Social media star and skin-care guru Hyram Yarbro has been slowly revealing the five products in his new brand, Selfless by Hyram, across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. The brand was created in partnership with The Inkey List. The line was revealed on Sephora.com on Friday, with customers allowed to add their names to a waitlist in advance of the official launch on June 24.
As an influencer, Yarbro said he recognizes the saturation of the market, so the “selfless” element, and the idea that “a skin-care brand could be a catalyst for social change” was important, he said. Each product ties back to an issue that matters to Yarbro, including health equality and climate change. As for the products themselves, Yarbro chose to pair proven favorites like retinol and salicylic acid with lesser-known, natural ingredients like sea kelp and rainbow algae, giving each product a well-rounded ingredient story.
“It’s all centered around a gentle, active philosophy, which is hard to find in the industry,” he said. He noted that many other products fall into one of two camps: super strong and active, or very, very gentle and focused on solutions for sensitive, compromised skin. Instead, Yarbro wanted to find a midpoint. Ahead, he walks Glossy through all five products.
Centella & Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($20, Sephora.com)
“I wanted to create a really high-quality formula that’s able to be used day and night by as many skin types as possible,” Yarbro said, adding that his fans are excited about its gel texture. “I have never found a cleanser that I can consistently use both day and night for a long time without noticing any increased dryness or a stripped feeling of the skin,” he said. “Adding centella and green tea was a way to be able to combat traditional sensitivity or irritation that people can get with using cleansers, because it can be one of the harshest steps of a skin-care routine.”
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Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Serum ($24, Sephora.com)
“I’ve always recognized the power of salicylic acid,” Yarbro said, advising that the ingredient should be used consistently by those with breakouts. Still, he’s found that most salicylic acid products leave a tacky or heavy feeling. “The main purpose behind this product is to consistently exfoliate the skin and prevent additional oiliness and sebum production,” he said. “The feel is just amazing. As someone who has oily skin and has a difficult time using any serum during the daytime, this one works for me,” he said.
Mandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum ($24, Sephora.com)
Mandelic acid is gentle alpha hydroxy acid, and one that is less commonly used than ingredients like glycolic and lactic acids. “I wanted to create a blend that was really gentle on the skin, very enjoyable to use and that consistently exfoliated,” without irritation, he said. The phytic acid ingredient is extracted from rice bran to further contribute to gently exfoliating skin.
Retinol & Rainbow Algae Repair Serum ($30, Sephora.com)
The retinol, Yarbro said, is less about exfoliation and more about “the ability to fade the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots and acne scarring.” These concerns are the ones Yarbro’s audience asks him about the most across his social media platforms. “We combined it with rainbow algae, which is known for its abilities to fade dark spots in your skin.” Yarbro alternates between this serum and the mandelic acid serum from night to night.
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Niacinamide & Maracuja Daily Support Moisturizer ($26, Sephora.com)
“I love the benefits of niacinamide, but it’s typically used in serums and treatments, and not as commonly in moisturizers,” Yarbro said. He wanted the product to focus on barrier support, much like “thick, heavy moisturizers that are primarily focused on repairing the moisture barrier after it’s been pretty severely damaged.” This product is a lightweight gel, which means all skin types can use it. “This took the most iterations in the lab, to make sure there were no ingredients that included palm oil. [The ingredient contributes to deforestation.] I love all the products, but this one excites me, thinking about how my audience is going to respond.”
