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A few months ago, we reached out to you, our Muri Muse community, to learn more about the impact our Full Flower Ritual has had on your skin health. We've been overwhelmed both by the real-world transformations we've seen, and the perspectives on self-care that you all shared with us. 

Over the next few weeks we'll share a few of our favorite Before & After moments  and introduce you to some of the incredible muses in our community.

Next up: Muri Muse Elyse Hamme, aka Elyseum Beauty.  

A New York based esthetician and skin care educator, Elyse's approach to integrative skin healing and facial services deeply resonated with us from the moment we met: She is the creator Skincare Affirmations™️, a treatment experience that combines traditional facial techniques with touch massage and affirmations designed to shift the way we think about our "problem" skin.  

We connected with Elyse while she was fighting through a period of inflamed, angry breakouts and itchy, red patches. As an esthetician, she knew giving her skin time and space to recover was imperative — keep reading for her story of healing, and how she managed to foster a mindset of patience and positive self-love during the process. 

Muri Lelu: For those who aren't yet familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself and your work? 

Elyse: My name is Elyse [and I'm] an Esthetician & Self-Care Expert who specializes in Holistic facial approach. I treat the skin whilst creating a safe space to treat the self.  

Muri Lelu: Please share your recent skincare journey with us. Describe the issue you were experiencing, what it looked like, what it felt like on your skin (I.e. did you experience pain, itchiness or irritation), and what it made you feel like? 

Elyse:  My skin was having a huge freak out and I didn’t know why… it was inflamed, itching [and had] a lot of texture. As an esthetician, the last thing you want is flawed skin. It discredits your work. Lately, my skin journey chapter has been "patience". Having virtually perfect skin growing up to incredibly communicative skin as an adult is frustrating.

Muri Lelu: How did you begin addressing the issue? What was your approach to the healing proces? 

Elyse: It's so easy to want to use highly active ingredients and products when your skin is going through acne or a reaction. But sometimes that's just not the approach you should take. My skin is doing what it needs to do and all I can do is support it. Mentally and physically. Topically and digestively. 

Muri Lelu: How did our products change your skin? When in the process did you start using it, and what results did you see? How long did that take? 

Elyse: I [started] putting Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil on every hour for 48 hours, then twice a day for a week. It was legit like night and day!

I honestly was not expecting the Indica Oil to kick in so quickly and calm my inflammation and stop the itching. I'm so in love! 

Muri Lelu: What's your current maintenance routine to preserve your skin health at the moment?   

Elyse: It's important that we recognize there are so many contributing factors to skin expressions — and I'm calling [them] that because our skin battles aggressors and stressors daily even without us knowing.

Our skin is doing what its designed to do; whether we like the expression or not. It's super frustrating but because of that, most times its better to support & protect [versus] micro manage and hover.

Muri Lelu: Why are your facials listed as affirmations? What exactly is a skincare meditation? What inspired this service?  

Elyse: My facials are simple affirmations [that] help bring mindfulness to the way we view our skin at it’s “worst”. While working with clients over the years I noticed that my facial treatments felt more like therapy sessions. I would listen to their stories and notice patterns of negative self talk when sharing about themselves or their skincare journey.

The Beauty industry has made [a] fortune thriv[ing] off of our insecurities. It's the ugly side of the industry that nobody wants to talk about until now; which leads me to my Skin Care Meditation™️ group sessions. My Skincare Meditation is my way of bringing intention, focus, and celebration back to yourself.  

The session talks about how important touch, the senses, and nervous system [are]. I go through a series of touches to get you thinking about those sensations and [see] where they takes your mind. [We work on] how to bring your thoughts back into focus.  

I teach you very basic massage techniques [and] demo my techniques on you to help you compare level of intention and texture. And, I give you very basic grounding affirmations and heart chakra affirmations.  

Muri Lelu: The definition of self-care is, at its core, a well-rounded practice of replenishing the  self. When you strip it all back, what do you consider essential acts of self-care?  

Elyse: That's a "hard" question because the answer isn't cookie cutter...  rather habits maybe? You have to LISTEN to yourself. And know when you're in code  yellow, orange or red. The goal is to not wait until you're in code red [to start caring for yourself]... maybe code yellow.  

Overall, just understanding what works for you. Maybe you need movement, maybe you need journaling, maybe you need solitude, maybe you need community. Maybe it's demonstrating your Love Languages back to yourself.  Maybe its perfecting a level of self discipline.

All of that to say... you have to Learn to find YOUR voice within. And LISTEN TO IT. Give yourself permission. Learn to give yourself grace.  

Muri Lelu: Favorite Flower?

Elyse: My mom  is a native gardener. She does Natural Pollinator seminars; so she talks flowers & plants  all the time. I think i just have a new appreciation for them because of her. I really think  they're all so beautiful however, a lot of times I don't remember the names. I gravitate[d] to Lantana and picked [it] out for her garden because of the colorful variations and the shape of the petals. They're so pretty and cute! And then I learned these plants attract butterflies and  hummingbirds and repel mosquitos, i love that!! 

Muri Lelu: Most subversive thing you've done lately? 

Elyse: Honestly sometimes existing blissfully as a Black woman feels subversive enough.  I take to my beauty page to talk about injustices and inequality all the time. Calling out what I dislike about the beauty industry or how companies treat their employees... I've pivoted to creating safe spaces for humans to heal and always offer my services free to members of my community. I am not a fighter but I want to support those who are... It's my "thank you for your services" gesture. 

High-quality. Timeless. Consistent. 

The best results — a radiant glow and a nourished, healthy barrier — come as a result of building a consistently, daily routine that includes high-quality ingredients that address the concerns of your skin type. 

That said... every now and then there's a trend too good to pass up! And in this case, it's the trend that has already racked up 373.2 million views and counting on TikTok alone:  Skin Cycling. 

Keep scrolling to learn more about skin cycling, why dermatologists love it, and why CBD skincare is a must for getting the most out of this new craze. 

WHAT IS SKIN CYCLING?

First things first, let's start with defining this trend. Coined by NYC dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, skin cycling is a nighttime treatment methodology that alternates different types of products on different days in order to get the best results without damaging the skin barrier. 

Typically run over the course of 4 days, skin cycling recommends using harsher actives or ingredients two days a week, and restorative ingredients the other two nights of the week. 

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL SKIN CYCLING ROUTINE LOOK LIKE? 

Broken down, an easy and effective skin cycling routine might follow the below protocol: 

NIGHT 1: EXFOLIATE 
Focus the start of your skin routine on exfoliation. Exfoliating once (or at a maximum, twice) a week sloughs dead skin cells off the surface of your skin. You're left with not only a baby fresh glow, but with skin that's primed to drink up all of the actives and moisturizing goodness to follow throughout the rest of the week.  

Start this step by cleansing your skin and then incorporating a chemical exfoliant directly to the skin: "You want to cleanse [the skin], pat dry, then put on an exfoliating product,” explains Dr. Bowe, who recommends using a product that contains ingredients like AHAs, BHAs or PHAs. Avoid physical scrubs, which can be irritating.

After exfoliating, apply a lightweight, comedogenic moisturizing agent (either a cream or a nourishing face oil like our Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil) to further support the skin barrier.  

NIGHT 2: RETINOL OR RETINOIDS
It's prime time, baby! Night two is all about incorporating retinol or retinoids into your routine. Firstly, let's start by clarifying what these popular skincare actives are, and why they're so beloved in the skincare world.

Retinoids — derivatives of Vitamin A — are one of the most studied ingredients in the space and have been clinically proven time and time again to boost collagen production, diminish wrinkles and fine lines, smooth rough texture and reduce acne or breakouts. 

Everyone should be using a retinoid or retinol, as virtually all skin types can benefit from this gold-star active. However, they are also known for being quite potent and can take some getting used to. To avoid the trademark redness that often comes during the retinoid "purge" period (a stage of increased skin irritation that occurs as your barrier gets adjusted to the ingredient), be sure to start slow and avoid overdoing it: a pea sized amount spread across your face and neck is more than enough to work magic. 

As dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman shares in Bustle, choose products that are replenishing, non-irritating and known for fortifying the skin barrier. Calming and inflammation-reducing ingredients like CBD or other adaptogens are a must on these nights. 

We can't enough of pared back, soothing combos for recovery nights like our Full Flower Ritual, which de-stresses and rebalance skin, promoting recovery an replenishment. Reach for this two-step ritual to infuse much needed hydration and nourishing antioxidant power back into the barrier. 

Final pro tip? When skin cycling, you'll want to make sure you're cleansing regularly and using SPF every day. Harsher actives like exfoliants and retinoid can increase sensitivity and dampen your ability to withstand sun damage, so you'll want to ensure you're providing your skin with adequate protection.

Derms and other experts agree that skin cycling is a great way to introduce highly effective active ingredients into a routine without overburdening the barrier. Retinoids and exfoliants in particular are proven to be game-changers for your skin, but are also known to come with troublesome side effects such as itchiness, flaking, redness and dryness.

Skin cycling is an easy-to-follow routine that allows you to reap the powerful benefits of those actives while also allotting time for healing, thereby reducing the risk of compromising the barrier with painful irritation or flare ups. 

WHO SHOULD BE SKIN CYCLING?  

The long and short of it? Everyone. Because skin cycling is so simple and effective, it's beneficial for virtually all skin types.

In particular, skin cycling is a sound strategy for mature and acne-prone skin types, which can each enjoy the targeted benefits of retinoid and retinols while still prioritizing hydration and balance. Sensitive skin types can flourish with a skin cycling routine as well by structuring a slow build that allows skin to develop tolerance to harsh actives. 

Is skin cycling for you? If you're curious about shaking up your stale skincare routine and trying something new, be sure to stock up on soothing essentials for recovery nights. Try our Full Flower Ritual on us and see how it stacks up on Recovery nights! For a limited time, indulge in a free sample set of our plant-based duo on us — just cover the shipping. 

Claim your free sample of Muri Lelu's a.m.-to-p.m. Full Flower Ritual duo today. 

Some things seem to make the work we do all the more sweet...

Case in point: Chyrstin Bunion, founder of cannabis lifestyle brand Sweets Flower Shop. A former strategist and creative who worked in the fashion and lifestyle industries prior to launching her brand, Chrystin infuses an elevated eye for design and curation into Sweets' output, especially evident in the brand's stand-out hero product, CBD Enriched Honey.  

Sweet stuff aside, we're most inspired by Chrystin's authenticity and budding voice. She speaks candidly about what inspired her to start Sweets: Alleviating anxiety for both herself and a formerly incarcerated loved one. It's clear that her mission is firmly rooted in wellness-for-all — a true luxury in a world that increasingly demands more and leaves us with less for ourselves and our loved ones. 

We recently caught up with Chrystin to talk wellness routines, bottling mother nature's power players, and the revolutionary potential of stepping into the life you envision for yourself. 

Woods-y and floral, with an intoxicating aroma all its own.

However you choose to describe it, there is nothing quite like the subversive scent of cannabis. We all know that when nibbled, smoked or otherwise ingested, the plant has the potent power to lighten our load and illuminate our consciousness — but did you know that its delicious aroma alone can unlock some of the same therapeutic benefits? 

When we set out to bottle the magic of cannabis and harness its beautifying benefits, we knew we had to create a way for the plant's mood elevating potential to truly blossom. That's why we infused each of our products with a unique cannabis aromatherapy blend designed to spark multi-sensory, spirit-soothing indulgence.

"I love the scent of Muri Lelu. It's very grounding to me, and the earthiness has become a part of my routine, something I look forward to. A part of the ritual." - Mandy, designer, market editor and mother 

Cannabis Terpenes 

Sativa Cannabis Aromatherapy for Energizing 
Fresh florals and citrus combine in this morning celebratory blend infused in Bloomrise Sativa Serum. Uplifting cannabis aromatherapy that opens a well of clarity and creativity with the first sunrise, when new thoughts begin to blossom. 

Top Notes: Bergamot, Juniper Berries, Lemongrass, Moroccan Neroli, Geranium Rose, Bigarade A

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: CULTIVATING A MULTI-SENSORY RITUAL

A ritual this good shouldn't be rushed. Harness the cannabis aromatherapy infused in our daily skincare duo to quiet the world around you, release yourself from the expectations of others and tap into a sixth sense: the beauty and charisma at the core of who you naturally are. 

Twice a day, take your time and indulge in 3 simple steps to comfort spirit and body in unison. 

Quiet the mind and set an intention as you warm serum or oil up in your hands and massage into your skin. 

INHALE
Pause and notice how the touch of your fingertips feel as they connect to your skin. Breathe and deeply take in the cannabis aromatherapy. 

Ready to try the ritual for yourself? Shop the cannabis aromatherapy infused Full Flower Ritual now. 

 
One little plant, a whole lotta drama… 

Cannabis may get a bad rap as one of the most misunderstood plants in recent history, yet underneath the stigmas, taboos, and (not so wise) words of caution are some extremely badass benefits that hold the key to our healthiest selves — and skin. 

This small-but-mighty plant is Muri Lelu’s favorite flower for a reason: It’s a super-ingredient that works harder than nearly any other to keep skin healthy, hydrated and naturally radiant at any age. 

Canna-curious about how this superflower works its magic? Debunk what you’ve heard and keep reading for a no-nonsense guide to understanding full flower cannabis and the major wonders it works for all skin types. 

OUR OBSESSION: HERE’S WHY WE LOVE FULL FLOWER CANNABIS

Dating as far back as Ancient Egypt, full flower cannabis has been prized for its beautifying benefits. In fact, the OG Beauty Queen, Cleopatra, was said to have applied cannabis oil to her skin to keep her looking refreshed and youthful. 

And now, modern day science is unlocking the plant’s millennia-old wisdom.

The long and short of what makes it so beneficial for skin? Simple: Full flower cannabis is one of nature’s most potent anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. 

This science-backed truth is why full flower cannabis delivers results for all skin types, including stressed, damaged, sensitive and aging. Numerous studies have confirmed that cannabis has a unique ability to repair and regulate, putting its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to work on skin from the inside out.

Unmatched when it comes to strengthening the barrier and keeping skin calm and naturally vibrant, full flower cannabis is a must-add to every skin routine — and it’s front-and-center in all of our skincare rituals, including our two-step signature Full Flower Ritual. 

Now that we’ve clued you in on our crush, continue deep diving with us as we look at some of the science behind how this plant optimizes our skin health.

START WITH THE PLANT: WHAT IS CANNABIS, AND HOW DOES IT WORKS
Before we break down full flower cannabis' extraordinary relationship with our skin, we may benefit from taking a step back to start at the very beginning… 

What exactly is full flower cannabis? 

Full flower cannabis refers to extract from the cannabis sativa plant that preserves its broadest range of therapeutic compounds. Derived from the flowers, buds, stalks, seeds and stems of the plant, this extract contains a wide variety of naturally occurring chemical compounds (along with flavor and fragrance compounds as well).

Muri Lelu's cannabis sativa extract is derived from hemp (not marijuana) varietals of the plant which have been bred to exclusive psychoactive cannabinoids including THC.  

What do these compounds do and why do our bodies (and skin) care? 

Cannabis sets the standard high: It contains over 100 varieties of chemical compounds, which are grouped together in a plant system called the phytocannabinoid system. Working in tandem, these compounds help the plant regulate its own daily functioning and protect itself against environmental aggressors. 

Over time, our bodies have evolved in lock-step with the plant to include a biological network of our own, known as the endocannabinoid system, that controls much of our bodies' functioning. 

Just like a key fits into a lock, cannabis plant compounds activate our endocannabinoid system. When these compounds come into contact with our body, they trigger a host of overall wellness and skin health benefits from increased relaxation, to reduced inflammation (including a reduction in the chronic inflammation that accelerates the visible signs of aging), boosted moisture retention and pain.

The most effective “key” is high quality, full flower cannabis. It harnesses the widest range of therapeutic plant compounds, helping them join forces in a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect” that multiplies the healing benefits.

NEXT UP, THE MAGIC: 5 WAYS CANNABIS ENHANCES SKIN AND RESTORES RADIANCE

By now, you’ve learned a lot more about cannabis and how it enhances our functioning. But when it comes to skincare, sometimes you have to see it to believe it — and full flower cannabis delivers big with radiant results. 

Read on for the top 5 benefits you’ll definitely notice once you start incorporating full flower cannabis into your skincare routine. 

1. A resilient and strengthened skin barrier. Skin barriers are all the buzz in beauty lately — and for good reason. Our skin barrier keeps us safe from bacteria and toxins, and preserves the moisture skin needs to stay healthy. 

But when our barrier is compromised by inflammation or everyday environmental factors, it shows up on our skin in the form of increased dryness, redness, irritation and overall sensitivities. A weakened barrier can also open the floodgates for blemishes and acne, especially for those who experience hormonal flare ups to begin with. 

Full flower cannabis to the rescue: As the receptors in our skin come in contact with full flower cannabis extracts, they re-regulate barrier function to keep inflammation at bay. The result is a stronger and healthier barrier that’s restored to healthy functioning.

2. A reduction in the visible signs of aging. In case you missed it: What we refer to as the aging process is, in large part, a byproduct of free radical damage and its effect on the body. 

Free radicals can be produced internally, but they're more often introduced by common outside sources such as pollution, dust, cigarette smoke and more. As skin is continually exposed to free radicals over time, it starts to break down and deteriorate with damage that looks like wrinkles, sagging, dryness, dullness and age spots.

Antioxidants are a powerful natural solution to the havoc that free radicals wreak on our skin. They counteract damage by protecting and preserving our healthy DNA, boosting overall vitality. 

Shown to contain more antioxidant properties than either Vitamin C or E, full flower cannabis is one of nature's most potent antioxidants that can help diminish the visible signs of aging. 

A few months ago, we reached out to you, our Muri Muse community, to learn more about the impact our Full Flower Ritual has had on your skin health. We've been overwhelmed both by the real-world transformations we've seen, and the perspectives on self-care that you all shared with us. 

Over the next few weeks we'll share a few of our favorite Before & After moments  and introduce you to some of the incredible muses in our community. 

First up: Muri Muse Mandy Coon.  

A jill-of-all-trades who channeled her creativity into her roles as a DJ, designer, market, editor and now mother, Mandy radiates a calm and quiet confidence as she shares stories of bouncing between the city and upstate New York before more recently finding home in California.

In her 40's, Mandy suffered a frustrating bout with perioral dermatits (benign erupts of inflammation that occur most commonly around the mouth and nose). Keep reading for her story of healing and the products that helped her skin get back to healthy again. 

Muri Lelu: For those who aren’t yet familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself and your creative practices? 

Mandy: I am a designer, mother, and professional enthusiast (that’s how I describe being a market editor). I’ve lived many lives and worn many hats over the years, and these are the hats I’m fortunate to wear today. 

Muri Lelu: Please share your recent skincare journey with us. Describe the issue you were experiencing, what it looked like, what it felt like on your skin (I.e. did you experience pain, itchiness or irritation), and what it made you feel like? 

Mandy: I have sensitive skin that has become drier over time and since moving West. I’ve learned less is more except for 2 things- moisture and sun protection. After I moved here, I thought I was beginning to age rapidly, but after getting into K-Beauty, I realized my skin was actually dehydrated (thanks Gothamista!) due to my new drought-prone surroundings. 

Another big change in my skin that I wish I had heard more women my age talk about is hormonal acne in your late 30’s/40’s. As your body goes through hormonal changes, so can your skin... makes sense, right? I never had serious acne as a teen, so all of a sudden having cystic acne in my 40’s was shocking and confusing. 

I also suspect that my perioral dermatitis was due to hormone changes as well... it takes forever to completely eradicate PD... When you think it might be gone, it pops up in another spot, like a very itchy game of Whack-A-Mole.

I’m the most comfortable I’ve ever been in my 40’s, but I would advise to expect the unexpected when it comes to your skin. 

Muri Lelu: How did you begin addressing the issue? Did you see a dermatologist or esthetician to help guide you on your healing journey?

Mandy: I tried a few topicals from my doctor when I got desperate enough, but they would seem like they were helping for a few days and then it would flare with a VENGEANCE, proving that wasn’t the route for me. I didn’t want to try oral prescriptives, which consists of weeks to months on oral antibiotics. I feel like destroying my gut is more harmful than an annoying rash on my face. 

Muri Lelu: While in the healing process, what was your routine?

Mandy: My skincare after I figured out I had PD was completely stripped [back to] Osmia Organics cleanser (either the Clay soap or the mud cleanser), their face cream, and always always sunscreen. Osmia is a doctor founded line that is geared towards addressing sensitive skin and issues like excema (of which I also have) and dermatitis.

After about a month, I felt like I needed a little more soothing, so I experimented with products like Muri Lelu's Bloomrise Sativa Serum and May Lindstrom'sThe Blue Cocoon, which both worked wonders.

Muri Lelu: How did Muri Lelu change your skin? When in the process did you start using it, and what results did you see? How long did that take? 

Mandy: With Bloomrise Sativa Serum alone, I saw a huge difference in inflammation and redness — and as a bonus, I noticed my skin looked bright and some sun discoloration faded.

After a little more time, I felt comfortable enough to add in Muri Lelu's Mauvaise Herbs Indica Oil. I knew it was a risk, because they say oils are a general no-no for PD, but to my surprise and delight, it calmed tremendously and did not trigger a new flare.

So that became my routine for the next 8 months. No actives [just] Osmia cleanser, Bloomrise Sativa Serum, Osmia cream and/or Mauvaise Herbs Indica Oil, May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon on super irritated spots, and lastly Saint Jane Sun Ritual Sunscreen or Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF (I’m a sunscreen aficionado, and these are two of my all time favorites!). 

Muri Lelu: What's your current maintenance routine to preserve your skin health at the moment?   

Mandy: Now that my PD has alleviated, I’ve slightly added to my routine [with] Violette FR Boum Boum Milk, which is great for inflammation and hydration, Monastery Made Attar, a beautiful balm, and Saint Jane Overnight Repair with Retinol (once a week).

I found that after stripping back and doing the minimum [with] just extremely soothing, nourishing products, my skin looked bright and healthy. So I’m not in a hurry to add any actives... In my case, less is more!

Muri Lelu: You're living in California now, after spending several years in NY. Has shifting from one coast to another changed the way you think about style, beauty and self care? Have you introduced any new approaches? 

Mandy: Things are definitely more laid back here. No one is in a hurry, and people tend to appreciate being intentional and genuine.  It took a long time, motherhood, and a pandemic to unlearn the mindset that I need to constantly be “busy” and that my work is my worth. 

As for general lessons learned: slowing down and taking time for myself are both ok. I should always try to give myself grace and patience. Work is not life, and it’s important to be present and enjoy life when I can. I think I’ve become a better, more intentional and present parent and person since learning these things. 

One little plant, a whole lotta drama… 

Hemp may get a bad rap as one of the most misunderstood plants in recent history, yet underneath the stigmas, taboos, and (not so wise) words of caution are some extremely badass benefits that hold the key to our healthiest selves — and skin. 

This small-but-mighty plant is Muri Lelu’s favorite flower for a reason: It’s a super-ingredient that works harder than nearly any other to keep skin healthy, hydrated and naturally radiant at any age. 

Canna-curious about how hemp works its magic? Debunk what you’ve heard and keep reading for a no-nonsense guide to understanding full flower hemp and the major wonders it works for all skin types — plus, how you can sample its potent benefits for free, on us! 

OUR OBSESSION: HERE’S WHY WE LOVE FULL FLOWER HEMP 

Dating as far back as Ancient Egypt, full flower hemp has been prized for its beautifying benefits. In fact, the OG Beauty Queen, Cleopatra, was said to have applied hemp oil to her skin to keep her looking refreshed and youthful. 

And now, modern day science is unlocking the plant’s millennia-old wisdom.

The long and short of what makes it so beneficial for skin? Simple: Full flower hemp is one of nature’s most potent anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. 

This science-backed truth is why full flower hemp delivers results for all skin types, including stressed, damaged, sensitive and aging. Numerous studies have confirmed that hemp has a unique ability to repair and regulate, putting its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to work on skin from the inside out.

Unmatched when it comes to strengthening the barrier and keeping skin calm and naturally vibrant, full flower hemp is a must-add to every skin routine — and it’s front-and-center in all of our skincare rituals, including our two-step signature Full Flower Ritual. 

Now that we’ve clued you in on our crush, continue deep diving with us as we look at some of the science behind how this plant optimizes our skin health.

START WITH THE PLANT: WHAT IS HEMP, AND HOW DOES IT WORKS
Before we break down full flower hemp’s extraordinary relationship with our skin, we may benefit from taking a step back to start at the very beginning… 

What exactly is full flower hemp? 

Full flower hemp refers to extract from the hemp plant that preserves its broadest range of therapeutic compounds. Derived from the flowers, buds, stalks, seeds and stems of the plant, this extract contains a wide variety of naturally occurring chemical compounds (along with flavor and fragrance compounds as well).

What do these compounds do and why do our bodies (and skin) care? 

Hemp sets the standard high: It contains over 100 varieties of chemical compounds, which are grouped together in a plant system called the phytocannabinoid system. Working in tandem, these compounds help the plant regulate its own daily functioning and protect itself against environmental aggressors. 

Over time, our bodies have evolved in lock-step with the plant to include a biological network of our own, known as the endocannabinoid system, that controls much of our bodies' functioning. 

Just like a key fits into a lock, hemp plant compounds activate our endocannabinoid system. When these compounds come into contact with our body, they trigger a host of overall wellness and skin health benefits from increased relaxation, to reduced inflammation (including a reduction in the chronic inflammation that accelerates the visible signs of aging), boosted moisture retention and pain.

The most effective “key” is high quality, full flower hemp. It harnesses the widest range of therapeutic plant compounds, helping them join forces in a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect” that multiplies the healing benefits. 

NEXT UP, THE MAGIC: 5 WAYS HEMP ENHANCES SKIN AND RESTORES RADIANCE

By now, you’ve learned a lot more about hemp and how it enhances our functioning. But when it comes to skincare, sometimes you have to see it to believe it — and full flower hemp delivers big with radiant results. 

Read on for the top 5 benefits you’ll definitely notice once you start incorporating full flower hemp into your skincare routine. 

1. A resilient and strengthened skin barrier. Skin barriers are all the buzz in beauty lately — and for good reason. Our skin barrier keeps us safe from bacteria and toxins, and preserves the moisture skin needs to stay healthy. 

But when our barrier is compromised by inflammation or everyday environmental factors, it shows up on our skin in the form of increased dryness, redness, irritation and overall sensitivities. A weakened barrier can also open the floodgates for blemishes and acne, especially for those who experience hormonal flare ups to begin with. 

Full flower hemp to the rescue: As the receptors in our skin come in contact with full flower hemp extracts, they re-regulate barrier function to keep inflammation at bay. The result is a stronger and healthier barrier that’s restored to healthy functioning.

2. A reduction in the visible signs of aging. In case you missed it: What we refer to as the aging process is, in large part, a byproduct of free radical damage and its effect on the body. 

Free radicals can be produced internally, but they're more often introduced by common outside sources such as pollution, dust, cigarette smoke and more. As skin is continually exposed to free radicals over time, it starts to break down and deteriorate with damage that looks like wrinkles, sagging, dryness, dullness and age spots.

Antioxidants are a powerful natural solution to the havoc that free radicals wreak on our skin. They counteract damage by protecting and preserving our healthy DNA, boosting overall vitality. 

Shown to contain more antioxidant properties than either Vitamin C or E, full flower hemp is one of nature's most potent antioxidants that can help diminish the visible signs of aging.

First things first: Megan Graham is a woman after our own heart. 

Driven by insatiable wanderlust, Megan is the founder of Ries Beauty, a new brand that absolutely needs to be on your radar. Born out of the desire to create a better experience for People of Color who lacked reliable ways to travel with hair care products, Ries is the first collection of refillable travel beauty containers made from sustainable materials.

We recently caught up with Megan to talk travel hacks, tackling sustainability and the beauty of anthuriums in full bloom. 

From our very first call with Shae Johnson (@northandstate_estheticsstudio) — esthetician and founder of natural skin services destination North & State — it was apparent we had met someone as passionate about plants as we are.

A staunch advocate of hemp’s ability to holistically heal mind, body and skin, Shae is part of a new wave of estheticians bringing plant medicine into treatment rooms and using it to repair clients’ compromised skin.

We caught up with Shae for conversation on self-care, feeling beautiful in your skin and how our favorite flower helps skin thrive. Read highlights from our chat below and during September tune into our Instagram for exclusive education, tutorials and a behind-the-scenes facial with Shae.

Muri Lelu: For those who aren't familiar with you or your work, please introduce yourself! 

Shae Johnson: Hi yes, my name is Shae and I am an Esthetician specializing in plant focused and natural skin care services at North & State - a private studio outside of Minneapolis, MN. My focus is relaxing and healing facials as well as brow art! 

ML: How did your journey into being an esthetician begin? How did you end up opening your practice today? 

SJ: So I always say I grew up in the industry & my mom is still a practicing barber/cosmetologist of 40 + years! I became fascinated by the work of Estheticians as a young adult when I first learned it was such a niche group of service providers at the time. I really liked the dynamic of the Estheticians I began to know in the industry. I started out in makeup (of course) and quickly realized I was way more intrigued in advancing my practice beyond just making people look and feel beautiful with cosmetics.  

ML: Muri Lelu is all about unlocking the holistic benefits of all botanicals, including ones that have been overlooked or considered taboo. For a plant like hemp which (unfortunately) still carries a stigma, how do you typically get your clients to begin considering its beautifying benefits? 

SJ: It’s so funny because I think it’s ridiculous that people can legally smoke cigarettes knowing what we know but then we still have to regularly defend a plant with more healing benefits than you can keep track of. And that’s exactly how I explain it to my clients and to anyone who will listen really. So many mainstream commercial brands and products out there are either using plants, or more often synthetic ingredients that act like plants - it makes more sense to me to use ethically harvested plants with proven potent benefits to cure and heal us vs synthetic ingredients or animal derived chemicals that don’t even preform with the same efficacy. 

ML: What types of skin would you typically recommend products with full flower hemp for? As an esthetician, what do you see as the most impactful benefits of this super ingredient? 

SJ: I regularly suggest that anyone use full flower hemp, or at least try it in their skincare routine if they have not. It’s so effective in what it can do for dry or sensitive skin but I also suggest clients to use [it] for hydration and and balance - keeping that outer layer of our skin healthy and bright. It’s also sebum balancing - so we know if someone is over producing bacterial oil, full flower hemp can help regulate that. I really do believe anyone can use [this plant] for healing skincare purposes. 

ML: You champion the healing powers of plant medicine across both your esthetician practice and your own wellness and self-care practices. What drew you to more holistic modalities of healing and what were some of the easiest things you did to begin making a more conscious shift in your daily routine? 

SJ: So I think every year I feel a little more connected with nature than the last. Growing up and still to this day, my mother takes great pride in gardening. She always instilled in us the importance of eating things from the earth. We spent a lot of time in the garden and outside as kids and I grew akin to trusting plants and nature as being the most beneficial things for our body. The “easiest” shift for me was quitting alcohol! I know that sounds extremely difficult - and it is in this world - but when I quit drinking I started to become more and more interested and aware in the ways of preserving my body and caring for myself. 

ML: The definition of self-care continues to expand and shift, sometimes drifting far from what it is at its core: a well-rounded practice of replenishing the self. When you strip it all back, what do you consider essential acts of self-care? 

SJ: At the absolute core of self-care to me means caring for your nervous system, your mind and body. Massaging your face for even 60 seconds a day can shift your mood and mental well being. Being given a facial massage for 60minutes can reset your nervous system and calm your anxiety. Of course rewarding ourselves with acts of kindness and the occasional material possession is instant gratification, but to deeply care for yourself and/or schedule time to be taken care of, is invaluably beneficial.  

ML: When do you feel most beautiful in your own skin?

SJ: When I am in the water and in the sun! I always feel my best externally and internally when I am near or in water for sure.