About Hyram Yarbro
Hyram Yarbro has been dubbed the ‘Gen Z Whisperer’ by The New York Times for the incredible influence he wields in the skincare industry. The success of his brand is evident in the millions of followers he’s amassed on Instagram and TikTok, along with appearances on Good Morning America, CNN, and numerous other outlets.
GIOSTAR Chicago’s own Shelly Sood had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Hyram on a wide range of skincare topics. The interview has been separated into segments for easy viewing. You can read Shelly Sood’s full bio by clicking here
This is the first in a series of three interviews with Hyram. Stay tuned for more!
Hey Hyram! What Does “Ingredients Don’t Lie” Mean?
In the introductory portion of the interview, Hyram goes into further detail about his philosophy that ‘ingredients don’t lie.” He believes that there are numerous exaggerated claims and overly ambitious promises that may cover up the true results of beauty products. You are best positioned to understand the real benefits by performing extensive due diligence on the “secret sauce” of each product.
Consumers may experience a multitude of reactions to products, depending on:
- Specific skin type (dry, oily, etc.)
- Relative concentrations of ingredients
- Interactions between ingredients
- Environmental conditions (exposure to the sun, pollutants, stress, etc)
How Has the Pandemic Impacted Skin Care?
Due to COVID-19, most consumers are going out less and spending more time at home glued to their laptops, tablets, and phones. Although this has caused many disruptions to individuals’ routines, there have also been some benefits:
- Consumers are conducting more extensive research on how to preserve the health of their skin. Given the increased level of inquiry, brands are being forced to be more transparent about their products
- Hyram concedes that, while the increase in time spent at home has been challenging, it has also helped him gain exposure to a far wider audience.
Hey Hyram Yarbro! What’s on Your “No No List?”
In this segment of the interview, Hyram explains his ‘No-No’ list of product ingredients that he advises customers to avoid if at all possible. Although individuals react to skincare products differently, his stance is that certain ingredients are too vague to be deemed safe or too potent for the average consumer.
As a rule of thumb, customers should stay away from brands that take a “black box” approach in presenting the makeup of their products. Without this critical information, it’s virtually impossible to evaluate the benefits or drawbacks (i.e., irritation) of skin serums and other products. One example would be a moisturizer with deliberately opaque labeling such as “fragrance parfum.”
“Lot of Gray Areas”
Regarding specific ingredients, Hyram notes that there are nuances: for example, while denatured alcohol may be too potent and dehydrating for most skin types, it is less concerning when present in lower concentrations. Additionally, consumers should closely weigh both the pros and cons of each ingredient; for example, although polyethylene improves the hydration and overall feel of skincare products, it also causes considerable damage to the environment.
“I also think it’s important,” he noted, “to recognize the gray area. When it comes to science there are very few absolutes and a lot of complexity.”
Hey Hyram Yarbro! What’s on Your “Yes Yes List?”
Conversely, a few ingredients make it onto Hyram’s coveted ‘Yes-Yes’ list – ingredients that offer soothing benefits, antioxidizing properties, and are well-tolerated by diverse skin types.
Included in this “honor roll” are:
- Niacinamide
- Green tea extracts (e.g., Centella Asiatica, Camellia sinensis)
- Gluconolactone
- Jojoba oil
Hey Hyram Yarbro! Which Active Ingredients Go Well Together?
Hyram notes that there is no “one size fits all” when speaking about active ingredients that go well together: it depends largely on the particular benefits you are looking for. In particular:
Niacinamide is a highly favored ingredient due to its benefits from pairing with:
- Vitamin C: provides the skin with a healthier, brighter appearance
- Retinol: reduces the desensitizing effect
- Licorice root extracts: boosts the antioxidant capabilities
How About Exfoliants?
Hyram has found blending exfoliants to be highly beneficial in clearing away dead skin on the top layer of the skin, while simultaneously cleansing deep pore layers.
When it comes to dry and oily skin, Hyram recommends the use of a mixture of active and non-active ingredients. Some brands go a “little overboard” when it comes to actives, making them too potent or concentrated. With exfoliants, however, this is not necessarily the fault of the companies themselves: rather, consumers fail to realize that, at these high concentrations, the products should be used at a lower frequency.
Hyram gravitates more heavily toward products with lower concentrations of retinol and exfoliants, because they are gentler, and can be used more frequently without damaging or drying out your skin.
Hey Hyram! Retinol – Any Sensitivity Issues There?
This segment concludes with Hyram answering frequently asked questions about retinol and sensitivity. Although this ingredient can address numerous types of damage, it can also lead to increased dryness and skin sensitivity.
He specifically mentions the active ingredient Retinol and how it is known to cause dryness and sensitivity. As with all ingredients, the reaction of the skin depends largely on the actual concentration of the retinol in the product.
“More is Not Always More”
Many consumers mistakenly assume that higher concentrations of ingredients such as retinol provide greater benefit. In their pursuit of glowy, smooth skin, they tend to over-exfoliate, thereby increasing sensitivity to the sun, damaging the moisture barrier, and increasing the chance of horrific adverse reactions and breakouts. Hyram encourages the use of gentler, less potent products because they cause less aggravation and can be used more frequently.
GIOSTAR’s Position in the Skincare Industry
GIOSTAR continues to innovate and develop groundbreaking therapies for numerous disorders – including those impacting the skin. We developed an optimal formula of Bio-Active Molecules (BAM), that have proven effective in extensive studies involving psoriasis.
To learn more, please email skincare@giostarchicago.com.
