The Wash

The Winter Barrier Repair Framework During winter, transepidermal water loss increases while skin recovery slows. Rather than layering stronger actives, we’ve found that a hydration-first, lipid-supported approach helps maintain resilience, reduce reactivity, and support visible results through the season. This is the order we’ve been relying on most — in treatment and at home. 1️⃣ Rejuvenating Cleanser Role: Cleanse without stripping Preserves barrier lipids Sets the skin up to receive hydration Ideal for winter-sensitive or compromised skin A gentle cleanse that supports barrier integrity while preparing the skin for hydration and treatment layers. 2️⃣ Replenishing Mist Role: Immediate hydration + prep Willow bark (nature’s salicylic acid) supports gentle exfoliation and improved absorption Helps reduce post-cleanse tightness Can be used between layers during treatment Applied to damp skin, this step enhances penetration and keeps hydration moving through the routine. (Optional micro-tweak: “supports gentle exfoliation” instead of “improves absorption” if you want to stay conservative with claims.) 3️⃣ Boosting Collagen Serum Role: Hydration + collagen signaling Lightweight support without barrier stress Appropriate when stronger actives aren’t well tolerated Bridges hydration → repair This serum delivers visible support while remaining compatible with compromised or winter-sensitive skin. 4️⃣ Bioactive Regenerating Oil Role: Lipid replenishment Supports barrier function and elasticity Can serve as a retinoid-adjacent option without harsh peeling Especially useful for wind-exposed or dry environments Provides the lipid support winter skin often lacks, helping to reduce dehydration rebound and discomfort. 5️⃣ Sensing Repair Cream Role: Seal + calm Reinforces the lipid matrix Reduces reactivity and sensitivity Anchors the entire routine during winter This final layer seals in hydration, supports recovery, and helps calm reactive skin through seasonal stress.In winter, the most effective protocols are often the simplest. Supporting the skin barrier with thoughtful layering helps improve comfort, tolerance, and outcomes — especially when skin is already under seasonal stress. This routine offers a flexible framework that partners can adapt across treatments and retail, making it easier to guide clients through winter without overcorrecting or overwhelming the skin.

Why Formulation Quality Drives Real Results Skincare trends move quickly. Ingredients cycle in and out of favor, often driven by marketing rather than meaningful formulation science. But for practitioners focused on long-term skin health and consistent results, trends matter far less than ingredient quality, synergy, and safety. At TOMA, we believe ingredients should be chosen for how they work together — not how loudly they perform in a headline. Why “Hero Ingredients” Fall Short Many products are built around a single trending ingredient: vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol, niacinamide. While these ingredients can be effective, they rarely work in isolation. Formulation matters because: Concentration alone doesn’t determine efficacy Delivery systems affect absorption and tolerance Supporting ingredients influence performance and safety Without thoughtful formulation, even powerful ingredients can underperform or cause irritation. Bioactive vs. Bioadaptive: A More Intelligent Approach At TOMA, we prioritize bioactive botanicals — ingredients that actively interact with the skin’s biological processes — and bioadaptive ingredients that help skin respond to stressors over time. This approach supports: Barrier integrity Reduced inflammation Improved resilience Better tolerance across skin types Botanicals are often misunderstood as “gentle” or less effective. In reality, when properly formulated, they can be both potent and deeply supportive of long-term skin health. Why Ingredient Safety Is Part of Performance An ingredient’s effectiveness can’t be separated from its safety profile. Skin that is repeatedly exposed to irritating or questionable ingredients may show short-term results, but often at the expense of barrier health, sensitivity, or long-term imbalance. TOMA formulations are built to: Deliver visible results without overwhelming the skin Support repeated professional use Perform consistently across modalities and treatment plans This balance is what allows practitioners to use products confidently — in the treatment room and for home care. One important thing to note with regards to essential oils in our products - they are formulated for efficacy, not scent. We keep concentrations low enough to not create sensitivities but intentional to repair, hydrate, clarify, and build cellular structure.  How Thoughtful Formulation Supports Professional Care When products are formulated with intention: Treatments become more predictable Client tolerance improves Results are easier to maintain between visits For professionals, this means less troubleshooting and more confidence in protocols. Ingredient trends will continue to change. But formulation integrity is what sustains results. Why This Matters for Practitioners Choosing products based on formulation — not trends — allows practitioners to: Reduce product fatigue and switching Build consistent treatment plans Educate clients with clarity and confidence At TOMA, we formulate with the belief that skincare should work with the body, not override it. That philosophy guides every ingredient decision we make.

Why Clarity Matters More Than Claims The professional skincare industry is full of confident language — “clinical,” “medical-grade,” “FDA-approved,” “clean,” “non-toxic.” Yet many of these terms have no standardized definition, and some are used in ways that quietly mislead both practitioners and clients. At TOMA, we believe ethics and transparency are not optional values. They are foundational to professional practice — especially in an industry where regulation often lags behind innovation and marketing frequently outpaces truth. The Problem With Undefined Claims In skincare, language carries weight. Practitioners rely on it to make informed decisions, and clients trust it as a signal of safety and efficacy. But many commonly used terms are vague or inconsistently applied: “Medical-grade” has no legal definition in skincare “Clinical” often refers to marketing, not clinical trials “Clean” varies widely depending on who defines it “FDA-approved” is frequently misused in cosmetics Without clear standards, these terms can create a false sense of assurance — even when products differ significantly in formulation quality, ingredient safety, and manufacturing rigor. FDA Language: What It Really Means One of the most misunderstood areas in professional skincare is FDA terminology. FDA-registered facilities are manufacturing sites that meet FDA requirements for cleanliness, documentation, and quality control. FDA-cleared devices have gone through a formal review process demonstrating substantial equivalence to an existing cleared device. Cosmetic products, including skincare, do not require FDA approval before being sold. These distinctions matter. When brands blur them, it erodes trust — not only in individual products, but in the industry as a whole. At TOMA, we believe practitioners deserve clear, accurate information so they can make confident decisions without decoding marketing language. Transparency Builds Long-Term Trust Ethical skincare brands don’t rely on inflated claims. They rely on: Clear ingredient lists and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to back them up Honest explanations of what products can and cannot do Thoughtful formulation choices Education over exaggeration Transparency isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being honest — especially when honesty is less convenient than hype. For practitioners, this approach makes client education easier, builds credibility, and supports long-term relationships rooted in trust rather than trends. How TOMA Approaches Ethics in Formulation and Communication At TOMA, transparency guides both how we formulate and how we communicate. We commit to: Using precise language about ingredients and manufacturing Avoiding misleading or undefined claims Clearly explaining our choices — including what we exclude and why Educating practitioners so they can confidently educate clients We believe ethical clarity is not a limitation. It is a strength — one that supports better outcomes for practitioners, clients, and the industry as a whole. Why This Matters for Professional Practice When practitioners choose products aligned with ethics and transparency, they are choosing: Easier client conversations Reduced skepticism Greater confidence in recommendations A brand partnership built on trust In a crowded marketplace, clarity is rare. And rare things hold value. At TOMA, transparency is not a talking point — it’s a commitment we uphold in every formulation, every educational resource, and every partnership we build.