Why We exist
Summer Kingsbury, founder and formulator of Skin Frequency, has spent more than 20 years working professionally with skin. Moving from conventional aesthetics and medical treatments into holistic skin health and hands-on client care.
Summer didn't arrive at simplicity quickly. It's something that took shape slowly, over decades of studying ingredients, watching how skin responds, and learning what it really needs to find its way back to balance.
That search is what eventually led her to formulate her own line, skincare that nourishes, clarifies, and addresses skin conditions and concerns.
On the Skin Freqs podcast, Summer shares what she's learned along the way, about ingredients, the industry, and the skin itself. Her work touches on the barrier, the microbiome, inflammation, the nervous system, and skin's own capacity to regulate and repair.
Skin & Nervous System
Your skin is constantly responding to your internal state. Stress, tension, touch, sleep and the pace of your routine can all influence how skin feels and behaves, especially when it is sensitive, reactive or breakout-prone.
Skin Frequency is designed to support a slower, less disruptive approach to skincare, with gentle formulas and simple routines that support the skin barrier, microbiome and overall resilience.
When you work with your skin instead of constantly correcting it, skin has more room to settle, regulate and function well.
Barrier Repair
The skin barrier is your first line of defense, helping protect against moisture loss, irritation and environmental stress. When it is compromised, skin can become dry, reactive, congested or easily overwhelmed.
Skin Frequency is formulated to support barrier health with lipid-rich botanicals, gentle actives and routines that minimize unnecessary disruption. The goal is stronger, more resilient skin that can hold onto hydration and function well over time.
Balance Without Compromise
Every ingredient in Skin Frequency is chosen with balance in mind: effective without being aggressive, replenishing without feeling heavy, and supportive without unnecessarily clogging or overwhelming the skin.
Our formulas are intentionally concentrated and multifunctional, combining carefully selected actives with organic and wildcrafted botanicals sourced from small-batch growers and distillers. We choose raw materials for their quality, freshness and function, keeping each formula purposeful and free from unnecessary extras.
Microbiome Health
Your skin is home to a diverse community of microorganisms that help support barrier function, balance and resilience. Harsh cleansing, over-exfoliation and overly complicated routines can disrupt that environment.
Skin Frequency takes a microbiome-conscious approach, using gentle cleansing, minimal formulations and barrier-supportive ingredients that work with the skin’s natural ecosystem rather than constantly stripping or resetting it.
Skincare Without Hyaluronic Acid
Rather than relying on hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw water into the skin, we focus on supporting the skin barrier so it can hold onto its own hydration more effectively.
Botanical oils, barrier-supportive lipids and carefully chosen actives help reduce transepidermal water loss, strengthen skin resilience and support a healthy microbiome. The goal is not simply to make skin feel hydrated temporarily, but to help it function better over time.
How We Formulate
Minimalist Skincare
We believe skin often does better with less. Our formulas are concentrated, multifunctional and designed to support several needs at once, helping simplify routines without sacrificing effectiveness.
Filler-Free Formulation
We formulate without ingredients added simply for slip, bulk, texture or cosmetic feel when they do not meaningfully serve the skin. Even seemingly benign fillers can involve extensive processing or sourcing choices that do not align with our approach. By removing what is unnecessary, we leave more room for ingredients that support the skin’s ability to renew, regulate and return to balance.
Sensitive + Reactive Skin
Sensitive, reactive and breakout-prone skin often share a common thread: inflammation and a disrupted skin barrier. Our formulas are designed to calm unnecessary irritation while supporting the barrier and microbiome, using gentle actives, concentrated botanicals and minimal ingredient lists to help skin become more resilient over time.
Essential-Oil-Free Options
Half our formulas are completely essential-oil-free, giving sensitive, reactive or scent-sensitive skin a simpler option. In the formulas where we do use essential oils, they are used intentionally and in microdoses under 1%, offering aromatic and botanical benefits without overwhelming the skin.
Waterless Skincare
Many conventional creams and lotions can be made with up to 70–80% water, which then requires emulsifiers, stabilizers and broader preservative systems to keep the formula intact. We take a more concentrated approach, using pure organic hydrosols where water is needed, alongside water-free botanical oils and balms. This means 100% of the formula is made up of the botanicals, lipids and actives.
Balanced Botanical Oils
Not all face oils behave the same way on skin. Some can feel rich and nourishing at first, but sit heavily on the surface or contribute to congestion. We formulate with carefully balanced botanical oils chosen for their fatty acid profiles, including meaningful levels of linoleic acid, so they absorb well, support the skin barrier and moisturize without feeling heavy.
Non-Nano, Uncoated Zinc Oxide
We use non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide for its calming, protective and anti-inflammatory benefits, especially for sensitive, reactive and breakout-prone skin. Because the zinc is uncoated, it isn’t wrapped in silicone or other surface treatments, allowing the raw mineral to interact more directly with the skin.
How to Use Product Videos
We're Very selective
Why we choose not to formulate with them
Some cosmetic ingredients are included primarily for texture, slip, stability or sensory feel rather than direct skin benefit. Skin Frequency takes a more minimal approach, choosing ingredients for their function within the formula and how they interact with the skin.
It's surprising how many common beauty products include ingredients made from petrochemicals. Some of these are paraffin wax, mineral oil, benzene, and any ingredient that starts with 'PEG' (polyethylene glycol), 'DEA' (diethanolamine), or 'MEA' (ethanolamine). Watch out for words like 'butanol' or anything ending in 'butyl'—such as butyl alcohol, butylparaben, and butylene glycol. Others to avoid include EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), and ingredients starting with 'propyl' like isopropyl alcohol and propylene glycol.
Even 'parfum' or 'fragrance' in your products can be suspect, as they often hide a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals, some of which may disrupt hormones.
These ingredients are not just common in skincare and cosmetics; they're also concerning for both health and the environment.
Fragrance can contain complex mixtures of aromatic compounds, and some fragrance ingredients may be irritating or sensitizing for certain people. We choose not to use synthetic fragrance or parfum, allowing the natural aroma of our botanical ingredients to remain part of the formula.
Preservatives are essential for the safety of water-based skincare, but different preservative systems interact with skin differently. By keeping many of our formulas waterless, we can minimize the need for broader preservative systems while maintaining product stability and safety.
Emulsifiers are necessary in formulas that combine oil and water. Skin Frequency often avoids them by formulating waterless oils and balms, allowing us to keep formulas simpler and more concentrated.
Some stronger cleansing surfactants, including certain sulfates, can feel drying or irritating on sensitive skin by removing too much of the skin's surface lipids. We prefer gentler cleansing methods that preserve the barrier.
Surfactants vary widely in strength and skin compatibility. Some cleansing systems can remove too much surface lipid or leave sensitive skin feeling tight and dry. Our cleansing approach favors oil cleansing and water-activated botanical powders to minimize unnecessary stripping.
Parabens are widely used as preservatives in cosmetic and skincare products. They can have several adverse effects on the skin. Parabens are known to disrupt hormone function by mimicking estrogen, which can lead to hormonal imbalances and impact skin conditions, exacerbating issues like hormonal acne. Additionally, parabens can weaken the skin’s natural barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation, dryness, and environmental damage.
Look for the prefixes ethyl-, methyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl- or isobutyl on the label.
Alcohol in skincare can have several adverse effects. It can strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture, leading to dryness and irritation. This not only compromises the skin's barrier function but also makes it more susceptible to environmental stressors. For those with sensitive or dry skin, alcohol can exacerbate redness, inflammation, and overall sensitivity.
Alcohol-based products can disrupt the delicate balance of the skin's microbiome, a crucial component in maintaining skin health and immunity. This disruption can weaken the skin's natural defenses, making it harder to protect itself effectively.
Hydrogenated vegetable oils are commonly used in clean skincare as a cheap alternative to natural oils because they last longer and cost less. However, they don't offer the same skin benefits as unprocessed, natural oils.
Hydrogenated oils can also hold onto chemicals and impurities from their processing, which might irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions, particularly in people with sensitive or reactive skin types.
We love using coconut oil in our cooking for its great taste and health benefits. But when it comes to skincare, we're a bit more careful. Coconut oil can clog pores because it has a high comedogenic rating. That means it might not be the best choice for applying to the skin, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin, as it could lead to breakouts.
When searching for skincare products, it can be challenging to find options that don't contain common humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and holds water in the skin. It works well for many people, but it isn’t part of the way we choose to formulate.
Skin Frequency takes a different approach to hydration, focusing on organic hydrosols, botanical oils, waxes and barrier-supportive lipids that help reduce moisture loss and support the skin’s own ability to stay comfortable and hydrated.
We prefer to build hydration through barrier support rather than relying heavily on humectants, especially for skin that is sensitive, reactive or easily overwhelmed.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the skin and is commonly used in skincare as a humectant because of its ability to bind water.
We choose not to formulate with added hyaluronic acid. Instead, our approach focuses on supporting the skin barrier so it can hold onto its own hydration more effectively, using organic hydrosols, botanical oils and lipid-rich balms.
For us, hydration is less about adding another water-binding ingredient and more about helping the skin retain moisture, maintain resilience and function well over time.
OUR GODDESS GAL
In a world that often tells us we need more to be complete, our liberated goddess embraces the opposite. She is free and content, she is perfect just as she is.
Skin Frequency vs. Conventional Skincare
- Replaces foaming or cream cleansers.
As a body moisturizer:
- Replaces lotions and creams.
When to use it:
- For cleansing use morning and night. as a body oil apply after bathing.
How to use it as a cleanser:
- Apply 3-5 pumps to dry skin.
- Massage gently to break down makeup, sunscreen, and impurities.
- Remove with a warm, damp cloth—no harsh scrubbing needed.
Why it’s different:
- Most conventional cleansers and lotions rely on harsh surfactants, emulsifiers, and preservatives that can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier.
- Replaces foaming or cream cleansers.
As a body moisturizer:
- Replaces lotions and creams.
When to use it:
- For cleansing use morning and night. as a body oil apply after bathing.
How to use it as a cleanser:
- Apply 3-5 pumps to dry skin.
- Massage gently to break down makeup, sunscreen, and impurities.
- Remove with a warm, damp cloth—no harsh scrubbing needed.
Why it’s different:
- Most conventional cleansers and lotions rely on harsh surfactants, emulsifiers, and preservatives that can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier.
- Replaces conventional toners and essences.
- Hydrates, soothes, and balances the skin’s pH.
- Prepares the skin for better absorption of oils and balms.
Morning & Night
- after cleansing to hydrate and prep the skin.
- Can also be used throughout the day as a refreshing mist.
Why it’s different:
Most toners contain alcohol, preservatives, or unnecessary additives that can dry out or irritate the skin.
- Replaces harsh scrubs and acid-based exfoliants.
- Gently smooths rough skin and helps fade dark spots.
- Clears clogged pores without drying or irritating the skin.
When to use it: Use at night, 1-3 times a week after cleansing. Leave it on overnight and apply a balm on top.
Why it’s different: Most exfoliants use strong acids or rough scrubs that can leave skin red, dry, or sensitive.
- Replaces rich creams and heavy moisturizers.
- Deeply nourishes and calms sensitive or stressed skin.
- Locks in moisture and supports a healthy skin barrier.
Morning & Night apply to freshly misted skin.
Why it’s different:
Most creams contain fillers, preservatives, and emulsifiers that can clog pores or disrupt the skin barrier.
- Replaces retinol and vitamin C serums.
- Supports collagen production and improves skin elasticity.
- Helps fade dark spots, smooth fine lines, and even skin tone.
Use it in the Morning: after misting, on damp skin.
Why it’s different:
Most retinol and vitamin C serums can not be combined and contain harsh unstable formulas that can cause irritation. Immortal uses a stable oil-based vitamin C and a non-sensitizing retinol alternative
Replaces traditional creams
- Deeply hydrates and locks in moisture without feeling heavy.
- Protects the skin with non-nano zinc, a physical barrier against the sun and a natural anti-inflammatory.
Morning: Apply after misting for all-day moisture and protection.
Night: Use a thicker layer to soothe irritation, calm redness, and restore dry skin overnight.
Why it’s different:
Most creams are up to 80% water, requiring preservatives and emulsifiers. Warmth is a concentrated balm, meaning you get more benefits with less product. No fillers, no unnecessary ingredients.
Replaces thick creams and overnight masks.
- Deeply nourishes, softens, and repairs dry, sensitive, or compromised skin.
- Forms a protective layer to lock in moisture and calm irritation.
Use it at Night: Apply after misting as the final step to restore and strengthen the skin barrier while you sleep.
Why it’s different:
Most creams are mostly water and rely on preservatives and emulsifiers that don’t truly repair the skin. Abundance is a concentrated balm, packed with pure, healing ingredients to deeply moisturize, soothe, and restore
Replaces thick creams and medicated healing balms.
- Deeply hydrates and repairs dry, compromised, or irritated skin.
- Forms a breathable protective layer to lock in moisture and soothe sensitivity.
Use at Night:
- Apply as the final step to calm, soften, and restore the skin barrier overnight.
- Can also be used on dry patches or areas needing extra care anytime.
Why it’s different:
Most creams contain up to 80% water, requiring preservatives and emulsifiers that don’t truly heal the skin. Enrich is a concentrated balm, delivering pure nourishment with healing botanicals—no fillers, no synthetic additives, just deep, lasting hydration.
Replaces foaming cleansers, clay masks, and exfoliating scrubs.
- Gently cleanses, exfoliates, and detoxifies without stripping the skin.
- Balances oil production while supporting the skin’s microbiome.
Morning or Night:
- 1-3 times a week As a cleanser, mix with water and use daily or as needed.
- 1-3 times a week: As a mask, leave on for a few minutes before rinsing for a deeper detox.
Why it’s different:
Most cleansers and masks contain harsh surfactants, preservatives, or over-drying clays that disrupt the skin’s balance. Purify is a concentrated, water-activated powder, made with pure botanicals and minerals to cleanse, exfoliate, and clarify, without irritation.
Replaces conventional cream blush and tinted lip balms.
- Moisturizes while adding a natural, buildable flush of color.
- Made with pure botanical pigments—no synthetic dyes or fragrances.
When to use it:
Morning: Apply to lips and cheeks for a natural glow.
Throughout the day: Reapply as needed for extra hydration and color.
Why it’s different:
Most tints contain petroleum, synthetic dyes, and artificial fragrances that can dry out the skin. Rosy is a botanical-based balm, giving your lips and cheeks hydration, nourishment, and a soft, natural tint—all in one.