Meet Leila Cunningham – Head of Skin Care Products at Clean Face Company

By Leila Cunningham, Head of Skin Care Products at CLN Company

Leila Cunningham is Head of Skin Care Products at Clean Face Company. She collaborates closely with our lab, engineering, and marketing team to test and deliver high-quality products that meet customer expectations. Leila is a certified wellness coach and has a background in chemistry and biology and has worked in the wellness industry for over 15 years. Leila believes in clean products and spends time researching and reading ingredients, trends and the latest in the beauty industry and technology. 

She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two beautiful girls and their dog Waffle. 

In this blog post, we delve into Leila's background, exploring the origins of her passion for wellness and gaining deeper insight into why Aquafacial holds a special place in her beauty routine. 

Ever since I was young, wellness, movement, and clean beauty have always been the pillars of my lifestyle. 

When I was eleven years old, I have distinct memories of collecting "Gioia" magazines. Growing up in Europe, specifically Bosnia, these Italian fashion magazines captivated me. Each week, I read the magazine cover to cover with articles on beauty, fashion, and health. What made it even more thrilling was the surprise gift enclosed inside each plastic cover. It could be a tiny sample of a lipstick, foundation, or the latest skin care product. I absolutely adored it! 

Many years later, my passion for wellness became my career. Proper body movement and exercise are among the most crucial tools for defying aging. For me, a simple, whole-body approach remains the cornerstone of my beauty routine. With both my parents being retired doctors, I was exposed to their profound interest in scientific advancements and integrative medicine, including the use of herbs and natural supplements. Growing up, I learned a lot about herbal medicine and the science behind ingredients from their invaluable teachings. 

Today, being a wife and mother of two daughters, living a busy and active life, I try applying the same mindset - living a healthy and balanced life, as well as creating and maintaining healthy habits. 

My preference is not to use a lot of makeup, but I use sunscreen (SPF 30+) every day (tinted and non-tinted) - rain or shine. I love hot yoga classes, Pilates, hiking, and tennis. At work I am in front of my computer a lot. My skin and my face are exposed daily to heat, sun, blue light, sweat, and dust so maintaining and keeping my skin clean and healthy is a must. 

Finding and using clean products (I am the one in the store aisle reading every product label before purchasing) without toxic ingredients and preservatives is especially important for me and my family. Time is precious, so finding high quality products that I can use at home any time is key. 

Joining the Clean Face Company team to help create products that are clean, promote skin health and are effective, was a dream come true. 

I am a big believer in regular maintenance. I taught Pilates for many years, and I would always tell my clients - go to gym, run, and play tennis, but continue to take Pilates to maintain proper body alignment, mind, and body awareness. 

The same goes for your skin – maintenance is what will keep it healthy and glowing. My daily routine is simple: I clean my face in the morning and in the evening. I use toner right after. I use serum and/or moisturizer. Sunscreen is a must before I go outside. 

I love my Aquafacial. I use it a few times per week for a deeper cleanse. I use it over my face, my neck, and my upper chest area (which is exposed to sun even more than our faces are). 

I find the best time to use my Aquafacial is after the shower. Due to the warm water and steam in the shower, skin pores open allowing a deeper cleanse from Aquafacial. It is the best time to get rid of dirt that collects inside the pores. 

Aquafacial uses specially designed tips to brush and exfoliate thoroughly and effectively while removing any impurities and excess sebum (naturally occurring oily substance) and debris from the skin without stripping or irritation, while flushing with Aquafacial's Cleansing Serum full of mild glycolic acid (which promotes cell turnover), hyaluronic acid, and a list of vitamins B, C, E (super antioxidants) and plant based ingredients (made from up-cycled fruit - apple skin). 

I use a medium to high suction level on my skin. If you are a beginner, I recommend starting on the lowest level then gradually increasing to the level that feels good for your skin. I apply serum and moisturizer immediately after to seal against water loss. This facial treatment is a miracle for my skin. It regulates sebum flow, detoxes, and improves cardiovascular and muscular health. And the best part - the proof is in the junk jar! 

At this point my skin is a clean canvas, so any product I apply after Aquafacial use will penetrate faster and deeper into my skin. I use toner to cool down my skin or our amazing Revitalizing Serum for extra glow and hydration. 

After 30 minutes my skin feels clean and glowing. My last tip? I prefer Aquafacial treatment in the evening hours. I feel like I have left the stress of the day behind…and my skin can rest.