There are countless bottles and vials of beauty products that promise the key to the fountain of youth. So many of these are filled with “secret” recipes made of harsh chemical ingredients such as retinol and hyaluronic acid that actually do more damage than good. They strip away the skin’s surface and result in a thinning of cells.
At UMA, our approach to anti-aging is different: We use all natural and nurturing ingredients that clarify, rejuvenate, and strengthen the skin—deep from within. Steeped in ancient Ayurvedic principles, each of our formulas is the result of a long family tradition that dates back more than 800 years and spans across five generations. Our team of scientists has refined every step of the organic farming process to ensure every botanical ingredient we harvest, distill, and incorporate is dense with nutrients and remarkably effective, yet gentle enough for the most sensitive and finicky skin.
Ayurveda dates back five thousand years—and it is still current today. Through this ancient science, UMA elixirs enhance the skin’s natural radiance leaving it dewy, youthful, bright, and clear. If you’re curious how, or are yearning to clear a cluttered vanity filled with products claiming to deliver youth in a bottle, allow us to break it down for you.
FEEDING THE SKIN
Vibrant, healthy skin is quenched skin. As we age the epidermis loses lipids (fatty substances) that typically keep skin moisturized. Losing lipids contributes to increased signs of aging such as collagen loss, sagging, and wrinkles. Our skin also naturally thins and loses water retention, which makes it more vulnerable to inflammatory diseases and less effective at blocking damaging UV rays and balancing pH levels. The ideal approach to these concerns is to nurture and replenish the skin with nutrients and effective hydration. Instead of looking for short term solutions that strip away the skin’s barrier, we aim longevity. At UMA we use nature’s most robust components as natural substitutes for some of the most popular anti-aging ingredients. Nutrient-rich essential oils help the skin maintain an effective barrier, which, in turn, helps it to retain moisture. (One example is natural rose extract, found in our Absolute Anti-Aging Oil), which helps to balance hormones that accompany aging in the body.) Taking this holistic approach to feed the dermis leads to visibly pumper, brighter, dewier skin.
FRANKINCENSE: NATURE’S SUBSTITUTE FOR RETINOL
Retinol, also known as Vitamin A, seems like the answer to all skin prayers due to its short-term benefits; it can leave your skin glowing and blemish-free in a short period of time. Retinol works by removing the outer layer of skin—both weak and healthy cells alike. But as it is leaving a quick surface result, it is thinning the skin over time, leading it to be more vulnerable to sun damage and aging.
At UMA, we delay the skin’s aging process gently instead of stripping and peeling away layers. Frankincense—one of our favorite natural ingredients and ever-present components in all of our anti-aging products—beats out retinol hand-down. Frankincense is able to distinguish between dead and healthy cells and strengthens weak cells (unlike retinol). This allows the cells to create healthier, younger-looking skin with fewer scars and less visible signs of aging. Frankincense’s soothing qualities generate a healthier form of cellular turnover, while keeping the delicate layers of skin intact.
Healing versus peeling
Another popular anti-aging practice is skin peels. Glycolic and lactic acids peel away at the skin’s surface, causing thinning of the skin over time. Sure these peels may make your skin feel glowy for a day or two, but in the long run they’re causing more harm than good. Stripping layers of your skin is simply attacking the issue at the surface. Instead we approach the problem from within. We add nourishing oils back into the skin as a way to combat early signs of aging while simultaneously creating an effective barrier to keep out toxins.
Cost of ingredients
Unfortunately, many companies skimp on quality to reduce the costs of production. Shortcuts are taken on everything from ingredient sourcing to distillation methods—and there really is no way of knowing where the plants were harvested or how the raw materials were extracted. There is little accountability for the potency, effectiveness, and social responsibility.
Many companies don’t have the means to keep production in-house, so they outsource to get the job done in a quick and efficient manner. They aren’t working with the luxury of time on their side, as the focus is on fast output rather than quality.
Ayurvedic techniques versus Botox
Ayurveda values ritual and time. Consistent, considered, caring practice, in the form of massage and other anti-aging techniques, helps to boost health and wellbeing. At UMA, we recommend incorporating Ayurvedic techniques with our products. Spend a few minutes each day carefully massaging and exercising the complexion. Face Yoga is one of our favorite exercises for anti-aging. (We regularly do yoga for our physique, so why not our faces?) It takes less than five minutes a day and awakens the entire visage. Incorporating this practice into your skincare regime provides excellent collagen boosting, muscle firming, and wrinkle banishing support to the skin.
For centuries, the UMA estate has farmed and crafted the world’s finest organic oils. All of our botanicals are raised on our 100-acre meadow, which was carefully chosen for its nutritious soil. Our dedicated caretakers select only the finest seeds and nurse their plants through the growing season, making sure to harvest each plant no more than two times before re-planting. We use nature’s best ingredients at their peak, drying, extracting, and formulating them right next to where they’re grown.
We use specialized hand-made machinery that’s heat powered by the remaining botanicals that have already been extracted. This ensures that nothing goes to waste. Our team personally handles and oversees every part of the process, from carefully hand-plucking thousands of botanicals to fueling the machines and formulating the products you know and love.
True results
We’ve perfected and tested our formulations with meticulous attention and care—and that has led to incredible results:
- More than 1000 women have tested UMA’s proprietary formulas and reported seeing a visible improvement in the brightness and clarity of their skin.
- 93 percent of our customers have said they saw a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.
- Customers also report that UMA’s formulas provide relief from skin redness, acne scarring, sun damage, and general sensitivity.
- Dermatologists recommend UMA for rapid healing after chemical procedures.
A-Beauty, anti-aging skin care, Ayurveda, ayurvedic skin car, UMA Oils
