Why coconut oil was the first thing I trusted on my baby’s skin

When my daughter was born, I found myself doing what so many new moms do. Rethinking everything I put on her skin.

This wasn't out of fear. I knew enough, even then, to understand that “natural” doesn’t automatically mean safe, and “synthetic” doesn’t automatically mean harmful. But I still wanted skincare to feel simple, gentle and familiar.

So I reached for coconut oil.

Not the kind in a plastic jar from the grocery store, but the kind my Filipino parents used to make from scratch. Growing up, coconut oil was simply part of everyday life in our home. It wasn’t marketed as a beauty product or sold as a trend. It was practical, comforting, and trusted.

After bath time, I’d massage a small amount into my daughter’s damp skin. It wasn't a complicated routine. There were no heavily scented products involved.
There wasn't an endless list of steps. And honestly, it was enough.

That experience shaped the way I think about skincare today. Not just as a founder, but as a mom and someone who has dealt with sensitive skin and eczema for most of my life.

Why I started making my own skincare

A few years later, I came across a whipped body butter marketed as a natural alternative to diaper cream. I liked the idea, but I remember thinking: I want skincare to feel simpler than this. So I started formulating my own.

At the time I was navigating postpartum skin changes and eczema flare-ups. I work in a lab and wanted products that felt gentle and comforting, but were also grounded in science and thoughtful formulation. Not fear-based marketing.

That balance became the foundation of demulcere

Today, I formulate small-batch skincare in Canada using minimalist, vegan ingredients chosen for sensitive and dry skin. No essential oils. No overpowering fragrance. No complicated 10-step routines.

Just simple skincare designed to soften and soothe.

Why I still use coconut oil in Salve

As I learned more about formulation, I realized that different ingredients serve different purposes.

Coconut oil creates a rich protective layer that helps seal in moisture and soften dry skin, which is why I still use it in my Salve. It’s especially helpful on rough patches, dry hands, and areas that need longer-lasting moisture protection.

But I also learned that not every product needs to feel heavy or occlusive.

That’s why some of my other formulations use lighter ingredients that absorb more quickly while still supporting the skin barrier. I’m less interested in following trends than I am in creating textures that genuinely feel good to use every day.

Gentle skincare without fear-mongering

One thing that has never sat right with me is how much fear exists in the skincare industry.

I don’t believe people should feel anxious every time they read an ingredient list.

As someone with a science background, I care about evidence, formulation, and context. As someone with sensitive skin, I also care about comfort and simplicity.

Both can exist together.

You don’t need an aggressive routine to take care of your skin. Sometimes the best approach is also the gentlest one: fewer products, thoughtful ingredients, and formulas you actually enjoy using consistently.

That philosophy is deeply connected to both my Filipino upbringing and the kind of skincare company I wanted to build: something softer, slower, and more grounded in real life.

If you’ve been looking for gentle Canadian skincare made for sensitive skin (without the overwhelm) that’s exactly what I hope you’ll find here.