7 Questions for REN Clean Skincare

Can you briefly introduce REN? 

“REN has been around for 23 years and originates from England. It is not very well known in the Netherlands, so we are working hard on that. It was born out of the need of a pregnant woman who began reacting to her own skincare. She was shocked by the ingredients it contained: they might not be good for my skin, and certainly not for my unborn child. In her search for products that matched her philosophy, she found nothing. Eventually, her husband, together with a business partner with experience in the cosmetics industry, started REN, aiming to develop a product for sensitive skin.  

The natural ingredients we use not only care for the skin but also improve it. In that respect, REN is a bit more active than brands that only work on the top layer of the skin; we look at how the skin functions and what is important for the skin. Our products, for example, work on the skin’s microbiome.  

Additionally, REN finds it very important that the ingredients are of natural origin and are sustainably sourced. Hence our slogan ‘Clean to skin, clean to planet’. Over the past 23 years, we have followed a whole trajectory to be as sustainable as possible. For instance, in 2021, we achieved the Zero Waste Pledge and have a collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation, with whom we conduct beach cleanups.” 

What does the skin say about a person’s health? 

“We sometimes talk about the skin drawing, and it is literally a reflection of your lifestyle that you see on the skin. If someone smokes, you see it on the skin; if someone has a healthy diet, you see it on the skin. But also stress, and that is literally the drawing of the skin. The skin is a special organ that deserves attention, and I sometimes think many people take the skin for granted. Because as long as the skin functions well, you are happy with it, but you must keep the skin healthy. People are sometimes surprised when I say, ‘but you brush your teeth for two minutes a day’. And so, the skin also needs its attention to stay healthy, even if it’s just two minutes a day.”

  What is indispensable for healthy skin from the inside out? 

“I find healthy nutrition indispensable, supplemented with supplements because the skin can really use some support. We live in an environment where there is a lot of stress for the skin, so the skin needs that support. A bit of exercise, a healthy body. If you get enough exercise, regularly stimulate your blood circulation, then you see that reflected on the skin. You see a healthy blush appear; think of how your skin looks after a walk on the beach, where you get extra oxygen. That is what ensures from the inside that the skin can function well. It is important to mention that people forget to cleanse their skin after exercising, while sweating leaves salts on the skin that can be quite a burden. Especially if, particularly women, use makeup during exercise. Then it is really important to cleanse your skin well and reapply makeup; otherwise, you have the penetration of those salts combined with makeup on the skin all day.” 

You just mentioned nutrition and supplements, do you have any specific products you recommend? 

“The big 5 I fully agree with. In that respect, vitamin C is, of course, a fantastic antioxidant that we can also apply directly to the skin. But in terms of supplementation, vitamin C is certainly indispensable because it supports overall resistance but also the resistance of the skin. Additionally, vitamin C improves the absorption and production of collagen, which also affects the skin. It protects the skin, including against the sun. Now, I do not believe that you no longer need SPF because I am very keen that it is necessary for the skin. But, for example, vitamin D can also be a nice addition for a skin that is out of balance, for example, an acne-prone skin with many inflammations, impurities, or an eczematous skin, it helps a lot to use probiotics and extra vitamin D. I do believe it works if you do everything at once. So we strengthen each other in that, from the inside out and from the outside in, then you get the best and fastest result.” 

Which skincare myth would you like to dispel? 

“What I find a myth is that people think ‘oh if I drink a lot of water, my skin will automatically become healthy’, and that is certainly not the case. Because the skin is an organ that can function very well on its own, but it is not the case that if you have dehydrated skin, you just drink a lot of water and the moisture balance in your skin will be fine. It has more to do with how the skin can absorb and retain moisture, and support from the outside is also needed. Suppose your lipid barrier layer, the outer skin layer, is damaged, then moisture can easily evaporate. Then you can drink all you want, but the moisture balance will not reach equilibrium. Again, it is complex, because of course, it is important to drink enough water. But there is also the problem that people drink too much water and thereby flush away all kinds of minerals and salts that we desperately need. It’s all about balance, also for the skin.” 

What should you pay attention to when choosing skincare products? 

“That you choose products that match your skin type but also your skin condition. I believe that a skincare routine is not always the same because your skin is constantly changing. Make sure you choose a routine that fits your lifestyle, that you get good advice and don’t be too misled by what you see on social media. Because every skin is different and requires different (combinations of) products. So it is very important to get a tailor-made personal advice or to search well yourself for what fits your skin. Look closely at how your skin reacts, what you are used to using. I think it is sometimes thought of too easily.” 

What are your 3 favourite products? 

“Firstly, the new smooth, prep & plump Essence. This is a kind of hybrid product between a serum and a toner. I always apply it to the skin after my cleansing, which pre-moisturises my skin. This allows all the products that follow to be better absorbed. Additionally, this product also protects the skin against pollution, so it really has a dual function and is extremely hydrating. What I have noticed is that my skin has become much softer and smoother and my pores are less visible.  

The second product is the Ready Steady Glow tonic from the Radiance line, which is an exfoliating toner I use in the evening. What this does beautifully is remove dead skin cells from the skin, making your skin more permeable, but also giving the skin a nicer glow. As you gain more life experience, dead skin cells tend to linger longer, so exfoliating in a daily manner is a tip to get or maintain a beautiful radiant skin.  

It is a product that you build up and use in the evening because it affects the skin’s pH value and it automatically recovers overnight. By building up, we mean first 3 times a week, so every other day, if that goes well, to 4 times a week. This way, you stimulate cell renewal from the outside. 

The third product is the Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream which offers a very nice brightening around the eyes, tackles fine lines and wrinkles. Dark circles and fluid retention are reduced, and the eye skin looks radiant and healthy.”

Written by: Caya Kerkhof