The Beauty and Wonder of Skin

Luxe team • July 18, 2020

Sapelo with its cult-like following is the little secret of so many Southern women.

Three bottles of perfume and a vase of flowers on a table

The founders of Sapelo Skin Care Stephanie Duttenhaver and Cindy Edwards have been paying attention to the tides. The rivers and creeks that swell with high tides twice each day in Savannah.They heed the lessons of generations of southern women to be gentle and careful with their skin; a heritage often overlooked in today’s hyper-popular trends of repeatedly inflaming the skin with quick fix dermabrasion procedures and chemical peels. Following cues from tides and tradition, they’ve crafted a contemporary, twice-daily ritual that soothes and replenishes—bringing surges of nourishment and hydration for healthy cell development. Savannah-based Sapelo uses familiar ingredients like chamomile, gardenia stem cells, magnolia oil extract,honey from Claxton (where Cindy was raised) calcium from oyster shells and rosemary to create their paraben- and sulfate-free products. They also use salmon eggs in their Spring Tide Serum. Three PhD scientists created this ingredient for wound healing and Sapelo is the first skin care company to use it in their skin care line in the United States. “Sapelo represents the future of skin care. We have educated ourselves on skin physiology. We are passionate about healthy skincare, and we believe our brand is the vanguard in a revolution that will change the way the world thinks about skincare products,” Stephanie says. Inspired by their Southern surroundings, Cindy and Stephanie are out to change the skincare industry. At Sapelo Skin Care they know the beauty and wonder of the human body’s ability to heal and repair from injury. Their scientific formulations exemplify their philosophy of replicating the body’s natural rejuvenating process. In distinct contrast, the prevailing trends in skin care utilize injury to initiate rejuvenation.


A woman in a bathrobe is standing in front of a bathroom sink.

At Sapelo, they challenge that dogma. Retinols, hydroxals, blue light, lasers, abrasions, peels and micro-needling are all promoted as anti-aging solutions, yet they begin by causing injury to the skin. They believe the habitual use of these strategies speeds up the moment where our skin cells enter their senile phase and exhaust their capacity to repair. Cindy and Stephanie started by asking a simple question, “ Can we reproduce a healthy immune response without first injuring the skin?” They set out to research and produce a skin care system that replicated the bioactive cascade of peptides (called cytokines in immune terminology) initiated by the body’s immune system in response to skin injury. Their regimen faithfully mimics this process by gently infusing healing peptides and molecules without inflammation. Precisely formulated in small batches, the 3-Step System delivers a hydrating, nutrient-rich surge twice-daily to your complexion.

April 18, 2025
Nantucket, with its misty harbors, salt-kissed breezes, and centuries-old charm, has always been a place where history whispers through every weathered shingle and cobblestone street. This spring, one of the island’s most beloved landmarks, the Veranda House, will once again welcome guests, rising from the ashes of a devastating 2022 fire that necessitated a complete rebuild. Set to reopen in spring 2025, the new Veranda House is a masterpiece of restoration and reinvention. Owned by Procaccianti Companies and managed by TPG Hotels & Resorts as part of the Nantucket Resort Collection, the rebuild was meticulously overseen in collaboration with the town and historic district commission to ensure that the property retained its original federal-style elegance while incorporating modern luxuries and state-of-the-art amenities. First built in 1684, the Veranda House has stood as a symbol of Nantucket’s rich maritime legacy, its wraparound porches offering a front-row seat to the island’s ever-changing seascape. The new design remains true to its original size, scale, and architectural character, seamlessly blending historic integrity with contemporary comforts. Guests will find spa-like ensuite baths in every room, featuring Carrara marble, custom fixtures, and sleek walk-in showers—a nod to modern indulgence without sacrificing classic charm. The 19 redesigned rooms, including the Grand Harborview King with its private balcony and fireplace, exude an intimate, serene luxury. Expanded outdoor gathering spaces now offer even more opportunities for guests to soak in the island’s ambiance, whether sipping coffee at sunrise or toasting the golden hour over Nantucket Harbor. “This reopening marks a significant mile- stone, not just for Veranda House, but for the entire Nantucket community. We are deeply thankful for the community’s unwavering support in bringing this iconic property back to life,” says Paul Hitselberger, EVP of Operations for TPG Hotels & Resorts. The Veranda House is not just a recon- struction—it’s a resurrection, a tribute to Nantucket’s ability to endure, evolve, and enchant. Its doors reopen as a beacon of timeless hospitality, welcoming travelers to a place where history is honored, and every detail—from the breezy verandas to the handcrafted interiors—tells a story. For those who love Nantucket, the Veranda House is a homecoming. Images courtesy of The Veranda House.
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