Top 5 Actives for Glowing Skin (That are Actually Worth the Hype)

Let’s be honest—“glowing skin” is one of those phrases that gets tossed around so much it’s lost a little meaning. But you know what it looks like when you see it: that smooth, fresh, healthy radiance that makes you do a double-take in the mirror. And yes, it’s possible to achieve at any age. The secret? A consistent routine and the right active ingredients. But not just any actives—we’re talking about the good stuff: skin-loving, botanical-powered actives that actually nourish your skin and support long-term results. Here are 5 of our favorite natural skincare actives that deliver visible, meaningful results—without the synthetic junk or irritation.

1. Vitamin C

There are many forms of Vitamin C used in cosmetics, but we love Ascorbyl Glucoside!

If there’s one multitasker that deserves the spotlight, it’s Vitamin C. This antioxidant is famous for brightening dull skin, evening out tone, and defending against the daily onslaught of environmental stress, especially if you live in Colorado like I do! But here’s the catch: not all Vitamin C is created equal. Many conventional formulations use harsh or unstable forms that can irritate sensitive skin. You may have heard of L Ascorbic Acid. It’s a very potent version of Vitamin C, but I have found that a lot of my clients are sensitive to it and their skin reacts negatively to it. If your skin has become red or irritated after using a Vitamin C product, check to see which version of Vitamin C it’s using. That’s why we use ascorbyl glucoside—a gentle, stable version of Vitamin C—in our Beauty Balm. It helps: brighten dark spots from sun exposure or hormonal changes, support collagen production, and boost skin resilience over time. It makes your skin feel bouncy and super moisturized! As most of you know our Beauty Balm is our number one selling vitamin C moisturizer… for a reason! 

2. Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol has the same chemical composition as Retinol, but without all the side effects!

We love a good retinol alternative—especially one that doesn’t come with flaking, redness, or sun sensitivity. Bakuchiol is a gentle, plant-based alternative to retinol that helps improve skin tone and texture, soften fine lines, and support firmness. In our Age Defense Serum and Age-Defying Tonic, bakuchiol works beautifully for anyone who wants age supporting benefits without the irritation. It’s especially helpful if you’ve ever had a bad experience with prescription creams or over-the-counter retinoids. What’s more, bakuchiol plays well with other actives (like hyaluronic acid or CoQ10), so it fits easily into your morning or evening routine. Another benefit, although you guys know how I am about sunscreen….but it’s not such a HUGE deal if you don’t wear sunscreen with Bakuchiol; although it’s MANDATORY if you use any retiniod. However, I do recommend wearing a daily sunscreen no matter what ingredients are in your cosmetics. I use the Age Defense Serum paired with our Barrier Defense Serum every morning and night as part of my skincare regamin and I literally watched very deep wrinkle I had on my cheek disappear with regular use. So, does it work? YES! I’ve seen it with my own eyes!

3. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

CoQ10 isn’t just a supplement you take for brain health, it plays a vital role in your skin too!

Let’s talk about CoQ10 benefits—because this ingredient doesn’t always get the love it deserves. Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring antioxidant in our bodies that helps energize skin cells and reduce oxidative stress (aka, the stuff that leads to sagging, dullness, and wrinkles). But like many things, it decreases with age. When used topically—like in our Age Defense Serum—CoQ10 helps: support skin’s elasticity, minimize the look of fine lines, and revive tired, sluggish skin. It’s especially great for women over 40 who are noticing deeper expression lines or a loss of firmness. Think of it as a boost of energy for your skin cells—like a green juice, but for your face. Often times you hear people talk about skin cell regeneration or skin cell turnover. One of the things that will help your skin from having a dull appearance or that will help your skin look more youthful is skin cell turnover. CoQ10 helps with that. The ore your cells turn over the younger your skin will look! This process slows as we age, so we need to make sure we’re using products to support that process and the Age Defense Serum is definitely in my arsenal of products to help with that!

4. Sea Buckthorn

This is a powerhouse ingredient that has a beautiful, bright orange color!

If you’ve never heard of sea buckthorn, you’re in for a treat. This tiny orange berry is loaded with skin-loving nutrients—omega 7 fatty acids, beta-carotene, and tons of antioxidants. It gives our Beauty Balm and Age Defense Serum that gorgeous golden-orange hue that makes the products look like rays of sunshine! Sea buckthorn oil helps to: deeply nourish and hydrate the skin, calm inflammation and redness, and restore a healthy lipid barrier (especially helpful in dry climates). Sea Buckthorn is a truly underrated ingredient. It has SO MANY benefits!!!  Here are just a few reasons why I formulate with Sea Buckthorn:

Moisture!

• Sea Buckthorn has a unique fatty acid profile unlike any other ingredient. Fatty acids are what make up ceramides, which are critical in helping maintain a healthy skin barrier. When you have a healthy skin barrier it will help lock in moisture which is really important for healthy skin.

It’s a potent antioxidant!

• You hear a lot about antioxidants, but why are they important? Antioxidants help combat free radical damage on the skin. And, trust me our skin is exposed to so much damage on a daily basis you want to be sure you’re using a healthy dose of antioxidants on your skin!! Things like UV exposure, pollutants, and things in the environment work to damage our skin every day. But, ingredients like Sea Buckthorn work to heal damage to the skin.

Skin Regeneration and/or Skin Cell Turnover

• This potent ingredient helps with stimulating skin cell turnover and as we talked about earlier, that helps with skin regeneration and repair.

Reduced Inflammation

• Sea Buckthorn can soothe irritated skin and redness. Often times when you have a compromised skin barrier it will cause these types of skin irritation. Due to the unique fatty acid profile, Sea Buckthorn has the unique ability to soothe these types of irritation.

Improved Skin Tone and Texture

• Has your skin ever felt like an alligators? hahah My sister Jill and I used to joke that she had alligator skin! It was due to a lack of moisture and a disrupted skin barrier not using products that were right for her skin type. Sea Buckthorn is known to improve skin tone and texture by penetrating deeply into skin to moisturize. It’s amazing when you put the right products on your skin how quickly things can improve!

5. Hyaluronic Acid (High + Low Weight)

Your body’s natural skin plumper!

If your skin ever feels tight, dry, or like it just won’t hold moisture—this one’s for you. Hyaluronic acid is a hydration hero, and when used in both high and low molecular weights, it works on multiple layers of the skin. The low weight form penetrates deeper, plumping skin from within, while the high weight form sits closer to the surface to smooth and soften. We use this dynamic duo in our Wrinkle Defense Serum and Barrier Defense Serum, and here’s why it matters: high molecular weight HA instantly smooths and hydrates the outer layer; low molecular weight HA reaches deeper to support elasticity and long-term moisture balance. Together, they help reduce the appearance of fine lines and give skin that bouncy, supple feel. It’s especially helpful in dry climates (hello, Colorado), or for anyone navigating hormonal skin changes that come with aging. For best results, apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin, then lock it in with a cream or oil to prevent water loss. Both products are also fantastic for acne prone skin…want to know why? They are (nearly) oil-free moisturizers. People that are experiencing breakouts should minimize the use of oils during these breakouts, but the skin still needs moisture! So, these are two awesome products to use that still moisturize and hydrate the skin and can help break the cycle of acne!

So, How Do You Start?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry—you don’t need to use every active all at once. Start with one or two that fit your skin’s current needs. Think about what your biggest skincare concerns are and pick the serum(s) that are right for you. Here’s a simple example:

Aging: My “go to” serums are Age Defense and Barrier Defense Serum. I combine two pumps of each in the palm of my hand and apply them at the same time! This saves time and effort in my busy mornings.

Sensitivity: Barrier Defense Serum. This serum helps strengthen the structure of your skin and reduces sensitivity.

Acne: Wrinkle Defense or Barrier Defense Serum. Both contain Hyaluronic Acid to help moisturize but use minimal amounts of oil-based ingredients.
And if you need help customizing your routine? We offer free consultations, online or in-store. Just give us a call, shoot us a message, or stop by the shop.

Final Thoughts

Glowing skin isn’t about perfection. It’s about supporting your skin with real, nourishing ingredients that bring out your healthiest complexion—at any age. And with the right actives on your shelf, that fresh-faced feeling is totally within reach. Ready to get started? Explore our curated collections for bakuchiol, CoQ10 benefits, and vitamin C moisturizers—each one thoughtfully formulated with your skin (and the planet) in mind.

xoxo
Jewels