Your wardrobe isn't the only thing that needs to change when the Spring season arrives. Your skin care routine also needs to change to accommodate to the new season.  Spring is an essential time to prepare your body for the hot summer season.  With the increase in sunshine, our skin becomes susceptible to UV sun damage, which can lead to sunspots, premature ageing, and sun burns.   Depending on where you reside in the world, hot, humid conditions can dehydrate your skin and cause heat rashes and red spots..

Now is the perfect time to prepare your skin for upcoming summer season. Here are 5 easy tips to add to your Spring Skincare Routine.  

Glowing skin is connected to your diet.  Spring is the ideal season to detoxify and eliminate the bad fats we consumed during the cold winter season from those heavy holiday meals and fatty desserts.

The main purpose of the skin is to protect our internal organs and to eliminate the toxins contained within the body.  With the modern diet, it saturates our bodies with toxins, and this contributes to many skin problems such as eczema or acne, dull skin, and a decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system. 

When it comes to nutrition , there is a consensus that supports eating seasonal, locally grown produce and meat products. Spring provides us with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers essential to detoxifying our bodies from the heavy food and alcohol consumed during the winter.  Try adding a robust, colorful salad to your daily menu.  Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables and don't shy away from the essential fatty acids you will find in large quantities in nuts (macadamia, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds), vegetable oils (olive, canola, flaxseed), and fatty fish (salmon and sardines).  Always remember, you are what you eat!

Tip # 2: Exfoliate with Natural Products!
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Springtime is an optimal time to exfoliate your skin.  It removes dry, dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.  If these dead skin cells are not removed at least once a month, they clog the pores and contribute to the formation of acne pimples, and blackheads.  Exfoliation is ideal for removing pigmented cells and activates new cell growth, making the skin visibly brighter, smoother, and more toned. 

Natural exfoliants, such as clays, salts, sugars, herbs, and powders polishes and cleanses the skin.  Clays are multifunctional minerals.  They stimulate the body’s immune defenses and regenerates cells.  Clays are composed of trace minerals and elements, such as copper, manganese, aluminum, and iron that feed our skin cells from within.  

​Clays are typically combined with water or tea to form a paste and applied to the face and body.  Although this method is the most common, it comes with a little preparation and clean up.  The easiest way to reap the benefits of this gentle exfoliant is to cleanse your skin weekly with a natural soap bar made with clays.  Kali’s Creations Coal & Clay Soap Bar combines rhassoul clay with activated charcoal to gently exfoliate and detoxify the skin without stripping of its moisture.  It is great for all skin types and is great to use in while shaving..

Tip # 3: Remain Hydrated to Relieve Dry Skin and Reduce Oily Skin
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Staying hydrated is essential for cleansing the body from within.  Not only do we tend to drink less water during the winter, but we also tend to drink tea, coffee, and hot chocolate to keep us warm and toasty.  Drinking more water and using more water-based skincare products during Springtime helps prevent dehydration and reduce the overproduction of oil, or sebum, during the summertime. 

When the air gets hot and humid, your skin needs a light, water-based moisturizer that provides a stronger hydrolipid barrier. It reduces water loss from the outer layer of the skin and hydrates the skin at the same time. Consider protecting your skin with a light-weight lotion or serum to seal in moisture from your shower.

The Spring season is no excuse to skip using your SPF sunscreen.  Although the chances of getting sunburned during the Spring is not as likely to happen as during the summer, that doesn’t make the sunshine less harmful on your skin. Ultra-violet rays are present all year round, and even on a cloudy day, those harmful rays are still present.  Applying a good, broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face is essential in the Spring to reduce premature aging of your skin. 

Fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids act as natural sunscreen for the skin. Carotenoids are natural pigments that promotes the production of melanin, or pigmented skin cells.  They are also powerful antioxidants that protect our skin from free radical damage. 

• Orange and red vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes, red peppers, and sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, a carotenoid that processes into vitamin A and prevents UV rays from penetrating the skin. 
• Strawberries and cherries are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that evens the complexion, reduces sagging skin and fights against free radicals. 
• Shrimp, shellfish, and salmon are rich in selenium, an essential trace mineral that fights against UV rays and free radicals.  Try adding these delicious foods into your diet for an extra boost of protection.  

Tip # 5: Relieve Dry Skin with Natural Skincare Products.
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Most skincare products currently available on the market are made from detergents, synthetic oils, petroleum, and sulfates that are very similar to cleaning products.  They tend to be harsh on the skin and can develop into a worse condition, such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.  Switching to products made with ingredients that are found in nature, relieves dry skin, and leaves it soft, moisturized, and plump.

Spring marks a turning point in your daily beauty routine. Thick creams and lotions will most likely clog your pores and cause you to sweat.  Body washes and gels are made with surfactants that are like those found in dish washing detergent.  They tend to strip your skin of its natural moisture.  Using a soap bar made with natural oils, butters, and essential oils gently cleanses your skin and replenishes it with moisture.  Your skin will not feel as tight and stripped after using a natural bar of soap.

​Finally, seal in the moisture by applying a light-weight moisturizer to the skin.  Products rich in skin-loving butters such as mango, shea, and cocoa, are packed with phytonutrients that nourishes and moisturizes the skin.

Calendula & Clay Shaving bar

Why do most people purchase soap? 

Is it the smell of the bar, the quality of the ingredients, or the purpose of the soap?  Scientific research has shown that most people buy soap for 3 reasons:  how the soap smells, how it looks, and how it is packaged.  Many people buy soap to match their bathroom décor.  Sometimes they never use the bar because they believe it is too pretty to use.  Although it is nice to have a pretty bar of soap that smells good, many times it is a contributing factor for dry, irritated skin. ​

The best path towards healthy skin is switching to daily use of handmade soap formulated to treat your specific skin condition.  Here are 5 natural soap bars that are sure to meet your skincare needs.


1.  Best Soaps for Tree Nut Allergies
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Tree nut allergies are very common in both adults and children.  Many of the fixed oils used in soapmaking contain tree nuts such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts and brazil nuts.  According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), people who allergic to tree nuts should not consume or use body products made with tree nuts.  If you have concerns regarding specific ingredients and how it will affect your allergies, it is always best to consult with your doctor or physician.  

Kali's Creations Purely Castile soap is created in small batches to ensure premium quality.  Made of 100% pure olive oil, castile soap has been used for centuries to treat extremely delicate skin.  It deeply penetrates your skin, retains moisture, and keeps your skin soft.  It’s great for all skin types, adults, and gentle enough for babies

Lavender & Rosemary Bar with ground alkanet root 

​4.  Best Bar for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is a very common skin type and the most commonly known skin issue.  Symptoms of sensitive skin may include dry skin, rashes, bumps, redness, flushing, tingling, itching, swelling, and flaking skin.  Many of these symptoms are caused by skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and rosacea.  Diet, stress allergies, ageing, and environmental condition also contribute to this condition.  

Colloidal oatmeal, or finely ground oats, are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and lipids that moisturize, soothe and protect your skin.   Rich in vitamin E, it creates a protective barrier that traps moisture in the skin and protects it from environmental toxins.  Kali’s Creations Oatmeal & Honey Bar is packed with colloidal oatmeal, buckwheat honey, and evening primrose oil to gently cleanse and quench your skin, relieve irritation and even your skin tone.

Rhassoul Clay Soap with Ground Rhassoul Clay

​5. Best Bar for Overall Skincare

Combination bars are designed to cleanse your face and body without leaving your skin feeling dry and irritated.  If you are looking for a mild cleansing bar soap that is suitable for all skin types, and good enough to work on your whole body, Kali’s Creations Rhassoul Clay Bar is the bar soap for you.
Natural clays, such as bentonite, rhassoul, rose and sea clay are amazing for sensitive skin because its high in magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulfur and iodine content.  We add ground rhassoul and bentonite clay to our Rhassoul Clay Bar to draw out impurities from the skin, re-mineralize, and restore the skin’s elasticity.  Plant-based oils such as sunflower, olive, and avocado are infused with calendula petals to reduce skin irritation and heals scarring.

Fall in the Midwest

​One of the best things about living in the Midwest is having four seasons to enjoy. My favorite season is autumn, with its colorful trees and brisk weather. Unfortunately, it only lasts between 4 to 6 weeks, then winter weather rushes in. Autumn and winter seasons bring colder temperatures and a huge drop in humidity, which ushers in dry skin.  Here are 5 skincare tips on how to prevent dry skin during the cold season.

1. Drink Plenty of Water

It’s almost second nature for people to remember to remain hydrated during the hot summer season.
Outdoor activities, such as walking, jogging and bike riding, requires us to increase our water intake. However, during the cold autumn and winter months, we aim more towards hot, comforting beverages such as tea, hot chocolate and coffee to keep us warm. Although these warm beverages warm us from the inside out, our bodies and organs still require water to remain hydrated. Try adding fresh or frozen fruit to your water to add a splash of natural flavor. If cold water doesn’t sound appealing to drink, try drinking the water at room temperature. Keeping yourself hydrated during the winter will help to prevent winter dehydration, combat winter weight gain, and protect your immune system against seasonal cold and flu.

2.  Switch to Natural Soap

Most commercial-grade soap bars are produced with chemicals and synthetic fragrances and colorants that deplete your skin of its natural oils and sebum, causing it to lose moisture and dry out.  Natural, handmade soap bars are made from plant oils and/or animal fats, herbs and essential oils designed to gently cleanse your skin without stripping it of its moisture.  Most natural soaps contain luxurious butters like shea and macadamia that softens and hydrates your skin.  Kali’s Creations Lavender & Rosemary Moisturizing bar contains high levels of cocoa butter for its rich, creamy lathering properties and high antioxidant, vitamin and mineral content.  


3.  Use a Thick Moisturizer

Moisturizers made from light-weight oils, such as grapeseed, sunflower and coconut oil, are best to use during the summer months.  They easily absorb into your skin without leaving a greasy residue or clogging your pores.  However, during the winter months, your skin may require a heavy-based oil or butter may be more beneficial. 
Switching to a rich, oil or butter-based moisturizer, such as almond, olive, and shea butter, helps to seal in the moisture from your shower/bath.  It provides your skin with the extra protection to combat harsh weather elements, and heavy-weight fabrics against your delicate skin.
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Rhassoul Clay4.  Use a Mild Exfoliator

With sandal season being long over, the need to exfoliate your feet and skin drastically decreases.  Skincare products that contain natural clays, such as kaolin, bentonite and rhassoul, are fine-grained and gentle enough to use on your face as well as your whole body.  They remove dirt, excess oil, and impurities from your skin without stripping it of its natural moisture.  Most clays are sold pre-mixed as masks, but you can also purchase clay soap bars for more convenience.  Kali’s Creations Rhassoul Clay Detoxifying bar is made with bentonite clay to gently cleanses the skin, and rhassoul clay to balance oily skin, reduce large pores, and hydrate dry skin. It’s also great to use as a shampoo bar!

5.  Eat More Veggies!

When I think of winter, I think of family, snowy nights and delicious aromas coming from the kitchen.  During the holiday season, many of the meals being served are slow roasted, “stick to your ribs” types of meals that are starchy and full of meat.  Studies have shown that during the winter season, our bodies experience a decrease in energy levels and metabolism due to lack of exercise and outdoor activity, and lack of plant-based foods.  This leads to acne break outs, delayed wound healing, chapped lips, dry skin, and bad breath. 

Adding a raw salad or roasted vegetables to your each of your meals will dramatically improve your overall health, skin, and attitude.  Root vegetables, such as carrots, beets, turnips, onions, turmeric, and potatoes, are packed with vitamins B, C, and A that heals wounds and reduces inflammation.  Yellow and orange vegetables are high in beta-carotene, which also reduces inflammation and protects our skin from free-radical damage.  Dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach and collards, are high in iron, omega 3s, and vitamins B, and E, which boosts collagen production and prevents fine lines and wrinkles.  Do your skin a favor and eat a colorful rainbow salad or a veggie smoothie once a day!