Every few years, skincare discovers a new “miracle ingredient.”

Some deserve the hype.
Some quietly disappear.

But Bakuchiol is one ingredient we genuinely became excited about — not because it promised perfection, but because it aligned beautifully with the way we believe skincare should feel:

gentle,
supportive,
effective,
and deeply nourishing to the skin barrier.

(And yes… it’s pronounced buh-koo-chee-all.)

What Is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived ingredient sourced from the Psoralea corylifolia plant and has become known as a gentler alternative to traditional retinol.

It is especially loved for helping support:

• the appearance of fine lines
• skin texture
• radiance
• elasticity
• overall skin tone

…without many of the common side effects people often experience with stronger retinol products.

And honestly?
That softer approach feels very Love + Be Well.

A More Gentle Approach To Graceful Aging

One thing we believe deeply is that skincare should support the skin — not constantly stress it out.

While traditional retinol products can be highly effective for some people, they can also come with:
dryness,
peeling,
irritation,
sensitivity,
and a compromised skin barrier if overused.

Bakuchiol tends to feel different.

It works more gently alongside the skin while still helping support a healthy, radiant, more refined complexion over time.

The keyword here is:
consistency.

Not intensity.

Supporting Radiant, Healthy-Looking Skin

Bakuchiol is rich in antioxidant support, helping protect the skin against everyday environmental stressors while supporting a brighter, more even-looking complexion.

We especially love it for skin that feels:
dull,
tired,
sensitive,
or simply overwhelmed by overly aggressive skincare routines.

Because skin often responds beautifully when we stop trying to “fight” it constantly.

Beautiful For Sensitive Skin

One of the reasons bakuchiol has become so loved is because many people who struggle with traditional retinol products find it significantly more tolerable.

That matters.

Especially for people with:
sensitive skin,
reactive skin,
dry skin,
or mature skin that no longer enjoys harsh correction.

Healthy skin should feel comfortable to live in.

Pregnancy + Nursing Friendly

Unlike traditional retinoids, bakuchiol is often considered a more pregnancy-friendly option within skincare routines.

Of course, everyone’s situation is different and we always encourage speaking with your healthcare provider during pregnancy, but many people appreciate having a gentler plant-based option available.

Why We Chose Bakuchiol

At Love + Be Well, we formulate products the same way we approach life:

slowly,
thoughtfully,
and with long-term skin health in mind.

We chose bakuchiol for select products because it aligns beautifully with our philosophy of supporting the skin barrier while still delivering visible radiance and nourishment.

You’ll find bakuchiol inside our:

• Renew Facial Oil
• Repair Facial Oil

Both created to help support graceful aging while remaining microbiome-friendly, plant-based, and deeply nourishing to the skin.

Because skincare does not need to feel aggressive to be transformative.

Sometimes gentleness is the real luxury.

Love + Be Well,
Natalie

Exfoliation is one of those skincare steps people often either avoid completely…
or accidentally overdo.

Too much, and skin can quickly become:
tight,
red,
sensitive,
inflamed,
or stripped.

Too little, and skin can start looking:
dull,
rough,
congested,
or uneven.

At Love + Be Well, we believe exfoliation should support the skin gently — not leave it feeling punished afterward.

Because healthy glow rarely comes from aggression.

It usually comes from consistency, nourishment, and balance.

So… How Often Should You Exfoliate?

The answer depends entirely on:
your skin type,
the type of exfoliant you’re using,
and how healthy your skin barrier currently feels.

One thing we strongly believe though:
gentle exfoliation tends to work far better long term than harsh scrubbing or overly aggressive resurfacing.

Skin should feel:
soft,
fresh,
smooth,
and supported afterward.

Not raw.

Gentle Exfoliation Feels Completely Different

Many traditional exfoliators rely on rough particles, strong acids, or formulas that leave the skin feeling overly stripped afterward.

But thoughtfully formulated natural exfoliators can help encourage radiance much more gently.

At Love + Be Well, we became especially interested in ingredients that exfoliate while also supporting the skin barrier at the same time.

That balance matters deeply.

Why We Love Avocado Seed Flour

One ingredient we especially love inside exfoliating formulas is avocado seed flour.

It helps gently polish away buildup and dull surface skin without the harsh scratchy feeling many scrubs leave behind.

The result feels more:
refined,
soft,
and naturally radiant.

Not overly processed.

Sea Moss + Skin Support

Sea moss became another ingredient we kept returning to because it offers more than simple exfoliation alone.

Rich in minerals and naturally occurring compounds, sea moss helps support skin that feels:
dull,
congested,
or depleted.

And honestly?
We love ingredients that multitask in a gentler way.

Supporting the skin while refining it feels much more aligned with how we approach skincare overall.

Probiotics + The Skin Barrier

One thing modern skincare often forgets is that the skin is an ecosystem.

Your skin barrier and microbiome are constantly working to protect and balance the skin naturally.

That is one reason probiotics became so important within our formulations.

Rather than constantly fighting the skin, probiotic-supportive skincare helps support the environment healthy skin actually needs to thrive.

Especially when exfoliating.

Exfoliation + Graceful Aging

As skin matures, overly aggressive exfoliation often becomes harder for the skin to tolerate.

We become less interested in “scrubbing away flaws”…
and more interested in encouraging:
radiance,
softness,
texture,
and glow gently over time.

Healthy-looking skin tends to reflect consistent care much more beautifully than harsh correction.

The Glow We Believe In

At Love + Be Well, we are not chasing overly polished, over-exfoliated skin.

We are interested in skin that still looks:
alive,
healthy,
hydrated,
soft,
and beautifully human.

The kind of glow that comes from:
gentle resurfacing,
nourishment,
hydration,
and supporting the skin barrier consistently over time.

And honestly?
That softer glow always feels the most luxurious anyway.

Love + Be Well,
Natalie

One of the most comforting rituals we return to daily is skincare.

Not because we are chasing perfection.
Not because we are trying to erase every line or expression.

But because caring for the skin can feel grounding.

A pause at the beginning and end of the day.
A reminder to slow down.
A ritual of caring for ourselves consistently over time.

And as skin changes with age, the routine often needs to evolve too.

At Love + Be Well, we believe skincare for aging skin should focus less on aggressively “fighting” age…
and more on supporting the skin beautifully through every stage of life.

Your Skin Changes — Your Routine Should Too

One thing we notice often is that many people continue using the exact same skincare routine for years, even when their skin has changed completely.

But skin evolves constantly through:
age,
stress,
hormones,
weather,
lifestyle,
sleep,
hydration,
and environment.

A good skincare routine should feel adaptable and supportive rather than rigid and overwhelming.

Healthy skin is rarely created through extremes.

It is usually built through consistency and nourishment.

Layering Skincare Properly Matters

One of the easiest ways to improve a skincare routine is understanding product layering.

In general, skincare works best when applied from:
lightest to richest textures.

Hydrating watery products first.
Then serums.
Then creams and oils to help seal everything in.

This allows the skin to absorb hydration effectively while still receiving the moisture and barrier support it needs afterward.

Cleansing Should Feel Gentle

Healthy skin begins with cleansing — but cleansing should never leave the skin feeling stripped or tight.

At Love + Be Well, we especially love cleansing oils because they help remove:
makeup,
sunscreen,
oil buildup,
and impurities…

while still supporting the skin barrier gently.

As skin matures, this becomes even more important because overly harsh cleansing can quickly leave the skin feeling:
dry,
reactive,
or depleted.

Clean skin should still feel comfortable.

Masks As Supportive Treatments

Face masks do not need to become an aggressive “fix everything” step.

We think of them more as supportive treatments for moments when the skin needs extra care:
hydration,
clarity,
calming,
or nourishment.

One reason we love probiotic masks is because they help support balance within the skin barrier and microbiome while still feeling incredibly gentle.

That balance becomes especially important for aging or sensitive skin.

Hydration Is One Of The Most Important Steps

Hydrated skin tends to look:
brighter,
softer,
smoother,
and more radiant overall.

That is one reason hyaluronic acid became such a staple within modern skincare.

We especially love pairing hydration-focused products like Watermelon Glow Serum with nourishing creams and facial oils for layered support.

Hydration alone is beautiful.
But hydration sealed into a healthy skin barrier is where the real glow happens.

Moisture + Protection Matter Too

As skin matures, maintaining moisture becomes increasingly important.

Rich creams, nourishing oils, and supportive ingredients help protect the skin barrier while reducing the feeling of dryness or tightness many people begin noticing over time.

Ingredients like:
rose oil,
beeswax,
coconut oil,
probiotics,
and botanical oils…

can help skin feel softer, calmer, and more supported overall.

Not overly processed.
Not overworked.
Just healthy.

The Goal Is Healthy-Looking Skin

At Love + Be Well, we are not interested in obsessively chasing every line or wrinkle.

We are interested in skin that looks:
alive,
hydrated,
rested,
radiant,
and beautifully cared for.

Because truly healthy skin has a glow that feels different.

More natural.
More timeless.
More human.

And honestly?
That kind of beauty tends to age the most gracefully of all.

Love + Be Well,
Natalie

Stopping coloring my hair was one of the most personal decisions I have ever made.

And honestly?

As I approach the one-year mark, my only regret is not doing it sooner.

At first, it felt terrifying.
Then empowering.
Then emotional.
Then freeing in ways I never expected.

What began as a clean living decision slowly became something much deeper.

It became a relationship with myself.

Why I Decided To Stop Coloring My Hair

Years ago, after my diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, I began looking at every area of my life differently.

Food was the first thing that changed.
Then skincare.
Household products.
Beauty products.
Daily habits.

Little by little, I began reducing my toxic load where I could.

Not perfectly.
Just intentionally.

And eventually, that led me to hair color.

Once I started learning more about conventional dyes and ingredients, I knew deep down it was something I would eventually have to face.

But honestly?
It took me a full year to mentally prepare myself.

Because if I am being real…
hair color felt like my one “give me.”

The thing I was not ready to release yet.

Until one day, I was.

The Emotional Side Nobody Talks About

Choosing to stop coloring my hair was not just about hair.

It challenged the way I viewed aging,
beauty,
womanhood,
and myself.

Because somewhere along the way, many of us absorbed the message that aging was something to hide.

Something to fight.
Correct.
Cover.
Delay.

Gray hair became tied to fear instead of wisdom.

And letting mine grow in forced me to sit with all of that emotionally.

There Were Hard Days

I wish I could say it was effortless and empowering every single day.

It was not.

There were moments I almost gave up.

Moments I stared in the mirror feeling unsure of myself.
Moments I questioned whether I would still feel beautiful.
Moments I almost ran to buy hair dye again.

But those hard days ended up teaching me the most.

Because every time I stayed committed to myself, something inside me softened and healed a little more.

Something Beautiful Happened

Over time, my relationship with myself began changing.

The gray hairs I once feared slowly became something I appreciated.

I started calling them my sparkles.

I became more comfortable in my skin than I had ever been before.

Not because I suddenly looked younger.
But because I stopped viewing aging as something shameful.

And honestly?
That shift changed everything.

The Beginning Of The Graceful Aging Conversation

This journey also deeply shaped the direction of Love + Be Well.

It became part of why we moved away from harsh “anti-aging” messaging entirely.

Because I no longer wanted to fight myself.

I wanted skincare to feel:
supportive,
nourishing,
healthy,
and graceful.

Not fear-driven.

The goal became helping women feel beautiful at every age —
without apology.

My Mother Helped Shape This Too

Watching my own mother embrace her gray hair after her cancer journey impacted me deeply too.

She survived so much with incredible strength and softness.

And seeing her step into herself naturally reminded me that beauty does not disappear with age.

If anything, it deepens.

There is something incredibly beautiful about women who stop hiding themselves and begin fully inhabiting who they are.

Graceful Aging Is Personal

One thing I want to say clearly:

This was my personal decision.

There is absolutely no judgment toward anyone who colors their hair.

None.

That is the beauty of all of this —
we each get to decide what feels aligned for us personally.

And that freedom matters.

Looking Forward

This journey surprised me in the best ways.

What began as a wellness choice slowly became:
self-acceptance,
confidence,
freedom,
and peace.

And honestly?
I think that kind of beauty radiates differently.

So if you are somewhere in the middle of your own gray hair journey —
hang in there.

The emotional transformation happening underneath it all may become the greatest gift of all.

Love + Be Well,
Natalie

For years, natural deodorant felt like one of those products people wanted to love… but quietly struggled with.

Too irritating.
Too drying.
Too heavily fragranced.
Too inconsistent.
Too many white stains on black clothing.
Too many products that worked beautifully for a week… until suddenly they didn’t.

And honestly?
We were frustrated too.

So instead of continuing to search for the perfect natural deodorant, we decided to create it ourselves.

The Goal Was Never Just “Natural”

When we began formulating The Best Deodorant, we were not interested in simply making another trendy clean beauty product.

We wanted to solve the actual problem.

A natural deodorant that:
worked consistently,
felt comfortable on sensitive skin,
did not sting,
did not stain clothing,
and fit seamlessly into everyday life.

Simple goals.
Surprisingly difficult to achieve.

A Different Approach To Odor

After years of researching ingredients and testing formulas, founder Natalie Shultz realized something important:

Most natural deodorants focus heavily on covering odor after it already exists.

But what if the focus shifted toward supporting balance on the skin instead?

That change in perspective became the foundation for The Best Deodorant.

Instead of relying on overpowering fragrance or harsh ingredients, the formula was designed to work more intelligently and gently with the body.

Two Years Of Formulating

This was not an overnight product launch.

The formula behind The Best Deodorant took nearly two years of testing, reformulating, refining, and real-life wear testing before Natalie felt confident enough to release it.

Because at Love + Be Well, products are never rushed simply to follow trends.

They are created slowly, intentionally, and only released when they genuinely feel ready.

The Response Was Immediate

Shortly after launching, messages began pouring in from customers who had nearly given up on natural deodorant completely.

People who had tried everything.
People frustrated by irritation.
People tired of products that stopped working after a few weeks.
People who wanted something that felt both effective and gentle.

Hearing those stories has remained one of the most meaningful parts of creating this product.

Natural Products Should Still Feel Luxurious

One thing we believe deeply is this:

Choosing natural products should never feel like settling.

Natural skincare and body care can still feel elevated, beautiful, effective, and thoughtfully made.

That philosophy lives inside every product we create — especially The Best Deodorant.

Because caring for yourself should feel simple, supportive, and quietly luxurious.

Not complicated.

Not irritating.

Not overwhelming.

Just beautifully functional.

Love + Be Well,
Natalie

Vitamins.
Minerals.
Probiotics.
Fruit enzymes.

Honestly?
The line between skincare and nourishment is becoming beautifully blurred.

And at Love + Be Well, we absolutely love that.

Because feeding the skin should feel just as intentional as feeding the body.

The skin is living tissue after all.

So it only makes sense that ingredients sourced from nature can support it beautifully.

Skincare Is Beginning To Look More Like Nutrition

Over the years, skincare trends have started sounding more and more like wellness conversations.

Collagen.
Coconut oil.
Probiotics.
Antioxidants.
Superfoods.

And honestly?
That shift makes sense to us.

At Love + Be Well, we have always believed skincare should focus on:
nourishment,
support,
hydration,
and feeding the skin what it truly needs.

Not stripping it raw.

What Are Fruit Enzymes?

Fruit enzymes are naturally derived exfoliating compounds found in certain fruits and plants.

When used in skincare, they help gently loosen and dissolve dead skin buildup sitting on the surface of the skin.

Think:
smoother texture,
brighter tone,
and fresher-looking skin —
without the aggressive feeling harsh exfoliants can sometimes create.

Why We Prefer Plant-Based Enzymes

One thing we especially love about plant enzymes is how gentle they can be on the skin barrier compared to more aggressive exfoliating methods.

Fruit enzymes help encourage natural exfoliation while still supporting the skin’s protective barrier and microbiome.

That balance matters deeply to us.

Because healthy glowing skin is not about damaging the skin into submission.

It is about supporting it intelligently and consistently.

The Problem With Overdoing Acids

At Love + Be Well, we personally believe many people are over-exfoliating their skin.

Strong acids,
aggressive peels,
harsh scrubs,
and treatments that leave the skin burning or irritated can sometimes weaken the skin barrier over time.

And honestly?
Anything causing significant burning, irritation, or chronic inflammation should always be approached thoughtfully.

The skin thrives when supported gently.

Not constantly stressed.

Enzymes Help Reveal Fresh Healthy Skin

Fruit enzymes work by helping dissolve the “glue” that keeps dead skin cells clinging to the surface.

This allows dull skin buildup to shed more naturally, revealing:

• smoother skin
• brighter tone
• softer texture
• healthier radiance

Many people also find enzyme-based skincare supportive for:

• congestion
• uneven texture
• dullness
• breakouts
• graceful aging support

Supporting The Skin Barrier Always Comes First

At Love + Be Well, protecting the skin barrier is one of our biggest skincare philosophies.

Because glowing skin is often balanced skin.

Calm skin.
Supported skin.
Hydrated skin.

And when the microbiome and skin barrier stay healthier, the skin naturally tends to function better overall.

Fruit Enzymes + Probiotics = A Beautiful Pairing

One thing we especially love is combining:
plant enzymes,
probiotics,
hydration,
and nourishing botanicals together.

That synergy creates skincare that feels supportive rather than aggressive.

The goal is not stripping the skin raw.

The goal is helping healthy skin emerge naturally.

A Gentler Path To Radiance

At Love + Be Well, we believe skincare should feel nourishing, grounding, and supportive.

Not punishing.

And honestly?
Some of the most beautiful results often come from gentler consistency rather than aggressive treatments.

So if your skin has been feeling stressed, overworked, or reactive —
it may simply be asking for a softer approach.

Love + Be Well,
Natalie