Some of the most common questions I am asked is how long have I been doing this? and what do you have for......?
The short and the long story.... I'm always taking classes of some type and I took a soap making class with a friend of mine almost 20 years ago. Since then I have been making my own soap; first for myself, then for friends and family and then as a business.
I've always been concerned about living a healthy life style and I started studying herbs in earnest in 2004. The more I learned, the more alarmed I became at what I was putting on my skin. It was then that I started making my own lotions and potions. I thought that was much easier than reading the labels.
I am concerned about what I put in my body and what I put on it. Everything we use topically ends up in our bloodstream. Many people have allergies to not only the harsh chemicals that cosmetic companies are allowed to use but, to common ingredients like coconut oil. I have nothing to hide and every ingredient I use is on the label (that is not an FDA requirement).
The what do you have for.... question is much harder to answer. Most people want a very quick answer and a product that will clear all of their skin woes. They often times get annoyed when I start asking questions about diet, stress and illnesses. I can see vividly into their thought bubble - What does that have to do with clear skin? I just want to know what soap, lotion, or magic bullet you use. Well, it doesn't matter how good of a product you use if what you are putting into your body is toxic or you are allergic to it. Your skin is a window into what is going on inside of you.
That being said, if you eat clean, exercise and are otherwise in good health and still have skin woes then a "clean" skincare product just may be the tipping point to clear skin. It is a topic I continually research and read about. One of the best books I've read to date is Adina Grigore's Skin Cleanse. She suffered with horrible skin most of her life - doctors prescribed medication time and again which not only did not clear her skin but gave her side effects. She went off the medications and cleared her own skin, launched a program called Sprout Wellness which morphed into her company S.W. Basics. Her book is an easy read - like a conversation with your best girlfriend. Don't get me wrong she lets you know you have work to do to have clear skin - but with no shame or guilt, just lots of encouragement. She breaks it all down in a fun easy flow.
If you are serious about clear skin, stop by the shop or message me, lets talk, really talk about what is going on that is causing your skin to rebel. I would much rather have you happy and healthy than sell you something that may or may not work.