The Salt Spray Soap Co skincare line is expanding its brand — both locally and globally.

Three years ago, Genelle John launched the range, which comprises a collection of soaps, body butters, salt scrubs and lip balms, which are all made at the Island Life store, located in St George.

The East End location is the exclusive distributor for the Salt Spray Soap brand, and recently the business expanded with a Hamilton location, ‘De Oil Shop’ in the Washington Mall.

All the items are homemade by Ms John from scratch.

The four products include ingredients such as shea butter, mango butter, extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, Bermuda beeswax, coconut oil, and castor oil.

“I am the only recipe formulator and manufacturer of my products. Over the past two years, I’ve refined the processes to help meet the demand, but at the end of the day, everything is made by my hands,” she said.

Ms John believes that skincare products created from raw ingredients are beneficial to the skin.

“First, you’re allowing me to source the best ingredients so that you can apply what nature intended for you to use to protect yourself from both the sun and the environment in general,” she said.

“Secondly, moving away from chemical-laden products decreases the demand for lab-produced chemicals so that we wash fewer toxins down our drains and back out into our ecosystem.

“Natural ingredients were instinctive for me. I didn’t need proof, I just knew that people were always reaching out to see whether my arms were as smooth as they looked. But, since starting this business, I can see first hand the results that other people are getting.”

The overseas focus emanated from customers asking Ms John about shipping over the past couple of years.

She always wanted to eventually get into shipping internationally, but learning how to manage a retail outlet and employees took precedence.

“My goal was always to continue growing,” she said. “I filter all of my business decisions through whether it will withstand further growth.

“I have always been preoccupied with both making jobs for Bermudians, as well as creating something beautiful that can be exported with pride, something produced on the island.

“My ultimate goal includes both setting up something similar to a production line to create jobs as well as opening other stores elsewhere while maintaining the Bermuda theme.”

Already starting the international shipping, she appreciates the fast and easy shipping process DHL has provided.

“So far, I have only shipped a couple of packages to the States through the Post Office, for a couple of particularly persistent customers, as well as one package last week using DHL to get a package to Chicago. They had the box by the next day,” Ms John said.

“What I have enjoyed most about producing a skincare line within a retail space is watching its evolution. Our customers will find that we’ve completely revamped the packaging and the in-store experience is warm and inviting.

“We are anticipating additional growth with the new spring season and will also roll out our family and friends reward programme.

“We have been hoarding the e-mail addresses of our customers to provide a gift with that much awaited event.”

The store, in Water Street, St George, will be open from 10am to 7pm until Christmas Eve. For more information visit the website, http://www.SaltSpraySoap.com, e-mail, SaltSpraySoap@gmail.com, or telephone 707-6449