{FARMACY} are an exciting new {skin care} brand with their own farm, to grow and cultivate their ‘hero’ ingredients themselves – making them among the freshest and most potent on the planet. Your skin seriously won’t know what’s hit it.
You might already be familiar with the ‘field-to-fork’ philosophy when it comes to what you put on your plate – where ingredients are freshly picked and kept in their purest, most natural state for maximum nutritional benefit. Well, the brains behind {FARMACY} have applied the same mindset to skin care with their ‘farm-to-face’ approach – researching, planting and cultivating the most powerful ingredients found in nature. Add to that some high-tech scientific wizardry and what have you got? One of the most innovative and hardworking ranges we’ve ever encountered – we spoke to founder Mark Veeder to find out more …
{Cult Beauty} Could you begin by providing a quick breakdown of how the range came about? A little bit about your inspiration and what makes {FARMACY} so unique?
{Mark Veeder} FARMACY was created after its co-founder, pioneer plantsman Mark Veeder discovered and patented the extremely potent formulation Echinacea Purpurea GreenEnvy. This led him to team up with farming expert Robert Beyfuss and lab-owner David Chung and together, the trio embarked on a mission to discover new ingredients from farms and farmers around the world and harness their power through science.
{FARMACY} products are powered by a farm-grown and cultivated hero ingredient that is harvested and extracted in a unique way – if it’s new, special, and has a twist, then it’s right for FARMACY. We are fortunate to work with the most talented chemists in the beauty industry – our innovation team is in constant search of new, breakthrough ingredients and delivery systems that support our ‘farm-to-face’ philosophy.
{CB} Farm-to-Face is a really exciting new dawn in the beauty industry. Where does it ‘fit’ in relation to ‘natural’, ‘organic’ and all those other ‘green’ terms we’ve absorbed into our skin care lexicon?
{MV} While our key ingredient Echinacea GreenEnvy is organically grown, we do not classify {FARMACY} as an organic brand. We ‘fit’ in the gap in the market where nature meets science. Our formulations are naturally derived and we use scientific expertise to create transformative, safe and effective products. Many of our products have proven clinical results and it’s that marriage of nature and science that sets us apart from the rest of the ‘green and natural’ products on the market.
{CB} Your star ingredient is Echinacea GreenEnvy. Can you explain (in layperson’s terms) what this is, and what makes it so special?
{MV} Echinacea GreenEnvy is a unique, patent-protected variant of echinacea purpurea (a well known and popular herb that boosts the immune system). GreenEnvy contains the highest known concentration of the phytochemical cichoric acid, a potent natural antioxidant that gives the plant its unique restorative properties. In fact, an independent university lab just confirmed that Echinacea GreenEnvy is 300% more powerful than any other cultivated plant in the species. The powerful essence of this plant has been distilled to become the foundation of all {FARMACY} products. Our Echinacea GreenEnvy is transported only two hours to the lab, where it undergoes a cold pressing process, similar to cold-pressed juices.
{CB} {FARMACY} is brimming with antioxidants. However, with the skin care industry evolving so rapidly, there are many who’re quick to assume that antioxidants are ‘over’. What would you say to all those who’re sceptical about antioxidants’ efficacy?
{MV} Antioxidants are far from over! In fact, we believe antioxidants are critical in protecting the skin from environmental aggressors and fighting against ageing free radicals. In essence, they help preserve the skin’s youthful integrity.
Also, our unique patent-protected variant of echinacea purpurea, ‘GreenEnvy’, is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which is one of the big factors when it comes to ageing. Another amazing benefit is the cichoric acid in ‘GreenEnvy’, that promotes a more even skin tone by helping to control the production of melanin in the skin.
{CB} The freshness of the products will be something many are concerned about. Without the common synthetic preservatives, how do you prolong the products’ viability?
{MV} While we do actually use certain synthetic preservatives depending on the formulation, we steer clear from harmful varieties such as parabens, triclosan, formaldehyde etc. The preservatives we use are in limited quantities that ensure the product’s long-term integrity, whilst being mild and gentle on skin.
{CB} For those who’re new to the brand, what would you say is your ‘hero’ product? The one that’s guaranteed to kick-start an addiction?
{MV} {Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm} is one of our hero products. It is an innovative, renewing night treatment, that starts off as a lightweight balm and transforms into a gentle oil-gel. Reinforcing the skin’s natural moisture levels, this balm firms and tones while helping to restore elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Another hero is our {Invincible Root Cell Anti-Aging Serum}, that has 10% Echinacea GreenEnvy, a pro form of vitamin C that is stable and only ‘activated’ once it is applied to the skin. This formula also contains a triple-acting complex of hyaluronic acid for moisture that penetrates many layers of the skin for maximum hydration and plumpness.
{CB} Do you have a basic, ‘one size fits all’ skin care ritual?
{MV} We would recommend a morning routine of cleansing and exfoliating with our {New Day Gentle Exfoliating Grains} [use on rotation with your usual cleanser every other day, or twice a week if you have sensitive skin], followed by a mist of our {Skin Dew Hydrating Essence}. Then apply our {Invincible Root Cell Anti-Aging Serum}, {Rise ‘N Shine Daily Moisture Lock) and {Eye Dew} all around the delicate eye area.
And for the evening, we suggest cleansing and removing make up with our {Clear Bloom Makeup Glideaway Cleansing Oil}, followed by the serum and our {Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm} layered on top.
{CB} And what about those with congestion, clogged pores, or acne? Which products or ingredients do you recommend for those whose complexions are blemish-prone or problematic? It’s an increasingly common concern and something we are often asked about.
{MV} We would recommend following the above routine but without the moisturiser and in the evening, using our {Hydrating Coconut Gel Mask – Oil Control} to prevent over-production of sebum that can lead to congested pores and acne.
{CB} Can you talk us through a typical day on the farm? How many steps are there (roughly) between raw ingredients and finished product?
{MV} There are eight steps between the ingredients being planted and grown, to when they end up as the finished product. Our specially cultivated plants are harvested, cleansed, dried and cut, before being cleansed a second time. We then extract the essence of these plants and filter them for maximum purity, before they are mixed into the formulations which then undergo a rigorous quality control process to test for microbial activity, as well as the stability of the active ingredients.
{CB} And finally, do you have any exiting new products in development? What’s next for {FARMACY}?
{MV} We will be soon debuting {Green Screen Daily Environmental Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 30} with Echinacea GreenEnvy. This truly unique, ultra-light daily skin shield guards against UVA/UVB rays and environmental factors associated with skin ageing. It offers gentle, antioxidant-rich protection to screen the skin from the sun and free radicals emitted from smart phones and computers, which can lead to accelerated photo-ageing.