Visiting my grandparents’ farm, surrounded by watermelon, squash, and wild berries, I learned the power of natural, wholesome ingredients. That same philosophy guides my work as a licensed esthetician, which is why I build routines around EWG verified skincare — products that are safe, transparent, and barrier-friendly.
Our licensed esthetician and organic skincare formulator has over 17 years of experience.
We've helped countless people achieve healthy skin without toxic ingredients.
After years of researching clean skincare and curating high-performing products, we understand what works—and what’s just hype.
Table of contents
From the Farm to the Lab What Does “EWG Verified Skincare” Actually Mean? The Esthetician’s Secret: Respecting the Barrier Non Stripping Face Cleanser Benefits Understanding Glycolic Cleanser Benefits Why a Plant Based Skin Care Line Matters in 2026 Targeted Solutions for Modern Skin Concerns On the Go: Facial Wipes for Oily Acne Prone Skin Sunday Reset: A Soothing Face Mask for Sensitive Skin Deep Clean Strategy: Charcoal the Right Way The Professional Difference Your Health Is Beautiful Ready to Transition?
From the Farm to the Lab
I grew up with red clay under my nails and the smell of warm earth in the air.
My grandfather grew sweet potatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, tomatoes, okra, collards, and turnips. In the summer, the vines stretched wide and heavy, and everything tasted like sunshine.
My father told stories of roasting fresh-harvested sweet potatoes outside over an open fire, the aroma drifting through the yard, wrapping the whole family in warmth.
My grandmother would pick wild figs, blueberries, blackberries, and plums—her hands stained purple by the end of the day.
Nothing was processed. Nothing was synthetic. Everything came from the soil.
That was my first lesson in integrity.
Years later, in beauty school, I found myself surrounded by products filled with artificial fragrance, harsh surfactants, and ingredient lists that read more like chemistry textbooks than nourishment.
As I studied skin physiology, inflammation pathways, and barrier repair, something didn’t sit right.
Why were we treating the body’s largest organ with ingredients we wouldn’t dare eat?
That tension followed me into my career as an esthetician.
I didn’t just want to create another brand; I wanted to build a plant based skin care line that honored both the simplicity of the farm and the rigor of the lab. A line that met the clinical standards I required for my clients — and the ingredient integrity I grew up around.
That’s why Purely Striking is rooted in two worlds:
Soil and science
Heritage and formulation
Nature and evidence
And it’s why EWG verified skincare became non-negotiable for me.
Safety should never be assumed. It should be verified.
What Does “EWG Verified Skincare” Actually Mean?
When you see the words “EWG Verified,” it’s not just marketing language.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit organization known for its strict ingredient review process. Their verification program evaluates products based on:
Ingredient safety
Transparency
Health impact
Contamination concerns
Full ingredient disclosure
In a world full of “clean beauty” claims and vague green labels, EWG verified skincare represents a higher level of accountability.
As a formulator, that matters to me.
It means:
No hidden fragrance loopholes
No ingredients flagged for endocrine disruption
No unnecessary harsh preservatives
Full transparency
Growing up with fresh produce and roasted sweet potatoes taught me patience — the best flavors take time. Your skin works the same way. It doesn’t need harsh interventions; it needs consistent, gentle care.
That’s why I’m developing my own non stripping face cleanser, designed to respect your skin barrier while providing effective cleansing. In the meantime, I recommend a trusted non stripping face cleanser I personally use and sell — one that balances efficacy and barrier protection.
In a world of greenwashing, EWG verified skincare is the gold standard for safety. It’s why our EWG top rated sunscreen is a non-negotiable for my clients.
Sunscreen is your first line of defense against premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and barrier breakdown. If it’s not safe enough for everyday use, it doesn’t belong in your routine.
At Purely Striking, select core products are EWG Verified — specifically the ones used daily and layered directly onto the skin.
Cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen form the foundation of long-term skin health, so that’s where we prioritize third-party verification.
Not every product category is structured the same, and transparency matters more than blanket claims.
The Esthetician’s Secret: Respecting the Barrier
Here’s what most people get wrong:
They over-cleanse.
They over-exfoliate.
They chase “squeaky clean.”
But healthy skin is not squeaky. It’s balanced.
Your skin barrier—the outermost layer of the epidermis—acts like a brick wall. The skin cells are the bricks. Lipids are the mortar.
Non Stripping Face Cleanser Benefits
When you use harsh soaps or stripping cleansers, you break down that mortar. The result?
Irritation
Tightness
Increased oil production
Breakouts
Sensitivity
That’s why a non stripping face cleanser is the true foundation of any routine.
A properly formulated cleanser should:
Remove excess oil without dissolving protective lipids
Maintain a skin-friendly pH
Support the microbiome
Leave skin feeling comfortable—not tight
Whether you’re using a trusted non stripping face cleanser I carry now, or waiting for my own formulation, this step is the foundation of healthy skin. It allows moisturizers for irritated skin and EWG verified sunscreen to perform at their best.
Understanding Glycolic Cleanser Benefits
Exfoliation is not the enemy. Over-exfoliation is.
When used strategically, glycolic acid offers powerful benefits:
Encourages cell turnover
Improves texture
Brightens dull skin
Helps with mild congestion
The key is balance. A well-formulated cleanser with gentle resurfacing properties allows you to experience glycolic cleanser benefits without compromising barrier integrity.
But exfoliation must always be paired with recovery.
That’s where a moisturizer for irritated skin becomes essential. After using active ingredients, your skin needs replenishment.
Look for ingredients that calm inflammation and reinforce the lipid barrier—think ceramides, plant oils, and humectants.
Professional skin health isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what’s necessary—and nothing excessive.
Why a Plant Based Skin Care Line Matters in 2026
Consumers today are more educated than ever.
They read labels.
They Google ingredients.
They care about sourcing.
But plant-based doesn’t automatically mean effective. And clinical doesn’t automatically mean harsh.
The future of skincare lives at the intersection of both.
A plant based skin care line should:
Use botanicals with proven research behind them
Combine natural extracts with safe, evidence-based actives
Avoid unnecessary fillers
Be formulated with stability and compatibility testing
As a licensed esthetician, I formulate with both nature and science in mind. The farm taught me simplicity. The lab taught me precision. You need both.
Targeted Solutions for Modern Skin Concerns
Modern life brings modern skin challenges—stress, pollution, travel, hormonal fluctuations.
Here’s how to address them without overwhelming your barrier:
On the Go: Facial Wipes for Oily Acne Prone Skin
Let’s be clear: not every product in a routine has to be EWG Verified to serve a purpose.
Our facial wipes for oily acne prone skin are designed for convenience — post-workout, travel days, long commutes — but they are not a replacement for your full cleansing routine and they are not EWG Verified.
Here’s why that matters.
Wipes often require different preservation systems to maintain stability and prevent contamination inside sealed packaging.
While we formulate with safety and skin health in mind, the structure of wipe products can make certain verification pathways more complex.
So I always recommend this:
Use wipes as a temporary reset — not your daily foundation.
Our facial wipes are perfect for removing sweat, oil, and surface impurities before they have a chance to clog pores.
While they’re not a replacement for a full cleansing routine or EWG verified products, they’re a convenient way to refresh skin after workouts, travel, or long days.
For best results, gently wipe the T-zone first and follow up with your non stripping face cleanser later to maintain barrier health.
Your core routine — your non stripping face cleanser, your moisturizer for irritated skin, your EWG top rated sunscreen — that’s where verification and barrier support matter most.
Convenience products serve moments.
Your verified essentials protect your long-term health.
Transparency is part of clean beauty.
And your trust matters more than a label.
Sunday Reset: A Soothing Face Mask for Sensitive Skin
Barrier repair requires rest.
A soothing face mask for sensitive skin can:
Reduce redness
Calm inflammation
Replenish hydration
Support healing
Use it once or twice a week as your reset ritual. Think of it as therapy for overstimulated skin.
Deep Clean Strategy: Charcoal the Right Way
Charcoal masks are powerful—but they should be targeted.
Pro Tip:
Apply charcoal treatments only to the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), where oil production is highest. Avoid the cheeks if you’re prone to dryness or sensitivity.
Overuse can lead to unnecessary dehydration, which triggers even more oil production.
Balance always wins.
The Professional Difference
The skincare industry is crowded.
But here’s the truth:
Not every “clean” product is clinically sound.
Not every clinical product respects the barrier.
Not every brand prioritizes transparency.
Verification isn’t about marketing badges — it’s about accountability.
That’s why we pursue EWG verification where it impacts your daily exposure most. Your cleanser. Your moisturizer. Your sunscreen.
Because skincare is cumulative. And cumulative exposure deserves thoughtful standards.
Choosing EWG verified skincare ensures:
Ingredient integrity
Transparent labeling
Safety backed by independent review
Barrier-conscious formulation
And when that standard is combined with a thoughtfully developed plant based skin care line, you get something powerful: professional-grade care that honors your long-term health.
Your Health Is Beautiful
When I think about skincare, I don’t just think about glow.
I think about my grandfather standing in rows of watermelon and collards, patient enough to let them grow at their natural pace.
I think about my grandmother’s hands stained deep purple from wild blackberries and figs — never rushing the harvest, never forcing what wasn’t ready.
I think about my father, roasting freshly harvested sweet potatoes over an open fire, savoring each slow, intentional moment.
Healthy habits take time.
They need the right environment.
The right nourishment.
The right protection.
Your skin is no different.
It doesn’t need to be stripped, over-scrubbed, or overwhelmed with aggressive treatments. It needs balance. It needs integrity. It needs ingredients chosen with intention.
That’s why I built a plant based skin care line rooted in both soil and science.
That’s why EWG verified skincare is our standard — not a trend.
Because just like the food that grew from my grandparents’ land, what you put on your body matters. Daily exposure compounds. Small choices add up.
A non stripping face cleanser protects your barrier the way rich soil protects roots.
A moisturizer for irritated skin restores what’s been depleted.
An EWG top rated sunscreen shields you the way shade protects ripening fruit.
Skincare isn’t about chasing perfection.
It’s about cultivating health.
And health — real, supported, resilient health — is beautiful.
Ready to Transition?
Ready to transition to a cleaner, barrier-supportive routine?
Start with a trusted non stripping face cleanser I personally use and recommend. Then stay tuned for my own formulation, coming soon, crafted to blend farm-inspired simplicity with lab-tested safety.
Because when nature and science grow together, your skin doesn’t just glow.
It thrives. 🌿
