By Madelyn Yeo, Founder of Skincalories
Hey beautiful souls,
I need to tell you about something that changed my entire approach to skincare—and honestly, changed my life. If you have sensitive skin like I do, you know the struggle. That awful moment when you apply a new product and feel that telltale tingle (and not the good kind). The redness. The disappointment of yet another "gentle" product that's anything but.
I've been there. Too many times to count.
And the worst part? I could never figure out why something worked or didn't work.
I was so frustrated. How could I trust anything when there were no real standards?
Then I Discovered EWG Certification (And Everything Changed)
I first learned about the Environmental Working Group when I was deep in research mode, trying to figure out why my skin kept freaking out. The EWG maintains this incredible database—they've evaluated thousands and thousands of skincare ingredients based on scientific research, looking at everything from toxicity to allergen potential to environmental impact.
But what really caught my attention was their certification program.
We use organic lavender extract as our base—not just because it smells amazing (though it does), but because lavender has been used for centuries to calm and soothe sensitive skin. But we didn't stop there. We paired it with hyaluronic acid, which is one of the most researched and effective hydrating ingredients in skincare.
Here's what makes this combination so powerful:
- Lavender extract calms inflammation and reduces redness—perfect for sensitive skin that's easily irritated
- Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, creating that plump, dewy glow
- Together, they create a protective barrier that locks in moisture all day long
And every single ingredient in this formula? EWG green zone certified.
The Five Elements Philosophy
Our formula is also guided by Traditional Chinese Medicine's five elements philosophy—Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal. Each element represents a different aspect of skin health:
- Water provides deep hydration and flow
- Wood supports renewal and growth
- Fire brings transformation and energy
- Earth offers stability and nourishment
- Metal ensures precision and clarity
This holistic approach means we're not just treating symptoms—we're supporting your skin's natural balance and helping it thrive from within.
My Promise to You
When I started Skincalories, I made a commitment that every product we create would meet the highest safety standards. Not because it's easy (it's not), but because you deserve to feel confident about what you're putting on your skin.
You deserve to know that when you invest in skincare, you're not also investing in potential health risks. You deserve products that work WITH your skin, not against it. You deserve transparency, honesty, and formulas that are backed by real science.
That's what EWG certification represents to me—and that's what Skincalories represents to you.
"Glowing skin begins with a happy heart—and a happy heart comes from knowing you're making safe, informed choices for your body." - Madelyn Yeo
Let Me Break Down What Makes Our Formula So Special
The Active Glow Mist started with a simple question: What if I could create a hydrating mist using only the safest possible ingredients, but make it so effective that it outperforms products loaded with questionable chemicals?
The Hydration Heroes
Sodium Hyaluronate is the star of our hydration story. It's the salt form of hyaluronic acid, and it's absolutely magical for sensitive skin. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water—imagine that! But unlike some hydrating ingredients that can feel heavy or sticky, it's incredibly lightweight and absorbs beautifully.
I paired it with Glycerin, which is like the reliable best friend of the skincare world. It's been used for over a century because it just works. It's a humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air into your skin. And the pharmaceutical-grade glycerin we use is so pure and gentle that even the most reactive skin loves it.
Then there's Beta-Glucan. Oh my goodness, I could talk about this ingredient for hours. Derived from oats, it not only provides intense hydration but also strengthens your skin barrier and calms inflammation. For those of us with sensitive skin, that barrier-strengthening effect is everything. Every time you use the mist, you're not just hydrating—you're actually helping your skin become less reactive over time.
The Asian Beauty Wisdom
I also wanted to honor my heritage and the incredible skincare wisdom of Asian beauty traditions. That's where Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Water comes in.
Rice has been used in Asian skincare for literally centuries. My grandmother used to tell me about rice water rinses. But I didn't want to just rely on tradition—I wanted the safety verification too. Finding rice bran water that was EWG green zone certified was like finding the perfect bridge between ancient wisdom and modern safety standards.
It's rich in vitamins and minerals, provides this beautiful lightweight hydration that absorbs instantly, and it's so gentle. It feels like your skin is drinking pure, nourishing water.
The Calming Squad
Now, hydration is crucial, but for sensitive skin, calming is equally important. I needed ingredients that would actively soothe inflammation and redness.
Panthenol (provitamin B5) was non-negotiable for me. When applied to skin, it converts to pantothenic acid, which has these remarkable soothing and healing properties. It reduces redness and helps your skin repair itself. Plus, it helps prevent moisture loss, so it's working double duty.
Allantoin is another ingredient I insisted on including. It's derived from the comfrey plant and has been used for centuries to calm irritated skin. Modern research backs up what herbalists knew all along—it's incredibly effective at reducing inflammation and supporting barrier function. And it's so gentle. Even at effective concentrations, it never causes irritation.
I also included Niacinamide, which is like a multitasking superhero. It strengthens the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, helps with redness, regulates oil production... the list goes on. For someone with sensitive skin, niacinamide is one of the best ingredients you can use consistently.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Connection
This is where Skincalories really embodies its philosophy. I included several botanicals rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Morus Alba (White Mulberry) Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Leonurus Sibiricus Extract, and Eriobotrya Japonica (Loquat) Leaf Extract.
These aren't just trendy plant extracts thrown in for marketing. They're carefully chosen based on both traditional wisdom and modern research, and every single one is EWG green zone certified. They provide antioxidant protection, support skin vitality, and contribute to overall skin balance—which is so aligned with TCM's approach to health and beauty.
The Aromatherapy Touch
I had to be really careful here because fragrance is one of the top allergens in skincare. But I also believe that skincare should be a sensorial experience—something that makes you feel good, not just look good.
So I chose Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract and Oil. Lavender has natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that benefit sensitive skin. And the gentle, natural scent provides this calming aromatherapeutic experience that helps you relax.
The key difference? This isn't synthetic fragrance. It's from EWG-certified lavender, present at safe concentrations that provide benefit without irritation. Every aromatic compound is disclosed and certified safe.
What We Left Out (This Is Just as Important)
You know what makes me just as proud as what's in our formula? What's not in it.
No synthetic fragrances hiding dozens of undisclosed chemicals. No harsh preservatives like parabens or formaldehyde-releasing agents. No sulfates. No ingredients that strip your skin's natural oils or disrupt your barrier.
Our preservation system uses 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, and Hydroxyacetophenone—all EWG green zone certified. This system effectively preserves the product while being completely gentle on sensitive skin.
This is what I mean about not compromising.
How I Actually Use It (Real Talk)
Let me share my real routine with you, because I use the Active Glow Mist multiple times a day.
Morning: After I cleanse with lukewarm water, I don't fully dry my face—I leave it slightly damp. Then I mist generously. The humectants work best on damp skin, pulling that moisture deep into your skin barrier. I let it absorb for a few seconds, then I apply my other products. The mist creates this perfect hydrated base.
Throughout the day: This is where the mist format really shines. Whenever my skin feels tight—after meetings in air-conditioned rooms, during long work sessions, even over makeup—I just mist. Because every ingredient is so gentle, I never worry about over‑application causing irritation.
Evening: After cleansing and any treatments, I do what I call the "mist layering" technique. I mist my face, let it absorb, then mist again. Sometimes I do this three or four times. It's like giving my skin a big drink of water. The Niacinamide works overnight to strengthen my barrier, while Adenosine supports my skin's natural repair.
The Questions I Get All the Time
"Madelyn, isn't EWG certification overkill? Can't you just avoid the obvious bad ingredients?"
I used to think this way too. But here's what I learned: skin sensitivity isn't always about the "obvious" bad ingredients. Sometimes it's about cumulative exposure to ingredients that are "generally regarded as safe" but problematic for sensitive skin. Sometimes it's about contaminants in ingredients that seem fine. EWG certification catches all of this.
"Does it really make a difference compared to other 'natural' or 'clean' products?"
Yes. Because "natural" and "clean" don't have standardized definitions. A product can be called natural with just a tiny percentage of plant-derived ingredients. The EWG certification is science‑based, verified by an independent organization, and evaluates every ingredient against specific safety criteria.
"Will it work as well as conventional products with all those 'effective' ingredients?"
Here's what I've found: when you remove irritating ingredients, your skin actually responds better to the beneficial ones. Your skin isn't in constant defense mode. It can focus on hydration and healing instead of fighting inflammation. So yes, it works. Often better.
"Can I really use it as often as I want?"
Absolutely. This is one of my favorite things about formulating with only EWG green zone ingredients. There's no risk of over‑application causing irritation. Listen to your skin and use it whenever you need it.
What This All Means for You
Look, I know I'm probably more obsessed with ingredient safety than most people. It's literally my job. But it's also personal for me.
I created Skincalories because I was tired of the guessing game. Tired of reactions. Tired of feeling like I couldn't trust the products I put on my face every day.
EWG certification gave me a framework to create products I could trust completely. The 100% green zone commitment means I never have to wonder if there's a hidden irritant in my formula. I know every ingredient is as safe as possible.
And that peace of mind? That's what I want to give you. When you use the Active Glow Mist—or any Skincalories product—you're not just hydrating or calming your skin. You're using a product where every single ingredient has been vetted by independent scientists, where nothing has been included just because it's cheap or convenient, where every choice was made with sensitive skin as the priority.
Your skin deserves this level of care. You deserve to feel confident about what you're putting on your skin.
Let's Continue This Conversation
I love hearing from you—seriously. Your experiences, your questions, your skin stories. They help me understand what matters most to people with sensitive skin, and they inspire me to keep pushing for better, safer formulations.
If you're struggling with sensitive skin, know that you're not alone. And know that safe, effective solutions exist. You don't have to choose between safety and results. You can have both.
That's my promise to you, and it's why every Skincalories product will always be 100% EWG green zone certified.
With love and care for your skin,
Madelyn
P.S. If you want to experience what truly safe hydration feels like, I'd love for you to try the Active Glow Mist. And if you have questions about any of the ingredients or want help building a routine for your sensitive skin, reach out. I'm here for you.
Join the SkinS Movement
Looking back at SkinS Festival 2019, I'm struck by how much has grown from that initial vision of bringing Magda's story to life and launching Skincalories into the world. What began as a character in a manga universe and a skincare brand with a different philosophy has become a movement that connects thousands of people across cultures, age groups, and backgrounds.
The festival proved that beauty marketing doesn't have to be superficial, that brands can create meaningful cultural contributions, and that audiences crave authenticity and depth in their brand relationships. By refusing to treat our community as mere consumers and instead inviting them to be co-creators in an evolving narrative, we've built something that transcends traditional marketing metrics.
Magda's journey continues to mirror and inspire real journeys. Just as she attended SkinS Festival 2019 as part of the crowd, watching Kevin Woo and other performers with dreams stirring in her heart, countless attendees have used the festival as a catalyst for pursuing their own deferred aspirations. The courage to be seen, to try something new, to believe that transformation is possible—these are the true products we offer.
As we expand into 2026 with Groove & Glow and new retail experiences, the core philosophy remains unchanged: skincare is not about achieving perfection but about supporting your journey toward your best self. The five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—represent the balance we all seek between growth and grounding, energy and calm, precision and flow.
Active Glow Mist launched at that first festival as more than a product—it symbolized the possibility of radiance through simplicity, efficacy through transparency, and beauty through authenticity. Those same values guide everything we create, from manga chapters to dance tournaments to smart retail innovations.
I invite you to join us in this ongoing story. Follow Magda's evolution as she continues pursuing her dreams—from attendee to aspiring performer to the artist she's becoming. Engage with the Broken Seal universe as it expands into new media and experiences. Participate in upcoming festivals and competitions. Share your own transformation journey with our community.
Because ultimately, SkinS Festival isn't about us as a brand—it's about you as individuals finding your voice, your confidence, your community. It's about creating spaces where dreams feel achievable, where cultural wisdom meets modern innovation, and where beauty means embracing your authentic journey rather than aspiring to someone else's destination.
The bass still thumps. The lights still dance. The stage is set for your story. Welcome to the SkinS movement. Welcome home.
With love, creativity, and endless possibility,
Shilee
Co-founder, Skincalories
Executive Producer & Lead Writer, Broken Seal Universe
P.S. If you were at SkinS Festival 2019, I'd love to hear your story. What moment meant the most to you? How did the experience impact your journey? Share your memories with us—they're part of the history we're building together.