Children of Earth Skincare: Skin brain connection
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Children of Earth Skincare is the first luxury skincare brand based on neuroscience, ancient botany and astrological theory. Focusing on the skin brain connection and backed by world leading neuroscientists, dermatologists and astrologists, I caught up with founder, Arabella Von Nesselrode to learn more about this groundbreaking range.
Von Nesselrode’s intrigue into stress and it’s effect on the skin via brain responses began through personal experience, ‘I was actually working at Amazon and experiencing serious levels of stress but realised I had no tool kit to deal with it,’ she reflects, ‘I could go for a run but it didn’t reset my brain long term so I started looking into the body producing cortisol as stress response. The seed of the idea for Children of Earth Skincare began to form when I came across a Ted Talk by world leading neuroscientist, Dr Claudia Aguirre PHD. She explained that the skin and brain are actually formed at the same time in the womb from the same skin cells: in every skin cell there is actually a tiny brain that can produce melatonin, serotonin, and cortisol.’ Fast forward and Dr Claudia is now a chief neuroscience consultant on the Children of Earth Skincare range.
Inspired by 17th century English botanist, herbalist, physician and astrologer, Nicholas Culpepper who ‘democratised’ knowledge of healing herbs, ‘that’s where we sit as a brand, I want to democratise what the science community are finding out about our skin and brain connection. People are now becoming more conscious about taking control over any stress imbalance; the longevity of skin and brain are linked so you age well if you take care of both.’
Recognising skincare doesn’t exist in isolation, all partners to the brand are working to improve skin, brain or environmental health: so breathwork instructor to Kate Moss and all round breathwork specialist, Paddy Cavendish, has put a ritual into the skincare range, whilst Dr Claudia Aguirre who recognises the power of olfactory to override your neural pathway’s stress responses, has overseen the ‘smells’ of each product. Additionally, Vogue astrologer in residence, Lisa Stardust has overseen the formulations of the face oils based around star signs: ‘I love the fact that in the astrological community both good and bad character traits are celebrated because they are understood. For people who understand astrology it is a medicinal art that when complimented with modern science can be so powerful.’
My Aries facial oil filled with cooling Peppermint oil, grounding Frankincense oil, repairing raspberry seed oil and other active ingredients certainly does the job to balance the excess energies characteristic of my Aries star sign. The texture is also so light and absorbing, I ground myself throughout the day with light top ups to ease tense areas held in my face.
‘I found all these skincare brands created in labs in Switzerland so impersonal,’ muses founder, Bella. So, apart from the astrological based oils, expect to find other captivating products such as mushroom extract complex gummies and cosmic chaga microbiome truffles: all ingredients in the formulations she oversees between London and Romania are certified organic by soil association and all packaging is made from composted mushrooms.
Founder, Von Nesselrode, always returns to the teachings of Carl Jung, ‘he figured out the link between everything from the planetary movement and women’s monthly cycles to astrology and psychology, night and day, the sky and mercury retrograde,’ he worked it all out she assures.
So, what are the future plans for Children of Earth Skincare?
Von Nesselrode is enthused by the new Neurocosmetic Hand Cream launching this month in partnership with Dr Claudia Aguirre. ‘It’s the very first of its kind. It is powered by mushrooms and contains gotu kola, an ingredient renowned for its ability to reduce stress in the skin,’ she explains, ‘we’ve also included sunflower sprout, which has been groomed sustainably in hyaluronic farms, a groundbreaking ingredient which boots NAD+ levels in the skin and protects vulnerable cells from oxidative damage.’ She concludes, ‘the ingredient formulation is so revolutionary it can make skin look 8 years younger.’
Other plans include expansion in different markets and furthering their partnerships: infact the hand cream will launch next year at renowned London based facial clinic, Salon C Stellar. Founded by celebrated skin expert and industry insider, Andrea Pfeffer, the salon is the first clinic to focus on the skin, brain connection with a cosmic element ‘fusing ancient wisdoms with modern science,’ and is renowned as London’s go-to for bold faced fashion and entertainment names looking for escapism and ‘a celebration of the art of being you.’ I experienced the Astro facial using my Children of Earth Aries Facial Oil: utilising research formed from my sun, moon and rising signs, the multidimensional and transformative treatment focuses on cleansing, harmonising, realigning and plumping skin with hand-based techniques for a snatched look. The Astrofacial is uniquely finished off with a ‘meditative light trip,’ using cutting edge LED technology whilst listening to beat meditations to elevate your energetic vibrations.
Children of Earth Skincare is revolutionising not just skincare practices but the way we live our lives and view ourselves in a modern day world, not only full of stresses, but one which constantly seeks to disconnect us from our true self.
‘I actually looked at my birth chart and it says in my DNA I am programmed to help people,’ finishes Von Nesselrode, ‘my goal is just helping people to feel their best optimally.’