By Anna Griffin, Editor in Chief
Photo Credit: Matt Armendariz
Despite being the daughter of one of America’s greatest icons, Laila Ali is blazing her own trail, both as an entrepreneur and as a fitness and wellness advocate. A world-class athlete, TV host, author and founder of her brand, Laila Ali Lifestyle, this powerhouse is on a mission to inspire us to be the greatest versions of ourselves. Via her platform, Ali champions us with motivational messaging, books, recipes and her empowering “Replenish” email series. Also offering her clean YOUPLENISH supplements and her eponymous line of organic, non-GMO, chemical-free Spice Blends, Ali now turns her attention to clean beauty with her newest endeavor, Laila Ali Skincare.
“As I got older I started to think about my skin, and I want to encourage people to have a skincare routine. If you get on top of it early the results of aging won’t show up, but you’ve got to have something, especially nowadays with the environment and the sun on our skin. Educating people how beauty comes from within, it’s really important to eat correctly, get rest and to use good products.”
Created with Ali’s meticulous commitment to clean, effective ingredients, Laila Ali Skincare is a luxurious, age-defying beauty line, crafted with natural botanicals, antioxidants and clean ingredients.
“Laila Ali Skincare is all about anti-aging, luxurious, plant based ingredients. It’s sulphate free, paraben free, phthalate free, not tested on animals, and made in the U.S.A., so we actually know what’s in the products. I wanted to have something that’s effective, but as clean as possible and for me it’s a balance. You have some synthetic ingredients that aren’t bad and you have some natural ingredients that aren’t necessarily good for you, so it’s about finding that balance and people having the results that they want to see.”
Photo Credit: Matt Armendariz
Driven by her passion for health and wellness, Ali has paid attention to detail with her ingredients and formulas, being fully immersed in all aspects of production. “Our skin is our largest organ. A lot of people don’t think about how our body is a living organism, and how everything from what we eat, to what we put on our skin or the air we breathe, it goes into our body and has an affect. So with our skin being our largest organ, it absorbs everything you put on it. It goes right into your bloodstream, so you want to be sure you don’t buy things just because you like the smell or the packaging design. You really need to do your research about the products, but the great thing is that if you find a trusted brand, they should have done all of that for you. I am not saying you shouldn’t read the packaging, but we’re not all educated on a lot of these ingredients, so I like to partner with people who are experts. Luckily we have more clean brands available now and the great thing is that with more people demanding better products, we’re starting to see more on the marketplace, mine being one of them.”
Laila Ali Skincare consists of 12 carefully considered, essential products that “nourish, renew and refresh” skin. Ali says, “I try to encourage people to start with the basic package because it’s an anti aging wash, a moisturizer, and a micro scrub, and those are the three things you need. I also have serums: A vitamin C serum, which is focused on fine lines and skin tightening, and a brightening serum that evens out skin tone and complexion. I have an eye cream, an ultra rich moisturizer to use in the evening, a wonderful eyelash serum, and of course my Sun Defense Cream. My product is pharmaceutical grade, so tested by a third party for toxins, heavy metals, and even mold spores, so it’s the highest quality product you can buy.”
When asked about her hero product Ali says, “I have a Citrus Aloe Face Gel that has citrus enzymes in it. I love this exfoliator because it’s a gel and you start gently rubbing it in, and your skin sloughs off. After one use, you see a difference. Dead skin comes off, but it’s non-abrasive so you don’t feel it. I love this product because it’s very unique and surprising. You definitely see a change after one use!”