As a new season blossoms, switching up your beauty routine is essential, much like swapping out our beloved winter knits for crisp linen shirts and of-the-moment slides. With clean beauty brands making a splash, how do you find the right products that will hydrate you, leave your skin glowing and hair soft to the touch?  We’ve got you covered... literally.  Be The Architect’s new beauty and grooming lines, JUA Essentials for women and H2L for men, co-founded by entrepreneur Jean-Marc Piquion and actor Hill Harper, is bringing safe, non-toxic ingredients to the luxury skincare scene.

Healthy ingredients are important to both founders as they have both been touched by cancer; Hill overcame thyroid cancer and Jean-Marc’s son beat leukemia. Now, they have joined forces to bring smoothing shampoos, restoring conditioners, invigorating lotions, and must-have grooming products that are natural and free of harsh chemicals to consumers everywhere. 

In fact, all of Be The Architect’s skin and hair care products feature a unique fusion of oils found in nature – avocado, argan, jojoba, and even baobab oil, a powerhouse ingredient packed with antioxidants known to rejuvenate the skin.  

Read on to learn more about the inspiration behind Be The Architect, Jean-Marc’s spring skincare staples and how the magic of baobab oil can transform your skin.

What is Be The Architect, and how did you come to co-found the brand?

Jean-Marc Piquion (JMP): Be The Architect was co-founded by myself and Hill Harper when we were brought together by a common battle, journey and mission. Hill Harper is an award-winning actor, philanthropist, New York Times best-selling author, and cancer survivor and I am an entrepreneur and brand strategist and also the father of a cancer survivor. Without knowing each other at the time, both of us struggled with our own unique cancer diagnoses in the fall of 2010. We were both fortunate; Hill overcame thyroid cancer and my son Mateo beat leukemia. These life events triggered our own personal journeys to educate ourselves and those around us about the harmful toxins we consume and the links to cancer. In 2017, Be The Architect was born. Our mission is simple but powerful: to provide premium personal care products at affordable prices free of harsh and dangerous chemicals, while bringing awareness to the importance of adopting natural and safe products for your skin and hair, and thus, your body.

Now that Spring is here, are there any ingredients we should look for when shopping for skin care? Any to stay away from? 

JMP: It’s important to keep your skin hydrated year-round but especially in spring as we prepare for weather that entices us to show more skin. Our line will keep your skin healthy and hydrated without leaving a heavy or greasy feeling, which is very important as we move into warmer weather. Our key ingredients are natural and free of harsh chemicals, which is a top priority year-round. Of course, we also recommend sunscreen for protection on top of our personal care line to keep you safe. 

I see you use baobab in the JUA Essentials and H2L lines, why did you choose this ingredient as the basis of the products?

JMP: After our cancer diagnoses and recoveries, we identified a problem in the personal care market: many of the world’s biggest brands are either affordable, but include harmful ingredients, or contain healthful organic products, but are out of reach for many who can’t afford the premium price tag. With Be The Architect our goal is to eradicate the dilemma of having to choose between affordability and safety. We did extensive research on ingredients and chose baobab intentionally. Baobab is celebrated as the tree of life due to its rich properties. Baobab is noted for its unparalleled ability to hydrate, rejuvenate and nourish while protecting skin and hair with its antioxidant properties. Our entire line of products for skin and hair is infused with rich baobab oil. 

What is the difference between the men’s and women’s line? Do the ingredients differ?

JMP: The ingredients don’t differ much but the scents, packaging and product portfolio do. The men’s line, H2L, was crafted with the modern man in mind and serves 2 needs – shave and personal care. Our shaving line includes a high-end traditional razor, priming oil, shave lotion and after-shave bump prevention balm. We also offer H2L body wash, body lotion, after-shower hydrating oil and 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner. The women’s line, JUA Essentials, provides a similar lineup for the modern woman without the shave options and with distinct shampoo and conditioner products to provide even more attention to the hair care portion of her personal care routine. JUA Essentials options include body wash, body lotion, after-shower hydrating body oil spray, shampoo and conditioner. We have stand-alone or subscription options to purchase our full range of products. 

What are the best selling products, and why?

JMP: Our after-shower hydrating body oil spray and moisturizing body lotion combo is a best seller for sure. Once someone tries them, they become addicted! They leave your skin hydrated and silky smooth without feeling greasy, plus, it gives that extra glow so that you step out in confidence. Our shave kit has also been extremely successful for men. It provides a man with all the products he needs for a clean, healthy and high-end shaving experience. Both JUA Essentials and H2L lines are offered in a beautifully packaged gift collection, which has proven to be a great gifting option for special occasions.   

Where can people learn more?

JMP: Online at BeTheArchitect.com OR amazon.com/bethearchitect