Welcome to the Tonic Blog!
Welcome to my first blog post! If you read the “My Story” tab, you probably have a good idea of what this post covers, but I hope you'll keep reading.
Also… thank you for your patience as I build my website. To book a service or a consultation, I will be making my booking app public when I am ready to begin. I feel the blog is a good way to start getting acquainted before I officially open for business.
Now- let’s get it.
The Story Behind Skin + Tonic.
If you know me, you know that I have always been drawn to both science, art, and all the things in between. Between what we can explain and maybe what we haven’t discovered yet.
Believe it or not, that’s part of what led me to skincare.
Skin is fascinating. I came to that conclusion in 2017, sitting in my anatomy class staring at all the layers, vessels, and follicles in my textbook. It’s our body’s largest organ. Despite knowing how important it is… I still have to force myself to drink water. Our skin’s health is a constantly changing reflection of our environment, habits, genetics, and experiences. Somewhere along the way, skincare became crowded with unrealistic expectations, complicated and confusing routines, and product promises of instant transformation.
Skin + Tonic was born from a love of skincare, a curiosity about how things work, and a belief that care for ourselves doesn’t have to mean choosing between nature and science.
I love the beauty of botanical ingredients, the history of herbal remedies, and the quiet process of taking time for yourself. I also believe in understanding skin physiology, respecting the skin barrier, and using evidence-informed treatments to guide our decisions.
To me, these things are not opposites. They can truly complement one another.
Something important to note: natural doesn’t always mean most gentle or safe for every skin type, just as a scientifically formulated product doesn’t have to smell like a laboratory or be impersonal. What matters is understanding the ingredients and which to use for the skin I am treating.
That’s the philosophy I want to bring to Skin + Tonic.
There is no single routine that will work for every face every time. Skin changes with the seasons, stress, age, hormones, environment, and many other factors. You deserve an approach that considers these factors.
My goal is to create an experience where education and relaxation can coexist to benefit your whole self. Where you can ask questions without feeling overwhelmed and where treatments are chosen with intention rather than simply because they’re popular. I want us to understand your skin, support its needs, and make choices to preserve its health over the course of your life.
My creative life has also shaped the way I think about beauty. As an actor and creative artist, I’ve spent time exploring expression, identity, and the ways we present ourselves to the world and the vulnerability that comes with doing so. I know how it feels to want that perfect skin and to try and chase trends to appear younger- trends are not the real answer. Chase health and consistency first. Improvement will follow that.
Skincare can be practical and results-focused, but it can also be a pleasant ritual. I look forward to my nighttime routine. It’s not complicated or 10 steps (save that for your regular facial😉), and it leaves my face and décolletage feeling soft as a pillow. I love that. You need the moments where you reconnect with yourself. This world constantly asks us to do more, look different, and GO GO GO. That is exhausting.
Skin + Tonic is a place to explore skincare without the noise. I plan to create blogs talking about ingredients, treatment options, skincare misconceptions, and much more.
My hope is that you’ll leave with more than a dewy complexion. I want you to feel informed and in control of your skin health. More confident in your product choices and more connected to the skin you’re in.
Because good skincare isn’t about fighting everything God gave you. It’s about keeping it healthy.
Welcome to Skin + Tonic Studio
Rooted in Nature. Refined by Science.
<3 EL