I’ve been interested in “cleaning up” my skincare regimen for a while now, but the options felt so overwhelming. When Beekman 1802 reached out about trying their clean goat milk skincare products, it came at the perfect time. #beekman1802 #ad
Simple living
When Ben and I decided to start a homestead, we were motivated by the idea of cleaning up our own diets and lifestyle. With a long family history of autoimmune diseases and food allergies, we decided to make a major lifestyle shift not only for ourselves, but for our kids. We knew nothing about homesteading, but we dove head first into simple living.
Neither Ben nor myself grew up on a farm. When Ben and I met nine years ago, I was living in downtown Chicago finishing up college and graduate school, while he lived in the Chicago suburbs. I dreamt of convincing him to move to the city, but life had different plans. Within a few short years, Ben persuaded me to move to the family farm, we got married, started a family, and began our homesteading journey.
Ben and I had zero experience growing our own food, let alone raising goats, chickens, and bees. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t even know that a homestead was at the time. Somehow, the decision to move toward simple living just felt right. Homesteading wasn’t the logical decision, but we followed our gut and went for it. We built our little homestead from the ground up, and we haven’t looked back since.
Clean living
I tend to take an “all or nothing” approach in life, which illustrates our homesteading journey perfectly. While Ben wanted to start small with a few chickens, I had different goals. If we were going to homestead, then we were going to go all in. Although we started with 10 chickens, 2 goats, and 2 beehives, our backyard homestead quickly expanded to include 20 chickens, 7 goats, 4 beehives, and a large garden.
Our homesteading journey began with “cleaning up” our diets and lifestyle, but it evolved to become so much more than that. Homesteading isn’t simple, but the experiences have allowed us to live life with more gratitude and intention.
For some reason, “cleaning up” our diets and lifestyle felt like an easy choice. I confidently put clean, whole foods in my body, but what about the ingredients that I put on my body? That was a whole different story.
Beekman 1802: the backstory
I love the story behind Beekman 1802 – it reminds me so much of our own homesteading journey. Josh and Brent are former NYC guys who purchased a farm in a tiny NY town. Their company started with selling goat milk bar soaps, but quickly evolved into a brand much bigger than its fences with an entire skincare and beauty collection of clean and cruelty-free products. Beekman 1802 is a beauty and skincare line that believes in cultivating a more beautiful life. Their gentle and hydrating skincare products are clean, simple, and formulated with goat milk.
Pregnancy + Breastfeeding
To be perfectly transparent, but I’ve always felt overwhelmed by the clean skincare movement. There are so many ingredients that are considered “unsafe”, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I’ve spent way too much time Googling ingredients before making a purchase. The vast majority of the time, I find an ingredient that isn’t considered safe for breastfeeding, skip the purchase, and end up feeling discouraged and frustrated by the experience.
Before having kids, I typically purchased the cheapest skincare products possible. During my twenties, I had the luxury of sleeping 10+ hours per night. Now that I have two little ones, I’m lucky if I catch a few hours without waking up to a crying baby on the monitor. As a breastfeeding mama who estill nurses my 13 month old on demand (yep, I’m crazy), I don’t exactly get a lot of “quality sleep.”
Needless to say, since having kids, my skincare needs have majorly changed.
Clean goat milk skincare with Beekman 1802
When Beekman 1802 reached out about trying their clean goat milk skincare products, they asked about my current skincare needs and product preferences. Now that I’m 30 years old, (how did that happen?) I’m focusing on anti-aging products. The problem? Most anti-aging products aren’t safe for breastfeeding, so I end up using sub-par products that leave my skin looking tired. (In my defense, I am tired!)
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, then you already probably know that there are countless skincare ingredients to stay away from. When Beekman 1802 offered to send me some products that were super hydrating but also safe for breastfeeding, I agreed immediately.
(*As always, it is always recommended to seek counsel with your physician/OB/midwife,etc regarding ingredients if you are unsure about trying a new product and/or ingredient safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding*)
Nightly routine: clean goat milk skincare
I’ve been using Beekman 1802’s clean goat milk skincare products for the past few weeks, and I can honestly say that I’m in love. Their clean skincare products are gentle and moisturizing, and they give my tired skin the hydration that it’s been craving. The packaging is also absolutely beautiful!
The Blaak Night line is their overnight collection, and it’s my absolute favorite. While other skincare products use a mineral oil base, Beekman 1802 uses goat milk for their base to deliver the product deep into the skin’s layers. Goat milk has a similar pH to human skin (and the proteins in goat milk are similar to human breast milk!), so your body is able to absorb the peptides, ceramides, colostrum, and antioxidants in Beekman 1802 products faster than other products. I can honestly say that my skin feels and looks so much better since using the Blaak Night line. I’m sharing my nightly clean skincare routine below!
Step 1: Double Cleanse
Triple Milk Cleanser: Removes makeup and dirt in a gentle, yet hydrating way. Formulated with Beekman’s Triple Milk base of goat milk, coconut milk, and milk protein but also mixed with argan oil, olive oil, an sweet almond oil. Talk about major hydration!
Triple Milk Bar: Super sudsy and leaves my skin feeling so clean (also formulated with the same Triple Milk base as the above cleanser!) Bonus: I’ve been using the same bar for the past few weeks, and I haven’t made a dent in it. It will seriously last forever!
Step 2: Blaak Night line
Blaak Goat Milk Serum: I LOVE this serum. It’s formulated with peptides and colostrum, which are the first group of proteins found in mother’s milk. (I geek out over anything breastfeeding related!) Beekman’s peptide complex is a chain of amino acids that relax the muscles, boost collagen production, plumps skin, and diminishes fine lines. The best clean skincare + anti-aging combo!
Blaak Night Eye Balm: This eye balm gently moisturizes dry skin. The jar is huge and will last so long, too!
Blaak Night Overnight Treatment: This night cream is intensely hydrating. Formulated with the same peptide complex and colostrum as the serum, but in a super creamy lotion. The thick cream melts and penetrates into your skin, leaving it feeling so hydrated!
Other Beekman 1802 favorites
Beekman 1802 also sent me a few items for the kids, and they are absolutely amazing. The Pure Goat Milk Wipes are perfect for wiping off messy hands and faces. Beckham is probably the messiest eater ever, and these wipes clean his face quickly and efficiently.
The Pure Goat Milk Soap is wonderful for little one’s with sensitive skin. Beekman 1802 got their claim to fame from their goat milk bar soaps, so it’s no wonder that it’s their best-selling, fragrance free bar soap. I’m telling you, these products are perfect for the entire family!
I also had the opportunity to test a new product – their Stick of Butter – and you guys, it’s SO good. This solid stick melts into a luxurious oil. As the cold weather approaches, I’ll keep this little stick in my purse and grab it every time my skin needs some extra moisture. The Stick of Butter hasn’t officially launched yet, but I’ll add a link to this post once it does!
Simplicity, gratitude, & intention
Clean skincare initially felt intimidating and overwhelming, but now I’m realizing just how simple it can be. Beekman 1802’s mantra is that they believe in “simple things done very well.” They focus on the basics – simple ingredients, little luxuries that make us happy, and a smile to a neighbor. Because when we take care of ourselves, we can take care of others too.
Isn’t that what “simple living” is really all about anyway? Simplifying what we put in and on our bodies? Living life with gratitude and intention? Now that’s the real purpose of this whole “homesteading” thing, isn’t it?
Debbie says
I am so happy to have read your article. I am in my 60’s & have been searching for something all natural with no chemicals that would be good for my skin & just discovered Beekman’s products & have fallen in love with them! I found them on HSN one night & was in awe of their wonderfully hydrated looking skin. I ordered their anniversary special & also a special they offered in their fresh air collection. Had no idea of what to use as a skin care regimen & you have helped me big time! Thank you sooooo much!