We believe that small is beautiful, particularly when it's a serum presented in a recyclable and pocketable pouch that’s from the new forward-thinking and circular economy skincare Matter of Skin. At The Amazing Blog, we’ve been itching to try this new brand and were lucky enough to be sent their serum LEE: Skin Barrier Osmolyte Concentrate, a lightweight, water-based serum that encourages skin barrier repair and long-term hydration with a high concentration of pro barrier actives. However, what caught our eye was that it’s formulated with upcycled ingredients and presented in a recyclable pouch, which means less waste, and of course, it’s better for our planet.
The talented Caitlyn Smith founded this natural skincare Matter of Skin. It has taken two years in the making, and she’s incorporated all her knowledge and experience from working with other skincare companies - thus giving her an insight into the best supply chain and formulations. She is also part of the emerging trend of ‘circular beauty’. This means that Matter of Skin has a minimal waste policy, and encourages the reuse of their packaging materials to expand the life-cycle of products.
Matter of Skin strives to break down information barriers, and states, "We believe the more you know, the better," Caitlyn is always thinking of new and innovative products to add to the brand portfolio; they launched with only two products: VIC and LEE. Both of these have been designed with full circle sustainability, as well as the use of actives, bridging the gap between performance and sustainability. Her company's goal is to assess every aspect of the product, including those that are ‘invisible’ to the consumer, offering innovation and minimising any environmental impact. The brands' key attributes include using 100% upcycled ingredients, zero waste packaging, a highly energy-efficient manufacturing process and solar-powered distribution. Examining their supply chain to ensure every step is done as carbon friendly as possible, is of the utmost importance. Not only are these serums effective, but they’re also all-natural and vegan, and come with traceability and stability testing with a full safety assessment. They manufacture in the UK using 100% renewable energy and low waste, with over 2000 solar panels on the warehouse's roof producing 212.10 kWp of energy – saving 93.7 tones of C02 a year. Matter of Skin affirms, "Our spout pouches on the product utilise approximately 80% less plastic by volume with a lower carbon footprint than industry packaging options." Their pouches are digitally printed, with no additional packaging labels or cartons required. All formulations have successfully passed 12 weeks of regulatory preservative challenge testing as well as stability and compatibility tests. Students can get a 15% discount on products, and as if it couldn't get any more eco-friendly, the shipment for these serums is free on £28 and above orders and is carbon neutral. Matter of Skin ships your products in biodegradable cardboard boxes obtained from FSC-managed forests and manufactured from 75% recycled materials. They recently won the ‘Best Circular Economy Beauty Brand’ at the 2023 Beauty Shortlist Awards.
We tried the LEE: Skin Barrier Osmolyte Concentrate; it’s a clear, fragrance-free and gel-like serum that contains plenty of natural, hydrating key actives with betaine, ectoin, lactobacillus ferment, lactobacillus bamboo ferment filtrate, radish root ferment filtrate, chia seed oil, and inulin.
Betaine is a mighty amino acid discovered in sugar beet molasses and has powerful protective and humectant properties, enhancing the skin's ability to attract and retain moisture effectively. It simultaneously hydrates and protects the skin. Ectoin works as a powerful barrier to environmental toxins, is a microbiome protectant and is a clinically proven organic osmolyte known as an "extremolyte ". It supports the skin's defence system against external stressors, including pollution, blue light and UV-induced damage. It also attracts and binds water to skin cells, forming a protective hydration barrier and minimising inflammation, irritation, and dehydration. There are both probiotics and prebiotics in the serum. The probiotic lactobacillus ferment, lab-created, and non-living probiotic ingredient that plays a role in helping the skin’s microbiome. The other lactobacillus bamboo ferment and radish root are both prebiotic and antioxidant; they help to strengthen the skin barrier and minimise any irritation as they nourish and support collagen synthesis, fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. Chia seed oil is a rich source of fatty acids, and forms a protective barrier on the skin. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-pollution properties make it ideal for those who struggle with sudden skin flare-ups. Finally, Inulin is usually derived from chicory root or sugarcane; as a natural humectant, it draws water into the skin; it’s also prebiotic and can play a role in healing skin sensitivity.
LEE serum is not just a serum; it can also be used as an effective stand-alone moisturiser. Primarily it gives the skin the ability to defend itself from its environmental aggressors thanks to the lactobacillus ferment. With a viscous, almost gel-like texture, very little is needed. We used a few drops on clean damp skin, which swiftly absorbed, leaving skin ready for our daily SPF. They say that it’s at its most effective when used in the morning or mixed with your daily moisturiser, to protect skin against pollution and stressors. It's also microbiome-friendly, which means the product does not disturb the skin's microbial balance. An imbalanced microbiome could lead to skin issues such as acne or eczema. We found that a little goes a long way, and it adapted well to all our different skin types. We also found that whether skin tended to lean towards dryness, sensitivity or a combination of both, this serum helped improve the skin's overall appearance. We also found it helped offset factors leading to redness and dryness. A big plus, for us, is that this serum is both versatile and easily portable. The pouches slip neatly into any small bag, so, if needed, a top-up can be applied throughout the day.
To purchase the LEE: The Skin Barrier Osmolyte Concentrate in 30ml for £28 click here.