Our Story · Est. 2010
Care · Art · Love
· Maintain ·
Handmade sustainable skincare made with love in Chicago. Eco refills, natural ingredients, and rituals that respect your skin and the planet.
A Message from Our Founders
Hear our mission.
In our own words.
Who we are, what we stand for, and the kind of clean, eco-conscious skincare ritual we want to share with you — straight from the studio where every batch is hand-mixed.
About the Founders
Two friends. One mission.
From an artist's studio in Chicago to a small-batch skincare line that respects both your skin and the Earth.
Multi-media artist & founder
Jyl's hands
tell the story.
CALM Natural Skincare, est. 2010, stands for Care · Art · Love · Maintain. As a multi-media artist, I practice techniques like carving marble and mulling paint by hand — so it made sense to create a skincare line that emphasizes mix-it-yourself natural ingredients and eco-friendly refills.
CALM started with my older sister Jeanne, a Skincare Aficionado Extraordinaire. I used to visit her at the old Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago when she managed several skincare departments. At nine years old, I knew more about applying eye serum than playing video games.
The rest of my sisters and my parents helped test products and gave me feedback. For over ten years, talented hair & makeup artist and bestie Daniela Kosta has provided her sales and skincare specialist support.
"I mull pigment by hand. I make skincare the same way."
Marianne, the artist
who answered yes.
Jyl and I have been besties since we met in New Orleans in 2001. We were both working as models for a trade show and Jyl walked up to me and said, "Didn't I draw you last week at the Academy of Art?"
Life and art and like-minded thinking have connected us in every way. We have cooked, traveled, and created together.
As the world turns away from protecting the environment and other rights, I wish to join forces with her — and work, quietly and persistently, toward something better.
"We met as art. We continue as care."
Best friend since 2001
Our Vision
Where less is so much more.
We envision a future where shopping for skincare is like shopping in the fresh food section at the grocery store — where consumers are educated enough to create their own recipes with readily available ingredients. A future in which we cease the purchase of plastic containers and heavily preserved products, and petrochemical packaging is replaced with 100% biodegradable materials. We envision a future where much, much less is so much more.
Innovations
More than another product on the shelf.
We sought innovation by offering eco refills in biodegradable packaging, then pushed even further with powder-based, travel-easy products. It's been an evolving process — but we are truly trying to make a difference.
Biodegradable Refills
Pouches that compost — not pollute. Reuse your glass jar forever.
Powder Formulas
No water, no preservatives, no compromise. Add a drop and bloom.
Zero Plastic Promise
We refuse petrochemical packaging. Always have. Always will.
Honestly Affordable
Skincare an average person can afford — without trading down on quality.
The Green Mission
Less waste. More glow.
CALM strives to reduce environmental impact with sustainable aluminum packaging, Eco Refills, gender-neutral products, natural & organic cruelty-free ingredients, and the informed buyer.
Full Disclosure Ingredients
Every ingredient listed and explained. All products score 1–2 (Low Hazard) on EWG Skin Deep.
Leaping Bunny Certified
Certified cruelty-free. No animal testing in any phase of product development.
Anti-Excess Packaging
Resealable kraft paper bags. Aluminum that recycles with 95% less energy than virgin material.
Gender Neutral
Minimum fragrance, maximum simplicity. A few core products for everyone.
Our Impact
Promises to the planet.
Every refill keeps another bottle out of the landfill. Every choice you make moves us closer to that vision.
4k+
Bottles Reused
100%
Recyclable Outers
0
Single-Use Plastic
Handmade
Made with a heart
and a hand.
We live in a world where many things are mass-produced. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that — it's great that some things fill a worldwide demand.
But at CALM, we feel everything is better for you when it's made with a heart and a hand. Small batches. Real ingredients. Real care.
Inside the Studio