Botanical formulations developed over more than twenty years, designed to work in harmony with your skin.
Skincare companies want to sell you their product, that’s fair, we understand that’s their whole role. But we humans are holistic beings and all parts of our lives touch the others. Similarly skin is not separate from the rest of your life. It is touched by your pillowcase, your washing powder, your toothpaste, your shower gel, your flannel, your shampoo, your diet, your stress levels, your hormones and the weather. It is affected by what you remove, what you apply, what you eat, what you breathe in and what your body has available to repair itself.
That does’t mean every skin concern can be solved by buying more things. Often, it means the opposite. Sometimes the most useful question is not “what should I add?” but “what’s irritating my skin before my skincare even begins?”
This is where a more holistic approach becomes useful, in a very practical sense. Your skin has a barrier. That barrier is physical, biological and chemical. It is made partly of skin cells and partly of lipids, the fats that sit between those cells and help keep water in and irritants out. When that structure is disrupted, water escapes more easily from the skin. This is known as transepidermal water loss, or TEWL, and it is one of the ways researchers measure how well the skin barrier is functioning. Higher TEWL is generally associated with a weaker or more disrupted barrier, which is why damaged skin often feels tight, dry, rough, reactive or oddly shiny and uncomfortable at the same time. Research into skin barrier function regularly uses TEWL as a marker because it gives a measurable sense of how much water is escaping through the outer layer of the skin.
At Heior, this matters because the point of our oils and balms isn’t to bully the skin into behaving. It’s to support it. Plant oils, butters and waxes can help soften, comfort and reduce moisture loss from the surface, but even the best balm is being asked to fight uphill if everything around the skin is constantly stripping, irritating or disturbing it.
One of the most overlooked influences on skin is laundry. We tend to think about skincare because its the obvious products we apply, but your skin is in contact with fabric for almost every hour of the day. Pillowcases, sheets, towels, bras, jumpers, pyjamas, scarves, bedding and gym clothes all sit against the skin, often for longer than any skincare product does.
For people with sensitive, reactive, dry or eczema-prone skin, laundry products can make a real difference. Fragrance, detergent residue, optical brighteners, dyes and overuse of washing liquid can all be irritating for some people. This does not mean everyone needs to panic about their washing powder, but if your skin is persistently itchy, dry, inflamed or reactive in areas covered by clothing, it’s worth looking at what’s sitting against it.
A simple change can be to use less detergent, avoid fabric conditioner, choose a fragrance-free laundry product and add an extra rinse if your machine allows it. Fragrance-free ranges such as Ecover Zero can sit sensibly in this wider picture, not because washing liquid is skincare, but because reducing unnecessary irritation gives skincare a better chance to do its job.
You could check out washing liquid such as Ecover Laundry Washing Liquid and the accompanying Ecover Zero Fabric Softener for Sensitive Skin and even Ecover Washing Up Liquid if you hand wash dishes. That exposure to the detergents once or twice a day could make a big difference to dry and cracked hands. For those who want plant power but with a fantastic scent whilst evading harsh chemicals, we’re loving Tallow & Ash. For all other cleaning needs we love Method and you can find the range here.
Laundry product choices are particularly relevant for body skin. If your arms, chest, back, legs or neck are dry and reactive, the answer may not be another active ingredient. It may be softer washing habits, cooler showers, less aggressive scrubbing and a richer product afterwards. A body oil (coming soon to Heior) can support the skin after bathing by helping soften and condition the surface, while richer balms such as Hero Balm or Psoriassist oil can be useful where the skin feels dry, weathered or unsettled. The product matters, but so does the environment you are asking it to work in.
There’s also the issue of what we wash with. Flannels, shower puffs, exfoliating gloves and cleansing cloths can be useful, but they can also become part of the problem if they are not cleaned and dried properly. Anything that stays damp in a warm bathroom is going to be more inviting to microbes than something that dries quickly and is washed regularly.
This doesn’t need to become obsessive. Skin is not meant to live in a sterile environment. Indeed skin is what protects us. But there’s a sensible middle ground. If you use flannels, use a fresh one often and wash them hot enough to properly clean them. If you use a shower puff, replace it regularly and allow it to dry fully between uses. If you have active irritation, broken skin, body acne or a compromised barrier, avoid scrubbing over those areas. Physical friction can increase irritation and may contribute to barrier disruption, especially when combined with hot water and foaming cleansers. We recommend using a soap type product and a hot wash to break down oils, dirt and other products which may build up in flannels, reuseable make-up wipes and shower puffs. Even a loofah can go through a hot wash.
The “squeaky clean” feeling is not always cleanliness. Sometimes it’s lipid removal. Your skin should feel clean, but it shouldn’t feel tight, shiny, stinging or stripped after washing. That tightness is often a sign that too much has been removed from the surface. Once that happens, water escapes more easily and the skin becomes more reactive to products it might otherwise tolerate.
This is why Heior products are designed to sit on the side of support rather than force. Root & Crown Hair Serum, for example, is not just about the hair shaft. The scalp is skin too, and scalp skin can become dry, tight or unsettled in exactly the same way as the rest of the body. Oils used thoughtfully can help condition the scalp and soften the feel of the hair without relying on harsh stripping.
Toothpaste sounds like an odd thing to mention in a skincare article, but it belongs here. The skin around the mouth is thin, mobile and constantly exposed to saliva, toothpaste, food, lip products and repeated wiping. If you’re prone to dryness, soreness, small bumps, redness or irritation around the lips and chin, it’s worth considering whether your oral care products are part of the picture.
Toothpaste can cause irritation or contact reactions in some people, particularly where formulas contain sodium lauryl sulphate, strong mint or cinnamon flavourings, whitening agents or other sensitising ingredients. Dermatology resources recognise that toothpaste and oral hygiene products can trigger contact reactions around the mouth in susceptible people, and sodium lauryl sulphate is a known irritant for some skins.
This doesn’t mean fluoride is the villain, despite what the internet sometimes suggests. The evidence around fluoride and skin irritation is not as simple as social media makes it sound. In many cases, the issue is more likely to be the whole formula: foaming agents, flavourings, whitening ingredients or residue left sitting around the mouth.
Hydroxyapatite toothpaste is interesting because it is often chosen as an alternative way to support enamel, and many hydroxyapatite toothpastes are also SLS-free. The skin relevance isn’t that hydroxyapatite itself improves skin. It is that a gentler, SLS-free toothpaste may be better tolerated by people who get irritation around the mouth.
We like Yecuce Hydroxyapetite Toothpaste and Nano Hydroxyapetite Toothpaste because they both have the recommended volume required to assist in enamel support. We like the look of this Biomed Natural Superwhite flouride free mouthwash. Or Aloedent Aloe Vera mouthwash for another natural based product. Or Euthymol for a stronger flavour.
There is also a practical habit that costs nothing. Brush your teeth before cleansing your face, not after. That way, any toothpaste residue around the mouth is removed before you apply skincare. If the skin around your lips is dry or easily irritated, a small amount of Hero Balm, Snowberry Balm, Cocoa Berry Lip Balm or another Heior lip balm can help soften and protect the area after cleansing. Again, this isn’t about treating a medical condition. It is about reducing avoidable irritation and supporting the skin where it’s exposed and vulnerable.
And yes, some strong whitening products can feel harsh beyond the teeth themselves. Some people find they cause mouth sensitivity, stomach discomfort or irritation if swallowed in small amounts during use. That is not a reason to be frightened of all whitening products, but it’s a useful reminder that stronger is not automatically better. Skin, mouth and gut all tend to object eventually when we keep choosing intensity over tolerance.
Collagen is one of those words that has been stretched almost beyond usefulness by marketing, but the biology behind it is real. Collagen is one of the main structural proteins in the skin, as well as in tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. The body makes collagen using amino acids, vitamin C and other nutrients. As we age, collagen production changes, and external factors such as UV exposure, smoking and inflammation can contribute to collagen breakdown.
Oral collagen peptides have been studied for skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkle appearance. Some systematic reviews and clinical studies suggest that hydrolysed collagen supplementation may produce modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity over several weeks or months. That is the sensible version. Not “drink this and become twenty again”, but “there’s some evidence that collagen peptides may support skin measures such as hydration and elasticity over time.” The results are not magic, and some of the research has industry involvement, which is worth knowing, but collagen is not just folklore either.
We’re using Alpha01 Multi Collagen which incorporates bovine and marine collagen for maximum impact. For those who prefer marine collagen only, we found Free Soul Collagen Gummies tasty.
The same applies to other supplements. Vitamin C matters because the body needs it for collagen synthesis. Zinc has roles in skin function and wound healing. Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in inflammatory pathways. Vitamin D may matter if someone is deficient. None of these should be thrown at the skin randomly as if the body is a badly stocked cupboard, but genuine nutritional gaps can show up in the skin because skin is a living organ, not a decorative covering.
There is a difference between supporting the body and chasing miracle claims. Supplements make most sense when they are filling a genuine gap or supporting a known function. They make less sense when they are being used to compensate for an aggressive routine, poor sleep, too much exfoliation, too little food, constant stress or skincare that keeps irritating the barrier.
This is why diet deserves its own article. It is too important to squash into a paragraph at the bottom of a skincare piece. What we eat affects the raw materials available to the body, blood sugar regulation, inflammation, gut health and general repair. But this article is more about the surrounding influences: what touches the skin, what may irritate it, what may support it and where Heior fits into that wider picture.
Beetroot complex is not something I would describe as a skincare product. Its relevance is more indirect. Beetroot is naturally rich in dietary nitrate, which the body can convert into nitric oxide, a molecule involved in blood vessel relaxation and blood flow. Research has looked at beetroot supplementation in relation to blood pressure, endothelial function, exercise performance and circulation. Skin health depends partly on good microcirculation, but that does not mean beetroot is a treatment for skin problems. It is better understood as part of the wider “body support” picture rather than a direct beauty ingredient.
We suggest Evo Nutrition Beetroot Complex.
This is where the language matters. Circulation is one of the many systems that supports healthy tissue, and beetroot is one of the better-studied food-based supplements in relation to nitric oxide and blood vessel function. That’s enough in our books to earn it’s place in a holistic wellness package.
Anyone taking medication for blood pressure, blood thinning, kidney issues or any diagnosed condition should check suitability before using supplements such as beetroot, high-dose vitamin C, zinc, omega-3 or anything else with a physiological effect. Natural does not mean irrelevant to the body. Often, it means the opposite.
If there is one non-Heior product category that genuinely belongs in almost every skin conversation, it is sunscreen. UV exposure is one of the best-established external contributors to premature skin ageing, pigmentation changes and collagen breakdown. It also affects the barrier and the skin’s ability to recover from irritation. A beautiful oil or balm can support the skin, but it can’t replace daily sun protection.
We have a heartfelt recommendation for Altruist Family Sunscreen which from a dermatogical and research point of view is a winner. For young children we like Child’s Farm Roll On Sunscreen.
This is especially important if you use exfoliating acids, retinoids or brightening products, because those can make the skin more vulnerable to UV-related damage if you’re not protecting it properly. Even in the UK, even on cloudy days, UV exposure accumulates. SPF isn’t glamorous, but it is one of the few skincare steps where the evidence is very strong.
Weather matters too. Cold air, wind, central heating and low humidity can all increase dryness and discomfort. This is where anhydrous products, meaning products without added water, can be especially useful. Balms and oils do not add water to the skin in the same way a hydrating serum might, but they help soften the surface and reduce moisture loss by supporting the lipid layer and leaving a protective finish. Hero Balm, Psoriassist, Snowberry Balm and the Heior facial oils all sit within this category of external support. They’re not there to force change. They are there to help the skin feel more comfortable, more supple and less exposed. We recommend applying skin care products as quickly as possibly after using water. Three minutes or less. The faster you can apply it, especially if you don’t thoroughly dry your skin, the more water you can harness in the dermal layers.
Heior sits in the topical part of the picture. The part that touches the skin directly. Our oils and balms are designed to support the skin with carefully chosen plant oils, butters, waxes and essential oils, used with intention rather than excess.
Hero Balm and Psoriassist are richer, more protective products for skin that feels dry, unsettled or in need of comfort. Snowberry Balm and the lip balms are useful for exposed areas such as lips, knuckles and small dry patches. Our new body oils line (release date coming soon) support body skin after bathing, especially when the skin feels dry from hot water, weather or repeated washing. Root & Crown Hair Serum brings the same thinking to the scalp and hair, because the scalp is not separate from the rest of the skin. Ease & Ember is more about body massage and warming comfort, sitting within the ritual side of skin and body care rather than facial barrier support.
The point is not that one product fixes everything. Skin rarely works like that. The point is that a good topical product can do its job better when the rest of the routine isn’t constantly undoing it. If your face is being irritated by toothpaste, your body by laundry residue, your lips by whitening products, your barrier by over-cleansing, or your skin by a shower puff that should have been thrown away six months ago, then skincare is being asked to compensate for a problem that may be partly avoidable.
A holistic approach doesn’t have to be mystical. It can be very ordinary. Wash the flannel. Change the pillowcase. Use less detergent. Stop scrubbing. Brush your teeth before cleansing. Wear SPF. Be realistic about supplements. Feed yourself properly. Hydrate your whole body. Use products that support the barrier rather than constantly challenging it.
That is often where skin begins to calm down. Not because one magical ingredient has arrived, but because the skin is finally being given fewer things to fight.
If your skin is reactive, dry, congested or easily irritated, we’ve made lots of suggestions for products and these are the kinds of changes that may be worth considering. You could also:
Use a fresh flannel regularly, wash cloths properly and replace shower puffs often.
We like Catherine Lansfield cotton washcloths and Homexel reuseable make-up wipes.
Use a daily SPF but consider using it as part of your routine rather than an afterthought, especially if you exfoliate, use actives or want to protect collagen long-term. We’re currently using Hello Sunday SPF Serum and it goes on beautifully beneath make up. Then we use Altruist for any other exposed skin.
Consider vitamin C, omega-3, zinc or beetroot complex only where they make sense for your body, diet and health situation.
Vitamin C is usually cheapest at your local chemist but you can find it here too. We’re currently using the Horbaach Store’s Omega 3 Supplement. And for zinc consider Vitabiotics.
And from Heior, choose products according to what your skin is actually asking for. A balm for dry, exposed areas. A body oil after bathing. A lip balm for the mouth area. A scalp oil where the scalp feels dry or neglected. Support doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be consistent.
Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means Heior may receive a small commission from Amazon if you choose to buy through them. This does not affect the price you pay. We only include products or categories that make sense to the holistic approach we believe in and fit with Heior’s wider approach to skin support, barrier care and reducing unnecessary irritation.
