My name is: Graham Smith.
My stomping ground is: I’m originally from Topanga, CA. These days, I spend most of my time in Lake Arrowhead, CA.
I’m known for being: Co-founder of No, Thank You (or NTY) and professional Mountain Gay (living my best life here in the mountains!). My personality is…well, it’s easier to watch on TikTok than describe in writing! So check it out.
I’m talking about: The best skincare money can buy!
You can find it at: nty.co.
Before I launched this, I was: Living in London, working in finance. I was hating my old job and ready for a change! We launched NTY in 2020.
My interest was sparked when: CBD was having its moment in the spotlight, but not many people were using it in skincare. And where it was in skincare, it was often used incorrectly.
The idea behind it is: CBD’s a great anti-inflammatory and that makes it a great skincare ingredient. But not all CBD is created equal. We focus only on the best of the best. That’s true of all our ingredients, as well. If you’re using a facial product, expect to see reduced redness, a more even skin tone and that much sought-after dewy glow. If you’re using our relief cream, you’ll just feel better—plain and simple!
What makes it different is: Our holistic approach to formulation. We’re looking for ingredients where the net result is greater than the sum of their parts. Here’s a quick example: in our vitamin C oil, CBD works alongside it to make it both more effective and more gentle. People with sensitive skin generally have no issue with ours because of this effect.
Our secret ingredient is: CBDA—way more potent than CBD on its own. This is our superstar anti-inflammatory you won’t find in any other skincare product.
My favorite lesser-known detail is: CBD works so well because your body has something called an endocannabinoid system that regulates a host of bodily functions. That system generates its own cannabinoids, but it also means that cannabis extracts are incredibly effective. And don’t be fooled by the misinformation out there—CBD won’t get you high at all.
Rest is so important because: Being a full-time Mountain Gay is exhausting! Whether I’m wearing my NTY co-founder hat or cutting down a tree, I need sleep to function my best.
My bedtime ritual is: I keep it simple, like the rest of my skincare routine. I wash my face with our cleanser (usually in the shower), then I apply a little vitamin C oil and, lastly, our Mask for Night. The mask is my favorite product in our range. It’s also the most misunderstood because people usually expect a thick product that stays on your face for 15 minutes. Ours is a liquid mask that dries quickly, so you can sleep in it all night. It feels and smells amazing! I also usually apply some of our eucalyptus lavender scented lip balm. I’m all about creating little spa moments at home to unwind and relax.