Believe it or not, Black people can get sun burnt. As a Trinidadian growing up on the Gulf of Mexico, much to my skin’s dismay, I know a bit about peeling skin from not religiously reapplying my favorite drugstore sunscreen. As a child, my mom would cut aloe straight from our garden and smear the gel-like contents all over my skin. Now, I live in New York City, where unfortunately, I don’t have an aloe vera plant (nor the time for at home remedies). I’ve switched out sun burns for microneedling and in those immediate days after my treatment, I try to use products that won’t irritate my skin.
Naturopathica’s Calendula & Mint Nourishing Hand & Body Cleanser is the perfect body wash for summer days when you get more sun than expected and need something to help soothe your sensitive skin. If you’re also in the winter months or find yourself washing your hands profusely (hello, Covid-19), you want something that will clean your skin without leaving it dry and ashy. Personally, I love using the body wash on my face the day after a microneedling treatment, when I need a gentle cleanser. Naturopathica is one of my favorite clean beauty brands, as it focuses on natural remedies and a holistic approach to skincare.
To keep it simple, the star ingredients are listed in the name of the product: calendula and mint. Calendula flower in skincare is an ancient herbal remedy that serves as an anti-inflammatory. It is a skin soothing ingredient that calms redness and overall skin discomforts. If you deal with eczema, this may be helpful to incorporate into a steroid-free eczema skincare routine. The peppermint leaf extract gives skin an instant boost, and the formula is rich in vitamins containing antioxidants and skin-brightening properties. Other ingredients include niacinamide and lavender to leave your skin relaxed and improve your natural glow.
I’ve been using this as a body wash for the past couple of months within my shower rotation. Imagine my delight when I got a slight sunburn from surfing, I was able to pop into the Naturopathica pop-up spa at The Colony Hotel and get a new bottle to help settle my skin. (Fun fact: The pop-up spa is now going to be a permanent staple at The Colony.) The soap doesn’t have an overpowering smell and lathers in the shower with just one pump. It leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed. It’s an anytime body wash that leaves you clean and your skin primed for your favorite body lotion and fragrance. This skin soother is a must have for anyone with sensitive skin or simply looking for a great gentle cleanser.