When my already dry skin started also showing signs of redness and irritation, I didn't expect to be turning to a skincare product created by two musicians to solve my problems. As someone who was recently very loyal to my already curated skincare routine, I have been more open and interested in trying new things—for better or for worse. When a product designed for colder months and promising to improve texture, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce redness was presented me, I thought sure, why not. The words "10x more powerful antioxidant than vitamin c" also didn't hurt. The decision paid off.
Enter Mother Science's Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer, my fascination with this mysterious antioxidant, Malassezin, and my curiosity about how exactly two musicians started a skincare brand and introduced me to my new favorite product.
My Skin:
While my forehead holds most of my oiliness, there really isn't much of it. My skin is perpetually dry, regardless of season. I've loaded up on heavy moisturizers and dabbled in the slugging trend but always, without fail, I wake up with dry, tight-feeling skin. More recently, I've noticed my skin looking dull and tired. I've been experiencing more redness in my cheeks as well as texture caused by irritation. All in all, my skin wasn't outright terrible but it definitely wasn't happy.
The Product:
Founded by lead guitarist of rock band Incubus, Mike Einziger, and renowned violinist Ann Marie Simpson-Einziger, the multi-faceted husband and wife duo created the only skincare brand to harness the powers of Malassezin. And this was all just a product of their curiosity. While traveling in India, Simpson-Einziger noticed harmless light patches of skin on her back. Simpson-Einziger was also a science student and teacher, so that's when a lightbulb moment occurred for her. "Could I leverage what was happening on my back and turn that into a way to address the dark spots on my face?" she says. The white spots were caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia and the hero ingredient across all Mother Science products is the natural compound produced by this: Malassezin. It's a naturally occurring compound in the skin. It's 10x stronger than vitamin c.
The product, despite its intense moisturizing properties, isn't extremely heavy. Its rich-looking consistency turns watery soon after meeting the skin and is easily spreadable. While Malassezin is the leading ingredient, others include growth factors (to boost collagen and elastin), copper peptides (to firm skin, smooth wrinkles, and reduce redness), squalane (to lock in moisture and support barrier repair), lipid concentrate (to restore essential lipids and prevent moisture loss), and hyaluronic acid (to hydrate and support moisture retention in the long term).
The Results:
Call it placebo or call it a miracle, but my skin was noticeably calmer overnight. Some of the redness and texture had resolved, and my skin just generally looked more alive. My skin, although still somewhat dry, was noticeably less dry and tight than it has been in a very long time. After about three days of use, my skin was more comfortable than it had been in years.
Worth It?
Mother Science's moisturizer rings in at $68 for a 50ml jar, arguably following in the middle range when it comes to cost versus size on the beauty market. For me, based on the results and how quickly noticeable they were, it's completely worth it.
TL;DR
Mother Science, a skincare brand founded by two musicians, uses Malassezin (an antioxidant that occurs naturally in the skin and is 10x more powerful than vitamin) in their Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer, along with ingredients known for firming, hydrating, reducing redness, and supporting barrier repair. This moisturizer very quickly calmed my skin and left it feeling less dry and generally appearing more alive. With that said, I highly recommending giving this a try, especially as winter slowly but surely approaches. I can say, without hesitation, that it's my new hero product.
