Introducing mindbodygreen's Postbiotic Hand Wash For Softer, More Hydrated Skin

Of all the personal hygiene and beauty rituals we practice day-to-day, washing our hands is the step done most. Yet, it’s rarely thought about. Folks who will spend top dollar for serums or spend hours researching the best creams, will then grab any ole formula of hand wash. 

But let me make a case for the unsung hero of body care: A poorly formulated hand wash—one that’s harsh and drying—can do a lot of damage to your delicate skin. So many options out there are irritating and strip the skin of its precious moisture barrier—every day, several times a day. Again and again and again. 

Lots of folks ask me about hand care: how they can fade dark spots, plump up a crepey appearance, smooth fine lines, and just generally help them look younger. I always refer them to a good hand cream, one loaded with hydrating humectants, conditioning lipids, and brightening antioxidants. 

But a piece of the bigger picture was missing. No matter how diligently users applied the hand cream, the skin was ultimately going to be stripped again once they went to go use a less-than-ideal soap. 

mindbodygreen’s postbiotic hand wash is a softening bland that helps your skin feel fresh and invigorated throughout the day. Thanks to its blend of biome-friendly ingredients, antioxidants, and hydrating natural extracts, it nurtures your skin while you're washing.

I’ll start with the gentle, plant-derived surfactants that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils, weaken the barrier, or disrupt the biome, and yet still provides a sensorial appealing light lather. The surfactants are all made from readily available renewable sources such as coconuts, and are fully biodegradable. They are proven safe in wash-off formulas (please note: you should never leave surfactants on the skin—no matter how gentle).

From there, the formula is rounded out with organic aloe vera, red algae and botanical oils for hydration. Aloe is a natural humectant that can help fade dark spots and soothe inflammation—and gives this body wash a cushiony-gel texture. It also contains cold-pressed, organic moringa seed oil and oat oil, two botanical oils ideal for sensitive skin. For example, studies suggest that oat oil has been known to boost ceramide levels in the skin1. Moringa seed oil is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids to bolster the skin barrier. Finally, the red algea extract is shown to promote your skin cell’s natural hyaluronic acid synthesis2, which means your skin is better equipped to hold onto water throughout the day.

The gel wash is silky and smooth, but then builds into lush, plush lather cradles the hands like a soft blanket. After, hands feel somehow more hydrated than they were before. The skin is supple and soft. I no longer get cracked skin or frayed cuticles—and the skin looks bright. 

It’s an absolute pleasure. 

And the scent, oh the scent. For top notes, you’ll smell bergamot, ylang-ylang, and petitgrain. In the middle, neroli is the predominant note. The base is warm cedarwood. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: In our formulation process, we believe it’s important to outline what you do want, rather than what you don’t. For the hand wash, the vision was clear. 

We wanted a cleanser that wouldn’t strip the skin with harsh sulfates, but instead used gentle plant-derived surfactants that were biodegradable (and thus won’t pollute the waterways when washed off back down the drain). It was important that we infused the formula with hydrating humectants and conditioning botanical oils, so it would leave the skin more moisturized and supple than before. We also wanted the wash to improve the health and appearance of the skin, so it contains a host of antioxidants, biotech biotic actives, and barrier-supporting extracts. 

Additionally we also know a vital part of keeping you healthy is by putting the formula through testing to confirm that the product will remain stable and safe through its shelf life. These have been tested to ensure preservative efficacy and will regularly undergo batch testing during the production process. 

We use a natural, patented preservative system known as Geogard Ultra®. It is a synergistic blend of gluconolactone and sodium benzoate that not only has broad-spectrum preservation efficacy but can actually contribute to skin hydration. The blend is in compliance with ECOCERT/COSMOS, NATRUE and the Soil Association.

When we talk about sustainability, of course we have to discuss packaging and manufacturing. The bottle is aluminum, which is one of the most sustainable materials as it has a high probability of actually being re-used. 

Please, I implore you: Do not overlook your hand wash. It’s a vital step that you do multiple times a day. If you’re not using a caring, comforting formula, it has the potential to wreak havoc on the skin, leading to dryness, dullness, and fine lines.