Here in the Ligurian hills of Apricale, we have learned a lesson from our land: a healthy ecosystem thrives on balance, not disruption. When we approach skincare, we view the skin in the exact same way. It is a brilliant, living ecosystem with its own protective barrier, natural lipids, and delicate pH.

At Dimora, we talk a lot about the powerful wild-harvested botanicals we put into our formulas. But the science of biocompatible skincare is equally about what we purposefully choose to leave out. This short-read blog will tell you what ingredients we leave behind.

Why do we fight inflammation

Modern dermatological science has shown us that almost all unwanted skin behavior; whether it’s premature aging, chronic dryness, uneven texture, or breakouts, shares a single common root: inflammation.

When the skin is exposed to harsh, irritating ingredients, it triggers a low-grade inflammatory response. Even if your skin isn’t visibly red, this invisible irritation slowly breaks down your vital support structures (like collagen and elastin) and depletes the ceramides that keep your skin plump and hydrated. Over time, a compromised skin barrier loses its ability to heal, hold onto moisture, and defend itself against environmental stressors.

To truly support the skin, we must stop irritating it. This is why our “less is more” philosophy extends to our ingredient selection. We exclude ingredients that disrupt the skin’s natural harmony. So, what ingredients are we talking about?

The ingredients we leavebehind (and why)

• Stripping Surfactants (like SLS) & Harsh Alcohols
  Your skin is protected by an invisible layer called the ‘acid mantle’, which requires vital lipids and a specific pH to function. Harsh cleansing agents (like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and drying alcohols dissolve these essential lipids. While they might give you a temporary “squeaky clean” or matte feeling, they ultimately leave the skin vulnerable, causing it to overproduce oil or become chronically dry and cracked. We use only gentle, skin-mimicking bases that respect and preserve your barrier.
• Silicones
  While silicones provide a temporary, artificial smoothness to the skin, they act like a plastic wrap. We avoid them because they can “entrap” debris and prevent the skin from breathing. More importantly, they block our potent, wild-harvested botanicals from fully absorbing. We want our formulas to work with your cells, not just sit on top of them.
• Synthetic Fragrances & Volatile Compounds
  Fragrances and dyes are among the most widely documented triggers for skin sensitization and allergic reactions. Instead of relying on artificial perfumes or volatile essential oils that can become phototoxic in the sun, we utilize precise, biocompatible botanical extracts. The subtle, grounding scent of our products is simply the honest aroma of wild daisy, melissa, and helichrysum – nothing more.

When the skin isn’t constantly fighting off irritants, it can finally redirect its energy toward what it does best: healing, regenerating, and glowing.

This is the heart of biocompatible skincare. Honest formulations. Sustainable choices. And the profound beauty of keeping things simple.