Clean & High-Performance Skincare: How We Formulate

Overview: Organic & Natural

Magnolia League formulates all products with certified organic and naturally derived ingredients. Here's what that means...

Organic Ingredients:

• By far the most regulated. To be labeled “organic” by the USDA, it must be certified by an accredited agent to ensure it meets production, handling, and packaging standards. 

• When you read the claim “contains organic ingredients,” that means “products must undergo a thorough review by an independent organic certification organization to verify that a manufacturer’s product formulation contains at least 70 percent organic content by weight,” according to NSF standards.

• All Magnolia League products are formulated with at least 70% organic ingredients. 

Natural Ingredients:

• Any ingredient produced from the earth is considered “naturally derived.” Like plants, water, animals, or even coconut oil.

• Quality natural ingredients are typically left alone in their raw form.

• All Magnolia League products are formulated with at least 97% naturally derived raw ingredients. 

 

 

High-Performance Actives

High-Performance effectively means potent ingredients shown repeatedly in studies to product outsize results. Biologically active ingredients are those included for a specific function, opposed to "filler" ingredients. Magnolia League products are made with high-performance actives to deliver better results with fewer products and ingredients. 

 

High-Performance:

• High-Performance Ingredients: ingredients and products that actively promote change to yield desired skin results & improve a specific skin condition. 

• High-Performance Products: requires fewer products, and ingredients, to get intended results. I.e. every ingredient has a purpose and often performs more than one function to do more with less. 

• Magnolia League formulates with high-performance ingredients to maximize efficacy with fewer products (and ingredients). 

Active Ingredients:

• Active Ingredient: is biologically active and included to improve a specific skin condition (such as acne, uneven tone, dryness).

• "Filler" Ingredient: non-functional ingredients included for reasons outside of improving skin (such as stabilizers, preservatives, dyes, etc.)

• Magnolia League formulates with active ingredients to provide solutions to the most common skin problems faced by men; and reduce risks caused by increased filler ingredients. 

 

Now that you understand the basics, keep reading to learn more about common ingredient terms & our ingredient standards...

 

How Are Ingredients Regulated? 

Organic Certification is Heavily Regulated

Why don't most brands share how many organic ingredients they use? Because they can't legally. Any product sold as 'organic' must comply with strict regulations set at US & int'l levels. 

Brands stay quiet because they either haven't gone through an auditing process or don't want to disclose how little organic ingredients they use despite claims.⁠

Chemist, and founder of Freelance Formulations, Vanessa Thomas offers a simple definition. "Organic strictly refers to ingredients grown without the involvement of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and any other synthetic ingredient," says Vanessa.

Organic is by far the most regulated (by the FDA and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act). To be labeled “organic” by the USDA, it must be certified by an accredited agent to ensure it meets production, handling, and packaging standards. While other standards exist, NSF provides the gold standard for making organic claims.

When you read the claim “contains organic ingredients,” that means “products must undergo a thorough review by an independent organic certification organization to verify that a manufacturer’s product formulation contains at least 70 percent organic content by weight,” according to NSF Standards.

 

Magnolia League Organic Certifications 

Magnolia League men’s essentials contain at least 70% organic ingredients. We’re able to make this hard organic claim as our ingredients are audited by major certifiers such as: Oregon Tilth, Quality Assurance International, & Organic Alliance Inc.

So, when we make this claim, you can feel good knowing we went through the rigorous certification process to source the highest quality ingredients.  

 

What are "Natural" Products?

Any ingredient produced from the earth is considered “naturally derived.” For example: ingredients from plants, water, animals, or coconut oil. Quality natural ingredients are typically left alone in their raw form. 

There are no certifications or regulations governing natural claims. For example, a product that contains water can claim “natural ingredients.” 

Though most brands can claim “natural” and be technically correct, be aware of what that claim means. Few brands expand further; leaving out specific percentages of natural content and quality details. 

Transparent brands quantify the percentage of naturally derived content in their formulations and expand on the source, quality, & function of those ingredients. 

 

Made With at Least 97% Natural Ingredients

Magnolia League men’s essentials are formulated with at least 97% naturally derived raw ingredients.  

Our products are inspired by our love for the South’s natural beauty—and our labels are largely compiled of raw, natural ingredients from the elements—for example: 

• Essential minerals and algae skin superfoods from the ocean. 

• Antioxidant and nutrient-rich plants sourced in their purest form. 

• Wild harvested botanicals from forests and mountains. Deliver functional benefits and esteemed natural scents, opposed to synthetic fragrances which are the #1 culprit of skin irritation. 

 

 

What Is High-Performance Skincare? 

High-Performance is a term that gets thrown around a lot in personal care. Though there’s no official definition or certification, “high-performance” broadly means two things in skincare:

• Results: ingredients and products that actively promote change to yield desired skin results. 

• Efficiency: using fewer products, and ingredients, to get better results. 

 

 

What Are High-Performance Ingredients?

Organic and natural doesn’t mean less effective. Every powerhouse ingredient is purposefully selected; working together to produce maximum results for the skin needs of active men. 

Here are seven examples of high-performance ingredient groups we use, examples of hero ingredients, and how they deliver results for you:

• Hydrate—Moisturizing Agents: prevent dryness and breakouts with these rapidly hydrating ingredients. 

• Jojoba Oil 
• Aloe Vera
• Hyaluronic Acid 

• Replenish—Barrier Repair Agents: essential fatty acids (found in ingredients below) enhance barrier repair, improve cell immunity and moisture, & reduce inflammation. 

• Borage Oil 
• Rosehip Oil 
• Ceramides 

• Protect—Antioxidants: defenders against oxidative stress damage, caused by free radicals and UV rays, to prevent early aging signs and breakouts. 

• Vitamins C & E
• Non-Nano Zinc Oxide
• Green Tea 

• Restore—Anti-Aging Agents: function varies; including deep moisture, collagen stimulation, cell regulation boost, prevention of water loss, & more to fight early aging signs. 

• Vitamin A 
• Gotu Kola 
• Reishi Mushroom 

• Tone—Hydroxy Acids: organic acids (AHAs, BHAs) that promote exfoliation, unblock pores, & turn over skin cells—to clear your skin and improve its tone. 

• Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Sugar Cane 
• Orange Peel Extract

• Radiance—Collagen Accelerators: stimulating collagen is key to giving your skin a youthful glow and can be boosted by these ingredients. 

• Vitamin C 
• MSM 
• Spirulina 

• Reduce Inflammation—Potent Anti-Inflammatory Plants: reducing inflammation calms and balances your skin to avoid dryness, breakouts, and irritation for clear, healthy skin. 

• Calendula 
• Chamomile 
• Yarrow 

 

 

How Our Products Maximize Efficiency & Efficacy 

We know the importance of a simple routine that’s easy to adopt and maintain. So we focused on high-performance efficiency—minimizing the amount of products and ingredients to deliver maximum results. 

Here’s how all Magnolia League products perform multiple jobs to maximize results with an easy, minimal product routine:  

 

Peachtree Face Cleanser 

 

Golden Isles Moisturizer

 

• Hydrate: high-performance moisturizers Organic Aloe & Organic Jojoba deliver potent all-day hydration. 
• Nourish & Glow: rejuvenate your tired skin with essential skin electrolytes and nutrients found in Ocean Minerals & Irish Sea Moss. Anti-inflammatory skin superfoods Spirulina, Centella fight inflammation and replenish dull skin for a youthful glow. 
• Energizing Antioxidants: Green Tea is a true antioxidant powerhouse to protect against signs of aging and free radical damage—with caffeine for energizing dull skin. 
• Anti-Aging: stimulate collagen glow while reducing appearance of wrinkles & fighting inflammation with high-performance Gotu Kola (Centella) and Wild Geranium.

 

Men's All-in-One Wash

 

• Gently Cleanse & Restore: sugar-based foundation deep cleans while gently exfoliating for powerful skin rejuvenation. 
• Invigorate: with anti-aging powerhouse Reishi, the “mushroom of immortality.” Accelerate circulation to boost energy with Astralugas & MSM. Remarkably refreshing botanical oils Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, & Mint deliver an esteemed sensory experience. 
• Reduce Inflammation: packed with high-performance inflammation fighters Calendula, Chamomile, & Yarrow to soothe your skin, body, and hair.  
• Scalp Health & Hair Growth: high-performance botanical Organic Rosemary can promote hair growth while improving scalp health and reducing dandruff. 

 

Ultralight Age Defense SPF 50

 

• Protect: Broad Spectrum uva/uvb protection with natural mineral Zinc Oxide, plus protective Antioxidants. Defends against damage from sun, blue light, and other environmental stressors. 
• Anti-Aging: rejuvenating Ceramides and barrier boosting Antioxidants fight early signs of aging and repair damage from the elements. 
• Moisturize: multi-functional product delivers superior hydration from Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Fatty Acids like Shea Butter. 
• Anti-Inflammatory: soothe and balance sun damaged skin to reduce inflammation with potent Calendula. 

 

Sources Used: 

1. Byrdie: “Reishi Mushrooms Are an Underrated Skincare Powerhouse.” Rostamian, M. (2023). Link
2. Mount Sinai: “Health Library: Astragalus.” Link
3. Mane Addicts: “How Does Rosemary Water Benefit Hair?” (2023). Link
4. USDA: “National Organic Program: Cosmetics, Body Care Products, and Personal Care Products.” (2008). Link 
5. Woman With a Mind: “What is Cosmeceutical?” Link.
6. Lifestyle Asia: “What are active ingredients in skincare and how do they work?” (2018). Link. 
7. The Good Skin Blog: “What does organic, natural, and clean skincare mean?” Link. 
8. NSF: “Personal Care Products Containing Organic Ingredients.” Link. 
9. Byrdie: “Omega Fatty Acids in Skincare: The Complete Guide.” Link.