Dear Star Seeds,
It's Emilie & Ed here, a Cancer and a Pisces, sharing some thoughts on our favourite element; water.
Hearing this, it might surprise you to learn that Star Seed's skincare products are designed and made anhydrous (water-free). In this article we will explain why we avoid water. Starting with the role water plays in skin health & skincare, we will move into the composition of tap water and how water, as a conscious being, holds memory and when structured can be pure magic. So, let's dive in.
In the quest for timeless beauty and vibrant health, one elemental secret reigns supreme – water. As the most essential component of our bodies, we are roughly 60% water, it forms an intimate connection with our skin, which is closer to 75% water, serving as the lifeblood of its vitality and resilience. The relationship between water and skin unveils a captivating narrative that goes beyond mere surface-level care.
While our skin acts as a sentinel, safeguarding us from the outside world, it also preserves our inner balance. Within the intricate web of cells and tissues, water weaves its potential, ensuring our skin remains supple, radiant, and resilient. From the dewy glow of youth, to the graceful ageing process, water plays a pivotal role in maintaining the equilibrium that defines healthy, beautiful skin.
The Role of Water for Healthy, Glowing Skin
A well-hydrated skin barrier prevents moisture loss and protects the skin from environmental irritants and pollutants, enhancing its ability to retain moisture and nutrients. Water also orchestrates essential processes like cell turnover, repair, and regeneration, promoting skin healing and renewal.
Proper hydration also forms the foundation of beautiful skin. When well-hydrated, our skin appears plump and smooth, exuding a youthful radiance. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, can look dull, dry, and flaky. Adequate hydration facilitates detoxification, helping flush out toxins and impurities from our skin and body, resulting in a clearer complexion. Maintaining proper hydration also leads to an even and balanced skin tone, reducing the appearance of dark spots, blemishes, and redness.
Why Star Seed is Water-free
Water (aqua) is the most common ingredient used in skincare (yes, most brands make you pay for products that are 30-60% water). This water can contain certain chemicals or impurities, depending on its source and treatment. Excessive and prolonged exposure to treated water, especially when combined with harsh cleansers, can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the skin's protective barrier. This can lead to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.
When water is present in skincare, an environment prone to bacterial infestation becomes likely. For this reason, water-based skincare products commonly contain chemical preservatives such as parabens, formaldehyde and alcohol. These preservatives sadly also kill the microbiome on your skin surface, that is meant to protect your skin, as well as killing the life and bioactivity of the skincare product.
At Star Seed, we do things differently.
We ensure all our products are anhydrous (water-free) and contain no aqua, preservatives or additives. All our products are made using raw, pure botanicals meaning that the minerals & vitamins are natural, coming straight from mother Nature herself. No external water is added to any of our products, instead your skin is naturally hydrated through the water that you drink. The moisture and hydration of your skin is ensured with our skin-friendly formulations, that strengthen the function of the skin barrier. Our deep understanding of the skin microbiome, means that our regenerative skincare range is designed to 'rewild' your skin, through the many nutrients that are naturally present in our botanical ingredients.
So if it's not in your skincare products, how could you still be effected by chemicals and unstructured water?
Well, in UK & Worldwide, tap water has a lot of harsh chemicals and preservatives added to it, which can harm your skin more than benefit it.
The Composition of Tap Water & its pH
As a fundamental element of our daily lives, tap water plays a pivotal player in maintaining our skin's vitality. From its role in maintaining proper hydration to potential effects on skin barrier function, we dive into the nuances that underlie this often-disregarded aspect of skincare, and self-care.
The main components of tap water in the UK typically include:
Water: The primary component, consisting of H2O molecules
Chlorine: Often added to tap water as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens
Fluoride: In some areas, like London, fluoride is added to help improve dental health
Calcium & Magnesium: These minerals are naturally present in water & are essential for bone health
Sodium: Usually found in small amounts, sodium is a natural component of water
Potassium: Another natural element that can be found in trace amounts in tap water
Sulphates & Nitrates: Naturally occurring compounds that may be present in small quantities
Trace Minerals: It may contain various other minerals, such as iron, manganese, zinc & copper
The pH of tap water can also significantly impact our skin, especially when it deviates from the normal range that supports healthy skin. Our skin's natural pH hovers around a slightly acidic 5.5, playing a crucial role in maintaining its protective barrier and overall well-being. However, when the pH of tap water differs greatly from our skin's ideal pH, it can lead to a range of skin issues. In the UK, tap water is reported to have a pH between 6.5 - 8.5, usually on the higher end in big cities.
One common problem linked to hard water is dryness, as overly alkaline water tends to strip the skin of its natural oils, disrupting the moisture balance and causing potential irritation. On the other hand, extremely acidic water can also be troublesome, leading to irritation, inflammation, and discomfort on the skin's surface, resulting in redness and itching.
The long-term exposure to water with an extreme pH weakens the skin's protective barrier function. As this barrier weakens, it becomes more susceptible to premature ageing, contributing to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
To ensure our skin's health and radiance, it's essential to be mindful of the pH of the water we expose our skin too. Opting for pH-balanced skincare products after washing your face helps maintain a healthy ecosystem. Star Seed products pH is 5.5 and we only use toners or mists that help restore the skin's pH. By paying attention to this often overlooked factor, we can give our skin the care it truly deserves.
First picture: unstructured regular tab water. Second picture: structured water which is bioavailable & hydrating
What is Structured Water?
Water is best sourced from natural water bodies that remain uncontaminated & unpolluted, like mountain springs, glacier melt, wild rivers and lakes. This type of water is known as structured or hexagonal water (due to its shape) and formula, H3O2. Structured water is thicker, denser, and more viscous than normal water and can store and release energy. The molecules of structured water are believed to have a higher vibrational charge, which is more beneficial for the human body and results in increased hydration.
Tap water, on the other hand, is put through a rigorous chemical process to remove any contaminants and microorganisms. This chlorination treatment, to make water 'potable' and 'safe' for human use, is fundamentally different in its shape and formula, H2O.
In truth, Chlorine in tap water has antimicrobial properties that disturb the delicate balance of our skin's natural microbiome, leading to imbalances and potential irritation for sensitive skin. Many scientists are starting to link the water quality in cities to the high number of people with dry, itchy, and eczema prone skin. While the chlorine levels in tap water are considered 'safe', many will experience mild skin irritation (itchiness or rashes), or other uncomfortable effects due to the continuous and prolonged exposure.
Chlorine also strips the natural oils from the skin, causing it to feel dry, tight and uncomfortable. This drying effect can impact those who suffer from eczema & psoriasis, making your skin more susceptible to allergens and irritants, triggering flare-ups, and symptoms of rosacea and inflammation.
We recommend as a minimum, adding a mineral filter to your drinking water as well as getting a shower head with a filtration of mineral beads. There are a number of great and affordable options on the market that will greatly improve your health.
Water Has Memory
In the heart of alternative science lies a fascinating concept known as 'water memory.' Some scientists believe that a single drop of water can store vast amounts of information as it journeys through different places, connecting people to a myriad of sources and experiences when they drink this water.
Homeopathy, at its core, embraces a fascinating idea: remedies are created through a unique dance with water. When a substance is diluted in water, and with each dilution, it's vigorously shaken. The outcome is a solution so highly diluted that it may no longer hold a trace of the original substance. But it's at this point that the magic of 'water memory' unfolds.
Water is believed to hold a 'dynamic energy' or 'vibrational imprint' of the original substance's healing properties during this dilution and succession process. While modern science might grapple with explaining this phenomenon, it maintains that this memory imparts therapeutic effects, even at dilutions that conventional science might deem too dilute to be effective.
The quality of the water, whether it's mineral or treated, becomes of paramount importance to our health. Water is life itself. All living organisms are predominantly composed of water; humans as we know are around 60%, fish 80%, and plants 80% to 90%. At Star Seed, we take this profound connection very seriously.
Over the past 5 years, we have dedicated our lives to researching and developing our botanical lexicon. Our in-country partners, tribal communities & smallholder farmers wild forage and regeneratively farm their botanical ingredients. By working with their natural practices, including natural, rain-fed water, we ensure the energy exchange and bio-completion of our ingredients.
As we continue to deepen our understanding of water's origin and significance, it becomes evident that taking care of our skin and overall well-being involves more than surface-level attention. While tap water is generally considered 'safe,' its long-term composition can impact, or even lead to sensitive skin. Taking small, manageable steps, such as full provenance on your ingredients & products, mineral water filters and embracing wild & organic anhydrous skincare, can help safeguard your skin's health.
Thank you for joining us on this regenerative journey. If you've been experiencing rising levels of skin irritation and inflammation, please do contact us. We're here to keep you healthy throughout the seasons.