An illustration of a basic principle.

You may remember this post. Here is a visual to help you understand some of what that post addressed.

Behind the scenes.

One of the most gratifying aspects of launching 110 Skincare™ and of this blog running concurrent to this event is that you get to "watch it, live!" as it unfolds.

This is a little bit of drama, because every business in the history of, uh, business, has had a different path to success. The only thing that is assured on that path to that success is: "it wasn't a straight line over smooth and level terrain."

A lot of* other companies are adamant about shielding their consumers from anything that's not sunshine and lollipops.

But we have been where you are.

So we think our relationship with our consumers should be not just one of "we sell/you buy" but something additional to that, a new dynamic that embraces your feedback, opinions, suggestions and comments in a new, usable and relevant way.

To do that we have to let you guys in, at least a little. You have to be free to take some peeks behind the curtain. Why? In a career that reaches many combined decades in business and skincare, etc., we know that the right word at the right time could have made a monumental positive influence on an outcome; too often corporate hubris stands as an unfortunate firewall.

The road to business nirvana is littered with the debris of companies and individuals who didn't listen, didn't pay attention and at the core of it, forgot what it was like to be the one on the other side of the counter. In many cases, you see that scenario play out. The chef who forgets what it was like to be a line cook, the general who can't recall ever being a lieutenant, the Sr. V.P. who has no memory of ever being an intern.

Any entity built by people with very limited memory is an entity built by people with very limited futures.

This sort of communication is the cardiovascular system of a company, and it is vital to keeping the thinking fresh, relevant, and meaningful. In an ideal world, a company is thinking what its customers are thinking. That is for what we strive. Too many companies are seen to impose their version of "better" on its consumers. (Do you really need examples?)

Much how we have set out to permanently transform the skincare industry, we also believe we can, at the same time, remake how a company and the people who purchase its products can be made materially better in a new, cooperative dynamic. The great, GREAT team we have assembled here love what you love, and love it the way you love it, and think of it the way you think of it.

So, in the coming weeks, look for our mission statement. This is not something cobbled together by some A-List B-School wiz kids, or what our PR people are telling us to put out, but what we are declaring to you are the values we hold to be important and the things we consider crucial in how we interact with our public, our suppliers, etc.

We're thrilled you're coming along from Day One.

Buckle up.



* OK, "practically all"

On the Origins of Skincare (the Word, Not the Brand)

This piece from GCI Magazine discusses the very first skincare product, traced to the Roman empire about 2,000 years ago. More than one of us here in the office had an Italian grandmother, and they also swore by olive oil (internally and externally) to keep the skin looking young. (We think ancient Rome would have been a pretty cool place to live apart from the violence. They had working plumbing, skincare, fashion, jewelry, and some really interesting punishments.)

We are not currently using olive oil in our formulations, but we do find it fascinating that some of the most effective ingredients in skincare are both edible and ancient. As artificial as our lives may seem these days, human beings are fundamentally natural, so it makes sense that natural skincare works best. We believe technology should enhance nature, not replace it.

...a little bit more background.

Many of you have sent us questions asking for more details on our revolutionary active ingredient, Cuprovix™.

It's always a high-wire act, to give you a better understanding of what this entails and why it's such a massive paradigm shift and yet not let any potential competitor get any information that would prove useful to them in copying what we have accomplished.

As you know, copper peptides in skincare are nothing new. But copper peptides have their limitations, not the least of which is the abbreviated timeline over which their effective range diminishes; in many cases diminishes -- quickly -- to "practically inactive."

What we have managed to achieve is a copper peptide which maintains all of its active properties intact for a very protracted span of time, and across a monumentally broader range of applications. This brings forth the following synergic effects:

1- It provides a colossal potentiating effect upon our other organic botanicals. If extract of X had a certain benefit, the synergy with Cuprovix™ means a quadrupling of that same benefit. This occurs across the board with all our other ingredients. It provides, without the least exaggeration, a "turbocharge" to these other ingredients, which were and are quite impressive of their own accord. Stop and ponder that.

2- The protracted active effect of Cuprovix™ provides a spectacular multiplier to the results one could expect from copper peptides. That is, the benefits build upon themselves, rather than "baselining" between applications. This is why diligent use, as reported unanimously by our testers, has such an impressive cumulative action. And to do so in a 100% organic, 100% natural way; which is why we believe this is

How Nature Stops Time™.

P.S. As we ready ourselves in the final pre-launch phase, we want to thank you for the outpouring of support and suggestions.

Teen Acne Causes Real Angst

This article from Psych Central explains why it so important to teenagers to have clear skin and look good. Teenage years can be hard enough balancing school, homework, sports and other school activities, and a social life. Fitting in is crucial and having acne makes all of this even more stressful. For some teenagers, it cuts right to the core of their self esteem, to the point that they are severely depressed.

1:10 Skincare™ has begun to formulate our new acne regimen, a system that is strong enough to deal with the worst of teenage acne yet gentle enough so that adults with breakouts may use it without drying out their skin. Early testers report immediate, noticeable improvement with a single application. Photos coming soon.