TWELVE Beauty Glow Island: behind the formula
Glow Island from TWELVE Beauty isn’t like any other product we’ve seen. In the words of its formulator, Pedro Catalá, it’s like “an Instagram filter without coverage: it gives you a nice, subtle tone without makeup for a quick, fresh-faced...
de Mamiel seasonal face oil: Summer
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn about the Summer Oil.
Natural rosacea treatment with herbs
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold discusses how natural herbal treatments can work with topical solutions to address redness, flushing, and rosacea — and why ROSY works so well.
Brand Spotlight: Elave
Elave is made by a family-run pharmaceutical company in Ireland that has been dedicated to sensitive skin care since 1934. Read on for the full story behind this longtime Ayla favorite.
A quick guide to our go-to supplements
Looking for internal support for your skin — or your immune system, gut, or mood? Here’s a quick guide to our go-to supplements by category.
Our quick guide to Luzern's Serums
Luzern's serums are some of the best targeted treatments we've ever experienced. Not sure where to start? Here’s what we love about each one.
Marie Veronique on sunscreen
Sunscreen is very close to Marie-Veronique Nadeau’s heart. Here, she weighs in on must-know topics in sun protection with her signature thoroughness and wit.
An ode to Marie
Why I'm endlessly grateful to Marie-Véronique Nadeau and her team at Marie Veronique.
TWELVE formulator Pedro Catalá on his Ideal Brightening Corrective Serum
Pedro Català — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it, "What Pedro doesn't know...
Lagom: a Swedish philosophy we love
Lagom (lah-gum) is a Swedish term that means “not too little, not too much”: it’s all about balance, and it’s infused throughout Swedish culture. We see it in our own Guide, Emi, whose Swedish family’s influence can be seen in...
Self-compassion: tips for parents of teenagers
Many parents who shop in our SF studio have at some point mused, “My teenager is just starting to get a few breakouts, and I’d love to get something that might help them. Where should I start? And when should they start...
Brand Spotlight: Sudtana
Sudtana is everything we had hoped to find in Thailand, a place that is very close to our founder’s heart. These products have a way of transporting you directly to a spa in the “land of smiles” — find out why they're so...
Diet and Skin: a top dermatologist’s perspective
The brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades chats with Dara about not only what foods to avoid in cases of acne, rosacea, or skin aging, but also what to reach for.
Clinically-tested body care from The Organic Pharmacy
The Organic Pharmacy, founded by pharmacist and homeopath Margo Marrone, is one of the few brands that have been on our shelves since we opened our virtual doors in 2011. In case you don’t already know their story, The Organic...
de Mamiel Spring Oil: behind the formula
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn how she thought about the creation of the Spring Oil.
Brand Spotlight: Ava Isa, from The Sunscreen Company
Hear the story behind The Sunscreen Company, learn what makes Ava Isa sunscreens different (they really are!) and what we should be looking for in a daily sunscreen.
How long does it take skincare products to work?
When asked, “How long does it take to see if a skincare product really works for me?” we always answer, “It depends!” To find out what it depends on and why, check out Dara’s latest interview with Pedro.
Addio Cleansing Oil and Ganache Balm: tips from Olio E Osso’s founder
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, Paola chats with Dara about her two newest introductions.
Video introduction: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was born just as the pandemic started to spike for the first time in Italy, when everyone started to spend a lot more time at home — and scent took on a whole new level of mood-improving power...
Brand Spotlight: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was developed by Marta Mondelli, an actress and writer who worked with one of the best noses in Italy to create scents that are both comforting and modern. Learn about the brand here.
Our discoveries
Because we’ve valued our own cheerleaders so much, we love filling that same role for the brands that find a space on our shelves. Here are some of the brands that we’ve been the first beauty retailer to celebrate.
Dry & dehydrated skin: how to treat it
Tussling with dry and/or dehydrated skin? Marie covers the difference between transient and chronic dry skin, types of ingredients to look for, and how to most effectively layer products for better skin nourishment.
Dry winter hair: expert tips
Boris Oak, founder of Evolvh, recently popped into our SF studio to chat with Dara about a topic that vexes many of us: dry winter hair.
Winter skin tips from MyHavtorn of Sweden
For some winter-skin inspiration, we asked MyHavtorn co-founders Robin and Ingrid to tell us which products they're using most these days during the long Swedish winter.
Do you really need eye cream?
Do you absolutely, positively need an eye cream? Here are perspectives from both Dara and our friend, Dr. Pedro Catalá.
A brightening, plumping mask that's perfect for winter
The mask I’ve been using the most these days is actually a blend of two products I already had in my bathroom cabinet: the de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm and Brightening Cleanse & Exfoliate.
Treatments for dry, itchy, flaky scalps that inspire healthier hair growth
Winter: it’s not so great for the hair. Locks can get dry and brittle, and they often resist all efforts to seek the elusive volume at the crown that so many of us long for. And, vexingly, as the season...
How to get healthy, glowing skin with a simple routine
Dr. Pedro Catala shares his quick tips to get healthy, glowing skin using a simple routine. He also includes a trick to keep skin hydrated under your sunscreen, all day long.
de Mamiel Winter Oil: how it works with the seasons
An interview with creator Annee de Mamiel A frosty winter sunrise at Annee's farm in England Below, founder Annee de Mamiel describes the development process of her Winter Facial Oil, the first seasonal oil she ever created: she blends each batch herself,...
27 Rosiers on the perfect pair for dry skin: Ma Creme & Glow For Good
One of the things we love most about 27 Rosiers is that their products’ textures are uncommonly beautiful — and as a result, they turn skincare into a simple daily ritual that you’ll genuinely look forward to. Co-founders Stephanie and...
Dr. Macrene Alexiades on cosmetic procedures & skincare products: what to expect
Where cosmetic procedures (lasers, injectables, plastic surgery) are concerned, our team members tend to sit on the no- or low-intervention side of the spectrum. We all have different reasons for this; we also don’t view those who fall on the...
YÜLI's perspective: Gua Sha for face and body, and which oils to use with it
YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao shares his perspective on Gua Sha for both body and face, and which oils he finds work best with these techniques.
TWELVE Beauty body care: an inside look
Find out why Dr. Pedro Catalá decided to expand his TWELVE lineup to include daily body care.
de Mamiel Pure Calm Cleansing Dew: insider tips from Annee de Mamiel
Annee de Mamiel shares all of her Cleansing Dew secrets: how she developed it, how she suggests using it, and how it can be used as a redness-relieving mask, too.
de Mamiel's Altitude Bath: what makes it so addictive?
Interview with creator Annee de Mamiel de Mamiel Altitude Bath Soak was designed to showcase the marvelous Altitude Oil in an ideal context: folded into a deeply grounding and calming — yet, somehow, perfectly rejuvenating — salt bath. Here, creator...
Bare Hands: the story behind The Natural Pedicure
Read about Bare Hands founder Suzanne Shade’s journey as she experienced instant success with her first product and developed her follow-up hit, The Natural Pedicure.
Winter wellness secrets from Mette Picaut
M Picaut's founder, Mette, shares her secrets to keeping skin, body, and spirit healthy through the cold winter months in Sweden.
How we found Fueguia 1833
A few years ago, I happened upon a shop in New York that I’d never seen before. It was in a building set apart from others, painted a beautiful, deep shade of blue, and on the door was printed “Fueguia...
Introducing Fueguia 1833
Watch this beautiful video for a greater understanding of just how special this fragrance brand is.
Brand Spotlight: Fueguia 1833
Fueguia 1833 is an artisanal laboratory that creates limited-edition perfumes using a palette of over 1200 botanical ingredients — some of which have never been used in perfumery before. The brand is named for the meeting of three figures in...
Different acids, enzymes, and retinol in skin care
What are the different acids to look for in a formula, and why? How are they different from enzymes? And what about retinol? Marie Veronique makes sense of it all.
Gua Sha tutorial for brow tension and fine lines
In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses a rhodonite Gua Sha tool to address fine lines and relieve brow tension.
Gua Sha tutorial for tired, puffy eyes
In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses a rose quartz sculpting spoon to help remove puffiness from the eye area.
Why breathing is important
Why is our breath so effective at calming us when we're stressed? Dr. Alex Tanner wrote this excellent explanation for us — and shared a simple breathing exercise we love.
de Mamiel Autumn Oil: how to use it
Annee de Mamiel describes treating skin seasonally in clinic and her suggestions for a home routine with the wonderful de Mamiel Autumn Facial Oil.
de Mamiel seasonal face oil: Autumn
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn how the Autumn Facial Oil came to be.
Rose and oat extracts for skin
Formulator Dr. Pedro Catalá describes the benefits of rose and oat extracts in skincare — and why he chose to use both in the product he made just for us, Dara's Water.
MyHavtorn: 2021 sea buckthorn harvest update
Every year, we look forward to the sea buckthorn harvest update from Robin and Ingrid at the MyHavtorn farm in Bollebygd, Sweden.
End-of-summer skincare: a top dermatologist's perspective
Lately, we’ve received a lot of questions about the best ways to get end-of-summer skin back into shape. We asked Dr. Macrene Alexiades to provide us with her expert perspective.
Brand Spotlight: J.M. Generals
Jeffrey Monteiro tells us how J.M. Generals began — and the lengths to which he goes in order to stay true to his original vision of a business that deeply integrates design, technique, and sustainable values.
BioRecept's founder on switching skincare products, rosacea, and other FAQs
Biorecept founder Anne Dupouy-Camet discusses skincare with Dara: why switching products can be helpful, what she suggests for rosacea and periomenopausal skin, and whether or not to exfoliate.
Essential oils, flower waters, and plant extracts: what's the difference?
Expert formulator Pedro Catalá, PhD guides us through world of plant extracts, explaining how essential oils and floral waters differ and why different types of plant based ingredients are used in skincare.
Brand Spotlight: Paloroma
Paloroma's designed-in-Brooklyn, made-in-Vermont products boast soothing, gentle, fragrance free formulas that appeal to delicate skin of all ages.
Manasi7 makeup tutorial: summery makeup, all year long
Susanne Manasi Persson is a Stockholm-based makeup artist whose approach is deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing. She created this fun summer makeup tutorial for us featuring Manasi7 colors.
Orcé Cosmetics: Foundation, Setting Powder, and Perfecting Makeup Sponge for a flawless finish
Yu-Chen Shih created Orcé to celebrate a broader range of Asian skin tones with specific makeup shades that weren't offered by other beauty brands. Its Come Closer Foundation also works across a number of non-Asian skin tones and, in the...
The story behind Dara's Water
Our founder, Dara, had been looking for a cleansing water that could easily clean every (truly, every) skin type for over ten years. To our delight, TWELVE founder Dr. Pedro Catalá created Dara’s Water: everything we’d been looking for, and more.
Skin cleansing: why and how should we wash our faces?
Dara asks Dr. Pedro Catalá, founder and master formulator for TWELVE Beauty, all about cleansing: why is it necessary, what makes a good cleanser, and what type of cleanser is best?
Rosacea: typical causes and suggested treatments
We caught up with famed skin care therapist Kristina Holey, an Ayla favorite, to chat about rosacea. Here's her point of view about typical causes of this condition and treatments she frequently suggests.
de Mamiel Dewy Facial Mist: behind the formula
Dara interviews Annee de Mamiel, creator of de Mamiel's Dewy Skin Mist, to learn the secrets behind this super-hydrating formula.
How to use de Mamiel First Fix
An interview with creator Annee de Mamiel Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and we can tell. Her newest product, First Fix, represents 13 years of work with chronic stress and...
de Mamiel First Fix: The story behind this special product
Created by a skincare therapist who brings serious training in physiology, aromatherapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine to the clinic table, the products in de Mamiel’s lineup have not been designed in the usual way — and their results are so...
Stress and skin: tips from Annee de Mamiel
Dara interviews Annee de Mamiel to learn more about this revered skin healer's approach to chronic stress in clinic and her suggestions for home routines.
Better sleep: tips & products that can help
Still not sleeping well? You've got company. Many of us have spent the last year just trying to make it through, and when faced with a relaxing of pandemic vigilance, it can be hard to…relax. I’ve found this to be...
TWELVE's Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser: the story behind the product
It’s always exciting when TWELVE Beauty introduces a new product, so it came as no surprise when multiple TWELVE fans called us to ask, “Is the new Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser here yet?” while it was in transit from Valencia...
Preservatives in skincare: a natural approach
Dr. Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that he...
Refresh your hair between washes
When you don’t want to spend too much time styling your hair, one of the easiest ways to avoid it — while still ensuring your hair looks good — is to extend your time between styling sessions. This often requires a...
Face oils for summer
We’re still running around in layers in SF, but for many of you as well as these residents of nearby Santa Cruz, summer weather has already arrived. And with those deliciously long, warm days almost always comes the desire to...
Eczema treatments that work: three favorites
You may have noticed that we don't have product reviews on our site. We made this decision mainly because we've found everyone's skin, hair, skin tones, makeup, and fragrance tastes to be so different that quick product reviews often don't...
LIHA Ose Gidi Soap: the story behind a best seller
LIHA Ose Gidi Soap is one of the products that first drew us to this British brand. Handmade in small batches, it’s LIHA’s extra-nourishing take on traditional Nigerian black soap, which is typically made only with plantain ash, shea butter,...
Our 2022 sunscreen guide
Sunscreen: we know. It’s so easy to say, “Wear sunscreen! It’s the best thing you can do to keep your skin healthy.” True, but does that matter if sunscreen is so annoying, generally, that you just don’t wear it that much?...
Dr. Pedro Catalá: Ingredients to look for when going outdoors
One of our favorite formulation and ingredient experts is Dr. Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty. He knows his stuff: Pedro has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that...
Brand Spotlight: Kinfield
Kinfield Golden Hour is the only bug spray we carry — and when you come across an “it’s the only one of its kind that we carry” situation with us, it’s a sure sign of two things: This is an...
Skin care during perimenopause & menopause: a top dermatologist's advice
We’ve heard from you — frequently — that there isn’t a whole lot of information out there on perimenopause, menopause, and the skin changes that accompany both stages. Which, of course, made us want to double down on this fascinating...
Self-esteem and confidence: a psychologist’s reflections
We've noticed lately that many of us seem to feel less confident than usual. It’s come up so frequently in conversations and consultations that we wondered at a recent team meeting, "Is this becoming a worrying trend? And if so,...
Luzern: innovation update from one of the originals in clean beauty
We always love the originals — the ones who see the truths around the corner before they become trends. They remain endlessly fascinating and inspiring to us because they keep thinking ahead of the masses, exploring those truths more deeply...
Gua Sha tutorial: jawline & cheekbone sculpting
Gua Sha is a traditional healing technique from China that involves a small, smooth stone board that is pressed against the skin to gently massage facial fascia, muscles, and skin while stimulating specific energy points. This encourages healthy circulation, releases...
Congested skin & clogged pores: advice from Kristina Holey
We asked famed facialist Kristina Holey how she thinks about congested skin and clogged pores: why are so many of us struggling with them, and what can we do? Read on for her expert perspective.
LIHA's unique & beautiful approach to fragrance
LIHA's beautiful British products blend West African botanicals with traditional English aromatherapy in formulas that feature carefully sourced ingredients, multipurpose usage possibilities, and a keen focus on sustainability from start to finish. In this quick video chat between our founder, Dara, and...
Ellis Brooklyn's founder on SALT, BEE, and Iso Gamma Super
Ellis Brooklyn was created by Bee Shapiro, a chic mom who happens to be a style columnist for The New York Times. These sophisticated, multilayered scents, developed in collaboration with the perfumer behind Byredo and other star perfumers, take non-toxic fragrance to...
Brand Spotlight: Augustinus Bader
More often than not, we’re early adopters where products are concerned. We love discovering new or under-the-radar brands and being among the first to bring them to you: this was the case with such favorites as MyHavtorn, TWELVE, Vintner’s Daughter, Kosas, Ellis Brooklyn, Macrene (formerly 37)...
LIHA: the story behind the brand
Liha and Abi, the two friends behind the LIHA brand, are not only deeply thoughtful but also candid and fun, which makes learning more about their entrepreneurial story all the more delightful.
Do you need a toner?
The best ones turn my answer from "Well..." to “Yes. Yes, you do.” It’s been a strange start to spring. Some years, this season effortlessly breathes fresh energy and unbridled optimism into the air. This year, though — with every...
Kristina Holey on skincare routines at home
In the view of famed facialist Kristina Holey, strategic at-home skincare has always been — and always will be — much more important than in-person treatments. Here, she shares specific practices that we can all adopt in our home care routines.
Brand Spotlight: Unsun
Unsun was created by Katonya Breaux, a longtime business owner (she ran a custom-home construction company for two decades) and mother (of Frank Ocean, as it happens). As she shares with us below, Unsun grew out of a personal need...
Insomnia and Traditional Chinese Medicine: a deep dive into Dr. Anna Gold's BUILD SLEEP
We couldn’t think of a better expert than the gifted Dr. Anna Gold to solve the complicated problem of troubled sleep. Read on to learn more about the innovative BUILD SLEEP formula.
Collagen supplements for skin: do they work?
Collagen supplements: do they actually benefit our skin or not? To broaden our lens, we asked Sara Gottfried, MD for her opinion. Our take: collagen supplements aren't the magical answer to all your problems, but studies increasingly indicate that they can benefit skin and joints in particular.
EVOLVh InstaVolume Mousse: insider info & styling tips
EVOLVh InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse is an innovative, alcohol-free styling foam that gives hair weightless volume with a soft, clean feel. We talked to EVOLVh founder Boris Oak about what makes this mousse so different; he also shares some great tips for using...
EVOLVh WonderBalm: the story behind the ingredients of this stellar frizz fighter
EVOLVh WonderBalm is a silicone-free, fragrance-free serum that nearly defies belief in its ability to fight frizz. To learn more about how WonderBalm’s ingredients and how they outperform silicone, we caught up with EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
White genepi, TWELVE Beauty's hidden antioxidant hero
White genepi is a powerful antioxidant that's found in the majority of TWELVE Beauty's products. We asked TWELVE creator and master formulator, Dr. Pedro Catalá, to tell us why white genepi deserves a headline of its own.
Bach flower baths: a simple way to enjoy these essences
A bath with Bach flowers can feel like a spiritual hug — and it's so easy. Here, our founder, Dara, and the founder of Les Fleurs de Bach, Gérard Wolf, discuss the practice of bathing with Bach flowers.
Kahina's Beldi Soap brings us inside the Moroccan hammam
Katharine Phillips L’Heureux started Kahina after a trip to Morocco, where she first learned about argan oil; since then, she has developed a full line of products inspired by her many subsequent trips to this beautiful country. In our minds,...
Astaxanthin, a low-key star of YULI's Ambrosia Beauty Nectar
One of our favorite under-the-radar antioxidants, astaxanthin, happens to be one of the key ingredients in one of our favorite products, YÜLI’s Ambrosia Beauty Nectar. Here, YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao tells us what he loves about this ingredient.
Facial massage with de Mamiel's Cleansing Balm
de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm is a favorite for our entire team. We asked our esthetician, Sarah, to put together a video to show us how to use it for a deeply relaxing and restorative facial massage.
Brand Spotlight: de Mamiel
Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and somehow, that's palpable. Read on to learn more about her fascinating approach to skincare.
MyHavtorn's Liquid Hand & Body Wash: an inside look
MyHavtorn’s Sea Buckthorn Soap has been a sensation at Ayla: it seems nearly impossible to keep it in stock. What we are equally excited about is its liquid version, the new MyHavtorn Liquid Hand & Body Wash — offered exclusively...
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: long, wavy hair air-dry
In this video, hairstylist Mandy Wray shows us how to pre-wash, wash, condition, and air-dry long, wavy hair using Reverie: CAKE, EVER, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MILK, RAKE, and MARE.
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: short hair refresh
Want to see Reverie products in action? In this video, hairstylist Lo Shabino shows us how to give short hair a refresh using CAKE, MARE, & RAKE.
Blue light and skin: Dr. Pedro Catalá on antioxidant protection
Pedro Catalá— founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly trained founder-formulators we know; he holds a pharmacy degree, a Master's degree in Botany, and a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it,...
Brand Spotlight: Garrett Markenson's Reverie
If we had to pick one single reason for our love of hairstylist Garrett Markenson’s Reverie product line, it would be this: it actually inspires you to love your hair. These flexible, foolproof products invite experimentation and what we think...
Olio e Osso: the new January 2021 collection at Ayla
Olio E Osso is a small, Portland-based company that makes beautifully simple and versatile skincare and makeup products. Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. In...
Some favorite songs of peace, hope, and inspiration for your bath
2021 has not yet proven to be less crazy than its predecessor, has it? Perhaps because of this, I’ve taken a bath almost every evening this year: whether due to the news, the weather, or something else, I seem to crave...
Our team's late 2020 favorites
The other day, I talked to a customer who said of our team, “This might sound strange, and it’s probably entirely one-sided, but I feel like I have a relationship with you all. You feel like friends.” I assured her...
My favorite rosacea tips
One of my oldest friends asked me recently what she could do about a rosacea flare-up. She’s a lawyer who’s been working like mad to prepare for a trial and, like many a working mom these days, packed up her...
A peek into the hidden world of Bach flowers
If you’ve been following us for some time, you may already know how much I love Bach flower remedies. They didn’t sweep me off my feet right away; rather, I was swept off my feet by a beautiful body scrub...
The value of a farm visit
About five years ago, I went through a phase where the amount I was spending on groceries each week seemed outrageous. I’m not sure what I was comparing it to, exactly, but it just seemed like a lot. And it...
One step that can wake skin up again
Have you been feeling a little dragged-down? The inevitable settling-down that comes after a period of intensity — combined with the arrival of cold weather and earlier darkness — can pose a challenge even to the most motivated. Especially, I imagine, if...
Do tinctures really work? Yes. Good ones do.
We have not discussed this, you and I. But I imagine that if you’re not already a devotee of Dr. Anna Gold’s ingestible tinctures, you might view them with a modicum of skepticism: “Are they just another thing for me to...
Activist Manuka Oil: what it is & how to use it
Our entire team adores Activist Manuka, so we were thrilled when we learned that they’d created a Manuka Essential Oil to add to their lineup. To learn more about it (and get a fantastic face mask recipe), we caught up...
Activist Manuka Honey: Frequently asked questions
We caught up with Activist co-founder Gabrielle before her family left for their annual trip back to New Zealand to ask a few frequently asked questions about their phenomenal honey.
Facial oils — or creams and lotions? Dr. Pedro weighs in.
“Should I use a facial oil, or a face cream?” Oh, how we love meaty and complicated questions like this. We were lucky to get the perspectives of the founders of both Marie Veronique (Marie-Véronique Nadeau) and YULI (Eddie Zhao)...
Face oils — or creams and lotions?
We’ve written many times of our love of the combination of a hydrating serum with a moisturizing facial oil in our email newsletter. The face serum + face oil combination (like Dara's own favorite combination, shown above) isn’t necessarily better...
Diet, skin, & inflammation
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
How to wash your face: A top derm dishes
Washing your face: not so basic. Dr. Macrene Alexiades pointed out to us that improper cleansing methods and products can cause unnecessary harm to skin.
Maskne solutions from Luzern Labs
Luzern’s head of education, Lisamarie DeLucia, recently shared the brand's thoughtful perspective on maskne with us; read on for her top tips on keeping skin healthy these days.
Brand spotlight: Luzern Labs
Luzern Labs has been one of our founder's favorite skincare brands since 2003, and it's beloved by our team and customers at Ayla. We asked cofounder Jen Herbert-Coste to tell us just what makes these products so spectacular.
Two of Dr. Pedro Catalá's favorite products from TWELVE right now
Don't you often want to know what a founder's favorite products are? At the start of a long winter, TWELVE founder Dr. Pedro Catalá leans on the Ideal Rebalancing Facial Serum and Intelligent Frontier Facial Oil.
Brand Spotlight: TEK Brushes
Our founder's scouting trip to Italy all began with an Italian hairbrush that she had fallen deeply in love with after stumbling upon it in a little shop in France.
Brand Spotlight: Biofficina Toscana
Our founder flew to Florence, along with her rebellious hair, in search of the secret to those healthy, voluminous locks seen on the likes of Monica Bellucci and Claudia Cardinale.
Happy Tea: 2020 production update from MyHavtorn
We are delighted that this year’s batch is finally here, and to celebrate, Robin and Ingrid shared some pictures of the 2020 Happy Tea harvest and production.
MyHavtorn's Sea Buckthorn Soap: an inside look
For many, spring 2020 heralded a time of slowing down. For Robin Johansson, co-founder of MyHavtorn, it was time to make soap — which we couldn't have been happier about.
Thursday note: my favorite fall ritual
Thursday notes are sent to regular readers of our email newsletter. This is my first one, focusing on my favorite fall ritual.
Brand Spotlight: Bare Hands, a truly natural nail brand
Learn about the cool story behind the Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure and its creator’s top tips for using the kit. Which, truly, you have to get.
Dr. Anna Gold on nail health
When we were looking for advice on encouraging nail health, one of the first people we turned to was, naturally, Dr. Anna Gold: Chinese Medicine views the nails as a window into the health of the body overall.
Nail health: an Ayurvedic perspective
When we introduced the Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure Kit, we wanted to dig deeper into nail health. Dr. Anna Gold provided us with a fascinating perspective on both Eastern and Western approaches to nail health; while discussing nail conditions...
Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure Tutorials
Bare Hands creator Suzanne Shade teaches our team member, Ellen, how to use the Dry Gloss Manicure Kit with her dominant hand as well as her non-dominant hand.
Kahina’s founder on the myriad uses of Moroccan Rose Water
Katharine Phillips L’Heureux started Kahina after a trip to Morocco in 2007, where she learned that argan oil — rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids — has great calming, hydrating, anti-aging effects. We’ve been fans of Kahina...
Make skin glow naturally: solutions for dull skin
We’ve been hearing this phrase more than ever: “My skin has really lost its glow these days. What’s going on?” Like many things right now, it’s a little complicated — a few different things tend to contribute to dull skin,...
Brand spotlight: LIHA
Abi Oyepitan and Liha Okunniwa met in 1998 while at Brunel University London, where they became fast friends. What we find particularly interesting about their story is that the two women were drawn to elements in one another that would...
Ayla featured by Google as a small business story of resilience
We were delighted to be chosen by Google's Small Business Team for a highlight video about resilience, and watching it just makes us want to give you and all of our incredible partners a big hug.
Dr. Macrene Alexiades on dermatological procedures and daily skincare
Dr. Macrene Alexiades has long been an Ayla inspiration for many reasons, starting with her list of accomplishments. She has a BA, MD, and PhD in genetics from Harvard, where she was a Fulbright scholar; a bustling dermatology practice on...
TWELVE Beauty's founder on caring for skin in pollution, heat, and smog
TWELVE Beauty's founder, Dr. Pedro Catalá, kindly shared some tips with us a few weeks ago as we were first thinking about the transition from summer to fall and how it might affect the skin. Now that fall is here,...
On Bach Flowers and 2020
For some time, I’ve been thinking that the world of beauty and wellness needs to place greater emphasis on the health of our minds and spirits. I’ve been thinking about this since before I started Ayla, actually: it was one...
Mental health during the pandemic and how self-care fits in: a psychologist's perspective
Chandler Chang, PhD, is the Founder & Clinical Director of Therapy Lab, a California practice that offers science-based teletherapy from the comfort of home. You may have heard about Dr. Chang in the LA Times or on Cheddar TV; our...
Our current mood-lifting favorites: September 2020
Sometimes we imagine that, inside each one of us, there’s a little cheerleader jumping up and down, waving pom-poms, calling to us, “You can do it! You’ve got this!” It can be a charming, motivating visual. But this year, for...
Les Fleurs de Bach: the story & devotion behind this brand
We’ve been the exclusive US partners of Elixirs & Co and their Les Fleurs de Bach brand since our founder met their team in Paris five years ago — after having stumbled upon their absolutely perfect body scrub in a shop in...
TWELVE's Dr. Pedro Catalá on Healthy Skin Barrier Function
Shifts in temperature and humidity can lead to changes in the way your skin’s barrier functions: during these times, skin has to work harder to stay in balance, particularly where hydration is concerned. This is a frequent struggle in the...
The Ayla Sea Soak: Reef Check update
We’re proud to donate 5% of all our Sea Soak sales to Reef Check Foundation, an incredible “citizen science” nonprofit that educates and empowers anyone who’s SCUBA certified to help with marine conservation efforts. Reef Check has chapters in 40...
CBD Body Oil: Juna's Ease
When CBD was first on everyone’s minds a few years ago, we started hunting for good resources to help us understand it. All paths seemed to lead to Jewel Zimmer, the founder of Juna: “If you want to hear about...
MyHavtorn: 2020 harvest update
Every year, we look forward to the harvest update from Robin and Ingrid at the MyHavtorn farm in Bollebygd, Sweden. Read their latest news below, and to learn more about the harvest in general (it's fascinating!), check out this interview...
Sea buckthorn harvest time at the MyHavtorn farm
MyHavtorn's sea buckthorn products are fresher, purer, and packed with more sea buckthorn than any others we've tried. Want to know more about how these berries are grown?
Aplat Mask FAQs
Aplat shared these FAQs about their masks, which we thought would be helpful to pass along to you.
Maskne tips: causes and solutions
For a thoughtful perspective on the causes of and solutions for maskne, we asked Dr. Pedro Catalá — founder of TWELVE Beauty — to share his thoughts.
Brand Spotlight: Aplat
It is easier to deal with maskne if you’re wearing a mask that’s more breathable — and maskne is less of an issue to begin with. Our favorites are designed and sewn by a cool San Francisco company called Aplat.
What Dara's using: August 2020
One of our most frequently asked questions is, "What does Dara use?" Here, she shares what she's using right now for face, hair, and body.
Facial Massage for Puffiness
Our magical esthetician, Sarah, is a master at de-puffing massage, and she’s shared a routine that you can do at home in just a few minutes here.
Brand spotlight: 27 Rosiers
We've known the delightful duo behind 27 Rosiers, Stephanie and Kevin, since they first visited Ayla in fall 2018; we've met them in their hometown of Paris, too.
Read on to learn more about their story and their uniquely French-Californian philosophy.
Orcé Come Closer Foundation: Choosing Your Shade
Shade matching sounds simple enough, but it can be frustrating and time-consuming. There are a few ways to make the process a whole lot easier, and we’re breaking them down.
Brand Spotlight: Orcé Cosmetics
Orcé founder Yu-Chen Shih now lives in Los Angeles, but she grew up in Singapore — where, given her Polynesian roots, she spent most of her childhood being teased for her darker complexion and curvy build, which stood in stark...
On Asian skin tones and Orcé
Hanging out in Thailand with my big brother in 1983…and actually seeking out sun exposure. Hello, freckles. (By the way, I must find that vintage Wonder Woman t-shirt.)
Kristina Holey + Marie Veronique on skin conditions in perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause
Kristina + Marie share a general overview of what’s happening in the skin during this time of transition, along with a menu of suggested products
Dr. Anna Gold on herbal supplements for menopause & perimenopause
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought-after practitioners of TCM, happens to specialize in fertility and hormone related issues. So, when she developed her line of Dr. Anna Gold (formerly Arcana) herbal tinctures, it was only...
Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms: Q&A video with Tamara Neuhaus, MD
We’ve been fascinated by the topic of perimenopause and menopause for years — as have many of you, given how popular this interview about menopausal skincare (one of our personal favorites) has been. As always, we found ourselves wanting to...
Dr. Pedro Catalá on TWELVE Clear Beginning Hand Spray
When COVID-19 swept the world, many cosmetics manufacturers pitched in by making hand sanitizers to alleviate shortages. TWELVE’s founder, Dr. Pedro Catalá, wanted to help, too — but in typical Pedro style, he wanted to make the best hand solution...
On kindness, compassion, and solidarity
We’re currently living through what some historians have described as “a trifecta of awful”: a global pandemic, economic turmoil, and stark reminders of the systemic racism affecting Black communities, in particular, across the country. Like so many right now, we’re trying...
A simple exercise to support love, compassion, and joy
Try this invigorating exercise, a yoga-class favorite, to focus on your heart—your center of love, compassion, and joy. (Kids will love this one, too.)
Natural deodorant: how it works, and why it's worth it
Between its three stellar, distinct, and incredibly efficacious natural deodorant formulas — Hoppin’ Fresh, Base Layer, and Sublime Sage — Ursa Major is likely to be the one brand that will make you switch over from your “eh, it may...
A natural remedy for blackheads: Dr. Pedro Catalá presents a kinder, gentler solution
A quick Google search for “blackhead removal” will reveal a variety of devices ranging from those that look fairly medieval to those that look like a miniature Dyson vacuum cleaner. In our view, none of them will be the answer...
EVOLVh founder Boris Oak on InstaVolume volumizing haircare
We adore Boris Oak, the creator of our favorite hometown haircare brand, EVOLVh. He always bounces in the door with so much enthusiasm that, when we can all gather for a big bash again, it's clear he’ll need to join...
Stress & anxiety relief through herbal remedies: Dr. Anna Gold on BALANCE
The past few months have been trying times for everyone, filled with stress and anxiety for many. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna...
Boosting the immune system naturally with herbs: Dr. Anna Gold weighs in
Virus prevention on your mind? Wouldn’t you know it — ours, too. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna Gold (formerly Arcana) herbal tinctures,...
Collagen in topical and ingestible skincare: a top dermatologist's advice
Collagen is an endlessly fascinating topic to us, and to many of you, too — especially these days, when we’re spending a little more time than usual looking at our skin in bathroom mirrors and Zoom meetings and perhaps wondering...
Perimenopause and menopause: an OB/GYN weighs in on skin and body symptoms
Tamara Neuhaus, MD is an OB/GYN who specializes in menopause and perimenopause at The Cusp, where she serves as Chief Medical Officer. Hormones wreak havoc on skin, particularly once women reach their late forties and fifties: Perimenopause and menopause...
How to read ingredient labels on cosmetics: an expert guide
Have you ever thought, “Someone should put together a guide on how to read these ingredient labels”? We hope so.
Natural DIY mask recipes from Dr. Pedro Catalá
DIY beauty is not our favorite trend, simply because there are many ways it can go wrong. But homemade face masks are so tempting, aren’t they? Here are some that are formulator-approved.
Natural homemade remedies for dry hands from Dr. Pedro Catalá
Frequent washing and sanitizing is leaving many of us with dry, cracked hands. For some natural home remedies, we approached Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty.
Simple meditation instructions from Juniper
Juniper Meditation Center shares their simple steps for meditation that can be done on a daily basis for a calmer and more disciplined mind.
Breathing exercise for better sleep: Viloma Pranayama
Pranayama is the yogic exercise of controlling the breath. Viloma Pranayama is a simple exercise that can be done at bedtime — or anytime — to achieve a sense of calm and balance.
A conversation with Kristina Holey & Kristy from Marie Veronique
If you missed Dara's Instagram Live chat with Kristina Holey and Kristy Moore-Jeffress at Marie Veronique HQ in Berkeley, you can watch the full video here
Brand spotlight: RiseWell
RiseWell is one of those brands that just fell into our laps, as if some sort of dental angel looked at our shelves and thought, “The poor dears, they don’t have a toothpaste brand in there, do they?”
All about the lymphatic system and lymphatic drainage
Lisa Brinker is the go-to Manual Lymphatic Drainage expert in San Francisco — the one who is consistently recommended by other massage therapists and bodyworkers for her particular expertise in this specific discipline. Since we've recently introduced products that speak...
TWELVE founder Dr. Pedro Catalá shares the secrets behind his new Reverent Antioxidant Dry Body Oil
TWELVE founder Pedro Catalá shares the secrets behind his new Reverent Antioxidant Body Oil, a firming body oil infused with botanical extracts that act as a second skin while also stimulating the lymphatic drainage system.
Brand spotlight: Kahina Giving Beauty
Kahina’s story is a rich one, and we love the team behind these beautiful products, so we asked Katharine to share more of their story — and some of the secrets behind their new products — with you.
Brand spotlight: Dr. Devgan Scientific Beauty
Lara Devgan, MD is the go-to board-certified plastic surgeon of New York’s chicest set and the creator of two of our newest favorite products. We caught up with this accomplished mom of 6 (!) to learn more.
Brand spotlight: Max & Me
In this thoughtful, thorough interview, Max & Me creator Tanja Gruber covers Austrian farming history, tales of visits to suppliers in far-flung destinations, and secrets to lasting love.
A letter about love
We opened our virtual doors at aylabeauty.com on Valentine’s Day nine years ago, and every year, our birthday prompts the question: why that particular day?
The story behind Guldkorn Cream
Guldkorn Cream was created just for us in Sweden by our wonderful friends at MyHavtorn. Read more about its development in our interview with Robin, MyHavtorn's charming co-founder.
Marie Veronique on why you need Vitamin C
“I think I need a Vitamin C serum.” It’s something we hear from a lot of you, and you’re right: you probably do. But finding the right one can be tricker than it may seem. We asked the brilliant Marie Veronique to...
Marie Veronique on Exfoliation 2.0
Marie-Veronique Nadeau is something of a folk hero in the healthy beauty world. Here, she reveals how we can all be thinking about exfoliation differently.
How to use your Sea Soak & Straight Up Seaweed as a fertilizer after your bath
Our seaweed forager, Ian, tell us how we can use the kelp from our Sea Soak and Straight Up Seaweed products as a fertilizer once we've taken our baths.
TWELVE Beauty creator Pedro Catalá tells us why we need mature skin cells
If you suffer from perioral or periorbital dermatitis, or simply have sensitive skin, you’ll want to read Pedro's explanation of why mature skin cells are your friends.
Kristina Holey & Anna Gold on the Dr. Anna Gold Tinctures
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, the creator of a line of herbal tinctures, is a key collaborator of star facialist Kristina Holey's. Here, these two superwomen discuss their work together and how Dr. Gold's tinctures fit in.
Mija Superstar: behind the supplement with Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN
MIJA Superstar was developed by a registered dietitian with serious credentials: Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN is one of the most well-respected nutritionists in the Bay Area. Naturally, we were full of questions for her.
Mija Superstar smoothie recipes
We asked Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN to share some of her favorite smoothie recipes with us — because one of the best things about her Mija Superstar supplement is how nicely it works in your morning smoothie.
What Dara's using on her face: December 2019
In answer to our customers’ most frequently asked question when Dara’s not in our studio, she's sharing which skincare products she uses every day.
Astrologer Rose Theodora on what to expect as 2019 comes to a close
As we approach the end of the decade, we asked celebrated astrologer Rose Theodora to tell us what to expect from an astrological perspective.
Dermatologist Macrene Alexiades on her new Macrene Actives line
We've been enthusiastic supporters of Dr. Macrene Alexiades and her 37 Actives product line since its very beginning. And we're delighted to now be one of the first retailers to introduce her updated product line, which includes new formulas, new...
A humectant glossary, inspired by San Francisco, from Dr. Pedro Catalá
We were delighted to have Dr. Pedro Catalá, creator of TWELVE Beauty, visiting us from Spain this month. During his time here, he wrote this absolutely lovely journal and invited us to share it with you as a guest blog...
A Pro's Holiday Makeup Tips for 2019
We asked SF makeup artist Melissa McMillan how to freshen up your look this holiday season — whether you’re just looking to spice things up for everyday or just to add a little glitter for evening events.
The Science Behind TWELVE's new Clementine Cleansing Balm
The Clementine Cleansing Balm is the latest addition to the stellar TWELVE lineup. Here, creator Dr. Pedro Català explains why it works so well with just five ingredients.
Traditional Chinese Medicine 101 with Dr. Anna Gold
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest forms of medicine; it’s been practiced for over 5,000 years. Even more awe-inspiring, to us, is the fact that it is not only still widely practiced, but also increasingly used to...
Introducing the Ayla Sea Soak
Our first Ayla product has so many fascinating stories attached to it — and we’re so incredibly excited about it — that it’s hard to know exactly where to begin. So we’ll start with what it is: the Ayla Sea...
All about hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a real problem for many, and an annoyance for many more. Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D. gives us an unbiased expert perspective on what it is, how it can be prevented, and the best treatments.
Brand Spotlight: S5
S5 has been designed to address chronic skin stress — a common culprit behind redness, sensitivity, and adult acne. Laura, S5's founder, tells us the story behind S5.
Lycoconfort & skincare during chemotherapy: thoughts from BioRecept’s founder
Anne Dupouy-Camet created her best-selling Lycoconfort de Peau moisturizer for her mother during her chemotherapy treatment. “It was the only thing that could soothe her skin,” she noted — and it’s our go-to for those whose skin is so parched...
Skincare during cancer treatment: TWELVE founder Pedro Catalá weighs in
Dr. Pedro Català started creating his TWELVE formulas while working as a pharmacist at a London oncology clinic. It’s no wonder his products are so wonderfully soothing — and he's full of excellent advice on how to care for skin during cancer...
Natural products & styling secrets for curly hair
We asked Michele Scott-Lynch, the founder of Bouclème, to answer the most frequently asked questions of our biggest Bouclème fans. Here, she covers secrets to getting more volume at the crown; making curls last all day; and refreshing curls the...
Rose Theodora on astrology basics & Scorpio season
Rose Theodora is a celebrated astrologer who currently resides in Spain. We're thrilled that she will visit Ayla for a residency at the end of October — just in time for Scorpio season.
Summer-to-fall makeup tips with Susanne Manasi Persson
Manasi7 creator, makeup artist Susanne Manasi Persson, shares her top tips on the summer-to-fall transition — which can be a tricky one from a makeup perspective.
Tips for curls from EVOLVh founder Boris Oak
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit to our SF studio. Even more delightful? He told us his secret to keep curls frizz free. Read on for his tips and an introduction to the...
How stress affects your skin
According to Dr. Amy Wechsler, one of a handful of doctors in the United States board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry, stress can have a major impact on the condition of our skin — particularly as we age.
TWELVE formulator Pedro Catalá on in-flight skincare and humectants
Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that he also teaches at...
A guide to our favorite healthy mascaras
We're a very, very picky bunch; you may know this already. It's one of the reasons why we keep our product collection so tightly edited. Another reason is that we don't want to overwhelm you unnecessarily with choice — but still,...
Brand Spotlight: Manasi7
Manasi7 was created by Susanne Manasi Persson, a Stockholm-based makeup artist. It has an approach to makeup products that is at the same time deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing, inspiring us to mix and match and play.
Tricks for more volume from EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
EVOLVh does many things well; one of the first things we noticed was how beautifully volumizing their products can be. No crunch, no dryness — just bouncy, shiny, touchable hair. So we had to ask their founder, Boris, “How do...
Tricks for better hair color from EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit last week with some new products that are not only excellent, but also might fall under the “where has this been all my life” category — especially...
Air pollution's effects on skin
A clear link between air pollution and accelerated skin aging has been demonstrated in a number of studies in recent years. We asked Parisian pharmacist, skincare researcher, and chemist Anne Dupouy-Camet to weigh in.
Brand Spotlight: Activist Manuka
Activist Raw Manuka honey is in a class of its own. We hadn’t spent too much time thinking about honey before spring 2019, to be candid. Then Activist came to us, and everything changed.
Retinol, Retin-A, and other retinoids: what they do and how to use them
Is an over the counter retinol product enough, or do you need to get a prescription retinoid like Retin-A? To get the straight scoop, we consulted Seth Matarasso, MD, our favorite West coast dermatologist.
Happy Tea: A closer look at Ayla + MyHavtorn sea buckthorn tea
We fell hopelessly in love with the delicate, health-boosting sea buckthorn leaf tea that our friends at MyHavtorn make from the sea buckthorn trees on their Swedish farm. So we asked them if we could buy all of it.
Niacinamide in skincare: key benefits and the latest news
Pedro Català, founder of TWELVE Beauty, is one of our most trusted resources for ingredient information; he is constantly evaluating new raw materials and is known for his exacting standards. These days, he's particularly excited about niacinamide.
Brand spotlight: Olio E Osso
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, she shares application tips for her best-selling Tinted Balms along with various secrets about her fascinating life.
Marie Veronique on mitochondria, cellular respiration, and skin health
When we asked the brilliant chemist Marie Veronique about what's new in skincare, she said, “It’s all about the mitochondria.” (Mitochondria: it's the new microbiome.)
Tips for healthy hair and scalp from a top dermatologist
We asked nationally recognized hair loss expert Diane Berson, MD a question that we figured most of you would have: "How can we keep our hair and scalps healthy so that we don't lose our hair in the first place?"
Brand Spotlight: Ursa Major of Vermont
There's just something about Ursa Major's healthy, gently-priced, and active-lifestyle-minded products from Vermont that we love. So what's the story behind this cool brand? Read on for the inside scoop from Emily Doyle, one of its founders.
TWELVE formulator Pedro Catalá’s tips for dehydrated skin
Dehydration: it's the common link between combination and dry skin conditions, and it's the reason why Pedro Catalá created his marvelous moisture serums.
Brand spotlight: EVOLVh hair care
If you don’t already know the story behind this company, it’s a great one: EVOLVh is a partnership between Boris Oak and Gary Smith, the chemist responsible for such hair product superstars as Jhirmack, Jheri Curl, Frizz-Ease, and KMS.
Vintner's Daughter: The formula behind the results
Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum has been called many things: "Unicorn Tears," "The Face Oil to End All Face Oils," and "The Best Natural Beauty Product of All Time." Why is it so effective? We got the scoop from its creator.
Brand Spotlight: Marie Veronique
Marie-Veronique Nadeau and her eponymous skincare line had been on our radar for some time. But it wasn’t until someone described her as a “mad scientist with a heart of gold” that we really sat up and paid attention.
DIY beauty: expert tips & words of caution
DIY face masks are a lot of fun. But as founder-formulator Dr. Pedro Català of TWELVE puts it, “Natural product formulation is a science, not an experiment.” Who better to ask for a perspective on the DIY craze?
Sunscreen tips from a top dermatologist
To understand what we need to know about sunscreen and clear up a few frequently asked questions, we spoke to Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., a leading expert in the field of dermatology with a particular passion for sun protection.
Product combining with May Lindstrom
May Lindstrom is often referred to as a "Skin Chef," and one of the things we love about her products is how well they work when mixed together. We asked May to lead us through her favorite product combinations.
Brand spotlight: May Lindstrom
We’re delighted to be the first and only SF retailer for May Lindstrom, the much-swooned-over line of gourmand skin treats. These remarkable, luxurious formulas make skincare not only results-oriented, but also truly pleasurable. Read on for the story behind them.
Makeup tutorial: Kosås Color & Light duos
Want to learn how to use the beautiful Color & Light duos from Kosås? At Ayla's SF studio, makeup artist Melissa McMillan demonstrates the use of these palettes featuring wearable, blendable blush, bronzer, and highlighter colors.
The story behind Foot Therapy
We've been hunting for an excellent exfoliating foot cream since 2011. Learn more about that search — and the beautiful product that MyHavtorn created for us as a result — here.
The story behind our name
Ayla, pronounced ā-lah, is an old Irish name that means “bearer of light.” The reason why we chose an Irish name for our business is one of our founder's own models of brighter beauty; learn more about her here.
Frizzy, limp hair: How to tame it
Bradley Crane is not just one of San Francisco's best stylists. He’s also a truly excellent teacher who understands how to break techniques down for real people dealing with real life situations: time-crunched mornings and San Francisco fog, for starters.
Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique on perioral dermatitis
Two of our favorite skin gurus, Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique, recently visited the Ayla studio together to share some of their wisdom about perioral and periorbital dermatitis: what it looks like, common triggers, and suggested approaches.
Video: A top dermatologist's acne tips
In this video, the brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades shares her top acne tips: understanding key external causes, considerations when choosing anti-acne skincare products and prescription treatments, and ways to prevent acne scars.
Brand Spotlight: BioRecept
BioRecept was created by one of France’s top skincare formulators (pictured above, during a visit to Ayla) as her personal passion project. These hyaluronic acid-infused formulas leave skin glowing — and we're thrilled to offer them exclusively in the US.
A natural approach to clogged pores
Clogged pores and blackheads plague most of us at least some of the time. We asked Julia March, master facialist for such clear-skinned beauties as Linda Evangelista and Liv Tyler, to tell us her most surefire solutions for clogged-pore aggravation.
Brand Spotlight: Les Fleurs de Bach
We didn’t know much about Bach flower essences before we stumbled upon Les Fleurs de Bach during a recent trip to Paris, but now that we do, we just have to tell you about them.
Brand Spotlight: MyHavtorn Organic Skincare
We were delighted to be selected as the first online retailer in the US to carry MyHavtorn's sea buckthorn-infused organic skin care products. Why are we such ardent fans of MyHavtorn? Let us count the ways.
Hair loss: What's normal, and when to be concerned
While washing your hair, do you sometimes stop and wonder if so much of it should be going down the drain? We do. So we asked Diane Berson, MD, a leading dermatologist and national hair loss expert, for advice.
Brand spotlight: TWELVE Beauty
We’re always very excited to introduce a brand to the US for the first time —especially when it has considerable pent-up demand and a founder who’s also the formulator (because then we can ask all kinds of questions).
Fragrance 101 with the creator of Ellis Brooklyn
Ellis Brooklyn was created by Bee Shapiro, a chic Williamsburg mom who happens to be a style columnist for The New York Times. When we wanted to get a little Fragrance 101, Bee was naturally the first resource we thought of.
Inika Foundation Shade Finder
Inika's Certified Organic BB Cream & Liquid Foundation both come in 6 shades; Inika's Baked Mineral Foundation comes in 8 shades. How do you choose the right one? We've got you covered.
Ian Marber on nutrition basics — and his daily diet
Leading nutrition consultant Ian Marber represents a voice of reason in the world of nutrition, a realm that can be confusingly contradictory. During his visit to our SF studio, he helped us reset with a few pieces of advice for everyone.
Kosas Shade Finder
Kosas put together a brilliant chart to help you figure out which lipstick and Color & Light palettes (Creme or Pressed) might work best for you. Still torn? Call us.
Skin changes during menopause: A top dermatologist's guide
Many of our lovely customers come to us for help with skin care challenges related to perimenopause and menopause, so we approached top dermatologist ad menopausal skin expert Jeannette Graf, MD, for advice on the best solutions.
All about rosacea, eczema, redness, & sensitive skin
Red, irritated skin can be a mystery. Is it rosacea? Eczema? Are you simply a delicate flower? Leading dermatologist Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, helps us sort out the differences.
TWELVE formulator Pedro Catalá's secrets to better toning
Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it, "What Pedro doesn't know...
How often should you shampoo, and does shampoo stop working?
Shampoo: It seems like it should be the simplest step in hair care, yet contradictory advice about it seems to be coming out of everyone's ears. To clear things up, we approached Josh Rosebrook, celebrity hair stylist.
Dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD on skin firmness and elasticity
Firmness and elasticity are top of mind for many of us these days. For more on this topic, we interviewed Dr. Macrene Alexiades — the revered dermatologist with three Harvard degrees and one of the most enviable CVs in her field.
The story behind Dara's Oil
One of our founder's favorite products was whipped up specifically for her sensitive complexion by Marie Veronique herself. Marie tucked “Dara’s Oil” into our shipments from her lab from time to time, to be discovered with a squeal of delight.
Non-toxic beauty products: why they matter
Whether you call it clean, nontoxic, green, or — our favorite — healthy, this part of the beauty world has been our sandbox since the day we launched in 2011. Here's a closer look at the why and the how.
Brand spotlight: Kristina Holey + Marie Veronique Skincare Collaboration
Marie Veronique is one of our most beloved brands; Kristina Holey is one of the most celebrated facialists in the country. Anything they do together is bound to be extraordinary.
Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique on product layering
Two of our favorite skin gurus, Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique, recently visited the Ayla studio together to share some of their wisdom. In this quick little video, they discuss product layering: when it can be helpful to layer serums...
Gua Sha facial tutorial
In this tutorial, you'll learn a simple facial Gua Sha routine that you can perform on yourself at home with our rainbow fluorite tool.
Marie Veronique on Natural Acne Treatment
Marie-Veronique Nadeau has developed a well-deserved reputation in natural and non-toxic beauty circles as something of an acne-fighting wizard. Read on to learn more.
Natural rosacea treatment with herbs
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold discusses how natural herbal treatments can work with topical solutions to address redness, flushing, and rosacea — and why ROSY works so well.
Diet and Skin: a top dermatologist’s perspective
The brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades chats with Dara about not only what foods to avoid in cases of acne, rosacea, or skin aging, but also what to reach for.
How long does it take skincare products to work?
When asked, “How long does it take to see if a skincare product really works for me?” we always answer, “It depends!” To find out what it depends on and why, check out Dara’s latest interview with Pedro.
Dry & dehydrated skin: how to treat it
Tussling with dry and/or dehydrated skin? Marie covers the difference between transient and chronic dry skin, types of ingredients to look for, and how to most effectively layer products for better skin nourishment.
Do you really need eye cream?
Do you absolutely, positively need an eye cream? Here are perspectives from both Dara and our friend, Dr. Pedro Catalá.
Different acids, enzymes, and retinol in skin care
What are the different acids to look for in a formula, and why? How are they different from enzymes? And what about retinol? Marie Veronique makes sense of it all.
Gua Sha tutorial for brow tension and fine lines
In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses a rhodonite Gua Sha tool to address fine lines and relieve brow tension.
Gua Sha tutorial for tired, puffy eyes
In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses a rose quartz sculpting spoon to help remove puffiness from the eye area.
Essential oils, flower waters, and plant extracts: what's the difference?
Expert formulator Pedro Catalá, PhD guides us through world of plant extracts, explaining how essential oils and floral waters differ and why different types of plant based ingredients are used in skincare.
Skin cleansing: why and how should we wash our faces?
Dara asks Dr. Pedro Catalá, founder and master formulator for TWELVE Beauty, all about cleansing: why is it necessary, what makes a good cleanser, and what type of cleanser is best?
Rosacea: typical causes and suggested treatments
We caught up with famed skin care therapist Kristina Holey, an Ayla favorite, to chat about rosacea. Here's her point of view about typical causes of this condition and treatments she frequently suggests.
Preservatives in skincare: a natural approach
Dr. Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that he...
Face oils for summer
We’re still running around in layers in SF, but for many of you as well as these residents of nearby Santa Cruz, summer weather has already arrived. And with those deliciously long, warm days almost always comes the desire to...
Our 2022 sunscreen guide
Sunscreen: we know. It’s so easy to say, “Wear sunscreen! It’s the best thing you can do to keep your skin healthy.” True, but does that matter if sunscreen is so annoying, generally, that you just don’t wear it that much?...
Skin care during perimenopause & menopause: a top dermatologist's advice
We’ve heard from you — frequently — that there isn’t a whole lot of information out there on perimenopause, menopause, and the skin changes that accompany both stages. Which, of course, made us want to double down on this fascinating...
Gua Sha tutorial: jawline & cheekbone sculpting
Gua Sha is a traditional healing technique from China that involves a small, smooth stone board that is pressed against the skin to gently massage facial fascia, muscles, and skin while stimulating specific energy points. This encourages healthy circulation, releases...
Congested skin & clogged pores: advice from Kristina Holey
We asked famed facialist Kristina Holey how she thinks about congested skin and clogged pores: why are so many of us struggling with them, and what can we do? Read on for her expert perspective.
Kristina Holey on skincare routines at home
In the view of famed facialist Kristina Holey, strategic at-home skincare has always been — and always will be — much more important than in-person treatments. Here, she shares specific practices that we can all adopt in our home care routines.
Collagen supplements for skin: do they work?
Collagen supplements: do they actually benefit our skin or not? To broaden our lens, we asked Sara Gottfried, MD for her opinion. Our take: collagen supplements aren't the magical answer to all your problems, but studies increasingly indicate that they can benefit skin and joints in particular.
My favorite rosacea tips
One of my oldest friends asked me recently what she could do about a rosacea flare-up. She’s a lawyer who’s been working like mad to prepare for a trial and, like many a working mom these days, packed up her...
Face oils — or creams and lotions?
We’ve written many times of our love of the combination of a hydrating serum with a moisturizing facial oil in our email newsletter. The face serum + face oil combination (like Dara's own favorite combination, shown above) isn’t necessarily better...
Diet, skin, & inflammation
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
Make skin glow naturally: solutions for dull skin
We’ve been hearing this phrase more than ever: “My skin has really lost its glow these days. What’s going on?” Like many things right now, it’s a little complicated — a few different things tend to contribute to dull skin,...
Dr. Macrene Alexiades on dermatological procedures and daily skincare
Dr. Macrene Alexiades has long been an Ayla inspiration for many reasons, starting with her list of accomplishments. She has a BA, MD, and PhD in genetics from Harvard, where she was a Fulbright scholar; a bustling dermatology practice on...
TWELVE Beauty's founder on caring for skin in pollution, heat, and smog
TWELVE Beauty's founder, Dr. Pedro Catalá, kindly shared some tips with us a few weeks ago as we were first thinking about the transition from summer to fall and how it might affect the skin. Now that fall is here,...
TWELVE's Dr. Pedro Catalá on Healthy Skin Barrier Function
Shifts in temperature and humidity can lead to changes in the way your skin’s barrier functions: during these times, skin has to work harder to stay in balance, particularly where hydration is concerned. This is a frequent struggle in the...
Facial Massage for Puffiness
Our magical esthetician, Sarah, is a master at de-puffing massage, and she’s shared a routine that you can do at home in just a few minutes here.
A natural remedy for blackheads: Dr. Pedro Catalá presents a kinder, gentler solution
A quick Google search for “blackhead removal” will reveal a variety of devices ranging from those that look fairly medieval to those that look like a miniature Dyson vacuum cleaner. In our view, none of them will be the answer...
Collagen in topical and ingestible skincare: a top dermatologist's advice
Collagen is an endlessly fascinating topic to us, and to many of you, too — especially these days, when we’re spending a little more time than usual looking at our skin in bathroom mirrors and Zoom meetings and perhaps wondering...
Perimenopause and menopause: an OB/GYN weighs in on skin and body symptoms
Tamara Neuhaus, MD is an OB/GYN who specializes in menopause and perimenopause at The Cusp, where she serves as Chief Medical Officer. Hormones wreak havoc on skin, particularly once women reach their late forties and fifties: Perimenopause and menopause...
How to read ingredient labels on cosmetics: an expert guide
Have you ever thought, “Someone should put together a guide on how to read these ingredient labels”? We hope so.
Natural DIY mask recipes from Dr. Pedro Catalá
DIY beauty is not our favorite trend, simply because there are many ways it can go wrong. But homemade face masks are so tempting, aren’t they? Here are some that are formulator-approved.
Natural homemade remedies for dry hands from Dr. Pedro Catalá
Frequent washing and sanitizing is leaving many of us with dry, cracked hands. For some natural home remedies, we approached Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty.
A conversation with Kristina Holey & Kristy from Marie Veronique
If you missed Dara's Instagram Live chat with Kristina Holey and Kristy Moore-Jeffress at Marie Veronique HQ in Berkeley, you can watch the full video here
Marie Veronique on why you need Vitamin C
“I think I need a Vitamin C serum.” It’s something we hear from a lot of you, and you’re right: you probably do. But finding the right one can be tricker than it may seem. We asked the brilliant Marie Veronique to...
Marie Veronique on Exfoliation 2.0
Marie-Veronique Nadeau is something of a folk hero in the healthy beauty world. Here, she reveals how we can all be thinking about exfoliation differently.
TWELVE Beauty creator Pedro Catalá tells us why we need mature skin cells
If you suffer from perioral or periorbital dermatitis, or simply have sensitive skin, you’ll want to read Pedro's explanation of why mature skin cells are your friends.
Kristina Holey & Anna Gold on the Dr. Anna Gold Tinctures
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, the creator of a line of herbal tinctures, is a key collaborator of star facialist Kristina Holey's. Here, these two superwomen discuss their work together and how Dr. Gold's tinctures fit in.
What Dara's using on her face: December 2019
In answer to our customers’ most frequently asked question when Dara’s not in our studio, she's sharing which skincare products she uses every day.
A humectant glossary, inspired by San Francisco, from Dr. Pedro Catalá
We were delighted to have Dr. Pedro Catalá, creator of TWELVE Beauty, visiting us from Spain this month. During his time here, he wrote this absolutely lovely journal and invited us to share it with you as a guest blog...
All about hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a real problem for many, and an annoyance for many more. Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D. gives us an unbiased expert perspective on what it is, how it can be prevented, and the best treatments.
Lycoconfort & skincare during chemotherapy: thoughts from BioRecept’s founder
Anne Dupouy-Camet created her best-selling Lycoconfort de Peau moisturizer for her mother during her chemotherapy treatment. “It was the only thing that could soothe her skin,” she noted — and it’s our go-to for those whose skin is so parched...
Skincare during cancer treatment: TWELVE founder Pedro Catalá weighs in
Dr. Pedro Català started creating his TWELVE formulas while working as a pharmacist at a London oncology clinic. It’s no wonder his products are so wonderfully soothing — and he's full of excellent advice on how to care for skin during cancer...
Air pollution's effects on skin
A clear link between air pollution and accelerated skin aging has been demonstrated in a number of studies in recent years. We asked Parisian pharmacist, skincare researcher, and chemist Anne Dupouy-Camet to weigh in.
Retinol, Retin-A, and other retinoids: what they do and how to use them
Is an over the counter retinol product enough, or do you need to get a prescription retinoid like Retin-A? To get the straight scoop, we consulted Seth Matarasso, MD, our favorite West coast dermatologist.
Niacinamide in skincare: key benefits and the latest news
Pedro Català, founder of TWELVE Beauty, is one of our most trusted resources for ingredient information; he is constantly evaluating new raw materials and is known for his exacting standards. These days, he's particularly excited about niacinamide.
Marie Veronique on mitochondria, cellular respiration, and skin health
When we asked the brilliant chemist Marie Veronique about what's new in skincare, she said, “It’s all about the mitochondria.” (Mitochondria: it's the new microbiome.)
TWELVE formulator Pedro Catalá’s tips for dehydrated skin
Dehydration: it's the common link between combination and dry skin conditions, and it's the reason why Pedro Catalá created his marvelous moisture serums.
DIY beauty: expert tips & words of caution
DIY face masks are a lot of fun. But as founder-formulator Dr. Pedro Català of TWELVE puts it, “Natural product formulation is a science, not an experiment.” Who better to ask for a perspective on the DIY craze?
Sunscreen tips from a top dermatologist
To understand what we need to know about sunscreen and clear up a few frequently asked questions, we spoke to Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., a leading expert in the field of dermatology with a particular passion for sun protection.
Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique on perioral dermatitis
Two of our favorite skin gurus, Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique, recently visited the Ayla studio together to share some of their wisdom about perioral and periorbital dermatitis: what it looks like, common triggers, and suggested approaches.
Video: A top dermatologist's acne tips
In this video, the brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades shares her top acne tips: understanding key external causes, considerations when choosing anti-acne skincare products and prescription treatments, and ways to prevent acne scars.
A natural approach to clogged pores
Clogged pores and blackheads plague most of us at least some of the time. We asked Julia March, master facialist for such clear-skinned beauties as Linda Evangelista and Liv Tyler, to tell us her most surefire solutions for clogged-pore aggravation.
Skin changes during menopause: A top dermatologist's guide
Many of our lovely customers come to us for help with skin care challenges related to perimenopause and menopause, so we approached top dermatologist ad menopausal skin expert Jeannette Graf, MD, for advice on the best solutions.
All about rosacea, eczema, redness, & sensitive skin
Red, irritated skin can be a mystery. Is it rosacea? Eczema? Are you simply a delicate flower? Leading dermatologist Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, helps us sort out the differences.
TWELVE formulator Pedro Catalá's secrets to better toning
Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it, "What Pedro doesn't know...
Dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD on skin firmness and elasticity
Firmness and elasticity are top of mind for many of us these days. For more on this topic, we interviewed Dr. Macrene Alexiades — the revered dermatologist with three Harvard degrees and one of the most enviable CVs in her field.
Gua Sha facial tutorial
In this tutorial, you'll learn a simple facial Gua Sha routine that you can perform on yourself at home with our rainbow fluorite tool.
Brand Spotlight: Sudtana
Sudtana is everything we had hoped to find in Thailand, a place that is very close to our founder’s heart. These products have a way of transporting you directly to a spa in the “land of smiles” — find out why they're so...
Brand Spotlight: Ava Isa, from The Sunscreen Company
Hear the story behind The Sunscreen Company, learn what makes Ava Isa sunscreens different (they really are!) and what we should be looking for in a daily sunscreen.
Brand Spotlight: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was developed by Marta Mondelli, an actress and writer who worked with one of the best noses in Italy to create scents that are both comforting and modern. Learn about the brand here.
Brand Spotlight: J.M. Generals
Jeffrey Monteiro tells us how J.M. Generals began — and the lengths to which he goes in order to stay true to his original vision of a business that deeply integrates design, technique, and sustainable values.
Brand Spotlight: Paloroma
Paloroma's designed-in-Brooklyn, made-in-Vermont products boast soothing, gentle, fragrance free formulas that appeal to delicate skin of all ages.
Brand Spotlight: Kinfield
Kinfield Golden Hour is the only bug spray we carry — and when you come across an “it’s the only one of its kind that we carry” situation with us, it’s a sure sign of two things: This is an...
Brand Spotlight: Augustinus Bader
More often than not, we’re early adopters where products are concerned. We love discovering new or under-the-radar brands and being among the first to bring them to you: this was the case with such favorites as MyHavtorn, TWELVE, Vintner’s Daughter, Kosas, Ellis Brooklyn, Macrene (formerly 37)...
Brand Spotlight: Unsun
Unsun was created by Katonya Breaux, a longtime business owner (she ran a custom-home construction company for two decades) and mother (of Frank Ocean, as it happens). As she shares with us below, Unsun grew out of a personal need...
Brand Spotlight: de Mamiel
Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and somehow, that's palpable. Read on to learn more about her fascinating approach to skincare.
Brand Spotlight: Garrett Markenson's Reverie
If we had to pick one single reason for our love of hairstylist Garrett Markenson’s Reverie product line, it would be this: it actually inspires you to love your hair. These flexible, foolproof products invite experimentation and what we think...
Brand spotlight: Luzern Labs
Luzern Labs has been one of our founder's favorite skincare brands since 2003, and it's beloved by our team and customers at Ayla. We asked cofounder Jen Herbert-Coste to tell us just what makes these products so spectacular.
Brand Spotlight: TEK Brushes
Our founder's scouting trip to Italy all began with an Italian hairbrush that she had fallen deeply in love with after stumbling upon it in a little shop in France.
Brand Spotlight: Biofficina Toscana
Our founder flew to Florence, along with her rebellious hair, in search of the secret to those healthy, voluminous locks seen on the likes of Monica Bellucci and Claudia Cardinale.
Brand Spotlight: Bare Hands, a truly natural nail brand
Learn about the cool story behind the Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure and its creator’s top tips for using the kit. Which, truly, you have to get.
Brand spotlight: LIHA
Abi Oyepitan and Liha Okunniwa met in 1998 while at Brunel University London, where they became fast friends. What we find particularly interesting about their story is that the two women were drawn to elements in one another that would...
Brand Spotlight: Aplat
It is easier to deal with maskne if you’re wearing a mask that’s more breathable — and maskne is less of an issue to begin with. Our favorites are designed and sewn by a cool San Francisco company called Aplat.
Brand spotlight: 27 Rosiers
We've known the delightful duo behind 27 Rosiers, Stephanie and Kevin, since they first visited Ayla in fall 2018; we've met them in their hometown of Paris, too.
Read on to learn more about their story and their uniquely French-Californian philosophy.
Brand Spotlight: Orcé Cosmetics
Orcé founder Yu-Chen Shih now lives in Los Angeles, but she grew up in Singapore — where, given her Polynesian roots, she spent most of her childhood being teased for her darker complexion and curvy build, which stood in stark...
Brand spotlight: RiseWell
RiseWell is one of those brands that just fell into our laps, as if some sort of dental angel looked at our shelves and thought, “The poor dears, they don’t have a toothpaste brand in there, do they?”
Brand spotlight: Kahina Giving Beauty
Kahina’s story is a rich one, and we love the team behind these beautiful products, so we asked Katharine to share more of their story — and some of the secrets behind their new products — with you.
Brand spotlight: Max & Me
In this thoughtful, thorough interview, Max & Me creator Tanja Gruber covers Austrian farming history, tales of visits to suppliers in far-flung destinations, and secrets to lasting love.
Brand Spotlight: Activist Manuka
Activist Raw Manuka honey is in a class of its own. We hadn’t spent too much time thinking about honey before spring 2019, to be candid. Then Activist came to us, and everything changed.
Brand Spotlight: Marie Veronique
Marie-Veronique Nadeau and her eponymous skincare line had been on our radar for some time. But it wasn’t until someone described her as a “mad scientist with a heart of gold” that we really sat up and paid attention.
Brand Spotlight: Les Fleurs de Bach
We didn’t know much about Bach flower essences before we stumbled upon Les Fleurs de Bach during a recent trip to Paris, but now that we do, we just have to tell you about them.
Brand Spotlight: MyHavtorn Organic Skincare
We were delighted to be selected as the first online retailer in the US to carry MyHavtorn's sea buckthorn-infused organic skin care products. Why are we such ardent fans of MyHavtorn? Let us count the ways.
Brand spotlight: TWELVE Beauty
We’re always very excited to introduce a brand to the US for the first time —especially when it has considerable pent-up demand and a founder who’s also the formulator (because then we can ask all kinds of questions).
Treatments for dry, itchy, flaky scalps that inspire healthier hair growth
Winter: it’s not so great for the hair. Locks can get dry and brittle, and they often resist all efforts to seek the elusive volume at the crown that so many of us long for. And, vexingly, as the season...
Refresh your hair between washes
When you don’t want to spend too much time styling your hair, one of the easiest ways to avoid it — while still ensuring your hair looks good — is to extend your time between styling sessions. This often requires a...
EVOLVh InstaVolume Mousse: insider info & styling tips
EVOLVh InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse is an innovative, alcohol-free styling foam that gives hair weightless volume with a soft, clean feel. We talked to EVOLVh founder Boris Oak about what makes this mousse so different; he also shares some great tips for using...
EVOLVh WonderBalm: the story behind the ingredients of this stellar frizz fighter
EVOLVh WonderBalm is a silicone-free, fragrance-free serum that nearly defies belief in its ability to fight frizz. To learn more about how WonderBalm’s ingredients and how they outperform silicone, we caught up with EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: long, wavy hair air-dry
In this video, hairstylist Mandy Wray shows us how to pre-wash, wash, condition, and air-dry long, wavy hair using Reverie: CAKE, EVER, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MILK, RAKE, and MARE.
Hair styling tutorial with Reverie: short hair refresh
Want to see Reverie products in action? In this video, hairstylist Lo Shabino shows us how to give short hair a refresh using CAKE, MARE, & RAKE.
EVOLVh founder Boris Oak on InstaVolume volumizing haircare
We adore Boris Oak, the creator of our favorite hometown haircare brand, EVOLVh. He always bounces in the door with so much enthusiasm that, when we can all gather for a big bash again, it's clear he’ll need to join...
Natural products & styling secrets for curly hair
We asked Michele Scott-Lynch, the founder of Bouclème, to answer the most frequently asked questions of our biggest Bouclème fans. Here, she covers secrets to getting more volume at the crown; making curls last all day; and refreshing curls the...
Tips for curls from EVOLVh founder Boris Oak
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit to our SF studio. Even more delightful? He told us his secret to keep curls frizz free. Read on for his tips and an introduction to the...
Tricks for more volume from EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
EVOLVh does many things well; one of the first things we noticed was how beautifully volumizing their products can be. No crunch, no dryness — just bouncy, shiny, touchable hair. So we had to ask their founder, Boris, “How do...
Tricks for better hair color from EVOLVh's founder, Boris Oak
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit last week with some new products that are not only excellent, but also might fall under the “where has this been all my life” category — especially...
Tips for healthy hair and scalp from a top dermatologist
We asked nationally recognized hair loss expert Diane Berson, MD a question that we figured most of you would have: "How can we keep our hair and scalps healthy so that we don't lose our hair in the first place?"
Frizzy, limp hair: How to tame it
Bradley Crane is not just one of San Francisco's best stylists. He’s also a truly excellent teacher who understands how to break techniques down for real people dealing with real life situations: time-crunched mornings and San Francisco fog, for starters.
Hair loss: What's normal, and when to be concerned
While washing your hair, do you sometimes stop and wonder if so much of it should be going down the drain? We do. So we asked Diane Berson, MD, a leading dermatologist and national hair loss expert, for advice.
How often should you shampoo, and does shampoo stop working?
Shampoo: It seems like it should be the simplest step in hair care, yet contradictory advice about it seems to be coming out of everyone's ears. To clear things up, we approached Josh Rosebrook, celebrity hair stylist.
Natural rosacea treatment with herbs
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold discusses how natural herbal treatments can work with topical solutions to address redness, flushing, and rosacea — and why ROSY works so well.
de Mamiel's Altitude Bath: what makes it so addictive?
Interview with creator Annee de Mamiel de Mamiel Altitude Bath Soak was designed to showcase the marvelous Altitude Oil in an ideal context: folded into a deeply grounding and calming — yet, somehow, perfectly rejuvenating — salt bath. Here, creator...
Why breathing is important
Why is our breath so effective at calming us when we're stressed? Dr. Alex Tanner wrote this excellent explanation for us — and shared a simple breathing exercise we love.
Stress and skin: tips from Annee de Mamiel
Dara interviews Annee de Mamiel to learn more about this revered skin healer's approach to chronic stress in clinic and her suggestions for home routines.
Self-esteem and confidence: a psychologist’s reflections
We've noticed lately that many of us seem to feel less confident than usual. It’s come up so frequently in conversations and consultations that we wondered at a recent team meeting, "Is this becoming a worrying trend? And if so,...
Collagen supplements for skin: do they work?
Collagen supplements: do they actually benefit our skin or not? To broaden our lens, we asked Sara Gottfried, MD for her opinion. Our take: collagen supplements aren't the magical answer to all your problems, but studies increasingly indicate that they can benefit skin and joints in particular.
A peek into the hidden world of Bach flowers
If you’ve been following us for some time, you may already know how much I love Bach flower remedies. They didn’t sweep me off my feet right away; rather, I was swept off my feet by a beautiful body scrub...
Do tinctures really work? Yes. Good ones do.
We have not discussed this, you and I. But I imagine that if you’re not already a devotee of Dr. Anna Gold’s ingestible tinctures, you might view them with a modicum of skepticism: “Are they just another thing for me to...
Diet, skin, & inflammation
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
Dr. Anna Gold on nail health
When we were looking for advice on encouraging nail health, one of the first people we turned to was, naturally, Dr. Anna Gold: Chinese Medicine views the nails as a window into the health of the body overall.
Nail health: an Ayurvedic perspective
When we introduced the Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure Kit, we wanted to dig deeper into nail health. Dr. Anna Gold provided us with a fascinating perspective on both Eastern and Western approaches to nail health; while discussing nail conditions...
Mental health during the pandemic and how self-care fits in: a psychologist's perspective
Chandler Chang, PhD, is the Founder & Clinical Director of Therapy Lab, a California practice that offers science-based teletherapy from the comfort of home. You may have heard about Dr. Chang in the LA Times or on Cheddar TV; our...
Our current mood-lifting favorites: September 2020
Sometimes we imagine that, inside each one of us, there’s a little cheerleader jumping up and down, waving pom-poms, calling to us, “You can do it! You’ve got this!” It can be a charming, motivating visual. But this year, for...
Les Fleurs de Bach: the story & devotion behind this brand
We’ve been the exclusive US partners of Elixirs & Co and their Les Fleurs de Bach brand since our founder met their team in Paris five years ago — after having stumbled upon their absolutely perfect body scrub in a shop in...
CBD Body Oil: Juna's Ease
When CBD was first on everyone’s minds a few years ago, we started hunting for good resources to help us understand it. All paths seemed to lead to Jewel Zimmer, the founder of Juna: “If you want to hear about...
Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms: Q&A video with Tamara Neuhaus, MD
We’ve been fascinated by the topic of perimenopause and menopause for years — as have many of you, given how popular this interview about menopausal skincare (one of our personal favorites) has been. As always, we found ourselves wanting to...
A simple exercise to support love, compassion, and joy
Try this invigorating exercise, a yoga-class favorite, to focus on your heart—your center of love, compassion, and joy. (Kids will love this one, too.)
Natural deodorant: how it works, and why it's worth it
Between its three stellar, distinct, and incredibly efficacious natural deodorant formulas — Hoppin’ Fresh, Base Layer, and Sublime Sage — Ursa Major is likely to be the one brand that will make you switch over from your “eh, it may...
Stress & anxiety relief through herbal remedies: Dr. Anna Gold on BALANCE
The past few months have been trying times for everyone, filled with stress and anxiety for many. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna...
Boosting the immune system naturally with herbs: Dr. Anna Gold weighs in
Virus prevention on your mind? Wouldn’t you know it — ours, too. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna Gold (formerly Arcana) herbal tinctures,...
Perimenopause and menopause: an OB/GYN weighs in on skin and body symptoms
Tamara Neuhaus, MD is an OB/GYN who specializes in menopause and perimenopause at The Cusp, where she serves as Chief Medical Officer. Hormones wreak havoc on skin, particularly once women reach their late forties and fifties: Perimenopause and menopause...
Simple meditation instructions from Juniper
Juniper Meditation Center shares their simple steps for meditation that can be done on a daily basis for a calmer and more disciplined mind.
Breathing exercise for better sleep: Viloma Pranayama
Pranayama is the yogic exercise of controlling the breath. Viloma Pranayama is a simple exercise that can be done at bedtime — or anytime — to achieve a sense of calm and balance.
All about the lymphatic system and lymphatic drainage
Lisa Brinker is the go-to Manual Lymphatic Drainage expert in San Francisco — the one who is consistently recommended by other massage therapists and bodyworkers for her particular expertise in this specific discipline. Since we've recently introduced products that speak...
How to use your Sea Soak & Straight Up Seaweed as a fertilizer after your bath
Our seaweed forager, Ian, tell us how we can use the kelp from our Sea Soak and Straight Up Seaweed products as a fertilizer once we've taken our baths.
Kristina Holey & Anna Gold on the Dr. Anna Gold Tinctures
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, the creator of a line of herbal tinctures, is a key collaborator of star facialist Kristina Holey's. Here, these two superwomen discuss their work together and how Dr. Gold's tinctures fit in.
Mija Superstar: behind the supplement with Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN
MIJA Superstar was developed by a registered dietitian with serious credentials: Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN is one of the most well-respected nutritionists in the Bay Area. Naturally, we were full of questions for her.
Mija Superstar smoothie recipes
We asked Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN to share some of her favorite smoothie recipes with us — because one of the best things about her Mija Superstar supplement is how nicely it works in your morning smoothie.
Astrologer Rose Theodora on what to expect as 2019 comes to a close
As we approach the end of the decade, we asked celebrated astrologer Rose Theodora to tell us what to expect from an astrological perspective.
Traditional Chinese Medicine 101 with Dr. Anna Gold
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest forms of medicine; it’s been practiced for over 5,000 years. Even more awe-inspiring, to us, is the fact that it is not only still widely practiced, but also increasingly used to...
Rose Theodora on astrology basics & Scorpio season
Rose Theodora is a celebrated astrologer who currently resides in Spain. We're thrilled that she will visit Ayla for a residency at the end of October — just in time for Scorpio season.
How stress affects your skin
According to Dr. Amy Wechsler, one of a handful of doctors in the United States board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry, stress can have a major impact on the condition of our skin — particularly as we age.
Happy Tea: A closer look at Ayla + MyHavtorn sea buckthorn tea
We fell hopelessly in love with the delicate, health-boosting sea buckthorn leaf tea that our friends at MyHavtorn make from the sea buckthorn trees on their Swedish farm. So we asked them if we could buy all of it.
Brand Spotlight: Les Fleurs de Bach
We didn’t know much about Bach flower essences before we stumbled upon Les Fleurs de Bach during a recent trip to Paris, but now that we do, we just have to tell you about them.
Fragrance 101 with the creator of Ellis Brooklyn
Ellis Brooklyn was created by Bee Shapiro, a chic Williamsburg mom who happens to be a style columnist for The New York Times. When we wanted to get a little Fragrance 101, Bee was naturally the first resource we thought of.
Ian Marber on nutrition basics — and his daily diet
Leading nutrition consultant Ian Marber represents a voice of reason in the world of nutrition, a realm that can be confusingly contradictory. During his visit to our SF studio, he helped us reset with a few pieces of advice for everyone.
Gua Sha facial tutorial
In this tutorial, you'll learn a simple facial Gua Sha routine that you can perform on yourself at home with our rainbow fluorite tool.
Manasi7 makeup tutorial: summery makeup, all year long
Susanne Manasi Persson is a Stockholm-based makeup artist whose approach is deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing. She created this fun summer makeup tutorial for us featuring Manasi7 colors.
Olio e Osso: the new January 2021 collection at Ayla
Olio E Osso is a small, Portland-based company that makes beautifully simple and versatile skincare and makeup products. Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. In...
Orcé Come Closer Foundation: Choosing Your Shade
Shade matching sounds simple enough, but it can be frustrating and time-consuming. There are a few ways to make the process a whole lot easier, and we’re breaking them down.
Summer-to-fall makeup tips with Susanne Manasi Persson
Manasi7 creator, makeup artist Susanne Manasi Persson, shares her top tips on the summer-to-fall transition — which can be a tricky one from a makeup perspective.
A guide to our favorite healthy mascaras
We're a very, very picky bunch; you may know this already. It's one of the reasons why we keep our product collection so tightly edited. Another reason is that we don't want to overwhelm you unnecessarily with choice — but still,...
Brand spotlight: Olio E Osso
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, she shares application tips for her best-selling Tinted Balms along with various secrets about her fascinating life.
Makeup tutorial: Kosås Color & Light duos
Want to learn how to use the beautiful Color & Light duos from Kosås? At Ayla's SF studio, makeup artist Melissa McMillan demonstrates the use of these palettes featuring wearable, blendable blush, bronzer, and highlighter colors.
Inika Foundation Shade Finder
Inika's Certified Organic BB Cream & Liquid Foundation both come in 6 shades; Inika's Baked Mineral Foundation comes in 8 shades. How do you choose the right one? We've got you covered.
Kosas Shade Finder
Kosas put together a brilliant chart to help you figure out which lipstick and Color & Light palettes (Creme or Pressed) might work best for you. Still torn? Call us.
TWELVE Beauty Glow Island: behind the formula
Glow Island from TWELVE Beauty isn’t like any other product we’ve seen. In the words of its formulator, Pedro Catalá, it’s like “an Instagram filter without coverage: it gives you a nice, subtle tone without makeup for a quick, fresh-faced...
de Mamiel seasonal face oil: Summer
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn about the Summer Oil.
Our quick guide to Luzern's Serums
Luzern's serums are some of the best targeted treatments we've ever experienced. Not sure where to start? Here’s what we love about each one.
Marie Veronique on sunscreen
Sunscreen is very close to Marie-Veronique Nadeau’s heart. Here, she weighs in on must-know topics in sun protection with her signature thoroughness and wit.
Lagom: a Swedish philosophy we love
Lagom (lah-gum) is a Swedish term that means “not too little, not too much”: it’s all about balance, and it’s infused throughout Swedish culture. We see it in our own Guide, Emi, whose Swedish family’s influence can be seen in...
Diet and Skin: a top dermatologist’s perspective
The brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades chats with Dara about not only what foods to avoid in cases of acne, rosacea, or skin aging, but also what to reach for.
Clinically-tested body care from The Organic Pharmacy
The Organic Pharmacy, founded by pharmacist and homeopath Margo Marrone, is one of the few brands that have been on our shelves since we opened our virtual doors in 2011. In case you don’t already know their story, The Organic...
de Mamiel Spring Oil: behind the formula
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn how she thought about the creation of the Spring Oil.
Addio Cleansing Oil and Ganache Balm: tips from Olio E Osso’s founder
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, Paola chats with Dara about her two newest introductions.
Video introduction: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was born just as the pandemic started to spike for the first time in Italy, when everyone started to spend a lot more time at home — and scent took on a whole new level of mood-improving power...
Brand Spotlight: Festina Lente Home
Festina Lente Home was developed by Marta Mondelli, an actress and writer who worked with one of the best noses in Italy to create scents that are both comforting and modern. Learn about the brand here.
Dry & dehydrated skin: how to treat it
Tussling with dry and/or dehydrated skin? Marie covers the difference between transient and chronic dry skin, types of ingredients to look for, and how to most effectively layer products for better skin nourishment.
Winter skin tips from MyHavtorn of Sweden
For some winter-skin inspiration, we asked MyHavtorn co-founders Robin and Ingrid to tell us which products they're using most these days during the long Swedish winter.
How to get healthy, glowing skin with a simple routine
Dr. Pedro Catala shares his quick tips to get healthy, glowing skin using a simple routine. He also includes a trick to keep skin hydrated under your sunscreen, all day long.
de Mamiel Winter Oil: how it works with the seasons
An interview with creator Annee de Mamiel A frosty winter sunrise at Annee's farm in England Below, founder Annee de Mamiel describes the development process of her Winter Facial Oil, the first seasonal oil she ever created: she blends each batch herself,...
27 Rosiers on the perfect pair for dry skin: Ma Creme & Glow For Good
One of the things we love most about 27 Rosiers is that their products’ textures are uncommonly beautiful — and as a result, they turn skincare into a simple daily ritual that you’ll genuinely look forward to. Co-founders Stephanie and...
YÜLI's perspective: Gua Sha for face and body, and which oils to use with it
YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao shares his perspective on Gua Sha for both body and face, and which oils he finds work best with these techniques.
TWELVE Beauty body care: an inside look
Find out why Dr. Pedro Catalá decided to expand his TWELVE lineup to include daily body care.
de Mamiel Pure Calm Cleansing Dew: insider tips from Annee de Mamiel
Annee de Mamiel shares all of her Cleansing Dew secrets: how she developed it, how she suggests using it, and how it can be used as a redness-relieving mask, too.
de Mamiel's Altitude Bath: what makes it so addictive?
Interview with creator Annee de Mamiel de Mamiel Altitude Bath Soak was designed to showcase the marvelous Altitude Oil in an ideal context: folded into a deeply grounding and calming — yet, somehow, perfectly rejuvenating — salt bath. Here, creator...
Bare Hands: the story behind The Natural Pedicure
Read about Bare Hands founder Suzanne Shade’s journey as she experienced instant success with her first product and developed her follow-up hit, The Natural Pedicure.
Winter wellness secrets from Mette Picaut
M Picaut's founder, Mette, shares her secrets to keeping skin, body, and spirit healthy through the cold winter months in Sweden.
How we found Fueguia 1833
A few years ago, I happened upon a shop in New York that I’d never seen before. It was in a building set apart from others, painted a beautiful, deep shade of blue, and on the door was printed “Fueguia...
Introducing Fueguia 1833
Watch this beautiful video for a greater understanding of just how special this fragrance brand is.
Brand Spotlight: Fueguia 1833
Fueguia 1833 is an artisanal laboratory that creates limited-edition perfumes using a palette of over 1200 botanical ingredients — some of which have never been used in perfumery before. The brand is named for the meeting of three figures in...
Different acids, enzymes, and retinol in skin care
What are the different acids to look for in a formula, and why? How are they different from enzymes? And what about retinol? Marie Veronique makes sense of it all.
de Mamiel Autumn Oil: how to use it
Annee de Mamiel describes treating skin seasonally in clinic and her suggestions for a home routine with the wonderful de Mamiel Autumn Facial Oil.
de Mamiel seasonal face oil: Autumn
de Mamiel’s seasonal facial oils are a great example of creator Annee de Mamiel’s unique approach to treating the skin; read on to learn how the Autumn Facial Oil came to be.
Rose and oat extracts for skin
Formulator Dr. Pedro Catalá describes the benefits of rose and oat extracts in skincare — and why he chose to use both in the product he made just for us, Dara's Water.
MyHavtorn: 2021 sea buckthorn harvest update
Every year, we look forward to the sea buckthorn harvest update from Robin and Ingrid at the MyHavtorn farm in Bollebygd, Sweden.
End-of-summer skincare: a top dermatologist's perspective
Lately, we’ve received a lot of questions about the best ways to get end-of-summer skin back into shape. We asked Dr. Macrene Alexiades to provide us with her expert perspective.
Brand Spotlight: J.M. Generals
Jeffrey Monteiro tells us how J.M. Generals began — and the lengths to which he goes in order to stay true to his original vision of a business that deeply integrates design, technique, and sustainable values.
BioRecept's founder on switching skincare products, rosacea, and other FAQs
Biorecept founder Anne Dupouy-Camet discusses skincare with Dara: why switching products can be helpful, what she suggests for rosacea and periomenopausal skin, and whether or not to exfoliate.
Manasi7 makeup tutorial: summery makeup, all year long
Susanne Manasi Persson is a Stockholm-based makeup artist whose approach is deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing. She created this fun summer makeup tutorial for us featuring Manasi7 colors.
Orcé Cosmetics: Foundation, Setting Powder, and Perfecting Makeup Sponge for a flawless finish
Yu-Chen Shih created Orcé to celebrate a broader range of Asian skin tones with specific makeup shades that weren't offered by other beauty brands. Its Come Closer Foundation also works across a number of non-Asian skin tones and, in the...
The story behind Dara's Water
Our founder, Dara, had been looking for a cleansing water that could easily clean every (truly, every) skin type for over ten years. To our delight, TWELVE founder Dr. Pedro Catalá created Dara’s Water: everything we’d been looking for, and more.
de Mamiel Dewy Facial Mist: behind the formula
Dara interviews Annee de Mamiel, creator of de Mamiel's Dewy Skin Mist, to learn the secrets behind this super-hydrating formula.
TWELVE's Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser: the story behind the product
It’s always exciting when TWELVE Beauty introduces a new product, so it came as no surprise when multiple TWELVE fans called us to ask, “Is the new Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser here yet?” while it was in transit from Valencia...
Dr. Pedro Catalá: Ingredients to look for when going outdoors
One of our favorite formulation and ingredient experts is Dr. Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty. He knows his stuff: Pedro has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that...
Luzern: innovation update from one of the originals in clean beauty
We always love the originals — the ones who see the truths around the corner before they become trends. They remain endlessly fascinating and inspiring to us because they keep thinking ahead of the masses, exploring those truths more deeply...
Congested skin & clogged pores: advice from Kristina Holey
We asked famed facialist Kristina Holey how she thinks about congested skin and clogged pores: why are so many of us struggling with them, and what can we do? Read on for her expert perspective.
LIHA's unique & beautiful approach to fragrance
LIHA's beautiful British products blend West African botanicals with traditional English aromatherapy in formulas that feature carefully sourced ingredients,