It’s not often that I find myself wondering about a man’s skincare routine, but when John Legend routinely looks like he’s discovered the fountain of youth, one has to ponder what his skincare secrets are. Luckily for all of us, Legend has launched LOVED01, a genderless skincare brand that promises to deliver luxurious yet affordable skincare essentials.
With Legend gearing up to head out on tour soon and his skin still looking flawless, I spoke to him to learn more about the creation of LOVED01, his on-the-road skincare routine, and more.
Creating LOVED01
When I asked what inspired the creation of LOVED01, Legend shared: “I’ve always cared about taking good care of my skin and how I present myself.” He had collaborated with several brands in the skincare and personal care spaces, but felt like there was something missing. Thus, LOVED01 was born, with a goal of providing high-quality, clean skincare at an attainable price point. He shared that “we really believe that everyone deserves great skincare and that we can offer them luxury-quality skincare with expertly curated ingredients at an affordable price.”
To achieve that goal, the brand started out with a 6-piece capsule collection to provide a foundation for skin and body care. “We wanted to make sure there were foundational pieces,” he explained; “the butteriest moisturizer, a gentle exfoliator, a lightweight but hydrating oil, a deeply moisturizing wash, a powerful multi-use mist, and a smooth shave cream– that would work for the most sensitive of skin, but be loved by all skin types and tones.”
In order to ensure the products were clean, they left out ingredients like sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, and synthetic fragrances. Rosehip Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil are two of the most commonly found ingredients throughout Loved01’s line, both of which have been used in skincare for centuries. They also prioritized making every formula “dermatologist-recommended, vegan, and cruelty-free.”
From the initial capsule collection, Loved01 has taken customer feedback into consideration when adding new products to the brand, most recently launching the Brightening Serum and Soothing Wipes. With each product, they hope that it “builds on our mission to create functional, high-quality essentials that support uncomplicated routines and can be used for even the most sensitive skin.”
Skincare On The Road
With Legend gearing up for a busy tour this year, I wanted to get the scoop on his daily skincare routine and if that changes while traveling. He shared, “When I’m on tour, my routine has to be simple, effective, and easy to stick to, especially with the travel and late nights.” He also explained that it’s an important part of his self-care routine while on the go: “Skincare is one of the ways I stay grounded on tour. It’s not just about how I look; it’s about taking a moment to take care of myself, even in the middle of everything else going on.”
And of course, he trusts in Loved01 for all his skincare essentials. Here are his go-to products:
Exfoliating Cleansing Wipes
“The Cleansing Wipes are a must. They’re the first thing I reach for after a show; it’s become part of how I decompress. They’re gentle and refreshing, and make it easy to reset my skin after a performance.”
The Face + Body Moisturizer
“[This] is my favorite Loved01 product. It’s always with me. It keeps my skin hydrated no matter the climate, whether I’m in a backstage dressing room or on a long-haul flight. It’s rich, deeply hydrating, and has a whipped texture that makes moisturization feel like a moment of self-care.”
The Brightening Serum
“I never travel without our new Brightening Serum. It’s gentle but effective, with a cooling steel rollerball that gives a spa-like feel. I use it morning and night to help even out my skin tone and texture, and I love that it protects my skin barrier while keeping the routine low-maintenance.”
Skincare is one of the ways I stay grounded on tour. It’s not just about how I look—it’s about taking a moment to take care of myself, even in the middle of everything else going on.
What’s Next For Loved01
So, what’s in the pipeline for Loved01 later this year? They’re excited to continue experimenting with fragrance. After the success of their original Hand Wash, they launched it in a new scent, “Just Because,” which Legend describes as floral, herbaceous, and designed to capture the emotion of those quiet, thoughtful gestures.” He notes that the response to the new scent has been incredible and inspiring the brand to discover new ways to explore incorporating natural fragrances.
He also shared that Loved01’s wipes have seen a lot of, well, love! “They’ve become a daily go-to for many – perfect for post-workout, travel, or quick refreshes throughout the day.” The brand recently launched their Soothing Wipes as a gentler option, and they’re “already developing new innovations to expand that category further.”
No matter what new product is up next, Legend stresses that “what’s next will always be guided by purpose. We’ll continue building intentionally, offering functional, sensorial products that make high-quality, head-to-toe care more accessible to more people.” And if that means I’m one step closer to flawless skin like Legend’s, I can’t wait to see what’s next.