AMBER + SMOKE

More than a decade ago, I was introduced to a wellness company with a focus on encouraging consumers to eliminate the number of toxic chemicals found in their day-to-day products. I was hooked immediately because, at the time, I had three young children with a fourth on the way. It became very important to me to raise my growing family in a healthier environment. I didn't know it then, but the moment I enrolled with that company, I was set on a path that would lead me to launching my very own natural brand years later.

In 2018 I stumbled upon the oil cleansing trend + a natural product that I quickly fell in love with. I had a difficult time with the concept at first but the wonderful results I was seeing got me excited! My complexion evened out, acne flare-ups reduced significantly + my skin didn’t feel stripped + tight after washing. But this miracle brand was expensive at $60 for a 2oz (plastic) jar! Not wanting to spend that kind of money on a cleanser - let alone the other products I’d surely want to use - sent me on a mission to research the effectiveness of this skin-loving practice + the benefits of using natural ingredients on problematic skin. Here’s what I learned…

Oil cleansing is comparable to how a body’s healthy metabolism functions. When the body knows that more food/fuel will soon come along, it doesn’t have the need to store fat for a “lean time”. Instead, it can burn through those calories at a steady rate which optimizes metabolism. Similarly, using oil-based skincare products signals your system to skip excessive oil production because it is regularly receiving that necessary “ingredient”. The result is a more balanced complexion.

We have been conditioned to think that foaming cleansers are the best way to achieve beautiful skin but this is a myth. Instead, this routine generally leads to redness, itchiness, excessive dryness/oiliness, acne + attacks the skin on a cellular level. Why? Because it strips the skin of vital nutrients. Aging is inevitable + doing so with grace is easier with products developed to support the skin in all of its phases. Routinely using natural butters, carrier oils, organic/natural botanicals + quality essential oils bring balance, hydration + anti-inflammatory support to the skin. Additionally, these ingredients promote cellular renewal, collagen synthesis + a more youthful appearance. This knowledge, friends, is what inspired me to bring Amber + Smoke to my community + beyond.

It’s funny to think how a random cleanser led to the development of my very own botanical skincare brand but there you have it! My passion for working with sustainably-sourced + quality-tested, clean ingredients translates to a number of lovely products I am so proud to craft for you!