Bunnie Gulick wasn’t thinking about trends when she started formulating skincare 30-plus years ago, she was thinking about plants. The founder of ISUN Skincare, a beauty brand rooted in the wild terrain of the San Juans, built her line on a simple conviction: the skin doesn’t need to be corrected; it needs to be nourished.
That philosophy is still the engine behind every ISUN formula. Organic ingredients are cold-pressed and small-batch processed to preserve what the brand calls their “living energy,” the vitality that gets cooked out of most conventional products before they ever reach your face.
For skincare under the strength of the Colorado sun, that approach is especially resonant. High altitude, dry air, and relentless exposure create a specific kind of barrier breakdown: dehydration, inflammation, and accelerated oxidative stress. “If I can formulate products that keep skin healthy and youthful in Colorado’s harsh climate,” Bunnie said, “I can formulate for anywhere.”
The products reflect that rigor. Hyaluronic acid, adaptogenic botanicals, beta-glucan, and antioxidant-rich plant oils are layered with clinical intention. But ISUN also understands that how a product feels matters as much as what it does. “The act of applying products mindfully, engaging the senses through texture, aroma, and taking quiet moments for self-care can have a meaningful impact on how we feel emotionally and physically,” explains ISUN executive assistant Tracey Drabløs. In a beauty landscape hungry for restoration, that resonates.
The intentionality extends behind the scenes too. Every ISUN product is manufactured in-house, giving the brand complete oversight from ingredient handling through to final packaging. It’s a labor-intensive choice, but one that keeps the freshness and integrity of each formula intact. “Today’s consumer can feel the difference when products are created with genuine care,” Tracey says. The result is skincare that feels both elemental and elevated, rooted in the wildness of the place that made it.
High Altitude Essentials
Emerald Sun Hydrosol Serum
Hyaluronic acid, edelweiss extract, peony root, and beta-glucan work in concert to hydrate, soothe, and replenish environmentally stressed skin, leaving it visibly dewy and refreshed. $80
Sapphire Cleanse
A pH-balanced cleanser that purifies without stripping, delivering a calming sensory experience through botanical aromatics. $46
Phyto-Infusion Serum
Rich in plant actives, antioxidants, and rejuvenating ingredients, this is the brand’s most results-driven formula. Think of it as a daily dose of cellular support. $136
Ultra Ruby Facial Oil
Deep nourishment meets sensorial ritual. Antioxidant- packed and barrier-restoring, with the kind of texture and aroma that make your routine feel like a moment worth having. $110
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