Summarized from a consultation originally recorded on April 24th, 2025.
Annmarie Skin Care Skin Consultations are FREE, virtual group sessions, hosted live by our in-house skin experts, to provide personalized recommendations and directly answer any skin care related questions. Learn more about our skin consultations.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Hello! Come on in. Welcome, Bonnie. I'm just going to make a note of who’s made it today. Amazing—so far, you're my first one here. I’m going to give it a few more minutes since we’re still a little before the hour, but it might be a super small group today. Hi, how are you on this lovely Thursday?
Customer: Pretty good. I had a lot of trouble getting in—wasn’t receiving the correct email to log in. Finally, about 10 minutes ago, I got another email, and here I am.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Well, I’m glad you made it. Super glad to have you! Like I said, we’ll give it a minute or two to see if anyone else joins, but there’s a chance it’s just you and me today. That’s totally fine. We’ll wait just a bit longer before diving in. Where are you joining from?
Customer: It’s beautiful here—60s and 70s in the early morning hours, the perfect time for sunshine. I’ve been here 32 years. Originally, I’m from the Chicago area, so it’s quite a shift from cloudy days to sunny ones.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Oh, that’s beautiful! I’ve visited both places. I’m actually based in the Midwest myself—in the Kansas City area. It’s warming up here, though today’s a bit rainy, which is pretty typical for spring.
Customer: Yeah, we often miss our rain here. Last year was especially dry, and it really impacted our saguaro cacti—the big ones with the arms. They took a hard hit.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Oh wow, those live to be nearly 200 years old, right?
Customer: They do. It’s sad to see them go, but they usually thrive here. We’re hoping for more rain this year.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Hi! I’m noting that another customer has joined. Let’s go ahead and get started. I’m not sure if you both saw the email I sent—we’re keeping today’s call to an hour because we’ve got a live event starting right after this one. I capped registration pretty small so we’d have time to cover plenty within the hour, especially since it looks like a smaller group.
I reviewed both of your surveys again. Let me ask—have either of you used Annmarie Skin Care before, or are you brand new to us?
Customer: Brand new. I’ve started purchasing a few products and I’m getting ready to jump in. I’ve still got a lot of samples and things from my previous brand—Origins—so I’m debating whether to use those up or go all in. One reason I signed up for this call is to make sure I’m choosing the right products for my needs.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: That makes sense. Thanks for sharing that. To introduce myself—my name’s Kate. I’m a licensed esthetician and have worked hands-on with customers for many years. I’ve been licensed since 2013, and I’ve been with Annmarie Skin Care for over six years. So I feel very comfortable blending both worlds—understanding skin and how our products support different needs. To give you a bit of background on who we are: Annmarie Skin Care is a clean beauty brand. And while “clean” isn’t a regulated term, to us, it means an obsessive attention to ingredient sourcing, safety, and how our products interact with both the body and the planet. We’re proud to be MADE SAFE® certified—a third-party program that rigorously screens ingredients and final products for known and suspected toxins. Every ingredient we use goes through a thorough vetting process. We submit up to 20 documents per ingredient. It’s extremely comprehensive. We focus on using organic, wildcrafted ingredients and sourcing from smaller, highly vetted farms and suppliers. We’ve been around for nearly 16 years now.
Any questions on the promo before we jump into the fun part—products?
Okay. This is good information. When we’re starting at the top with our cleanser, I’ll speak to three and describe how they differ. That way, you might get a better sense of what could feel best for each of you. The first one I want to highlight is the Aloe Herb Cleanser. The consistency of this one is very soft, almost lotion-like. When it mixes with water, it has a light foaming effect. It’s a great everyday cleanser and is suitable for most skin types, including normal and combination skin. It rinses off cleanly without leaving residue, and skin feels refreshed and balanced afterward. The herbs we’ve infused into the Aloe Herb Cleanser are chosen to be gentle and soothing—so it’s particularly nice for skin that may be reactive or prone to temporary redness. If you’re unsure where to start, I often recommend the Aloe Herb Cleanser. It’s a safe bet for most skin types unless your skin is very oily.
Another option is our Phytonutrient Cleanser, which comes from our Wild Alchemy Collection.
This line focuses on signs of aging and more active botanical blends. The Phytonutrient Cleanser has a richer texture due to mango seed butter, and it’s helpful for concerns like the appearance of fine lines and discoloration. It’s especially nice for dry skin or skin that may feel dull or uneven. The one thing to note: if your skin is sensitive prone, this cleanser may feel a little too active. Some people who are prone to sensitivity might find it slightly drying. But overall, it’s an excellent option for dry, mature skin that could use a bit more nourishment.
Customer: As far as discoloration, does that include dark spots and age spots?
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Yes, those fall under that umbrella. One of the ingredients in the Phytonutrient Cleanser is apple extract, which contains naturally occurring malic acid. Malic acid is a gentle fruit acid that helps to support natural exfoliation. While this cleanser alone won’t dramatically fade discoloration, it can support a routine that’s focused on improving the appearance of uneven tone. If pigmentation is a primary concern, this cleanser can be a helpful part of the bigger picture. To use either cleanser, you’ll wet your fingers and face, dispense 2–5 pumps (depending on whether you’re also cleansing the neck and chest), and gently massage for at least 30 seconds. This gives the ingredients time to do their job. Then rinse thoroughly and pat your skin dry.
Customer: I always thought cleansers weren’t on your skin long enough to really do much, but it sounds like there’s more benefit than I realized.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Yes! That’s a common thought. But when cleansers include beneficial ingredients—as ours do—it’s worth giving them a moment to work. Even though you’re rinsing them off, ingredients like herbal infusions or gentle fruit acids can still interact with the skin when they’re massaged in properly.
Customer: What about makeup removal?
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Great question. Both of these cleansers are effective at removing light to moderate makeup, including tinted moisturizers, mineral powders, and most standard foundations. For mascara or eyeliner, especially if it’s heavier or long-wear, you might want to cleanse the eye area twice. You can also pre-treat with a facial oil—our Herbal Facial Oil for Sensitive Skin is a great option. Apply a small amount to the eye area to gently break down makeup, then follow with your cleanser.
Customer: That’s helpful. I’ve actually been using the Aloe Herb Cleanser for two days now from my trial kit—and I really love it. It feels great and smells amazing.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: I’m so glad to hear that! That’s exactly what we love to hear. If you decide to try the Phytonutrient Cleanser down the line, just know it’s a little richer in texture and offers a slightly different benefit profile, but both are wonderful choices depending on your needs.
Let’s talk about toning mists. A lot of people skip this step or aren’t quite sure what it does. Our toning mists are formulated to provide a burst of hydration and nutrition to the skin. Depending on the formula you choose, they also prep the skin to better absorb your serum and moisturizer. The one I’d recommend for both of you is our Botanical Hydration Mist with Immortelle. It’s packed with ingredients that are ideal for mature skin. Its two primary floral waters are rose and helichrysum (also known as immortelle). These are known to support smoother, more hydrated skin and help reduce the appearance of fine lines, especially on the forehead and around the eyes. Because these florals are in hydrosol form—a gentle water-based version of essential oils—they’re able to moisturize while still feeling very lightweight. This is great for dry skin. The mist also includes multiple types of chamomile and frankincense to support skin that may be feeling sensitive or in need of calming.
How does it help the rest of your routine? Well, serums often contain humectants—ingredients that draw moisture into the skin. When you apply your serum onto damp skin, those humectants have more hydration to pull from. That means a plumper, more hydrated appearance.
It’s also helpful for getting your facial oil to absorb more evenly. If you find your facial oil sometimes sits on the surface or doesn’t quite “soak in,” try misting your skin first and then applying the oil while your skin is still damp. To apply, simply mist your face from a comfortable distance so the mist covers your skin without dripping. You can either let it dry or apply your next steps while your skin is still damp. I personally prefer the latter for better absorption.
Customer: I always knew toner was a step, but I didn’t quite know what it actually did.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Totally understandable! It’s often overlooked, but it plays a big role in supporting the rest of your routine, especially when it comes to hydration and helping active ingredients work more effectively. Let’s move on to serums. This step is where you focus on your core skin goals. I often describe serums as your “treatment” step because they’re designed to deliver concentrated nutrients to the skin. Our serums are lightweight, absorb quickly, and are formulated with targeted ingredients for concerns like dryness, dullness, fine lines, and discoloration.
The first one I’ll highlight is our Anti-Aging Serum. This one’s a classic and happens to be in our trial kits. It’s aloe vera based, so it’s very lightweight, and the key ingredient is hyaluronic acid—a natural humectant that attracts water to the skin. It’s known for temporarily plumping the appearance of fine lines and creating a smoother, hydrated surface. This serum also features a blend of plant botanicals that help nourish and support the look of skin over time. Customers often say their skin feels more hydrated and looks softer after just a week or two. It’s gentle enough for daily use and a great all-around serum.
Another one to consider is our Citrus Stem Cell Serum. This one’s designed to help improve the look of uneven skin tone and dark spots. It contains plant-derived stem cells and targeted brightening ingredients like uva ursi and licorice root, which are commonly used to help improve the appearance of dark spots. This is a great option for someone focused on discoloration, dullness, or a lack of firmness. If you’re looking for a powerhouse formula that covers multiple concerns, I recommend our Wild Fruit Serum. It features a blend of plant stem cells, brighteners like kakadu plum (rich in vitamin C), and a unique botanical complex that works to soften the appearance of fine lines while helping to smooth and visibly brighten the skin’s surface. It also contains hyaluronic acid and resveratrol, which help provide hydration and antioxidant support.
And finally, our Activated Night Serum is a great nighttime option. And finally, our Activated Night Serum is a concentrated evening formula designed to support the skin’s natural exfoliation process and help refine its appearance over time. This serum features bioactive A, a plant-derived alternative to conventional retinol that is known for its gentle yet effective exfoliating properties. Unlike traditional retinol, which can often be sensitizing, bioactive A is generally well-tolerated by most skin types, including those that may be more sensitive. Because it contains ingredients that encourage surface exfoliation, this product is intended for nighttime use only. We recommend applying it to clean, dry skin and following with your preferred facial oil or moisturizer. As with any exfoliating product, it’s important to follow with a broad-spectrum SPF during the day to protect the skin.
Each of these serums offers something unique, and many of our customers rotate between them depending on the time of year or what their skin needs most. Any questions?
Let’s talk about the moisturizing step. Until recently, we only offered facial oils for moisture, but our newest product—the Restorative Facial Cream—has quickly become a customer favorite. This cream was a true labor of love. It took us quite some time to formulate because we were committed to creating something that met our clean standards—no synthetic preservatives, no synthetic emulsifiers—while still feeling luxurious and effective.
The Restorative Facial Cream is designed to support dry and mature skin. It features ingredients like aloe vera juice, shea butter, oat kernel extract, and ceramide-rich apple-derived exosomes, which help maintain skin hydration. It also includes helichrysum (also known as immortelle), which is commonly used to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. Propolis and reishi mushroom extract round out the formula for added nourishment. The texture is creamy but absorbs quickly. It leaves the skin feeling deeply moisturized without looking shiny or feeling greasy. Some describe the finish as soft or even slightly powdery. For those who prefer not to use facial oils, this cream is a great alternative, but it can also be layered with oil for additional nourishment—especially in colder months or if your skin feels particularly dry.
Customer: Can I ask more about that helichrysum? What does it actually do?
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Great question. Helichrysum is a flower also known as “immortelle.” It has a long-standing history in skincare and is often chosen for its ability to support smoother, more resilient-looking skin—particularly when it comes to the appearance of fine lines. We also use it in our Botanical Hydration Mist, so if you’re using both, you’re layering ingredients that work well together.
Customer: You mentioned combining it with oil. Why would someone do that?
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Yes! For those who are used to our oils or who need even more moisture, mixing the cream with one of our facial oils is a great option. Personally, I use one pump of the cream with about half a pump of oil. You can adjust the ratio to your liking. Some people prefer one full pump of each, especially in winter. Let’s touch on the two oils I recommend most often, first is the Anti-Aging Facial Oil. This one starts with golden jojoba oil, which closely mimics the natural oil our skin produces. That makes it a great base for hydration. Into this jojoba, we infuse ingredients like broccoli seed, chia seed, goji berry, and plantain leaf. These are rich in nutrients that help support the skin’s barrier and help maintain a plump look. The goal with this oil is to help skin retain bounce and the appearance of elasticity, especially around expression lines. If your skin tends to feel tight, this is a great everyday oil.
Then there’s our Rejuvenating Facial Oil—part of our Wild Alchemy Collection. This one is more concentrated and includes added essential oils and extracts such as blue tansy, black cumin seed, and butterfly pea flower. It’s ideal for more advanced signs of aging, like the appearance of deeper lines. Both oils can be used on their own after serum or layered with the new cream. Some of our long-time customers are experimenting with mixing and matching, and so far, the feedback has been great.
Customer: So some people might use more oil in winter and maybe switch to just the cream in summer?
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Exactly! Seasonal routines are common, especially for those living in areas with dramatic climate changes. During summer, the cream alone may be enough. During colder months, you might layer or add a few drops of oil to increase richness.
Customer: Thank you! That makes a lot of sense.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: You’re welcome! Let me know if you'd like to talk about eye products, masks, or exfoliation next—or if you’re curious how to build a routine based on your current products.
Customer: I’d love to hear a bit about eye products if we have time.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Absolutely. Let’s touch on those quickly. We offer two eye products, the Anti-Aging Eye Cream and the Fruit Ceramide Eye Serum.
They’re designed to work either individually or together, depending on your skin’s needs. The Anti-Aging Eye Cream is a rich, buttery formula that’s great for hydration. It contains ingredients like jojoba oil, green tea, cucumber, and damascena rose. It’s particularly well suited for the morning, under makeup, or for anyone who prefers a creamy texture around the eye area. It helps the skin around the eyes look more hydrated and feel soft and smooth. The Fruit Ceramide Eye Serum, on the other hand, is a lightweight gel-like texture. It contains plant ceramides, aloe, and fruit extracts including kakadu plum, which is a rich source of vitamin C. This one is great for targeting the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, and it's ideal for layering under the cream or using alone if you prefer something lighter. Some customers use the serum in the morning and the cream at night, or vice versa. It really depends on your preference and what you’re trying to address.
Customer: Okay, I think I’ll try the cream. My eyes tend to feel dry.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: That sounds like a great choice and what I would recommend. Let’s briefly cover masks and exfoliants. These are what I call “boosters”—they’re not used daily, but they help your other products work better and offer more immediate results. We have two main types of exfoliants: physical and enzymatic. One of our favorites is the Kaolin Micro Exfoliant. It’s a creamy polish with very fine exfoliating particles and gentle kaolin clay. You can use this 1–3 times per week depending on your skin type. It helps slough off dead skin cells and smooth the surface so your serum and moisturizer absorb more effectively.
Another option, we have the Resurfacing Facial Exfoliant, which uses honey-derived lactic acid to help loosen and remove buildup. It is almost a gel-like consistency and you leave it on for only about 10 minutes or less. This is one that is a bit more intense so we recommend using it once every two weeks or so. And for masking, our Coconut Honey Mask is a staff and customer favorite—especially during dry seasons. It’s made with organic honey, virgin coconut oil, and vanilla. You can leave it on for 15–20 minutes, but the beauty of this mask is that it can stay on for as long as you like—even hours—without drying.
Customer: Oh wow. I’ve never heard of a mask you could leave on for hours.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: Yes! That’s what we love about it. It’s gentle, ultra-nourishing, and doesn’t harden on the skin. Some of us on the team wear it while doing chores around the house. Just remember to remove it with a warm, damp washcloth—it makes removal easy, especially since honey can be a little sticky. But, leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Customer: I’d love to try that.
Kate – Annmarie Skin Care In-House Esthetician: It’s such a treat for the skin. If you’re ever unsure which products to add to your routine or how to rotate them, I highly recommend joining another consultation. We hold these sessions regularly and always welcome your questions!
Thank you both so much for being here today. It’s always a joy to connect with our community, and I hope this session helped clarify a few things for your skin care journey!
Want to join us for our next skin consultation? (It's totally free!)
Our team of experts has been on a mission to inspire beauty, health, and wellbeing, and we believe there's no better way to do this than through directly sharing our knowledge and passion for natural skin care.
Join us for a live session with one of our licensed estheticians where we'll explore the power of organic, bioactive ingredients, how they interact with your unique skin type, and how to incorporate them into your routine for optimal benefits. You'll walk away from this consultation feeling empowered to make informed decisions for your skin's health. Our in-house skin experts are eager to answer your questions, dispel myths, and share tailored advice for each participant.
By signing up for our live consultation, you'll not only gain access to the latest insights in organic skin care, but also receive exclusive skin care deals only available to those who attend! We can't wait for you to join our community as we share our love for organic skin care with you!
HOW TO SIGN UP
1. Simply, click the button below to sign up for the day that works best for you and your skin type.
2. Select your desired date and time, and click “Next”
3. Enter your contact information (your name and email), and click “Schedule Event.”
Leave a Reply