On a recent Instagram feed, I saw a photo taken at a newly opened women’s clothing store. Written on the wall were the words “we all start as strangers”.

That phrase resonated with me as I remember the first year of navigating through the natural products market. I was overwhelmed and a stranger to all the new choices that were available after making the decision to part ways with most of our conventional products in the home and dive into the natural and organic alternatives.

When I began making my own products, there were more questions. For example, should I used unrefined or refined shea butter, organic essential oils or conventional, local beeswax or from a supplier. As a healthcare professional, it was easy to become obsessed with understanding fatty acid profiles, essential oil constituents and vitamin content in all of the raw ingredients. I found a happy place in the creative process and learned why some ingredients worked while others were all hype.

This month we are celebrating three years in business and my promise to you is that I will never stop learning, I will listen to your requests and exceed your expectations of what a “natural” product can do for your dry skin. One of the most common questions that I have received about our products is if they are organic. That word has different meanings to different people. There are unique benefits as well as a global impact when choosing organic ingredients.

Here are some of the wonderful benefits of organic ingredients:

• Organic ingredients are as natural as it gets – grown, harvested and processed in a way that retains more of their beneficial qualities which in turn is wonderful for your skin.

• Supporting organic farmers means a decrease in the overall use of pesticides and less toxic chemicals in our air, soil and bodies.

• Organic farming practices help support a healthier bee population. Happy bees in turn pollinate our crops contributing to a successful harvest season.

As we look to the future for our company, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about continuing to learn what’s important to you and how to make our products even better. We began with the intention of creating wonderful products made with natural ingredients infused with compassion and good energy to help you embrace daily self-care rituals. Now, we begin a new chapter for Rachel’s Plan Bee. As we continue to evolve and improve our offerings, we will be highlighting and sourcing more organic ingredients to include in our collection.

So whether you are just getting started with natural and organic products or are well versed in all things organic, we have products that you will not only feel good about using, but might possibly make your heart skip a beat. Just kidding on the heart part, but they will make you smile!

It’s true that we all start out as strangers. If we haven’t already met, I hope that we will become fast friends and that I will help you fall in love with taking care of your and your loved ones skin.

Our mission remains simple -- create great products that will make your skin happy.

Stay in touch for more news coming soon!