifunctional product acts as a toner, removing impurities and balancing pH levels, as well as a light, hydrating serum that perfectly conditions your skin before applying a firming serum or cream. With active ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Willow Bark Extract, Calendula, and Licorice Root extracts, it instantly soothes, hydrates, and leaves your skin with a noticeably silky glow.
Ingredient Spotlight:
- Hyaluronic acid to naturally moisturize
- Calendula and Licorice extracts to fight acne-causing bacteria
- Probiotic peptides for antimicrobial support & to calm irritation
“This toner is a refreshing addition to my morning home care. My skin loves this right after shaving and rinsing off the cleanser. It adds hydration and leaves my skin dewy fresh, ready to receive the serums and moisturizers.” Barry Eichner
“This toner was a must in my post CO2 laser treatment recovery! Once I started back on a regular skincare routine, I was misting this toner on my face several times a day; it’s a thicker consistency, so it felt more like a serum-mist. I love it!” Jenni Nagle
The Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator is designed to effectively exfoliate even the most sensitive skin without any of the irritation associated with chemical exfoliants. The exfoliant can be used on all skin types.
Superfruit enzymes are a unique blend of Pomegranate, Starfruit, Passion fruit, Kiwi, Mangosteen, Pineapple, Lychee, Indian Jujube, and Guava extracts, all combined with Prickly Pear extracts to scrub dead skin away. While scrubbing, tiny starch spheres (only 180 microns in size) help clean the skin, leaving it smooth and bright.
Ingredient spotlight:
- Superfruit Enzyme blend help to exfoliate the skin
- Tiny Starch Spheres gently scrub the skin, leaving it smooth and ready for a moisturizer
- Aloe Leaf Extract contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C and it is highly anti-inflammatory.
“This gentle exfoliator was the ideal way to slough off the remaining shedding skin after my CO2 laser treatment. It has the most subtle hint of grit, and after a gentle massage, you can leave the product on to allow the enzymes to further exfoliate.” Jenni Nagle
This lightweight botanical-enriched moisture lotion instantly softens and rehydrates the skin. The all-natural formula enhances skin clarity leaving skin feeling smooth and supple and reduces the pore size. It can be used by itself as a light moisturizer or as an extra layer under night cream. Use it for a gentle massage together with Blue Hydrating Mask. Rich in liposomes and ceramides combined with herbal extracts.
“This moisturizer has a thin consistency, glides on smoothly, and drenches the skin with hydration. A little goes a long way! It’s the perfect lightweight moisturizer to apply after the deeply nourishing and rich serums. ” Barry Eichner
Our ultra-moisturizing mask provides long-lasting hydration for all skin types. Packed with active, natural ingredients like Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, and super-antioxidant Methylene Blue, this mask will leave you with supple, smooth, and radiant skin.
Ingredient Spotlight:
- Organic Aloe Vera and Marula Oil to moisturize the skin
- Ceramides to hydrate and boost your skin’s barrier function
- Peptides to relax fine lines
“Cooling and refreshing! Ideal for any skin type, but was especially delightful to soothe my skin after a CO2 laser treatment when I was still taking extra caution and adding in as much moisture as possible!” Jenni Nagle
Our Firming Antioxidant Serum combines high-potency, natural ingredients to firm and rejuvenate your skin. Gotu Kola and Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extracts combine with Ceramides and Algae extract to boost the antioxidant function of cells and instantly tighten, tone, and strengthen your skin.
Ingredient Spotlight:
- NAD boosters, including NMN and Niacinamide, to stimulate your skin’s innate ability to heal and moisturize itself
- Pepha-tight™ (Algae extract) and Syn-Hycan™ peptide to tighten and tone your skin
- A proprietary, natural Pterostilbene extract (the primary antioxidant component of blueberries) that works to brighten your skin and prevent inflammation
“This serum is lightweight and has a thin viscosity and massages easily into the skin. This serum is incredibly hydrating while infusing the skin with potent ingredients. I massage it into my under eye area and around my orbital ridge to help plump up the fine lines.” Barry Eichner
This powerful, high-performance cream helps to minimize the signs of time and brighten your complexion. Using powerful cellular rejuvenation ingredients, Ageless Boost improves the appearance of fine lines and restores radiance to dull skin.
Ingredient Spotlight:
- NAD boosters, including niacinamide and NMN, to defend your skin against UV damage while stimulating your skin’s innate ability to heal and moisturize itself
- A proprietary, natural Pterostilbene extract (the primary antioxidant component of blueberries) that works to brighten your skin, improve elasticity and texture
- Ceramides to firm your skin and increase microcirculation.
“This cream is delicious. It has a rich lotion consistency and leaves my skin dewey and plump. My skin loves to drink this in, I love that IOKA Skincare suggested layering it with the Firming Antioxidant Serum. My skin just loves it.” Barry Eichner