Open Kitchen

Let the Sun Shine In

open_kitchen

We love it when restaurants open their kitchens. Not only is it fun to watch the pros in action, it’s a good sign when a place feels confident enough in their ingredients and practices to let people see the whole process. No shortcuts, no unswept corners, no dirty tricks!

Skin care is not so different. You feed your skin the same way fill your stomach. But when it comes to skin care, the origins of product and package are often mysterious. Putting slick marketing aside, one wonders if all products are made in an industrial vat somewhere, and all packaging is produced in unregulated third world factories.

Being consumers first, we chose to open things up. We couldn’t be prouder of our products, and we’re more than happy to share every last detail. Skin care consumers finally get an open kitchen of their own…

Our Ingredients

Botanicals
jojoba

Jojoba is a nourishing wax ester from the Southwest. It is filled with broad spectrum fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachodenic) and triglycerides. Jojoba is extremely stable and non-greasy. Because it relates well to natural skin lipids, it is non-clogging and does an excellent job of preventing trans-epidermal water loss.

safflower

Sunflower Oil is rich in gamma linoleic acid (GLA), which is good for acne and cell regeneration; it also helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss.

olive

Olive Oil has very high levels of oleic acid, antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds, all of which are great for radical scavenging. Some research has shown olive oil to be particularly valuable for scavenging radicals caused by exposure to UVB rays. Olive oil is a very mild irritant.

apricot

Apricot Seed Oil is a gentle and nourishing non-fragrant botanical oil. Its low molecular weight allows it to permeate the skin’s surface and nourish the lipid lamellar layers.

soybeanoil

Soybean Oil is a strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It has high levels of genistein, which studies show to be the most potent anti-oxidant against UVB rays and may provide some defense against symptoms of skin aging. The high polyphenol content also provides powerful antioxidizing punch.

Extracts, Humectants & Antioxidants
vitamin E

Vitamin E is an extremely potent antioxidant. Numerous studies have demonstrated its value in reducing oxidative stress, including stress from sun damage. In other words, it’s a crucial agent for scavenging free radicals from sun exposure, helping to prevent wrinkling and cancer, and aiding otherwise traumatized skin.

green tea

Much research has shown Green Tea to possess multi-faceted beneficial properties. Studies indicate it helps skin before, during, and after sun exposure by providing UV protection. It serves as a powerful antioxidant and tumor blocker, and acts as an effective anti-inflammatory, with evidence of reductions in UVB-induced swelling and reddening. Green tea also contains high levels of polyphenols.

oats

Oat Extract serves as an effective anti-irritant against UV- and chemically-induced irritation. In vitro studies show that oat extract can significantly reduce damage associated with UVA/UVB irradiation.

chamomile

Chamomile has been shown to be a soothing anti-irritant and anti-oxidant. Some studies imply anti-irritant properties similar to those of hydrocortisone. It is filled with flavenoids, apigenin, and glycosides.

ginko biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is a skin-preserving superstar. It’s filled with polyphenols, flavenoids and flavonol glycosides, all of which have been clinically shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-free radical properties. There is evidence that Ginkgo can increase collagen and intracellular internectin, making skin more supple, and can increase blood flow, making skin glow.

Raspberry Seed

Raspberry Seed, like all dark berries, is an extremely potent antioxidant. That’s only the beginning: studies have also demonstrated powerful anti-inflammatory qualities and broad spectrum UV protection. It has exceptionally high levels of alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, vitamin A, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Primary fatty acids are linoleic, alpha linolenic acid and oleic acids.

Minerals & Waxes
minerals

Zinc Oxide is a natural inert mineral. It is the only ingredient, natural or synthetic, that receives the highest rating for both UVA and UVB protection from the EPA. It has been shown to be very well tolerated.

minerals

Titanium Dioxide is one of the only two non-synthetic ingredients the FDA recognizes as an active sunscreen agent (Zinc Oxide is the other). Its an inert mineral shown in studies to be well tolerated. It acts as a physical sun barrier, and, according to the EPA, is one of the only ingredients that is effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays.

minerals

Organic Beeswax is cultivated from bees that feast on organic flowers. Beeswax adds structure to products and is an excellent occlusive, which means it is effective in preserving the skin’s natural moisture. In technical terms, it prevents trans-epidermal water loss.

Packaging Facts

Vivesana aluminum tubes are produced in Kentucky. They comply with the European BPA-Free standard, as well as being phthalate-free. They are more efficiently recycled than plastic, or even paper, and have an unlimited number of recycling lives. Read more.

Vivesana outer packaging is fully recyclable and made in Alabama rather than Bejing.

Ingredients we do not use. Processes we avoid.

Recent Blog Posts

Montauk and Vivesana? A very good match.

July 6th, 2011

Style Bomb knows what to wear to the beach, and not just when it comes to suits and flip flops. Don’t forget to check out Vivesana at White’s in East Hampton on your way out…

No More Dirty Looks – A Review to Read Carefully

June 23rd, 2011

There are lots of “experts” There are a precious few skin care mavens out there who really know what they’re talking about when it comes to skin safety and beauty. No More Dirty Looks is undoubtedly one of them. We’re as proud of their review as any…

A Little Love from Marie Claire

June 23rd, 2011

Thanks to Marie Claire for recognizing you don’t always have to give up look and feel with a natural sunscreen. Live Healthy!

LA Examiner: “Vivesana Sunscreens – Why They Just Might be the Best”

June 23rd, 2011

It’s always nice to find ourselves in the glossy pages of a major publication, like, say, this month’s Marie Claire (see above). Of course, all that takes is some good p.r. work. It can be more gratifying to get a more substantive review. Check out last night’s LA Examiner, which suggested Vivesana sunscreens are “if not the best, one of the best sunscreens” the beauty editor, April Aldana, has ever tried. Yes, we’re blushing.

Keep ‘em Coming: another thumbs up from Daily Candy

June 21st, 2011

Here we are on another list. Next one to come…Check out the July Marie Claire. Live Healthy!

An SPF Rockstar in Suncare? Fashion Magazine Makes us Blush

June 9th, 2011

Mineral sunscreens: The new SPF rockstars Suncare – fashionmagazine.com

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

Well + Good, well, loves Vivesana!

June 9th, 2011

Well + Good

The smiling reviews keep coming.  We don’t know what to say…we’re just happy everyone’s happy!  By the way, sunscreen number three is on its way.  We’re very happy with it!  We’ll keep you posted…

Vivesana on NBC

June 8th, 2011

Chatting about Vivesana

NBC Philadelphia: Green Your Beach

A nice little chat among friends at NBC 10 in Philly…just in time for the return of the Ultra!

Form and Function – Vivesana’s Two Newest Partners

May 28th, 2010

What do the Studio and the Takoma Park Co-op have in common? They don’t share a style or a coast, but they do share an overarching, all-consuming drive to carry the best quality products they can find. As it happens, they also began carrying Vivesana yesterday afternoon. We’re thrilled to be working with both of them, and love what the variety of approach says about Vivesana – stores from across the spectrum meet when it comes to strong, safe, stylish and effective sun care. Hurray!

Green + Style = Ecofabulous

May 2nd, 2010

EcoFab_NewLogo

The lovely people at Ecofabulous just made us blush.  Read what they had to say about the Vivesana approach to sun care.  We think they’re doing great work, too!

And read on, to see what scores of other reviewers have had to say…

The Company You Keep

February 6th, 2010

hippocrates

Vivesana announces its newest retail partner, the Hippocrates Health Institute of West Palm Beach.

Standing apart as one of the most prominent wellness centers in the country, the Institute embodies many of ideals Vivesana strives to meet. Live Healthy!

Haiti Relief Effort

January 14th, 2010

We encourage all to give what they can to help. For our part, Vivesana will donate at least 50% of online sales to Haiti relief via Doctors without Borders from January 14-20.