Skin Care So Clean

"We live in a world of instant care in which we want our skin care to work and to last,” says Smita Kishore, president and co-founder with her husband, of Simply Smita, a Chicago-based skincare line that uses organic ingredients. But to make them last, most manufacturers rely on chemicals to stabilize products and increase their shelf life. Those chemicals, she notes, are not only unnecessary, but harmful. “Would you be willing to eat a spoon of your product?” Kishore often asks customers that are considering her products.

        Comparing skin care applications to food is appropriate because many customers are eating locally and mindful of the sources of their food.

        “Food separates and you stir it before you use it,” says Kishore. “Our skin care should be looked at similarly to organic food. In the same way that it should be fresh and pure and there might be separation, you just mix it and apply it. And if you store it properly, it can last and have a long shelf life. Our products last six to nine months after opening.”

        The organic and clean eating trend mean that more people are aware of the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists that educate consumers about the caution required in choosing a healthy diet. “If you wouldn’t want to eat of spoon of it, why would you want to put it on your body?” she asks customers.

        Similarly, Kishore believes that people need to know more about their skincare products.

        Educating customers is so important to them that community markets and fairs comprise a key part of their outreach and marketing efforts. Her background as a speech language pathologist taught her how to communicate key messages to her clients and build a rapport with them, a technique she puts to work regularly as she focuses on putting people first, rather than trying to just sell them something. Her blog, which often references food and includes healthy recipes, provides a platform to educate new and existing customers about the benefits of healthy and mindful living and educated consumerism.

        Kishore’s charity-minded inclination finds her giving back a percentage of profits to three nonprofit organizations locally and nationally: Green Star Movement, Mikva Challenge and One Tree Planted/Cal Fire.

        “Charity starts at home,” her mother taught, and Kishore’s charity partners are just as important as her products. In fact, she launched her business at one of Green Star Movement’s fundraisers. 

        Even as they get bigger and Simply Smita is found in more Chicago area shops, Kishore plans to continue to be part of events throughout the city to educate consumers about their skin care regime.

        Soon, she will be introducing a men’s line, which will include a beard balm and hair pomade.

 

Simply Smita is available online, at select shops in the South Loop and throughout the city at festivals and community events. For more information, visit SimplySmita.com.

Megy Karydes is a Chicago-based writer, ghostwriter and founder of Karydes Consulting, a marketing and communications agency (MegyKarydes.com).