When choosing the correct product for your skincare goals and needs, understanding ingredients is imperative. We always go back Dr. G, to understand the power player ingredients and why he formulates with them. Below are some favorites and where to find them.

Retinoids attack hyperpigmentation, stimulate the skin to generate collagen and hyaluronic acid, increase radiance by reducing pore size, safely exfoliate and increase cell turnover. Find them in Wake Up Call and Hands to Heart.

Peptides encourage skin cell growth and collagen production. Peptides are made up of a string of amino acids held together by tough bonds of nitrogen and carbon that act as messengers to send out signals which tell the receptors on your skin cells how they should perform. Find them in Plant Profusion Neck Cream.

Acetyl hexapeptide is a powerful wrinkle-reducing neuropeptide that works by hindering a signal protein called catecholamine that triggers muscle contraction, thereby relaxing your facial muscles. Find it in Needle-less serum.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids or AHAs (Lactic acid, Glycolic acid and Fruit acids) are used as a facial exfoliator and are an excellent choice for people with sun-damaged skin, aging skin or normal to dry skin types. AHAs do not cause sun sensitivity and come in the forms of lactic acid which is derived from milk, glycolic acid which is derived from sugarcane and fruit acids which are derived from fruits (citrus and apples/malic acid). Found in Fresh-A-Peel.

Beta Hydroxy Acid or BHA (also called salicylic acid) comes from acetylsalicylic acid which is the same source as aspirin. In general, beta hydroxy acid is a more effective treatment for acne-prone skin. BHA is the only acid that can dissolve the keratin plug inside a pore, which will ultimately form a pimple. BHA can cause sun sensitivity and must always be used in conjunction with sunscreen.  Find it in Detox Clarifying Gel.

Mallow extremely soothing and loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. Find it in our Detox Cleanser as part of our proprietary DETOX complex.

Elderflower promotes blood flow and loaded with vitamins A, B, C and E. A true powerhouse ingredient. Find it in Skin Balancing Mask.

Arnica helps with bruising and the darkness involved and contains flavonoids, polysaccharides, and sesquiterpene lactones. Also contains the beneficial oil, thymol, clinically shown to cause the smooth muscles in your blood vessel walls to contract, thereby dilating them and increasing blood flow and circulation. Found in Bright Eyes.

Milk thistle Fatty acids, including linoleic acid, Vitamin E (antioxidant/environmental stressors, Silymarin, which is actually a group of three flavonoids (anti-aging, antioxidant purposes from environmental stressors). Found in Fleuressence Botanical Cell Oil.

Japonica flower one of the most important medicinal herbs in history, may provide extraordinary levels of calming properties. Loaded with key benefits to improve the appearance of flaws. Found in Facial Detox Mask.

Achieve your most healthy and glowing skin when science and nature combine.

Lauren Wolk-Goldfaden, our Co-Founder and Vice President of Sales at Goldfaden MD, understands the importance and the power of natural, safe, and effective skincare. And since having her two children, Lauren has taken on two additional roles: mother and Founder of Mini Bloom, a clean, safe, and plant-powered line of essentials designed specifically for children’s delicate skin. 

After years of working in the clean beauty space, Lauren was shocked when she couldn’t find nourishing, effective, worry-free products to use on her babies. So she took matters into her own hands and Mini Bloom was born. We asked her about how she balances her busy career, her family and her mental health.

What is the one daily ritual that you can’t live without?

I get up at 5am every day to practice my morning meditation/yoga. It grounds and calms me for the day ahead as it’s always jam-packed and this “me time” first thing in the day allows me to navigate through the day in a clear-minded way. 

What was the first product idea that you had before starting Mini Bloom? Where did you get your inspiration?

I had such a hard time breastfeeding my first child. I was in constant pain and there was only one product on the market that worked for me, but it was always hard to find. I searched everywhere and bought whatever I could of the product and it was truly the only thing that helped to protect and heal my skin. I used it for months after I was done breastfeeding – beyond my nipples too (on my cuticles and lips) – it was, in my eyes, a magic balm! The lack of other products like this on the market was the spark that ignited me to want to develop a healing, soothing and repairing balm for the nipples that was literally safe enough to eat. Meet, Hallelujah Nipple Balm…three years in the making and it’s just a life saver! 

What baby product were you most surprised to find had no safe, natural alternatives when you had your daughter?

I think what struck me the hardest was to find that most of the conventional baby products that existed had not changed in decades and that most of the daily care products that existed at the time when I was pregnant contained things like artificial colors, fragrances and dyes, which I knew was the leading cause of skin irradiation. To further that, the baby personal care category 6 years ago was very small and natural/organic alternatives were really quite difficult to find and source which was mind boggling to me being witness to the boom in “clean beauty” as a whole. 

What Mini Bloom product do you end up using on yourself the most?

The Hallelujah Nipple Balm! I keep one in my purse and one on my desk as I am always applying it to my lips and cuticles; it’s my magical balm!

How has running a business prepared you for motherhood?

For starters, it has helped prepare me to multitask in a way I never thought possible!

How has motherhood influenced the way you run your business?

Like many mothers, my children are my inspiration as it’s quite magical to see the world in their eyes – so fresh, positive and new. I am thoroughly exhausted everyday from trying to balance business and being a mother, but in some ways, that brings a whole new sense of creativity and a new way of thinking.

Beyond anything else, however, motherhood has softened me in a big way and has opened my eyes to learn how fragile and brief life and work really is. I am more grateful, grounded and passionate than ever before.  Motherhood has allowed me to truly and deeply celebrate the little (and big) wins along the way. 

What has been the biggest pro and con when it comes to this last year of covid and quarantine? 

PRO: The ability to slow down and spend (quality) time with my family that I will cherish forever. 

CON: That my kids have not been able to have the experience of going to “in-person” school.

In 2021, the Goldfaden MD team is manifesting Bright New Beginnings. After such a hard year, our goal is to approach this new chapter with optimism, peace of mind and even a blank slate. So, to give you a bit of inspiration, we tapped some of our favorite founders to see how they’ll be approaching the new year and making it a Bright New Beginning.

Annie Jackson | Co-Founder + COO of Credo

“Our bright new beginning is to be together in person as a team again.  After 9 months of all day zooming, we are excited to collaborate in person but more importantly hear how peoples weekends were, celebrate babies being born, talk over the lunch table.  I cannot wait.  We all know each other on a much deeper personal level now – which is ironic because it happened when we were separated.  We are stronger now more than ever at Credo and can’t wait to celebrate 2020 being over as a team, in real life.” 

Celene Gee | Gee Beauty + 6 By Gee Beauty

“My intention for 2021 is to be really present, and focus on what’s around me. How I can learn more, love more, give more, take more care of myself and the ones I love, and to create more. To try to take in the beauty of my surroundings each day, while exploring and having new experiences. Seeing beauty with my eyes in each day is my intention.”

Ariel Kaye | Founder of Parachute

“I’m a big believer in self-care and plan to carry the rituals and routines that serve me into 2021. I just had my second baby, so taking time to care for myself allows me to be the best mom to my kids and leader to my team at Parachute. For me, I turn to meditation, long walks, breathwork, and a warm shower each night to nurture my mind and body. I also like to be intentional with my home to create a nurturing environment. I plan to fill our space with music, flowers, natural light, and cozy textures in 2021.”

Olivia Muniak | Founder of La Cura

“In 2021 my intention is expansion and growth, harnessing the creative clarity and vision I’ve received in the past year and shift into actionable change. For me, that looks like reactivating events (when it’s safe), building out the catering services, and continuing to share the gift of entertaining at home. Personally, carving out more time for reading and analog activities, traveling (a girl can dream), and quality time with friends I have not seen!”

Kelly Marks |Co-Founder and Director of PuRe PR

“My intention for 2021 is to fully respect all aspects of my life, being sure to recognize joy, show gratitude and be positive. I’m a believer that what we put in, we get back. I will be making time for it all. “