How Austin’s New Vetiver Line Balances Moisture — AND Emotions

A moisturizer that reduces inflammation and anxiety? We’re listening…

A beauty editor for years, I’ve come across dozens of vetiver-scented products and never thought twice about what it really is. A grass, right? Smells kind of fresh, earthy, and clean all at once? It’s a question that Carrie Sexton, the Austin-based aesthetician who just launched a three-piece line based on the botanical, is all too familiar with at her holistic home base, Vetiver Skin Studio. According to Sexton, vetiver, also known as khus, is strong-rooted grass native to Haiti and India known for its stability and ability to prevent and treat against inflammation and hyperpigmentation, not to mention reduce anxiety and stabilize emotions. Who knew?

Sexton’s tightly edited line (appropriately named Vetiver) is fast-becoming a favorite of skin-obsessed It-Girls and models like Alyssa Miller who swoons over the facial and body oil, claiming that she “slathers” herself in each as a daily ritual. It’s the careful mixture of hyper-high-quality ingredients (for a price point that sits at about 1/3 the cost of most buzzy, insider-sanctioned oils) that keeps people coming back, and when I ask Sexton what the most popular product is at the moment, she has trouble choosing. “I’d have to say that the intoxicating scent of the body oil and the love that went into creating that specific blend is something I’m really proud of,” she divulges of the amber-bottled tincture that required “lots of testing, hours and hours of testing.”

All products are vegan, natural, and cruelty-free, part of Sexton’s philosophy, including her constant push to source the best ingredients, which she considers top priority. Using herself as a guinea pig for the power-ingredient’s formulations ended up uncovering the deeper emotional perks of her concoctions. “I found with research and self-experimentation of vetiver that its benefits for anxiety and settling the mind were profound,” says Sexton of the self-care bonus infused into each of her products. Below, her breakdown of each hand-blended creation:

The Vetiver Facial Oil

Founder Tip: “A few drops on the skin prior to your regular moisturizing routine gives the skin the most beautiful glow. I have always loved facial oils. Always. But with a little research, I’ve combined some of most concentrated, antioxidant packed oils around and blended with essential oils that actually benefit the skin. This is probably the product I’m most proud of — it accidentally became my most favorite facial moisturizer I’ve ever used!”

Star Ingredients:

Marula – reduces redness, heals, and promotes skin elasticity thanks to Omega 9 and 6, which also provide antioxidant protection.

Borage — restores the moisture barrier of chronically dry skin while repairing the tissue.

Sea Buckthorn — packed with antioxidants; vitamins A, E, and C which prevent free radical damage.

Frankincense — reduces acne blemishes, prevents fine lines, and helps to lift and firm.

Sandalwood — helps with inflammation, heals scar tissue, and helps with discoloration.

The Vetiver Body Scrub

Founder tip: “The Himalayan salt scrub is amazing for sore stiff muscles. Exfoliation is crucial for the health of your skin and the body gets left out sometimes with regards to our skin routine.”

Star Ingredients:

Vetiver — calms the soul and grounds the mind.

Rosewood — acts as an aphrodisiac and antidepressant.

Bergamot — serves as an uplifting mood-booster.

Black Spruce — cleanses as a natural antiseptic, and according to Sexton, “frankly ties these together for the perfect combination for natural fragrance for women and men alike.”

The Vetiver Body Oil

Founder Tip: “I wanted to find something rich and nourishing (yet not greasy) that had the perfect scent. I don’t like to wear perfumes and this is just enough—I literally bathe in this. You can’t really use too much.”

Star Ingredients:

Vetiver — promotes regeneration of the skin, aids in scarring.

Rosewood — offers naturally antibacterial and deodorizing properties.

Sweet Almond Oil & Fractionated Coconut Oil — deliver lighter-than-air moisture without a heavy feel. “The almond and Fractionated Coconut Oil are in perfect harmony,” says Sexton. “Rich in minerals and Vitamin E and A, Sweet Almond Oil also protects from oxidative stress. This helps heal rashes, is great for eczema, and also helps with acne due to its vitamin A content.”

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