It’s almost impossible to talk about clean beauty products without mentioning Tata Harper’s name. There’s something about the elegant design of her bottles that immediately draws you in, and then once you read about the ingredients she uses and the genuine story behind the brand, it’s just like a bohemian green dream. And so to kick-off the launch of The Dandy’s Shop, we spoke with the Brazilian-born founder about her eponymous skincare brand that has paved the way for so many non-toxic skincare brands to follow. She’s amassed a a cult-like following of women who want the feeling of using a luxury product, but without all the toxic stuff. Harper shares her full skincare routine, the difference between synthetic retinoids and natural retinol, and the story behind the brand with The Dandy.

Out of all of your products, which do you use daily in your own skincare routine?

Your routine should always start with cleansing. Some people think they should only wash their face once a day, others think they don’t need to wash their face at all. But I think cleansing is so important because it really dictates how well your treatment products will work and it establishes the baseline for your skin. I like to exfoliate every morning, not because my skin is dirty but because dead skin cells accumulate overnight, so the Regenerating Cleanser buffs that away and makes sure I’m starting the day with my freshest skin. At night, I double cleanse. If you don’t double cleanse, it’s kind of like taking a shower with your clothes on -- you’re going through the motions, but you aren’t really getting clean. I use Nourishing Oil Cleanser first to break through that first layer of product and buildup that has accumulated throughout the day. Then, I use Purifying Cleanser to actually cleanse my skin and remove impurities.

After cleansing, I use Hydrating Floral Essence. Not everyone uses an essence, but it’s one of my favorite steps. Essences are really like regimen boosters because they help the products that you put on top of it penetrate the skin deeper and gives you even better results.

Next comes your treatment products, which are your serum and eye treatment. These are the two products that should never change in your regimen because they need to be used regularly, both morning and night, to see the real results you want over time. I like to apply my Supernaturals Elixir Vitae while my face is still damp with the essence to make sure that it can really penetrate as much as possible. Then, I use the Supernaturals Elixir Vitae Eye Serum. I like to massage this around my eyes, five or ten times in either direction -- I think that it not only helps the product sink in better, but it also stimulates circulation to help reduce any puffiness around my eyes.

After your treatments, it’s time to moisturize. This is another step that not everyone feels like they need to do because sometimes serums feel hydrating enough. I have dry skin so it’s another really important step for me, but I think it’s something every skin type needs too. Hydrated and moisturized skin looks more healthy and glowy and it also helps keep your skin looking young. I like to use a lighter moisturizer during the day, like Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer, and a rich moisturizer like Creme Riche at night. For those who want another hydrating option, we have our new Tata Harper Water Lock Moisturizer which also doubles as a primer before makeup!

Most of the time, my moisturizer is my last step, but sometimes I like to use face oil especially in the winter or if my skin needs a little extra attention. When you do use one, like Tata Harper Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil, it’s important that it is your absolute last step. Oil can penetrate everything, but not everything can penetrate oil so using it last makes sure that the rest of your products are able to get to your skin and do work.

How do you mimic the efficacy of retinol in your products using natural ingredients?

In short, Rosehip Oil is widely considered the natural version of retinol. Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A and are very effective at reducing fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. Synthetic retinoids, like retinol and retinoic acid, are available at prescription strength from a dermatologist and at lower strength in cosmetic products. Retinoids such as Vitamin A (retinol) and retinoic acid, as well as the Vitamin A (retinol) precursor beta-carotene, naturally occur in plants such as Sea Buckthorn.

Rosehip Oil in the purest form is naturally derived vitamin A, which is retinol without the added retinoic acid you’ll find in chemically formulated products on the market. For example, our Retnoic Nutrient Face Oil features this ingredient and targets concerns you would use a synthetic retinol for such as visible signs of aging, keeps the skin hydrated, evens skin tone, and smooths the look of wrinkles for a healthy, glowing complexion. It also promotes cell turnover, which in turn can help with uneven texture, blemish-prone skin, and even rosacea. Rosehip Seed Oil is pressed from the seeds of rosehip fruit which we source from Chile and batch on our farm in Vermont.

All of your ingredients are grown on your farm in VT. How did you end up living and working in VT? 

I was born and raised in Colombia by my mother and grandmother who were obsessed with beauty. After high school, I wanted to study fashion, but my mother encouraged me to attend school in Mexico to become an industrial engineer. I was living in Miami when my stepfather was diagnosed with cancer, one of the catalysts that led me to creating the brand, and I would travel back to Colombia frequently to help my mother care for him. At the time, we had purchased a farm in Vermont to escape the city which would later became where we handcraft everything from formulation all the way through to fulfillment of our products!

How do you practice self-care during stressful times?

I’ve been taking this time to find new ways to reconnect and relax, a big part of that is cherishing these extra moments I have with my children and taking the time for self-care. Finding balance is a daily process, but I’ve been loving our anti-aging facial. I’m a skincare maximalist so I have a lot of at-home facial routines for whatever mood my skin is in. I have also been seeing a personal trainer virtually; I don’t exercise to be fit, but to feel both mentally and physically strong. Exercise helps me relax and reduce stress and just makes me feel balanced and level headed. For me, it’s really the most effective stress reducer. I have also been practicing meditation to keep my emotions balanced throughout this quarantine period, relax my mind and keep me feeling more centered.