Wendy Steele, Author at

Embracing Nature’s Embrace is Magical

Embracing Nature’s Embrace: The Dawn of a New Era in Skin Remedies is MAGIC by Wendy Steele Over the past twenty years, we have received many comments from customers. Some make us laugh, and most make us cry. A young couple requested that we print a warning on our label to tell people not to shower together using Island Rx and Windsurfer soap. She loves Island Rx, and he is a Windsurfer fan. They complained about missing work because of the experience. That was 15 years ago, and they are still together and buying our products. Most are proclaiming our products magical because Keys® reversed their chronic skin conditions that they were told were incurable by doctors. The story of a woman who had lived with blistering skin for ten years until finding our products was heartbreaking, and similar stories are too numerous to list. The key word customers have always used have been “MAGIC.” In Bob’s book, Chemical-Free Skin Health, the demons and chemicals causing some of these disorders are talked about in great detail. But why don’t we learn? It is really not MAGIC, but the power of natural. Not so ironically, our most magical products are also […]

Your Silent Guardian

The Silent Guardian: Unveiling the Epic Saga of Our Skin and the Crusade to Shield Its Majesty by Wendy Steele I am reminded on the anniversary of my own Melanoma that our skin will protect us only if we protect it. In the grand tapestry of the human body, where each organ plays its pivotal role, there lies a silent guardian, vast and vigilant. This guardian is none other than our skin, the largest organ of our body, a magnificent marvel that envelops us in its protective embrace. Yet, amidst the cacophony of our routines, the silent pleas of this guardian often go unheard in the hustle of our daily lives. It’s time we heed the call, understand its valor, and embark on a crusade to protect it at all costs. The skin, a complex fortress, is the first line of defense against the myriad of adversaries that seek to harm us. It shields us from the relentless onslaught of pathogens, guards against the scorching wrath of the sun, and even weaves an intricate tapestry of sensations, allowing us to experience the world around us. Its roles are as diverse as they are critical, from regulating our body temperature to […]

Probiome® 101 – A Guide

Probiome® and the Importance of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Skincare and Your Microbiome Keys® Probiome® skincare refers to a range of skincare products that incorporate prebiotics and probiotics into their formulations. These products are designed to support and enhance the skin’s natural microbiome, a community of beneficial bacteria living on the skin’s surface. The goal of Probiome® skincare is to promote healthy, hydrated, and resilient skin. For instance, Reflex ProBiome is an anti-aging serum made from pure organic oils that replicate the skin’s sebum. It offers tetrapeptides, triglycerides, fatty acids, quadracarotenoids, and nutrients that affect skin cell shape and health. Keys® Reflex Probiome® Serum is a clinically proven serum that blends powerful naturals to help defend against skin stressors and brighten skin. It is designed to strengthen the skin’s natural resilience, enhance its barrier function, and support the biodiversity of the skin’s microbiome. In fact, all Keys® skincare products are multipurpose and serve as both prebiotic and probiotic for the skin’s microbiome. Conversely, Keys® products do not contain parabens or harsh chemicals known to destroy the skin microbiome. In general, Probiome® skincare products aim to balance the skin’s microbiome, improve skin elasticity and firmness, even skin tone, and enhance skin’s […]

Solar Rx – Sold Out & Discontinued

From Wendy Steele, Keys CEO, and Melanoma Survivor: September 12, 2022 Due to President Biden’s CARES Act legislation, I have decided to discontinue Solar Rx Moisturizer with Sunscreen and KPRO Tinted Moisturizer with Sunscreen. President Biden COVID-19 and Sunscreen What does sunscreen have to do with COVID-19? It is a mystery. President Biden’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted, and buried in that bill are approximately 100 pages on sunscreens. Under the CARES Act, the FDA monograph system has become an administrative order process. This order process now subjects sunscreen manufacturers to new statutory requirements, including annual OTC drug manufacturing registration fees, costly additional manufacturing processes, and oversight. Initial estimates for these added fees and process costs are between $175,000 to $250,000 annually. In 2004 we started Keys as a small boutique manufacturer to offer natural alternatives to chemical-laden products. I have deemed it unreasonable to continue making either product. I believe it is not realistic or possible for natural OTC product manufacturers to absorb these exorbitant administrative expenses. I appreciate your partnership and support. And as a 25-year post melanoma survivor and member of the Skin Cancer Foundation, I will continue to advocate for the […]

Grace and Frankie Netflix and Keys

Over the months of the last season for Grace and Frankie, we have had numerous inquiries asking if the Eye Butter referred to in Season 7 of Grace and Frankie is Keys® Eye Butter.

First, for the non-followers of the show, Grace and Frankie is an American comedy television series aired by Netflix. The series stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as the eponymous Grace Hanson and Frankie Bergstein, two aging women who form an unlikely friendship after their husbands reveal they are in love with each other and plan to get married. Throughout season 7 of the show, Grace’s skin care company reference Eye Butter as their new planned breakout product. No surprise, people have asked, “Is that Keys Eye Butter?” Very recently, someone asked if we could give them the website for that Eye Butter, thinking we privately labeled it for the show.

The straight-up answer is, “We have no clue.”

RediCare – A Featured Star of the Keys Line with Many Uses

RediCare began just after Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans, Louisianna. We had an excellent therapeutic lotion named MetaCare that contains Ayurvedic Neem and Karanja oil. What happened next was the creation of a new product called RediCare.

May for Melanoma Awareness

May is Melanoma Awareness Month Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. It affects more than 5 million people each year. Skin cancer: cancer you can see. Be proactive. Do skin exams monthly: they visually remind you to pay attention to your skin. Note any new or changing moles or unusual lesions. I am a melanoma survivor and grateful that early detection saved my life. I understand the ABCDEs of melanoma. It is essential to spot any potential skin cancers early. I just had my annual total body skin exam with my dermatology group. The yearly exam supplements my at-home skin checks. Trust your instincts. You know your skin better than anyone. If you notice anything that you think is suspicious, get it checked. Do not allow a doctor to freeze or scrape that lesion off! Instead, insist that the doctor biopsy and report the results. A skin biopsy is the best way to detect and treat early skin cancer before they have a chance to escalate. Awareness + Education I am a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation. I support educational outreach efforts for skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. Learn more about how to […]

Bre’s Night Moisturizing Regimen

Here is a new video from Bre outlining her nighttime moisturizing regimen. It is very close to my regimen which includes washing with Keys Island Rx Foaming Wash. Her regimen is what I call my dry places regimen where I add Tortuga Lotion to my nighttime moisturizing routine.

Social Media Stealing Your Privacy?

For over fifteen years, Keys has strived to develop products that solve skin problems and make people feel good using natural ingredients and remedies. For the last five years, we have battled fake news by fake people playing the ‘natural car’ when they are far from it. Their tool has been social media, and their game is false claims. I see it every day, and you are the ultimate victim. Well, the bullshit is about to end.

A Ray of Hope in Seattle for the Homeless & Elderly – Chef Traci.

Our dear friend Chef Traci Calderon reached out to me personally to help her maintain meals for the elderly and homeless in Seattle. I donated, but thought that I would share her plea for help. Seattle has always been good to Keys and we wanted to share her quest with you. By way of background, Traci has been my friend for over 20 years. She is a deep spirit and is the chef at the Atrium at Pike Market in Seattle. When the C-19 thing hit, it hit the elderly around the world very hard. The ray of hope in Seattle is Chef Traci!

I’m Frustrated and Need Your Help

If I receive one more email from a magazine of how they will propel our business to new heights, I am going to scream.

Smizing – Smiling with Your Eyes is the Cure IMS

So the topic of this article is a kind of RBF story or to be more specific, IMS. Irritable Mask Syndrome is genuine and seems to be caused by various things. Some have told me that masks are an invasion of identity or uncomfortable. One said having to wear one is unconstitutional. Some feel self-conscious while others seem to like that they can hide behind one.

Online Grocery Shopping – C-19 A Grocery Shopping Game Changer For Me.

Funny as it may seem, the one thing about C-19 that I enjoy is not shopping. I hate to grocery shop, so Bob does it most of the time. He hates shopping as well and has been an online buyer since the first eCommerce stores began in the ’90s. He was one of the first subscribers to eBay and Amazon knows him by his first name. With the stay at home orders, it was the impetus for me to embrace online grocery shopping. InstaCart, Sprouts, and Wal-Mart have facilitated this change in a good way.

Get The Facts – Please – PubMed!

Get The Facts! – Please!

Living with an engineer scientist, the common phrase I hear is, “Where Are Your Facts?” When it comes to your health, Dr. Google is an excellent resource as long as individuals do not have an intention for themselves. So, where do we go for HealthLine facts so we can make good decisions? You are responsible for your personal and family health. Having a resource that you can count on is paramount.

National Institutes of Health

Enter the National Institutes of Health PubMed. NIH is the health arm of the US Government and much more. PubMed is a database created by the NIH and resource begun many years ago as Medlars ll™ and Medline™. Now it is a fantastic resource to learn as little or as much as you want about any medical or research subject dealing with human beings and sometimes our pets.

Merz Apothecary, Chicago – Keys Partner for 12 Years

Merz, 145 Years and Going Strong – Honest, Integrity, Innovation There is no doubt that the natural market industry is in turmoil since Amazon bought Whole Foods. With all this change and dynamics, Merz Apothecary in Chicago has not missed a beat. Why, because they lead with their HIPS. Honesty, Integrity, Persistence, and Sincerity. Keys Partners with Merz for 12 Years. Keys is celebrating our 12th anniversary with the world-class apothecary, Merz Apothecary in Chicago, Illinois. 145 years-old and going strong, we have had an excellent symbiotic relationship where their customers and our functional products have been the center of attention. Now with AmazonGo, Amazon’s Whole Foods, and the new suburban Amazon grocery stores emerging, we are excited to strengthen our partnership with Merz further. Put, if you perceive Amazon to be a vast coastal tidal wave, Merz is a world-class surfer. Wendy Steele, Keys CEO offered, “For Keys and our products, we have always sought great partnerships with retailers who are trusted advisors. Keys is not a brand just offering a natural alternative to conventional products. Our products are a functional part of today’s wholistic wellness and integrated medicine scene. There is something to be said for a company […]

Ugly Ducklings Moles – Part Three – Hold The Mayo

In the first two parts of my story, I was diagnosed with two atypical biopsies, discovered that the diagnosis was a coverup for a botched lab test and prepared myself for a visit to the revered hallowed halls of the Mayo Clinic. Surely Mayo would be a much better experience. Right? It can’t get any worse or can it?

Ugly Ducklings Moles – Part Two – A Revelation

In part one of my Ugly Ducklings story, I explained the process and reasons I went through having three moles , aka Ugly Ducklings, biopsied and tested. My story turned from being alarmed at the doctor’s findings to anger when I realized that there was a coverup of a sloppy lab process. I was lead to believe I had potentially cancerous growths that needed retesting only to find out the lab messed up the test. Not atypical, but typical!

My Skin Cancer Anniversary – Lessons Learned

Anniversary is a thing to celebrate and to remember. Sounds strange that I celebrate my Melanoma diagnosis and use this to remember my experiences. What I learned then and know now is that I am in charge of my health and well-being.

My doctors have all earned a basic level of my trust. The keyword is basic! I never let down my guard and question everything I hear. I respect the doctors I have chosen, but I do not treat them like gods. I have way too many experiences where what they thought or said was just wrong.

Keys Overview – 15 Years

Business people have a thing they call an elevator speech. It is a short description of a business delivered on a short elevator ride that tells someone what your company does and its purpose.

Recently I was, you guessed it, on an elevator and someone asked me what Keys does. Here is what I said:

“Keys 15 Years of natural product development are easy to understand. They are whole natural ingredient products designed to perform by using a deep understanding of the skin. Products use the highest quality ingredients from around the world in therapeutic proportions. They do what they say they do without chemicals. Products include Anti-Aging Skincare, Naturopathic Skin Therapies, Haircare, Alternative Naturals, Personal Lubricants, Dog Topicals & Functional Supplements.”

Skin Pairings – Keys Guide to a Youthful Look

One of my favorite people, Chef Jeff, recently hosted a terrific small plate and beer pairing event. It reminded me why I love food pairings.

Why do pairings? So that foodies experience transformative dining experiences where great chefs create culinary magic! A scratch kitchen thoughtfully combining key ingredients into complementary flavor profiles is inspirational to us. It is why we love to talk about our favorite restaurants. And our favorite chefs. And our favorite foods. And it explains why delightful experiences become favorites.

Living Strong In A Hostile World – The Realities of Skin Cancer

After 20 years of fighting stupidity in a hostile environment I sometimes just get angry and need to speak out. May is Melanoma Month and with all the facts we now have there are still opinions that amaze me. Simply, the sun might kill you. For sure it will make you look older than you are.

Wendy’s Daily Keys Anti-Aging Regimen

You don’t have to be expert with an overflowing cabinet of miracle products to take good daily care of your skin. Checkout my article on my daily simple regimen for anti-aging and save. Wendy

Love! The most powerful ingredient in Keys products

The most powerful ingredient in Keys products is Love!

Keys products were born at the intersection of love and positive intention! I believe every product should be made with love and include the power of positive intention.

Keys Tortuga Lotion for Vaginal Dryness & Menopausal Symptoms

Keys has had many inquires from customer who want to use Keys Tortuga for menopausal symptoms. Wendy elaborates on things for women to consider as it relates to dryness and how Tortuga can help.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month at Keys

It is 20 years since I was diagnosed and cured of Melanoma. May is melanoma awareness month and It is time to get wise and become in charge of your own skin health. Melanoma prevention saves lives. Please take some time to read my 2015 Melanoma Awareness Month message. Wendy Steele

EWG Sun Safety Campaign – Keys Supports Effort

Keys is a proud supporter of the EWG Sun Safety Campaign. For over ten years, Keys CEO, Wendy Steele, has pounded on the industry to create a campaign to educate end users about the effects of UVA and UVB radiation.

Traveling Light with Keys Eye Butter

Keys is working on travel sizes and in the interim, here is how to turn Eye Butter into multiple uses and purposes

RediCare – Surgical Recovery and Scars

Wendy’ Steele interview with Rhonda-youthful looking, vibrant & active 45-year old fan of KEYS who used RediCare Therapy Spray post-surgery. See a animation of the results.

Kyle to Keys! My Hair is Growing!

A Keys customer’s success story helping his alopecia. Keys MetaClean and MetaCare helped to restore hair growth. Wendy Steele interviews Kyle in his quest to defeat alopecia

Anti-Aging Tip – Avoid Perma-Frown by Getting CNN-Free

Perhaps one of my greatest anti-aging secrets is my internal smile and being CNN-Free for the last ten years. Our appearance is an indicator of our approach to life. Be negative and look negative. Be happy and you look younger. Wendy Steele

Sunscreen Tips from the EWG

We have posted tips from the EWG regarding sunscreens. Keys Solar Rx was ranked as a top product in the 2014 sunscreen report under the moisturizers with SPF category. Keys received one of the highest ratings for safety and efficacy.

5-Minute Skin Clinic at the Airport

Stopped in the airport with questions about my skin. And she did not know I run a skin care company. Maybe my face really tells the story.

Itchy Dog? Ditch the Perfume

As for that nagging feeling about the itching and scratching after your dog’s bath or after a grooming session? The most likely reason your dog is scratching and itching is directly related to the perfumes, artificial fragrance and harsh ingredients in dog shampoos!

Time To Get Wise – Dear 16 Year Old Me!

Wendy Steele, Keys CEO is a Melanoma Skin Cancer survivor. May is Melanoma Month and Wendy has written an article expressing here concern that May is also prom month. That little white dress does not need a tan to set it off! So, it is time to get wise. If the article is not convincing enough, the video just might be!

Finding your Voice at the California Women’s Conference

By Wendy Steele, Keys CEO So what happens when over 20,000 women convene at a special conference in Long Beach CA hosted by The People’s Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and California First Lady Maria Shriver? Well, we are about to find out! Keys is excited to participate in the CA Women’s Conference events on Monday, October 26, and Tuesday, October 27. During the event, Keys is exhibiting with one of its LA-based retail partners Lavender Natural Beauty. If you are in Long Beach, please visit us on-site at the conference in Booth 846. I am struck by the great potential for thousands of women who I believe will be inspired by what they hear, see and feel in the next 2 days. Perhaps the greatest gift is listening to others passionately share about the defining moments in their lives. Recognizing defining moments, on the job, with their health, and at times of great loss and a great celebration is a monumental step to helping women to find their voices. During the next several days, I look forward to hearing from thousands of women, individually, as they share their own defining moments and speak out about what is most important to them to fully live their lives. More later from the Night at the Village Event and tomorrow’s events! Update Women’s Conference Post […]

Take a prescription topical, grow your eyelashes…are you kidding me?

by Wendy Steele, Keys CEO I did a double-take when I read some hoopla about a drug company suing a cosmetic company over an ingredient that they both touted as a miraculous eyelash growth ingredient. Then I saw a commercial where a celebrity was touting the growth of her eyelashes to taking this prescription topical (never mind all of potential side effects they mention)? YIKES! I thought about my teen years, as that was when my eyelashes started becoming the focus of my attention and quest for “beautiful long lashes”. Being the only girl with two brothers, I was distressed and annoyed that both of my brothers had full, long and lush eyelashes and I did not! It just didn’t seem to be fair! Like so many women, I resorted to using so-called lengthening mascaras, lotions, potions and eyelash curlers, at considerable expense. Then about three years ago I started to notice new lash growth and less eyelash loss. I was determined to figure out why—and then it became more and more interesting….

About Us, The Stories Behind The Keys Story

What happens when a brainiac boyfriend discovers his smokin hot girlfriend has Melanoma. He fixes the problems! …and this is how Keys products were born