From Circuit Boards to Cacao Masks: How an Electrical Engineer Accidentally Revolutionized Skincare.
You already know me, I’m Frank, the electrical engineer who went from troubleshooting circuit boards to grinding cacao beans for the world's most exclusive facial treatment. If that career pivot sounds unusual, wait until you read how I got there.
For those who don't know me yet, let me share my little adventure: Picture this: an engineer decides to pack up and move to Ecuador with his family, where he ends up living surrounded by beautiful cacao trees and builds this amazing spot called "The River House."
But here's where it gets interesting, I became completely fascinated by this tiny, invisible gas molecule that actually won the Nobel Prize in Medicine. What is it? Nitric oxide! It's like nature's own electrical conductor, quietly powering everything from your heartbeat to how your brain works.
My big "aha!" moment was realizing that our bodies are basically sophisticated electrical systems. Just like those devices I used to fix as an engineer, our cells need the right voltage to work their best. The cool part? Instead of plugging into the wall, our biological electricity comes from what we eat, the air we breathe, and yes, even the cacao we enjoy!
This journey led me to write two books I'm pretty excited about: "Voltage of The Gods" and "The Invisible Gas that Powers Your Life."
But enough about me, let's dive into what you're here for!
The "Aha!" Moment That Changed Everything.
While researching nitric oxide for my book "The Invisible Gas That Powers Your Life", I discovered something remarkable about traditionally fermented cacao. Unlike the processed chocolate we're familiar with, properly prepared cacao contains compounds that dramatically enhance nitric oxide production: by up to 230% compared to unfermented varieties.
“But here’s where my engineer’s mind started connecting unexpected dots: if nitric oxide regulates blood flow, cellular repair, and energy production throughout the body, what could it do for skin health?”
The Fresh Revolution: Why Your Skincare is Probably Dead on Arrival.
I realized that the beauty industry had been approaching skincare backwards. Think about it, you wouldn't eat a strawberry that's been sitting in your refrigerator for months, yet we routinely apply skincare products that have been on shelves for years, loaded with preservatives that keep them "stable" but also deactivate the very compounds that make botanical ingredients effective. The solution was elegantly simple:
CREATE TREATMENTS FRESH
Right Before Application.
The Fresh Revolution.
Each treatment begins with bean selection based on your skin's specific needs. These aren't ordinary cacao beans, but traditionally fermented varieties that undergo a precise seven days process involving natural yeasts, beneficial bacteria.
The River House Treatment: When Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science.
My latest invention isn't just a facial, it's a living laboratory experience. Here's how it works:
The magic happens. The beans are gently roasted in small ceramic containers, releasing aromatic compounds that begin the sensory journey. Then comes the manual grinding using an iron mill, a process that creates not just the perfect texture, but activates enzymatic activity that would be impossible to preserve in shelf stable products.
Within minutes of grinding, the fresh cacao paste is combined with cold pressed Sacha Inchi Oil, an Amazonian treasure that contains the highest known concentration of plant based Omega 3 fatty acids. This oil doesn't just deliver the cacao compounds, it creates microscopic liposomal structures that enhance penetration by 320% compared to water based systems.
The Science Behind the Magic.
The key insight driving this innovation is understanding how Nitric Oxide functions at the cellular level. When properly formulated cacao compounds reach skin cells, they activate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), the enzyme responsible for producing nitric oxide locally in skin tissue.
This enhanced nitric oxide production triggers a cascade of beneficial effects: improved microcirculation delivers more nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, while simultaneously facilitating the removal of metabolic waste products that contribute to aging.
“The result is skin that literally glows from improved electrical function at the cellular level.”
Why This Matters Beyond Beauty.
My approach represents a fundamental shift in how we think about skincare, and health in general. Instead of trying to override our body's natural processes with synthetic compounds, this method supports and enhances the electrical systems that keep us vibrant and healthy.
The freshness factor isn't just about luxury, it's about preserving the enzymatic activity and volatile compounds that make botanical ingredients truly effective. Research shows that cacao's most powerful compounds begin diminishing within hours of processing, with enzymatic activity decreasing by 47% within just 24 hours.
The Bigger Picture.
What started as an engineer's curiosity about electrical systems in the human body has evolved into a completely new paradigm for skincare. The River House treatment represents more than just another skincare option, it's a demonstration of what becomes possible when we understand the fundamental electrical nature of human health and create products that support rather than compromise these delicate systems.
My journey reminds us that innovation often comes from the most unexpected connections, and that sometimes the most revolutionary approach is simply returning to what has worked for thousands of years, armed with the scientific understanding to know why.
