Here's the Effective, Plant-Based, Cruelty-Free Skincare Line You've Been Searching For
Full disclosure: a job perk of being a writer/editor in the fashion and beauty industry is getting samples of some of the latest product lines to try out firsthand. And not to sound ungrateful, but because I have relatively problematic skin (hormonal, hyper-sensitive) testing out new goodies—as much as I'm obsessed with skincare—doesn't mean I've got the best complexion on the block. So when a pink lunchbox full of Kat Rudu products arrived, I was hopeful (PINK!) but perhaps a little skeptical due to my temperamental skin's track record. Nevertheless, I hopped in the shower and rinsed my makeup off with the line's cleaner, a lightweight foaming gel with the scent and texture of pure honey. Rinsing it off left me without a trace of makeup (even mascara!) and with supremely supple skin. The rest of the line didn't disappoint either, with serums, moisturizers, and more that left a decided glow on my face—without an oily residue.
The effectiveness of Kat's products shouldn't come a a surprise, she's a 20-year skincare vet who celebrities like Kate Beckinsale and Jenna Dewan-Tatum turn to for pre-Red Carpet treatments. Rudu is also a devoted vegan, so in formulating her skincare collection chose plant-derived ingredients she knew to be both effective and gentle. The Venice-based beauty guru is also introducing a few more potions to her line—which, by the way you can purchase online or at Ron Robinson in Los Angeles—so it was the perfect time to chat with her about how her products give you that sought-after glow, what mistakes we're all making with our skin, and the other things she does daily to feel beautiful.
What’s the secret to these products being so good for all skin types?
It was very important for me to create all my products to be vegan, without any mineral oil, parabens, synthetics, or glycol. My parents were in the cosmetology world so I grew up around skin. When I was a child my mom always used aloe vera, rosemary, chamomile to make elixirs for her clients. So when I created my own line I wanted to have the herbs and flowers not just to smell beautiful but clean very deeply and be anti-aging and give that nice, dewy, plumpy, juicy look while at the same time brightening the skin. I’m not a chemist obviously but I worked in skincare for nearly 20 years and I’ve used so many products. I knew which ingredients were going to work. For example when I created the Liquid Lift Amino Acids with vegan peptides for the skin, I wanted it to be like drinking a smoothie. I asked myself “how come everyone is creating these juices internally but what about something topically—a protein drink for your face?”
You have an impressive list of clientele. How have their needs over the years helped tailor the line you created?
I’m just about to launch my Botanical Flower Mist. I always used to make these little elixirs for my clients. Every time I would use them, they would just go “Wow, what is that? I want some.” And with the products on my back bar, when I went down the direction of cleaner products, I didn’t see as much irritation or I saw their reaction to the product that I was using. They liked them more or saw more results. My clients were more responsive to that.
For women on a budget—what’s the ONE product from the line you’d suggest starting with and why?
The Hydra Cell Vitamin C Serum. So many women are afraid of using Vitamin C. They say it breaks them out or causes irritation, but that’s not the Vitamin C. A lot of formulations out there don’t have the proper ingredients—and it’s the fillers in those products that makes people break out. Vitamin C is crucial for pollution, anti-aging, brightening, it feeds the skin, and mine has the hyaluronic acid and the ferulic acid—I used ingredients I knew worked best and didn’t irritate.
What’s the biggest mistake women make with their skin?
I think that women change their products too quickly, for one. For example, if they feel like something made them pink—people think that when your skin becomes pink the product is causing irritation or its too abrasive when it's actually the contrary. It’s bringing the blood and making their skin alive. Two, they’re not exfoliating. Exfoliation is the key to having delivery of ingredients into the skin. You have a buildup of dead skin cells hanging out, having a tea party on your skin. Another thing is that women haven’t educated themselves on products. They go by what their friends are using, or they read something, which may not work for them. Women have their skin so dehydrated, they might have bumps or redness because their skin is so dry, it’s screaming. You need your skin to be ph balanced and that gets ruined when its overly dry. You don’t see what you can have.
What are some of your other favorite beauty/wellness practices?
For my body, I love Pilates. I love to get on the Reformer. I love a hot yoga class—but if you take it too often it can cause dehydration to the skin. But once in a while for detox is perfection. Taking chlorophyll to oxygenate the blood cells. And of course I love acidophilus! For rosacea or eczema it works wonders. And I try to relax—which is hard!
Fill in the blank: I feel the most beautiful when [blank].
When I receive and email or text from a client that I saved their skin! But also I feel beautiful around the house, just relaxing listening to classical music. When I have no worries and I’m calm in my soul.
