When I began making skincare and candles, it was out of necessity. Colorado’s mountain air is beautiful but harsh. We live in the kind of dry cold that cracks skin, lips, and requires quality ingredients - and equipment - to endure. Over time, I discovered that the best ingredients are the simplest: tallow, beeswax, honey, and slow processed herbs.
Every product I make begins with ingredients I’d trust for my own family. No synthetic fragrance. No unnecessary preservatives. Just whole ingredients that work.
Tallow - Deeply Nourishing
Tallow has been used for centuries for its ability to restore the skin barrier and moisturize without clogging pores. It’s rich in vitamins A, D, E & K, and closely mirrors our skin’s natural oils, making it a powerful ally to battle winter dry skin.
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Yarrow — Nature’s Bandage
There’s a reason yarrow has been called “the soldier’s herb.” Yarrow is known for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.
For centuries, it’s been carried into battlefields and backcountry alike for its remarkable ability to stop bleeding, disinfect wounds, and aid in recovery. Ancient Greek warriors reportedly packed fresh yarrow into cuts and scrapes. Its Latin name, Achillea millefolium, even comes from Achilles, who was said to have used it to treat his soldiers.
If you’re ever in the woods and find yourself with a scrape or minor cut, crushing a few fresh yarrow leaves between your fingers releases its natural antiseptic compounds, which can be pressed directly onto the skin to help slow bleeding and soothe irritation.
The magic of yarrow comes from its active compounds — chiefly azulene, flavonoids, and tannins — which give it anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent properties. These work together to calm swelling, fight surface bacteria, and encourage the skin to knit back together naturally.
The yarrow used in my products was wild-harvested in the Roosevelt National Forest, where it grows abundantly in the Rocky Mountains. Once harvested, it was slowly infused in olive oil to extract its healing benefits without heat, preserving its deep, earthy aroma and potent skin-soothing qualities.
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Beeswax — Protective & Effective
Beeswax acts as a natural humectant, locking in moisture while allowing skin to breathe. It forms a subtle, protective layer that shields against Colorado’s dry winds and adds structure to candles and balms alike.
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Raw Honey & Colloidal Oats — Traditionally Soothing
Honey is antibacterial, hydrating, and soothing. In cold-process soaps, it creates a creamy, nourishing lather that leaves skin soft and clean without stripping natural oils.
Colloidal oats calm irritation, restore the skin’s pH, and help maintain long-lasting moisture. Paired with honey, they deliver a silky, gentle cleanse ideal for sensitive skin.
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St. John’s Wort & White Willow Bark — Repair and Renewal
Before there was Advil, there was white willow bark. Used since ancient times, it contains salicin, the natural compound that inspired the creation of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in the 1800s. When absorbed by the body, salicin becomes a gentle, natural form of salicylic acid — offering soothing, anti-inflammatory properties without the harshness of synthetics.
Research shows that St. John’s Wort extract can reduce local inflammation, support epithelial regeneration, and inhibit certain bacteria associated with minor skin irritation.
Because of these actions, it’s often used in herbal preparations intended to promote recovery of superficial wounds, mild burns, or abrasions.
Together, they form a gentle, plant-based alternative for everyday use — the kind of balm you reach for after skinned knees, windburn, small scrapes, or minor blemishes. While not a replacement for medical treatment, this blend offers a comforting, old-world remedy you can feel good about keeping in your home apothecary.
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Ground Coffee, Coffee Oil, and Coffee Essential Oil
Coffee isn’t just for mornings — its antioxidants fight free radicals, support circulation, and bring a great aroma wherever it is included.
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Why Handmade Matters
Each batch is made by hand here in Livermore, Colorado — no water, no preservatives, and no shortcuts.
The result is skincare and home goods that nourish, protect, and restore, made slowly and intentionally for the dry mountain air we call home.