After years of visits to the dermatologist for skin conditions later determined to be brought on by products containing harsh detergents, cheaply refined ingredients, and artificial fragrance, Nicole Georgakis, a television industry veteran, literally took matters into her own hands by creating her own all-natural, plant-based soap. Nicole personally sourced the highest quality organic, non-gmo, unrefined vegan butters and oils, each of which provides their own natural skin benefits. After discovering that many friends and family were suffering in silence from the same painful skin conditions, Keep It Simple Skincare was born. Lucky for us, Nicole recently opened her first store, Kissoapery, located at 43 Unquowa Road. Your collection is made without parabens, petroleum, pesticides, phthalates, sulfates, GMO, silicone, artificial dyes or fragrance, which is wonderful! What does it mean to be reef-safe? Growing up on the Sound in Fairfield, I witnessed the increase of chemical pollutants in the water. I was on a mission to create products that wouldn’t contribute to the problem. It’s often forgotten that the bath and body products we apply not only can be absorbed into our skin, disrupting our endocrine systems, but also go down the drain and into our water sources around us. Sadly, that destroys ocean ecosystems causing the deterioration of coral reefs. Did you make any other strategic decisions under the “eco-friendly” umbrella? I use recycled and compostable packaging, as well as glass containers. We also source the highest quality biodegradable, sustainable sea sponges from a small, family-run company that has their own sea sponge beds in Florida and Greece. It’s very important not to use plastic poufs—they not only harbor and spread bacteria but when disposed will live forever in landfills. Are you a believer in changing up skincare products seasonally? Absolutely! Sun, excessive heat, humidity, and swimming can wreak havoc on delicate facial skin. Our popular Rosewater Toner helps maintain skin's pH balance, controls excess oil, hydrates, revitalizes and moisturizes. The antioxidant properties of distilled rosewater help to strengthen cells, regenerate tissues, clean pores and tone skin; the antibacterial properties aid in healing scars, cuts, and wounds; the anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness, acne, dermatitis, and eczema. Sunscreen is a critical part of any summer skincare routine. Tell us about yours. A summer favorite, our 30+SPF Reef-Safe Mineral Sunblock is handcrafted with a proprietary blend of organic unrefined butters & oils that have their own natural SPF, with the addition of non-nano sized mineral zinc oxide, a natural reef-safe UV blocker that doesn’t absorb into the skin. Bug sprays certainly get a bad rap. Traditional bug sprays are loaded with chemicals, all of which are absorbed into the skin and inhaled into your lungs, which can be extremely dangerous for your health. Our popular KISS Off Bug Repellent spray and soap bar, both handcrafted with our proprietary blend of Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Lavender, Peppermint and Tea Tree organic essential oils, deters insects naturally, without the use of chemicals. Are your products safe for kids? Since our products contain all natural ingredients, our soaps are safe for kids. We’ve received countless emails thanking us for helping eczema and other skin conditions. For canines we offer the Pupcare Dog Shampoo bar, created out of necessity for our dog who suffered with seasonal allergies and itchy skin. This all-natural shampoo bar deep cleans and moisturizes your beloved pup’s skin and coat with our proprietary blend of activated charcoal, organic shea butter, organic neem, coconut, olive, castor and dog safe amounts of essential oils.
https://www.kisbotanicals.com
