Making the skin care scene his stage, leading skin therapist Jordan Samuel Pacitti founded his eponymous collection {Jordan Samuel Skin} in 2013: setting out to create high-performing formulas that artfully tame and perfect complexions in crisis. His former career as a professional ballet dancer made him no stranger to chronic skin irritation and this frustration inspired the Jordan Samuel Skin quest for clear and radiant skin. Poised to pirouette its way into your ritual, this chic and minimalistic collection is perfectly skin-plié-sing.
Got a question? We spoke to the brand's founder – Jordan Samuel – who gave us the inside scoop, shared tips and explained why you definitely need this expertly choreographed brand in your beauty ritual...
{Cult Beauty} Hi! We’re so excited to have Jordan Samuel Skin finally launching here at Cult Beauty. First things first, can you tell us about the brand’s beginnings and ethos? What’s Jordan Samuel Skin’s story so far?{Jordan Samuel} We are so happy to be a part of the Cult family! It’s been a long time coming. I created the brand in 2013, and was inspired by my time as a professional ballet dancer and wanting to put some fun and creativity back into the skin care world. I am a working aesthetician and almost all of these formulas are brought to life in the treatment room when I see the holes in the market.
{CB} And can you tell us about your background and how it helped you create Jordan Samuel Skin?{JS} I am formerly a professional ballet dancer and current aesthetician. I spent 11 years dancing professionally with Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, doing an average of six shows per week. My skin was put through the wringer every single evening. Wearing extremely heavy stage make up and then sweating under hot stage lights, my skin immediately became congested, sensitised and inflamed. I was removing my make up incorrectly and not following up with the correct products. Eventually one of the ballerinas introduced me to oil cleansing. After that I finally started to see changes in my skin. It was at this time I knew I wanted to have a future career in skin care and aesthetics. The changes I saw in my own skin (and my confidence as well) paved the way for me to start making plans to transition into the world of beauty.
{CB} How hard was ballet and performance make up on your skin? Do you have any advice for people working within the same or a similar industry and battling skin flair ups?{JS} It was awful, and the true catalyst for the creation of Jordan Samuel Skin. My advice is simple: No matter how convenient you think they are, you must ditch the wipes! Using a proper make up-removing cleanser will be one of the most important things for your skin health while performing. Keep the skin hydrated through light layers of humectants, creams and oils. And always wear SPF.
{CB} What sets Jordan Samuel Skin apart from the rest of the industry? What were the main objectives when creating Jordan Samuel Skin?{JS} We are bringing creativity and fun back to skin care, and no longer putting every skin type/condition in a three-step box. By 'Choreographing Your Own Skincare Routine' you are truly giving your skin exactly what it needs at any given time. Still to this day the intersection of value and effectiveness is the main objective for every product we bring to market.
{CB} Can you describe the brand in just three words?{JS} Creativity. Effectiveness. Value.
{CB} Who is Jordan Samuel Skin aimed at? Do you have a ‘poster’ person in mind when developing product?{JS} Anyone with skin. By 'Choreographing Your Own Skincare Routine' our products allow everyone to be creative and get the best possible skin on any given day. We create products to be used by all genders, skin tones and ages!
{CB} And for those unfamiliar with Jordan Samuel Skin, what product is certain to kick-start an addiction?{JS} One of our cleansers or our {
Hydrate Facial Serum}. All best sellers!
{CB} Can you talk to us about your inspiration? How do you dream up the names for your products?{JS} What you see is truly Jordan Samuel Skin the person and the brand. The names come from my background and how I would have used them while performing. An {
After Show Treatment Cleanser} (great for removing make up) or a {
Matinee Cleanser} (great in the morning). {
The Performance Cream} – a great base for make up and your daily performance in the world.
{CB} What do you mean by ‘choreograph your own routine’?{JS} Mix, match and be creative. Skin is not only changing year-to-year, but it is changing as frequently as week-to-week and day-to-day. With that in mind, sometimes a three-step routine of the same products might not be enough to help you get the best glow. Having a skin care wardrobe and checking in with your skin each morning and evening will allow you to figure out what exactly your skin needs at that moment. Our products are formulated to be mixed and matched. I always recommend being consistent with the products in your wardrobe as well as your skin care steps but sometimes maybe skin needs a bit more oil – so why not pop some {
Soothing Facial Oil} into your Performance Cream to get the best from both products! Or maybe you are a bit dehydrated so layer {
Hydrate The Mist} with {
Hydrate Facial Serum} for a true flood of humectants.
{CB} Do you have techniques or application tips to maximise your products’ efficacy?{JS} Massage, massage, massage! It’s one of the best things you can do for your skin, and it will also help the products absorb in beautifully. But with everything I have said, play around with application. Maybe you need a bit more serum or oil than recommended. You know your skin best. So play around and find your perfect skincare choreography plan!
{CB} Over-exfoliation, inflammation and weakened skin barriers are slowly becoming a prolific skin care concern nowadays do you have any advice for combatting/avoiding this?{JS} Put the acids down! Acids are an amazing ingredient but no doubt have caused so many issues when not used correctly or cautiously. Don’t just scale back. Seriously put them down for a bit. Otherwise it will be a “two steps forward, one (or two) steps back” scenario.
{CB} What are the dos and don’ts of repairing your skin barrier?{JS}Look for gentle cleansers, products with peptides, ceramides, humectants, antioxidants, oils, butters and zinc-based SPFs. Give your skin true TLC for a while and then SLOWLY (read: one time per week) add acids or retinols back in. But give it a while, and remember the skin will still be turning its cells over so don’t be scared that you aren’t using acids while you try to get the skin to bounce back.
{CB} What beauty rules do we all need to break?
{JS} Don’t put yourself in a box with the directions on the back of a bottle. Everyone’s skin is so different it’ll be best to experiment and find your own perfect routine with any product.
{CB} Can you tell us what ‘cult’ means to you?{JS} In terms of skin care I have always thought of ‘cult’ as something that is unique, special, not mainstream, and coveted by those in the know.
{CB} When did you first fall in love with beauty?{JS} Early on, around the age of six. I remember my mom’s perfume, my dad’s cologne. I was always excited by special soaps or lotions I would receive as presents.
{CB} Do you have any bedside beauty essentials?{JS} A body lotion, lip balm, pillow spray, my Kindle and a glass of water.
{CB} And what about ingredients? How do you source them – and do you have a favourite?{JS} Our ingredients are sourced by our two amazing manufacturers using the best suppliers in the industry. As for a favourite ingredient I wouldn’t say I really have ONE - just like with products I don’t subscribe to a “hero” product or a “hero” ingredient. It will always be the formula itself that makes things amazing.
{CB} And if you could recommend one treatment that people should be incorporating into their wider routine, what would it be?{JS} LED light therapy and massage, whether receiving both as part of a professional facial treatment or getting an at-home LED device and massaging your skin a little bit each night. These two things will make such a big difference in your skin health.
{CB} And when it comes to pearls of beauty wisdom, do you have an overarching tip to help maintain skin’s health and vibrancy?{JS} Products are amazing but can only do so much. Good sleep, regular exercise and a positive outlook will make you glow more than you could ever imagine.
{CB} Finally, what’s next for Jordan Samuel Skin?{JS} New products, further expansion and education for our customers. We want to make sure they are armed with all of the correct information to make the best choices for their skin and skin care routine.
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