Skin, Soul and Ritual — A Summer Skincare Dialogue with Maya Allen

Beauty Editor, Maya Allen holding Obakki skincare

Earlier this month, Maya Allen—award-winning beauty editor and longtime wellness advocate—spearheaded our NYC press event in celebration of Obakki’s skincare launch. As the face and voice behind the gathering, Maya brought together leading beauty editors and tastemakers for an immersive experience rooted in ritual, intention, and sensory connection. We had the privilege of sitting down with her to talk about skincare as ceremony, the quiet power of Balanites Oil, and her belief that beauty isn’t something to chase—it’s something you come home to.

Maya Allen lounges at Spencer's Spa with Obakki Skincare

Photographer Credit – Andy Santiago @alrdysuccessful

OBAKKI
What does a meaningful skincare ritual look like for you lately?

MAYA ALLEN
Lately, a meaningful skincare ritual has become my personal ceremony — a quiet reclamation of me time in a world that rarely slows down. It’s the sacred moment I carve out to pour back into myself, not out of vanity, but reverence. At night, I light a candle and press play on my skincare playlist. In the morning, while coffee brews, I listen to a moving meditation or affirmations before touching a single product.

When time allows, I massage each formula in slowly, noticing how my skin drinks in every texture until it feels nourished, sculpted, and glowing. My skin is always in quiet conversation with my inner world — dryness, dullness, and tight tension when I’m depleted; hydration, clarity, and lift when I’m full.

I gravitate toward formulas rooted in hydration, layering gentle exfoliants, peptides, and antioxidants. Then I elevate the ritual with tools like gua sha, cryo spheres, NuFace, or Ziip — tools that don’t just lift my skin, they center me.

Photographer Credit – Andy Santiago

OBAKKI
You’ve tested more products than most of us could dream of. What’s one ingredient that never lets you down?

MAYA ALLEN
Peptides are my skin’s forever allies. These potent chains of amino acids, essentially the architecture of protein, keep my complexion strong, supple, and visibly resilient. As a 32-year-old woman, I value protein in both my nutrition and skincare. Topically, peptides pair beautifully with powerhouses like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for my skin type, which support collagen production, elasticity, and deep hydration. They also ease inflammation and dryness, keeping my skin barrier happy and calm, no matter what the day throws at me.

OBAKKI
How do you personally define “sustainable beauty”?

MAYA ALLEN
To me, sustainable beauty is rooted in integrity. It means using pure, honest ingredients that nurture both skin and planet without harm, and without compromise. It’s about mindful sourcing, ethical craftsmanship, and formulations that honor the earth as much as the end result.

OBAKKI
You’re curating a spa day at home. What’s the one thing that sets the mood?

MAYA ALLEN
Sound. I’m a music romantic, and my skincare playlists are non-negotiable. They soften my nervous system and melt away mental clutter. And candles, many of them. Scent, sound, and stillness. My serenity.

Photographer Credit – Andy Santiago

OBAKKI
What’s a common skincare myth you think we need to finally let go of?

MAYA ALLEN
That all fine lines must be erased. The industry’s obsession with a poreless, ageless face has done more harm than good. I see my laugh lines as proof that I’ve lived, loved, and laughed deeply. The soft creases beneath my eyes are simply cues: maybe I’ve been smiling too hard or need an earlier bedtime. That, to me, is true beauty.

OBAKKI
Since incorporating Balanites Oil into your routine, what changes have you noticed in your skin?

MAYA ALLEN
Balanites Oil leaves my skin draped in what I can only describe as a veil of cashmere. It delivers hydration that lingers long after application—even post-workout or at the end of a long, hectic day. Its texture is rich yet breathable, and the results are lasting. With just a few drops, my skin feels luminous, cocooned, and deeply restored. Obakki introduced me to this gem, and it’s earned a permanent place on my shelf.

OBAKKI
Is there something in particular that resonates with you about Obakki?

MAYA ALLEN
As I evolve, both professionally and personally, I find myself drawn only to brands that are mission-aligned. As an editor, impact has always been my true north star. Obakki isn’t just about beautiful products, it’s about a beautiful purpose. The brand gives back to the very hands and lands that create its offerings, helping to build economic and environmental legacies that last. That kind of work moves me.

OBAKKI
Is there a skincare or self-care intention you’re carrying into 2025?

MAYA ALLEN
Less is more, and better. I’m craving more simplicity in my skincare, my schedule, and my spirit. I want to pare back the noise, slow down the pace, and let ease stay at the center of my life. This year, my intention is to create more space for softness.

Photographer Credit – Andy Santiago

OBAKKI
If you could whisper one truth about beauty into your younger self’s ear, what would it be?

MAYA ALLEN
It’s in you, not on you. Beauty isn’t something to chase, apply, or seek external validation for. It’s something internal that you come home to. Your power, your magic, and your worth live within. Nourish that internal freedom and worldly abundance will follow you like light.