Tune In: All The Things Your Skin Is Craving — According to An Esthetician

I chatted with holistic esthetician Lesley Thornton, founder of KLUR, for an episode of Clean Beauty School. Even before we started the episode, I knew we shared a lot of the same opinions about the beauty space we both occupy: That natural and synthetic aren't mutually exclusive, skin care is deeply personal, and it's important to find products you actually want to use, and that the skin should serve as our best teacher on how to care for it.

"I take a holistic approach grounded in science. The skin is an exterior organ that is a communicator. It's connected to billions of cells and nerves and becomes an extension of our whole health," she tells me. "I have no interest in the latest skin care trends. I care about what works for the skin."

"You hear so often that your cleanser doesn't matter," she says. I, too, still hear this advice far too much. While there is truth to the fact that a cleanser is a wash-off product, and thus isn't great for delivering potent activities—that doesn't mean it's an afterthought. 

"Cleansing happens about 14 times a week. It's the thing you use the most out of your routine. It is the backbone of your routine," she continues. "And you can do so much damage with a cleanser. What good is retinol if your barrier is compromised?"

Your skin naked has a wide variety of things on its own: collagen, elastin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides, squalane, and antioxidants. Yes, all buzzy skin care ingredients. And as Thornton notes, these can serve as inspiration for your own product lineup.

"I often get asked what [these ingredients] can do. Just ask your skin! It's been making them since you've been alive," she says. "You should be replenishing what comes out of the skin naturally."

The beauty industry can get pretty particular about its sunscreen types. And while it's good to be diligent about the ingredients you're putting on your skin, ultimately, the best options are simply the ones that you'll use. 

"The best sunscreen is the sunscreen that you'll actually wear," she says. "I don't argue with people about sunscreen types. Do you wear it? Great."