The Power Of Whole Plants: An Interview With Laurel Shaffer

There are all natural skincare lines, and then there are REALLY all natural skincare lines. The latter are the ones that take it a step further and really go the extra mile to ensure their products are not only as clean as they come, but also that each ingredient is there with a purpose. Laurel Whole Plant Organics is just such a line. They believe in the power of whole plants to nourish and heal our skin, along with providing the most optimal nutrients for skin (rather than the synthetic vitamins many brands use). The force behind this brand is Laurel Shaffer. She’s passionate and knowledgeable about pure ingredients and she’s someone that I really respect as a formulator. She has put so much energy, research and knowledge into everything from where the ingredients are sourced to what goes into each formulation. I could probably spend an entire afternoon talking to her about her products and philosophies on natural beauty! I’m so honored to have her here on the blog today answering some questions and sharing more about her beautiful products.

Interview with Laurel Shaffer of Laurel Whole Plant Organics

Maison Pur: Your entire line is designed to nourish skin with real, whole plant ingredients. Even out of most clean skincare brands I’ve tried, the Laurel line takes natural ingredients to a whole new level by using only organic or biodynamically grown plants and even growing a small amount yourselves. I’m fascinated and impressed by how much care you take about what goes into your products. Can you share little bit about what goes into your ingredient selection?

Laurel: Of course! During my plant medicine and botany studies, I found that plants are truly most efficacious in their most unprocessed state – straight from the earth. And obviously, skin care requires a tremendous amount of processing! White lotions do not grow on trees! I wanted to create a line that utilized all of these vital ingredients in their purest and most effective form. So really our whole plant line is so pure because of the efficacy we want to achieve with each formula. Most of our ingredients are grown exclusively for us. We have to be in contact with our farmers in January / February and let them know how much of each plant we will need for the year ahead. They plant, grow, harvest; and then send the ingredients straight to us to ‘process’ ourselves. Our processing typically includes macerations, drying, tincturing or distillation. These types of processing are chosen carefully depending on each plant, and what is best to preserve the antioxidants and vitality of each plant… keeping each plant true to its raw form. This is the opposite of typical lab processing that results in colorless, odorless, and very low natural antioxidant content if any.

..plants are truly most efficacious in their most unprocessed state – straight from the earth. -Laurel

MP: When I tried your Sun Damage Repair Facial Serum this summer, I become hooked immediately. I still can’t get over how much more hydrated and glowing my skin looks when I use it. It moisturizes my skin deeper than any of my face oils do, which seems contrary to popular belief that heavier face oils are the most moisturizing. I get a lot of reader questions about that and would love your expert opinion. How do face oils and serums work differently on our skin?

L: All skin care lines have different terminology for things like ‘serums’ and ‘elixirs’ – so I can really only speak to ours. I see facial oils as moisturizing. But I see serums as having an abundance of active constituents that are highly targeted to address an array of skin care concerns. Our serums ARE facial oils in that they are moisturizers, but they also have between 25-30 active botanicals each that address a variety of skin concerns. Also, you mention absorption; that really comes from the types of oils used. We use very light weight oils with small molecular chains that absorb rapidly into the skin. Heavier oils like Olive, Tamanu or Avocado we would only use very sparingly, as they can take longer to absorb. Lastly, oil rancidity is all too common in our industry and rancid oils don’t absorb well either, so that could be a red flag if your facial oil isn’t absorbing well.

MP: One of the philosophies of Laurel Whole Plant Organics is not to force your skin with harsh ingredients to get results. Instead you try to address the whole health of the skin to let it function as it should. How can this be accomplished when there are issues already there (acne, aging, etc)?

L: EVERY single existing skin care issue is a result of inflammation and free radical exposure internally and externally. Since raw organic plants are far more abundant in antioxidants than lab created ingredients, we find that whole plants are actually drastically more effective than anything else. It’s important to address inflammation (even if you don’t think you need to, it is necessary for everyone!), and to feed the skin with antioxidants from whole raw plants and this brings the skin to a healthy state. Once the skin is in a healthy state things typically fall into place. For more severe cases, we do have products that utilize plants that have medicinal actions that treat acne or hyper pigmentation for example. But treating inflammation and nourishing the skin with antioxidants should be step one for everyone in a result driven skin care ritual.

MP: As a brand that’s also intertwined in the spa and wellness industry, I noticed that you encourage “slow beauty” and taking the time to really care for ourselves. As someone who often doesn’t give myself enough time to really relax or care for myself, how would you recommend incorporating that into my routine? Are there ways to make an everyday skincare routine a little more spa-like?

L: Self-care is so important, and I honestly consider it one of the least selfish things you can do. Anytime that you make time to slow down, quiet your mind, and care for yourself helps you come out the other side a person who can be more present and more giving and caring to those in your life. Any amount of time will help! Self-care can be as simple as making yourself tea in the afternoon and mindfully enjoying it, or taking time for a 10 minute walking meditation in the morning. As for in your skin care routine, that can also be incredibly simple (or elaborate depending on YOU!). When I am incredibly busy and stressed, I typically at least find time to wash my face. When I wash my face, I breathe in the scents and aromas of the plants in our Cleanser formula. When I do that, I sink into it, and it makes me think about all the ingredients that went into that formula… how many farmers? How many Chamomile flowers?! That beautiful raw honey that was harvested just a few miles from our studio. This process of washing my face only takes a few minutes, but I am so present and grateful in those few minutes for those plants and ingredients being brought together just for me to enjoy that moment, that I always feel renewed afterwards.

MP: Both times I’ve seen you in person, I immediately noticed that your skin looks amazing. It’s definitely a testament to your whole line! But I have to ask, do you have any favorites from your line that you swear by everyday?

L: I have a simple 3 step routine that I could not live without each day: Cleanser, Elixir and Serum. If I have time for nothing else, then I know I can count on those simple three steps to leave me with the glow and dewiness that I am after! As for which Cleanser, Elixir, and Serum that typically changes depending on the season, or time in my life.. But these days, I’m using the Oily/Combo Cleanser and Oily/Combo Elixir. Both are high in anti-inflammatory, soothing, and balancing plants like Chamomile, Helichrysum, and Calendula. For my serum, I am currently using the Antioxidant Serum. That one is absolutely my favorite, and I use it whenever I can! It’s abundant with raw and vital building blocks for healthy skin, found in ingredients like Rose Hip Seed Oil, Iranian Rose, and Pomegranate.

You can find Laurel’s extensive line with products for every skin type on their site. They are also sold by several retailers, including Beauty Heroes (and BH members can save 15% on products there). Some of my favorites are the Sun Damage Repair Facial Serum, Antioxidant Facial serum (which I just started trying and already love), and the Honey Berry Enzyme Facial Mask. Their face serums will surprise you by how light weight they are and yet, they’re so moisturizing. No matter what you try from Laurel Whole Plant Organics, you know it will be made with the purest ingredients and a lot of love and care. xo