Skincare au Naturel
My handmade skincare products are inspired by the French approach to natural beauty
Pictured: Chez Lapin’s Fir + Peppermint Toner, Herbal Elixir Facial Oil, Clay Mask, and Lavender + Rose Lip Balm. All products are made from natural ingredients and are cruelty free.
By Claire Landuyt
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My earliest interest and exploration in skincare came directly from my own experiences dealing with incredibly painful cystic acne in my late teens and early adulthood. I had seen a few dermatologists numerous times and the treatments never remedied the issue fully. The side effects always created other skincare issues. So when I was fresh out of college, without the money to try different skincare products, and still dealing with painful skin issues, I decided to completely overhaul how I was approaching things. I started thinking back to my brief time living in France, where natural beauty and simple skin care is valued, and I began crafting my own skincare products with natural ingredients.
Pictured: Here I am surveying the lavender farms in Provence, France, for the perfect oil supplier.
In my opinion, the French approach to living is very laid back compared to the American approach, which is largely defined by work, climbing the corporate ladder, and achieving the American Dream. The French are generally more focused on day-to-day pleasure and mental wellness. This is evident when you travel there. Stores close for lunch every day so folks can enjoy two hours at home with their friends or family. Americans get a 30 minute break if they’re lucky! In France, you’ll see the same folks sitting at the same cafe every day, facing outward. They just watch passersby, take their time, and simply enjoy life more slowly. This is a monumental difference and one I wanted to incorporate into my own life.
A similar practice applies to French skincare, which made a big impression on me. American approaches to wellness and skincare are motivated by perfection; what is “controllable” and what is “ideal.” Corrective plastic surgeries and harsh chemicals that turn around a quick response (like acids, chemical peels, and the medication I was always given by dermatologists) are hallmarks of the American beauty industry. French wellness culture is far more concerned with the overall health of the skin and body microbiome than it is with perfection. Their version of skincare is centered around using gentle creams or oil-based cleansers, mineral based products (rather than chemical products), simplified regimens (not six serums or potions nightly), and being gentle with your body. Less is more.
Pictured: By packaging our clay masks in the dry form, we leave the mixing up to you so that you can best customize it for your needs. Also pictured is a jar of raw honey (which has wonderful antibacterial and skin healing properties) and a floral hydrosol that has soothing attributes similar to chamomile.
This key difference in skin care is what drastically changed the health of my skin. I no longer use any chemicals on my face. I use only clays, oils, hydrosols (floral waters), and raw ingredients like honey or yogurt. In doing so, my skin’s pH balance is regulated, my sebum stopped overproducing, and my days of cystic acne and irritation are far behind me. I strongly believe in the effectiveness of the French approach and a natural approach, which inevitably work in tandem.
The more that I researched and developed my skincare products, these three ideas stuck with me: 1) Synthetic chemicals can be incredibly harsh on your skin and disrupt it’s natural balance; 2) some companies require animal testing before putting a new product onto the market that contains synthetic chemicals; and 3) responsibly sourcing and harvesting natural materials for skincare products is directly beneficial to the environment and humans alike. I started to draw connections between three of my main passions: skincare, the welfare of animals, and the environment.
Pictured: Four Chez Lapin Lip Salves; Peppermint + Rosemary, Lavender + Rose, Chamomile + Jasmine, and Lavender + Bergamot.
The first product that I made was a lip salve. It’s actually still the same recipe that I use in my Chez Lapin product line! The lip salve became really popular with my sisters, friends, and neighbors. I made small batches of it in my parents’ kitchen and everyone told me that they didn’t want to use anything else on their lips. As they encouraged me and as my knowledge of natural skincare deepened, my production expanded to a clay facial cleanser then to candles. When I perfected my French Lavender Lemon Creme candle recipe, I gifted one to a work friend before she had surgery and she loved it. I remember feeling so good about giving her a candle and lip salve, and I knew I wanted to continue to brighten peoples’ day with self care goodies.
In 2017, I incorporated Chez Lapin and ran it as a side business while I was working in theater management. In 2020, when all theater productions were put on hold due to the Covid pandemic, I focused solely on Chez Lapin. The business grew exponentially that year, and I was able to start paying myself as a full-time employee; a major milestone for any small business!
Pictured: Four products used in my weekly skin care routine: Facial oil (top left), exfoliating clay cleanser (top right), floral toner (bottom left) and facial cream (bottom right).
Along with hand making all of my products, I’ve also developed a weekly skincare routine that I personally follow and would absolutely recommend:
Daily:
Wash nightly with a clay face scrub or oil based cleanser. I alternate between these two products, using the exfoliating clay scrub three times a week and the oil-based cleanser four times a week.
After washing (evenings only), tone with a gentle floral toner. In the morning, skip washing (unless your skin needs it) and just use toner.*
After toning (evenings only), moisturize with facial oil**, facial cream, or both if necessary.***
After moisturizing, protect lips with a lip salve.
Twice a Week: Treat yourself to a Clay Mask to soften and detox skin
Notes:
*My skin is pretty well-balanced (not too oily or dry) so I don’t wash my face in the morning. I simply spritz with our floral toners, especially Fir & Peppermint, because it has a bright and wakening fragrance.
**Our facial oil can be used as a cleanser, a moisturizer, or a makeup remover. We offer tips for using this versatile product on our website.
***I only moisturize at night. I don’t need to moisturize in the morning because our floral toners are lightly moisturizing.
My line includes a variety of facial toners and lip salves that primarily serve different scent preferences. However, our facial masks and oils are designed for different skin types; if you are interested you should read the product descriptions on our website to see what would work best for you. I’m also available via email, events, or social media to make a recommendation that would suit your skin type. I’m always down for a chat about one of my favorite subjects!
Pictured: On a hike near a waterfall and stream with my dog. The caverns and woods of Hocking Hills, Ohio, are my favorite spots for inspiration because they are so diverse in landscape and foliage.
To feel good about my body in general, I practice yoga a few days a week. But more than that, I walk. I walk everywhere with my Labrador, in the woods or at a park whenever I can. I love foraging, climbing, and wandering. It gives me perspective, self-awareness, and clarity about my mind and body that I sometimes lose. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be outside in nature. Growing up, my parents would take me and my sisters on nature hikes, bike rides, and picnics. There wasn’t a weekend that went by when we weren’t spending half of the weekend riding bike trails, taking deli subs to picnic at the park, or driving to explore different areas. To this day, taking a walk in the woods is my therapy.
I was actually inspired to make one of my favorite fragrances, Cyprés, while I was on a walk in the woods in Western Pennsylvania. Cyprés is a blend of Mediteranean Cypress, Tonka Bean, and Sandalwood. The many shades of brown with the green ferns, hemlocks, and pine actually conjured this scent for me. The way that the sunlight was filtering through the tree canopy gave it all such an airy feeling. It’s so vibrant and fresh, I love it!
Pictured: A portion of every Chez Lapin purchase goes directly to saving the lives of domestic rabbits from cruelty, neglect, and abandonment. Here are just a few that have benefitted from our help.
People often ask me about my connection to rabbits (lapin is French for rabbit). Our family owned a few pet rabbits during my teenage years and I found them to be the most rewarding companion animals when they are given a little bit of time to develop trust. They’re adorably fluffy, sweet, and full of personality. Rabbits are often overlooked as pets, confined to small cages, and even dumped into the wild when they are no longer wanted. I volunteer for Rabbit Wranglers, a non-profit that rehabilitates dumped, neglected, and abused rabbits and finds them good homes. I also donate a portion of every Chez Lapin sale to this amazing organization.
Every year in January, Rabbit Wranglers sends to me a list of rabbits that were supported by our donations the previous year. Seeing the pictures and reading the stories of those rabbits encourages me to keep pushing Chez Lapin to be even more successful so that we can continue to do that sort of work. It’s a humbling reminder of Chez Lapin’s purpose and another milestone that I look forward to every year. My business is a true labor of love and I stay motivated by connecting it to my core values: celebrating and conserving nature, crafting effective and affordable skincare products, and promoting the cruelty-free movement.
Editor: Karrie Witkin | Designer: Emma Geddes | Copy Editor: Katie Frankowicz | Communication/Support/Outreach: Meg Chellew
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