SOUTH MILWAUKEE NEWS

A South Milwaukee resident has launched an all-natural skincare line. She forages for some ingredients herself.

Erik S. Hanley
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
South Milwaukee resident Nicole Kintop started "Naturally Made by Nicole" to sell her all-natural skincare products including herbs, balms, creams, serums and masks, to name a few.

Whether you’re looking for an anti-aging cream, something to take the sting out of poison ivy and mosquito bites or an all-purpose balm, South Milwaukee resident Nicole Kintop has a natural product for you.

Kintop started “Naturally Made by Nicole” a few months ago and it has grown much faster than she expected. Offering a wide range of organic and wild-crafted herbs, balms and creams, Kintop wanted to keep things natural.

“My family is pretty naturally-minded, we eat healthy, exercise, and every time I’d look through products there was a long list of chemicals that may or may not be safe and I couldn’t pronounce any of them,” she said. “I make these with just a couple of ingredients.”

Where do those ingredients come from? Kintop gets beef fat from a farm in Loganville where the cows are all grass-fed. She gets bulk oil for a face serum and facial masks (not the cloth kind) online. The rest of the ingredients she forages herself in the wild.

While she has no prior experience and isn’t too sure if she’d survive if dropped in the wilderness, Kintop said she has some knowledge of plants and herbs and considers herself “relatively book smart.”

South Milwaukee resident Nicole Kintop started "Naturally Made by Nicole" to sell her all-natural skincare products including herbs, balms, creams, serums and masks, to name a few. Kintop has grown her Facebook following but hopes to have a website up and running soon.

Kintop started with a tallow balm she called “an all-purpose balm,” which is rendered beef fat with argan oil, frankincense and vanilla which mimics skin with essential vitamins. She said it “heals all around.”

Eventually, Kintop expanded into other items such as anti-aging “wrinkle” cream and oil cleansers designed to moisten dry skin — all formulated herself. Prior to putting something up for sale, she has a few people try it to make sure it’s ready.

“A lot of this was trial and error,” Kintop said. “It’s easier than expected to make everything, the difficult part is doing it with two kids.”

Easier on the body and budget

Not content just using natural ingredients, Kintop, who is a stay-at-home mom, wanted to make an all-natural option more affordable.

“When you look online for natural care products, they’re like $80 for one ounce,” she said. “Mine is $25.”

The cheapest offering Kintop has is $15 and the highest is $40 — both prices include shipping. While she hasn’t expanded beyond the state, Kintop said she’s been shipping “all over Wisconsin.”

In addition to the price, Kintop said the other big draw for her products is the longevity.

“A $40 bottle will last four to six months,” she said. “It’s cost-effective and it beats any chemical products you can slather on your face. It will actually heal your skin.”

Like many small businesses, Kintop started making the products for friends first which led to a Facebook page where members could discuss natural skincare. From there the products took off.

“They’re products that actually work,” she said. “Nine out of 10 customers come back.”

South Milwaukee resident Nicole Kintop started "Naturally Made by Nicole" to sell her all-natural skincare products including herbs, balms, creams, serums and masks, to name a few. Kintop has grown her Facebook following but hopes to have a website up and running soon.

Fast growth and the future

Due to her fast growth, Kintop is working to apply for an LLC.

Part of those profits may come from a vendor craft event happening from 1-4 p.m., May 16 at 379 Gascoigne Drive in Waukesha. Kintop said about 15 vendors will be there including her. She is also planning to launch some new products at the event including an eye-roller for under-eye bags and a lash and brow growth serum.

Naturally Made by Nicole does not yet have a website, though Kintop said she hopes to have one within the next month. In the meantime, those interested to check out her natural offerings can search the business name on Facebook.

In the future, Kintop hopes to branch out into herbal tinctures, natural remedies to help sleep and for energy. However, she said licensing will be required for that as it’s technically a supplement.

Further down the line, Kintop wants to open a brick-and-mortar business that would sell her products and focus on pregnancy and breastfeeding issues — she is currently attending school to become a clinical lactation counselor.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at (262) 875-9467 or erik.hanley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley.