The journey to starting a skincare business for Lance and his wife Gina started our of their empathy for others dealing with visible and irritating skin conditions.
“As a child I was excessively prone to stretch marks,” says Lance. “By the time I was a teenager I had permanent stretch marks covering about 70% of my body including my shoulders, chest, stomach, thighs, forearms, sides, and my entire back. It was my biggest insecurity. Not feeling comfortable in your skin can take a tremendous toll on your mental health. Naturally, I wanted to help others who also struggle with their skin’s appearance and texture whether it be acne, dermatitis, scars, pregnancy stretch marks, or psoriasis, our goal is to help your skin look and feel its absolute best with the help of skin soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients.”
Today the couple owns Little Oliver Skincare, a local Black- and Latina-owned small business based in Middletown. Little Oliver Skincare specializes in bath and skin care products infused with nature’s nutrients for soft and glowing skin. “We’re all about helping your skin look and feel its best with the many nourishing benefits provided by tea, herbs, and aloe vera,” says Lance.
Products from Little Oliver Skincare include foaming herbal bath tea, tea-infused soaps, tea-infused body butters, tea-infused sugar scrubs, and soothing aloe vera rub. The brand aims to educate customers on the health benefits tea-infused products can provide when absorbed by the skin. “We’re tall about taking skincare back to its roots by reintroducing the world to herbal ingredients found in nature that have phenomenal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits when applied to the skin,” says Lance. “We infuse our raw ingredients with various teas, herbs, fruits, and extracts to give our products a natural boost in anti-aging, moisturizing, and skin-soothing properties.”
As the family continues to build its brand, they are in the process of formulating new lip care products and self-care product sets. In the meantime, you can find them at local farmers markets in the summer season and at other markets and events in the fall and winter seasons.
To learn more about Little Oliver Skincare or to shop their products, visit their website. You can also follow along with Little Oliver Skincare on Facebook and Instagram for the latest product updates and market announcements. Lance says to reach out via DM on social media if you have any questions or want to let them know how much you enjoy their products. “Nothing makes us happier than hearing positive feedback from happy customers,” he adds.