Meet the spotlight ingredient in our Glow Polish: Tepezcohuite.
Glow Polish: Nourishing Tepezcohuite Exfoliant
Before going into a deep dive as to why we are such massive fans of this magical bark, here's a brief rundown as to everything that works together in our Glow Polish, to achieve this perfectly creamy exfoliant for sensitive skin...
The fine brown bark grains buff away dead cells while the active compounds calm irritation. A lightweight, healing polish: the pumice and bark physically slough off dull surface layers, revealing fresh skin beneath, while aloe vera, oils and butters cushion and hydrate.
Aloe vera significantly boosts skin hydration (improving moisture in the stratum corneum), making it a perfect partner here.
Rich shea butter and jojoba oil deepen the moisture: shea’s high content of unsaponifiable triterpenes and antioxidants lends potent anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair benefits, while jojoba mimics skin’s own oils for gentle, non-greasy conditioning and proven anti-inflammatory action.
Desert oils like organic tamanu and prickly pear seed add even more nourishment. Tamanu oil has long been prized for wound-healing and anti-bacterial effects. Prickly pear oil is ultra-rich in linoleic acid and antioxidants, which help hydrate skin and strengthen the moisture barrier.
Finally, a touch of benzoin resin gives Glow Polish its softly warm, vanilla-like scent. Benzoin is more than fragrance. Traditional remedies use it on ulcers and cuts for its antiseptic, soothing qualities. In fact, classic “compound benzoin tinctures” combine benzoin with aloe and others as a skin protectant. Here it leaves a gentle aromatherapeutic veil, calming both skin and senses.
All these special ingredients mingle together to encourage softer, calmer, visibly brighter skin with a natural glow. Because we target sensitive skin, Glow Polish skips harsh surfactants, synthetic fragrances and irritants. It’s free of parabens, phthalates and artificial scents and is made with EWG-conscious, palm-free ingredients in small batches.
Note: it contains organic tamanu oil, which is derived from a tree nut – we recommend a patch test if you have nut allergies.
A Deep Dive Into What Makes Tepezcohuite So Special
This magical bark is revered in Mexican herbal lore as the “skin tree.” In rural clinics and family remedies alike, the powdered bark has long been applied to burns and wounds while indigenous healers mix tepezcohuite with aloe vera for first-degree burns.
Perhaps the most famous story of tepezcohuite's magic: after the devastating 1984 Mexico City gas-plant explosion, hospital staff treating thousands of burn victims ran out of conventional medicine and turned to tepezcohuite. The powdered bark was applied to over 5,000 burns with rapid healing and minimal scarring. If that's not a testament to it's potency- I don't know what is...
Why Tepezcohuite Works: Science Meets Tradition
Tepezcohuite is unusually rich in tannins, polyphenols and triterpenoid saponins. These compounds are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It improves skin repair while fending off infection. Modern science is catching up to folk wisdom: tepezcohuite’s plant compounds help skin cells regenerate and keep microbes at bay, speeding the recovery of injured tissue.
Tepezcohuite’s unique chemistry- born of the harsh Mexican scrublands, gives it legitimate skin-soothing and renewing power.
How to Use
- Massage & Buff: Gently massage a pea-sized amount of Glow Polish onto damp skin in circular motions, avoiding the eye area. (The fine pumice and bark particles will buff away dead skin.)
- Rinse Off: After massaging, rinse thoroughly with warm water. Pat your skin dry. A fine residue of oils and soothing ingredients will remain to nourish.
- Frequency: Use 1–3 times per week. For sensitive skin, start once a week and adjust as needed. Regular use helps slough away dull layers and promote a smooth, radiant complexion.
Tip: Even though Glow Polish is gentle, always patch-test new products if you’re allergy-prone. (As noted, the tamanu oil is tree-nut derived.)
Ingredient Highlights
- Wild Tepezcohuite Bark – Packed with antioxidants, tannins and saponins that promote cell turnover and calm inflammation. Historically used on burns and wounds for dramatic healing effects.
- Aloe Vera Juice – A proven humectant that boosts skin hydration and soothes irritation.
- Shea Butter & Jojoba Oil – Nourishing emollients; shea’s triterpenes are anti-inflammatory, while jojoba’s wax esters protect and repair with gentle anti-inflammatory action.
- Tamanu Oil – Traditional cure-all for skin ailments; rich in fatty acids that accelerate wound healing and fight bacteria.
- Pumice & Arrowroot – Natural exfoliants. Pumice gently buffs away dead cells; arrowroot powder absorbs excess oil and gives a silky feel.
- Gluconolactone (PHA) – A polyhydroxy acid that provides gentle chemical exfoliation and antioxidant hydration, minimizing irritation compared to stronger AHAs.
- Prickly Pear Seed Oil – Ultra-hydrating, rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E. Antioxidants help reduce redness and protect skin integrity.
- Benzoin Resin – A balsamic resin with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties. Adds a warm vanilla-amber scent and the traditional benefit of a protective skin salve.
Combining these botanical heroes, Glow Polish buffs, soothes and balances skin in one step. The payoff is instantly visible: a smooth, calm complexion with renewed radiance and a healthy glow.
Sources: Traditional uses and scientific studies of Mimosa tenuiflora (tepezcohuite) support its skin-repairing reputation. Clinical and ethnobotanical reports (and even Mexican burn clinics) attest to its effectiveness on wounds. We’ve blended these insights into a modern formula that honors tradition and delivers results.