Empowering Self-Care Through Nature’s Ingredients
Carrie Scharf shares her journey from creating skincare for her son’s eczema to writing books that empower others to embrace natural, personalised skincare and prioritise self-care in their daily lives.
In the world of skincare, where trends come and go, Carrie Scharf stands out as a beacon of authenticity and innovation. As an author and skincare artisan, Carrie has dedicated her life to unravelling the mysteries of natural ingredients and their profound effects on our skin. Her journey began with a deeply personal mission to alleviate her son’s painful eczema, leading her to explore the healing power of nature. This exploration blossomed into a passion for creating skincare solutions that are as effective as they are simple. Carrie’s philosophy of “less is more” is beautifully encapsulated in her works, including the acclaimed “Herbal Infused Skincare Cookbook,” which serves as a guide for beginners eager to harness the benefits of plants and natural ingredients. Her commitment to empowering others through knowledge and self-care is further exemplified in her book “Radiance and Ritual,” where she shares her personal experiences and insights, encouraging readers to prioritize their well-being.
Carrie’s contributions to the world of skincare are not just limited to her books. Her ability to balance the demands of home-schooling her two boys, running a skincare business, and writing is a testament to her dedication and resilience. Her work is a celebration of the healing and transformative power of self-care, offering readers a chance to embrace a life of radiant vitality. Through her thoughtful approach to ingredient selection and her emphasis on personalized skincare, Carrie has redefined what it means to care for one’s skin, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Her passion for natural and homemade skincare products challenges common misconceptions about commercial products, inviting us all to explore the beauty of simplicity and the wonders of nature.
Carrie, your journey into skincare began with your own business and experimenting with ingredients. What was the initial spark that led you to start creating your own skincare products, and how did this passion evolve into writing Herbal Infused Skincare: A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Your Own Personalized Skincare?
I began creating my own skincare when my son developed eczema. It would often be very red, itchy and bleeding. We took him to a dermatologist and tried many different creams that didn’t seem to work very well. I wondered if there was a natural way to get the eczema under control and tried an essential oil blend that was made specifically for eczema. It worked well so I used it to make a moisturizer for him. I had so much making it, I decided to create more.
I have a good friend named Lynn Browder and she paints with her son who has autism. I wanted to find a project that we could work on together and came up with the idea of a book that combined her art with my love of skincare. She painted the cover and all the artwork in the book.
In The Cozy Bath, you emphasize the importance of transforming a bath into a luxurious and beneficial ritual. Can you share a personal anecdote or experience that highlighted the healing and relaxing power of a well-crafted bath for you?
Being the mom of a child with special needs is challenging. My son has had 2 heart surgeries and almost did not make it through the first one. We go to multiple therapies a week as well as doctor appointments. My bath time is the time I get to relax and the end of the day. I think about the Calgon bath product commercials of the 80s where the busy mom yells “Calgon, take me away.” I love to create bath salts, scrubs, and bath oils that smell lovely and make my skin soft. Adding calming essential oils to my products is beneficial. I also enjoy having plants and candles in the bathroom. A warm bath is calming and can help you fall asleep faster.
Homeschooling your two boys while running a skincare business and writing books must be quite the balancing act. How do you manage your time and what strategies do you use to ensure both your professional and personal responsibilities are met?
My kids come first of course. But it took me awhile to find a good workable schedule. For a time, I was just trying to do too much, and it wasn’t enjoyable anymore. I had a booth in a local shop and was doing many events. Now I plan out what I’m writing on every week and have it done by Friday. I work on it a little every morning. I also now only do a few events. I discovered that I can do anything but not everything.
Your books incorporate a wide range of natural ingredients and essential oils. Can you talk about your process for researching and selecting these ingredients, and how you determine which ones are most beneficial for specific skincare needs?
I do a lot of reading. I borrow a lot from the library. I also read studies that are accessible online like this study which concludes, “Rice water should be thus considered as an anti-aging ingredient to be used in skincare products.” I try to stay on top of recent findings and what’s popular. Then I have fun experimenting with them in recipes. I will also give my customers options and like to personalize products to better fit their needs and wants.
The concept of self-care is central to your work. How do you define self-care, and what advice would you give to someone who is just beginning to incorporate self-care into their daily routine, especially through skincare?
I define self-care as taking care of your own wellbeing and happiness especially during times of stress. Incorporate simple things into your day that you enjoy like making your favorite nutritious meals, taking a walk, or making time for a conversation with a friend. With skincare, if you create products with ingredients you love, that work for your skin, and are simple to make, you are more likely to keep it up.
Here is a free download I created to help you create your own all-natural skincare routine: https://pensight.com/x/carrieclarinet/digital-item-a10898ee-8748-4ed5-934b-75aca2a2a503
As an advocate for natural and homemade skincare products, what do you see as the biggest misconceptions people have about commercial skincare products, and how do you address these in your books and through your business?
The markup on most commercial skincare products is huge. I try to price my items so that I can still be profitable while being affordable.
The thought of making skincare overwhelms many people. Many believe that it’s very complicated and over their head. They don’t realize that it’s not difficult to create your own homemade items that can help you to get the beautiful glowing skin you want.
