DANIELLA'S AM PROTOCOL
Exosome-powered repair, urban defense, firming, and antioxidant oil—finished with mineral SPF.
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“I’m 58.” For Daniella, that number isn’t a disclaimer—it’s the point. Her real skin routine is built around the same philosophy as our spa: skin longevity through consistency, not an endless menu of interventions. Yes, she leans on RF microneedling and regular acupuncture facials—but every day, it’s this skincare ritual that keeps her barrier strong, her glow steady, and her results compounding over time.
This kit bottles that routine step-for-step: Gentle Cleanser to start with a truly clean canvas, XO Essence to flood the skin with intelligent hydration, XO Serum for exosome-powered repair and regeneration, Defense Serum as her daily shield against pollution and blue light, Firming Serum to support the thinnest areas around eyes and lips, Protect Oil with high-level THD vitamin C for a calm, steady radiance, and Shield Primer SPF 30 for mineral UV defense and a soft-blur finish.
Think of it as a skin-longevity protocol designed for mature skin—but smart enough for any age that’s ready to treat skincare like exercise and nutrition: unsexy, everyday work that quietly adds up over years.
Each product in the Basic Ritual is housed in our low-waste, aluminum-first packaging system. Housed in a 100% plastic-free aluminum tube with an aluminum cap, designed for full recyclability and reduced environmental impact. Outer carton is FSC-certified and printed with vegetable-based inks.
INSIDE DANIELLA'S AM PROTOCOL
Gentle Cleanser – Reset Without Stripping
Daniella always starts with a proper cleanser - never just “splashing water.” This spa-born cleanser is formulated to delicately bind to dirt, oil, and even water-resistant formulas while respecting the barrier, so skin feels soft and dewy, not raw or tight.
Hydration + Exosome Primer
Her first treatment layer: XO Essence floods skin with hydration and rose-derived exosomes that help support cellular communication and repair. Botanical humectants and antioxidants strengthen the barrier and enhance natural glow—and it’s specifically designed to help everything you apply afterward perform better.
Plant Exosomes For Repair + Resilience
This is Daniella’s non-negotiable repair step. XO Serum is powered by plant-derived exosomes—microscopic messengers that help skin “talk” to itself more efficiently, supporting regeneration, firmness, and resilience over time. In the XO collection, it’s the high-performance treatment at the heart of the ritual.
Real-World Exposure Shield
Over XO, she layers Defense Serum as her daily environmental shield. The formula is designed to help protect against urban dust, microscopic particles, indoor chemicals, atmospheric gases, infrared, and blue light—what we experience as city life, screens, and everyday exposure. The brand’s original positioning: most of what we call “aging” is actually exposure.
Targeted Lift Around Eyes + Lips
Daniella treats Firming Serum as precision care for the thinnest, driest zones. It’s built to lift, firm, and plump, and is specifically recommended as a base around the lips to help with lipstick bleeding, layered over Hydrate Serum or other hydrating steps.
THD Vitamin C Oil-Gel
Her next layer is Protect Oil: a silky facial oil-gel with blueberry extract, THD vitamin C, and antioxidant-rich plant oils. It’s described as “superfood for your face,” formulated to help fight inflammation, support blue-light defense, and deliver a steady, long-term glow rather than a 10-second “glass skin” trick.
Mineral UV + Soft Blur
Daniella always finishes with Shield Primer. It’s a 100% mineral-filter SPF designed to defend against UVA/UVB-generated free radicals and premature aging, while also smoothing the appearance of skin and acting as a makeup-ready primer.
HOW TO USE
Step 1: Gentle Cleanser – “Splashing water is not a routine.”
- Apply to damp skin and massage for 30–60 seconds.
- Focus on areas with overnight buildup: hairline, sides of nose, jawline.
- Rinse with lukewarm water, then gently pat dry—never drag a towel.
Step 2: XO Essence – Hydration Flood
- On clean skin, apply a generous layer of XO Essence.
- Let it absorb fully; if your skin “drinks it,” apply a second layer.
- Always pat, never drag—especially on mature skin.
Step 3: XO Serum – Repair + Regenerate
- While skin is still slightly dewy, press in a thin layer of XO Serum over face, neck, and décolleté.
- Think of this as upgrading your skin’s “signal strength” so every other active works harder.
Step 4: Defense Serum – Daily Exposure Shield
- Apply a light layer over XO Serum, focusing on areas most exposed to environmental stress (cheeks, forehead, nose, chin).
- This is Daniella’s “real world” shield against pollution, indoor air, and screen time.
Step 5: Firming Serum – Precision Around Eyes + Lips
- Take a small amount on fingertips and tap around the orbital bone and lip contour.
- Concentrate where skin is thinnest and where fine lines or lipstick migration show up first.
Step 6: Antioxidant Protect Oil – THD Vitamin C Glow
- Warm a few drops/oil-gel pearls between hands and press into skin.
- Use all over or focus on areas where you want more radiance and antioxidant support.
- This is Daniella’s “calm glow” step, not a slippery, short-lived shine.
Step 7: Shield Primer SPF 30 – Finish + Blur
- Apply a generous, even layer as the final step.
- Use enough for proper mineral protection (two finger lengths for face; more for neck and ears).
- Wear alone for a soft-blur finish or under makeup as primer.
On lighter days, you can simplify (for example, XO Essence → XO Serum → Protect Oil → Shield Primer) while still honoring the core philosophy: hydrate, repair, defend, protect.
- Gentle Cleanser: a nickel-sized amount.
- XO Essence Saturate the skin until it feels lightly damp. For optimal activation, reapply until the skin reaches a soft, slightly tacky finish.
- XO Serum: Use a pearl-sized amount.Always include the neck and décolleté. Pat gently to enhance efficacy.
- Defense Serum: Use a pearl-sized amount.Always include the neck and décolleté. Pat gently to enhance efficacy.
- Firming Serum: Use 1/2 pearl-sized amount around eyes and lips Pat gently to enhance efficacy.
- Protect Oil: Use a pearl-sized amount for the face; more for targeted areas.Always include the neck and décolleté. Pat gently to enhance efficacy. Smooth evenly with upward strokes.
- Shield Primer SPF 30: Use a pearl-sized amount for face and additional product for neck and exposed areas. Under-applying SPF significantly reduces its protection.
Gentle Cleanser: A rich oil -gel that transforms into a creamy, milky fluid when emulsified with water.
XO Essence: A feather-light hydrosol essence that absorbs instantly while leaving the skin refreshed and subtly plumped.
XO Serum: A refined, lightweight serum with a smooth glide that settles to a soft, hydrated finish.
Defense Serum: A feather-light, fast-absorbing cream-serum hybrid with a subtle satin finish.
Firming Serum: A silky, cushiony gel-serum with smooth glide and quick absorption.
Protect Oil: A silky, cushiony oil-gel that transforms into a nourishing lipid layer upon contact with the skin, leaving a smooth, radiant, non-greasy finish.
Shield Primer SPF 30: Cushioned, featherweight cream that settles into a soft-focus, satin-matte finish designed to work under or without makeup.
Gentle Cleanser: A softly floral yet fresh blend of jasmine sambac, tuberose, bergamot, and fir — calming for mind, spirit, and skin.
XO Essence A delicate, naturally occurring rose de mai aroma—clean, soft, and essential-oil-free to maintain exceptional skin compatibility.
XO Serum: A naturally understated floral profile of rose de mai accented with delicate mandarin, apricot, and jasmine notes.
Defense Serum: A quietly elegant, nature-inspired blend: woody dry cypress, lavender, spruce, fir, and Meyer lemon blossom — replicating the distinct scent of Marin County’s coastal air and forests.
Firming Serum: Completely scent-free
Protect Oil: Inspired by Marin County gardens — a quiet blend of Meyer lemon blossom, night-blooming jasmine, and clary sage.
Shield Primer SPF 30: Completely scent-free
TIPS FROM THE SPA + DANIELLA
Daniella treats this routine like exercise and nutrition for her face: not a quick fix, but a long game. Commit to this protocol (or a simplified version) for at least 1–2 skin cycles (4–8 weeks) before you judge results. The real change is in how your skin behaves over time—resilience, bounce, and recovery speed—not just one “good skin day.”
On busy mornings, Daniella still hits the essentials: cleanse → XO Essence → XO Serum → Shield Primer. On slower days, she adds the full stack, including Defense, Firming, Protect Oil, and a bit of cupping. Think of it as macro (non-negotiable core) and micro (bonus steps when you have space).
At 58, Daniella gives extra attention to the neck, jawline, and around eyes and lips. She always takes XO Serum, Defense, Firming, and Protect Oil down to the neck and onto the chest—treating it as part of her face, not an afterthought.
This kprotocol mirrors her in-spa approach: acupuncture facials + RF microneedling spaced thoughtfully throughout the year, supported by meticulous daily skincare. If you use tools at home (like cupping or gua sha), integrate them after Protect Oil, when there’s enough slip to move without pulling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Daniella’s AM Routine includes Gentle Cleanser, XO Essence, XO Serum, Defense Serum, Firming Serum, Antioxidant Protect Oil, and Shield Primer SPF 30—the exact morning sequence our founder uses to support skin longevity at 58.
This kit is ideal for anyone interested in long-term skin resilience and radiance, especially those with balanced-to-dry or mature skin who want a structured, science-led protocol instead of chasing single “miracle” products.
Yes. The philosophy—cleanse, hydrate, repair, defend, protect—applies at any age. You can use the full routine or adapt it (for example, skipping Firming Serum if you don’t need targeted eye/lip care yet) while keeping the same order of operations.
XO Essence and XO Serum are the core of Daniella’s routine. XO Essence hydrates and preps the skin with rose exosomes and humectants, while XO Serum delivers a concentrated dose of plant exosomes to support repair, regeneration, and resilience at a cellular-communication level.
Defense Serum is Daniella’s daily shield against pollution, microparticles, indoor air, and blue light—real-world exposures that accelerate visible aging. Firming Serum then targets the thinnest, most mobile skin around eyes and lips for lift and support. Layering them over XO Serum means they’re working on skin that’s already hydrated and “switched on.”
Protect Oil is an antioxidant oil-gel with THD vitamin C, blueberry seed oil, and other lipids that help fight inflammation, support blue light defense, and provide a steady, long-wear glow. It’s designed as both a treatment and finishing step, not just a generic emollient layer.
Shield Primer should always be your final AM skincare step, whether you follow Daniella’s full stack or a simplified routine. Its 100% mineral filters help defend against UVA/UVB and free radicals, while the primer texture gives a soft-blur finish under makeup or on bare skin.