When it comes to skincare, few brands manage to blend science, story, and sustainability as powerfully as Immunocologie. Now available exclusively at Dubai’s pioneering wellness destination, Avida Longevity, the brand brings with it a revolutionary approach to beauty, one that starts from within.
Founded by master aesthetician and beauty industry veteran Karen Ballou, Immunocologie was born from her own healing journey after cancer treatment. Her experience led her to discover the vital role of the skin’s immune system and the importance of non-toxic, nutrient-rich ingredients that work in harmony with the body.
Immunocologie is not just another clean beauty brand. It’s the only skincare line approved by Blue Zones, the longevity movement that champions purpose-driven, healthful living. Its formulations harness powerful minerals, French green clay, and patented delivery technology to fortify the skin’s microbiome and barrier function.
In this exclusive Q&A, The Ethicalist speaks with Karen Ballou about what makes Immunocologie different, why skin health is essential to overall well-being, and how the brand’s partnership with Avida is setting a new benchmark for luxury, results-driven skincare in the region.
TE: Karen, your career in skincare spans decades, what inspired you to create Immunocologie?
Karen: It wasn’t something I set out to do initially. I’ve been in the beauty industry since my early twenties, from working with brands like Elizabeth Arden and Redken to opening my own aesthetics school and spa. My path was always about skin, it was my lane, my focus. But Immunocologie was born out of something much more personal: my battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
During my treatment, an ethnobotanist I worked with encouraged me to drink this mineral-rich clay water he had been using in organic farming. I wasn’t thinking about building a brand at that point, I just wanted to be well. But I noticed the way it detoxed not only my skin, but my body. Once I was in remission, I knew I had to bring this to others. It worked so well for me at my lowest, imagine what it could do for people in good health.
TE: Clay is at the heart of your brand. Why?
Karen: It started with that clay water from France, originally used to help crops like potatoes thrive without pesticides. When I saw that potatoes grown with this clay were richer in minerals than conventionally farmed ones, a lightbulb went off. I thought: if this works for crops, what about our skin?
We developed a patented process where the clay is spun centrifugally to separate out its mineral-rich water. It looks and feels like water but delivers hydration four to five hours longer than traditional ingredients. Add hyaluronic acid and you’re looking at eight to ten hours of hydration. That delivery system – getting vital minerals like zinc, copper, magnesium and iron deep into the skin – is everything.
TE: Sustainability is a big part of Immunocologie. What makes it different?
Karen: We’re proudly a Blue Zone partner, the first skincare brand recognised for aligning with the longevity principles of Blue Zones. Everything is cold-pressed or fermented to retain nutrients. We work with ethnobotanists to responsibly source ingredients like babassu seed, moringa butter, grapeseed oils and shea from Senegal, India, and beyond. Even our delivery system – that clay water – is incredibly efficient and eco-conscious. There’s no waste. It’s nature giving back to nature.
TE: You’ve spoken a lot about skin being the largest organ. How does that tie into your concept of clean beauty?
Karen: It’s a term that gets thrown around a lot, but clean beauty to me is really about health. I started Immunocologie before ‘clean beauty’ was even a term. I look at what ingredients are doing to the skin’s microbiome, to the immune system, to our hormones. Many so-called ‘natural’ products still contain synthetic fragrances or essential oils that act as endocrine disruptors. For me, it’s not enough to be greenwashed. It has to be truly non-toxic, nourishing and safe. That means no fillers, no silicones, no parabens, no dyes. Only what your skin actually needs.
TE: Clean beauty is a phrase that’s used so often now it’s almost lost meaning. What does it actually mean to you?
Karen: That’s such an important question especially in today’s wellness space. Clean beauty isn’t just about using a few plant-based ingredients and calling it a day. For me, it’s about health at a cellular level. When I started Immunocologie, the term ‘clean beauty’ didn’t even exist. I was already focused on avoiding toxicity, protecting the skin’s microbiome, and choosing ingredients that supported the skin’s immunity. Over time, the term has been co-opted by marketing. But real clean beauty is about what we’re putting into our bodies through our skin and what we’re leaving out.
Essential oils, for example, sound natural, but many can be full of synthetic additives that act as hormone disruptors. Fragrance is another red flag – it often hides dozens of chemicals. So clean beauty, to me, is about non-toxic, bioavailable, functional formulas that genuinely support the skin and overall wellbeing.
TE: What does a truly healthy skincare routine look like to you?
Karen: Simple is better. I always say: cleanse, hydrate, lubricate. That’s it. The skin needs two things: water and oil. When you overuse products or do 10-step routines, it overwhelms the skin. Just like your body can’t handle three hours in the gym every day, your skin can’t process an overload of actives. Also, if your skin is stinging, it doesn’t necessarily mean the product is wrong, it could mean it’s working to remove dead skin cells or waking up your skin’s circulation. That said, we need to respect different skin types – oily skin may need deeper exfoliation, while dry skin needs a gentler touch.
TE: Let’s talk about the synergy between inner and outer health. You believe the gut-skin connection is key, right?
Karen: Absolutely. The skin is the mirror of the gut. I can often look at someone’s skin and tell something is off with their digestion or microbiome. That’s why Immunocologie isn’t just about what goes on your skin – it’s about supporting your whole body. That same clay water I used on my skin, I also drank daily during treatment. It’s a combination of green clay, bentonite and kaolin, its incredibly detoxifying. We’re launching it as a drinkable product now, because healing from the inside out is just as important as what you apply topically.
TE: You mentioned facial yoga as part of your philosophy. How does it fit in?
Karen: Facial yoga is powerful. It’s not just massage, it’s movement and muscle activation using your own hands. I call it ‘walking the face.’ Using your thumbs and fingers, you hold insertion points in the facial muscles and stimulate collagen production. Just like a good workout leaves you glowing, this kind of facial movement brings circulation to the skin, tightens, and gives that healthy, lifted look.
TE: Finally, what do you want women to take away from your story and your brand?
Karen: That your skin is sacred and so is your health. You can drink your green juice, work out, eat organic… but if you’re putting chemicals on your skin every day, you’re still absorbing toxins. My journey with cancer taught me that prevention matters. That what we apply, inhale, and absorb plays a role in long-term wellness. Immunocologie is my love letter to women who want to glow, age gracefully, and live better, longer.
You can learn more at the Immunocolgie website here. To book a facial or treatment, visit the Avida Longevity website or call 04 393 3507. Avida Longevity, First Floor, Triple 777 center, Jumeirah 3, Dubai
