Excerpt by our partner Jolena of Love Energy Nature
It wasn’t until my first daughter’s birth that my journey truly began. Only 6 weeks after she was born, she began showing signs of eczema. Even though her doctor, friends and family told me not to worry, I did. I worried because unlike most people My brother and I did not outgrow our eczema. Even more than that, despite not being designed for it, we stayed on topical steroids long term. I wanted more for my daughter.
I started by applying my basic knowledge towards our healing. I knew that eczema usually presented in a trifecta which also includes asthma and allergies. I thought the best way to manage our break outs would be to limit the number of allergens we were coming in contact with. So, I started by examining all labels of our hair and skincare products. I quickly realized I had no idea what I was reading. I couldn’t identify most of the ingredients aside from water and fragrance. I wondered how I could eliminate something if I couldn’t identify it. In a fit of frustration, I threw it all away. It was a little dramatic, admittedly, but sometimes drastic change requires drastic action.
I began using the oils in my kitchen cupboard as a moisturizer. It didn’t work very well because our skin required a deeper moisturizer. Then I began mixing oils with my shea butter. That worked much better. I slowly began figuring out what worked and what did not. I also began figuring out different ways to use the oils and butters in my home. It was slow progress but we noticed less irritation and more healing; our skin became softer and healthier. The progress gave me the encouragement I needed to keep going. While continuing to perfect a moisturizer, I took the leap into soap making. It was then was that I realized I had stumbled into a purposeful passion. I began making so many different types of soap I ran out of space. Despite running out of space I didn’t stop. I called my dad and gave him a big bag. Within a couple says he gave me a call and told me that he needed more. He tried it and loved it and gifted it to friends and family. Then they began calling him asking for more. It was in that call that he told me and I finally realized that I had a business.
We’ve made so much progress and our skin has become so much healthier by taking control of our skincare. As I continued to learn and grow, I began to search for the highest quality ingredients and to my surprise, I found I was already using them. Since I started with food grade and continue to use (where possible) I was using the cleanest version. The proof had become evident. Miraculously within a few short months I was able to end my lifetime use of topical steroids. This was something I never thought I would be able to say or do. This journey has reminded me of the healing powers of nature. I do my best create products that don’t getting the way of that power. We are still on a healing journey but now I’ve made my products available to others to help them along on their journey as well. I’ve continued to try to make my products widely available.
Nearly 3 years later, I sell my products at craft fairs, on Etsy and on my own website. I also have monthly subscriptions available on my website as well as Cratejoy.
