Milk has long been used in skincare products, which have gained in popularity over the years. Believing in milk’s healthful benefits, Clark Family Farms crafts goat milk skincare products in La Center.
Farm owner Kevin and his mother, Catherine Clark, make each batch of product, and every step, from milking to packaging, takes place on the farm.
The mother and son love their skincare products and proceeds from their business helps fund their beloved herd of goats.
Starting Clark Family Farms was an exciting venture for the Clarks, they said. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they sold their home in Portland and moved to La Center. Their 5-acre farm expanded quickly, becoming a home to many creatures, including chickens and horses. Of all the farm animals, goats captivated Kevin and Catherine Clark’s hearts.
Goat kids are “a magical and joyful experience,” they said. They wanted to continue raising goats, from breeding to kidding, they needed a way to finance the operation, however.
“That was the emphasis, to figure out how we could continue every season having goat kids and make it worth our while. That’s where the body products came into play,” Kevin Clark said.
With a long-standing interest in skincare products, they began using fresh raw goat milk to create soaps and lotions. Few local farms were focused on skincare products, and the Clarks saw a niche that could be filled.
“Everything happens, from start to finish, on the farm, from breeding to kidding to milking and making the body cream,” Kevin Clark said. “It’s really nice to be able to keep it within our control.”
Milk has been a topic of interest for the medical and cosmetology industry for years, according to a National Library of Medicine study by Kinga Kazimierska and Urszula Kalinowska-Lis on milk proteins. Rich in nutrients and enzymes, it has been used to treat many skin issues.
“Milk products are widely used in the treatment of dermatological diseases for promoting the healing of chronic wounds, hastening tissue regeneration, and the treatment of acne vulgaris or plaque psoriasis,” the study states. “Milk proteins enjoy unflagging interest among medical scientists, not only because of their activities, but also because of their natural origin and non-toxicity.”
The Clarks vouch for the health benefits of goat milk. Their goat milk products can be used by individuals with sensitive and dry skin, acne, eczema or general dermatitis, according to their website. Their products should first be tested on a small patch of skin, in case irritation occurs.
Clark Family Farms produces two types of lotion with their fresh raw goat milk: Goat’s Milk Face Cream and Goat’s Milk Hand + Body Cream. They also produce Goat’s Milk Wash, a 4-in-1 liquid body soap. Each of their products comes in seven different scents, along with additional seasonal scents. This winter, they are offering evergreen forest, autumn fig and spiced cedar scents.
Fresh raw goat milk is the primary ingredient in each of the Clarks’ skincare products. Their face cream contains 40% goat milk, while their body wash contains 60% goat milk, Kevin Clark said.
Due to the high concentration of milk, a natural preservative called optiphen is used to extend the product’s shelf-life. Kevin Clark recommends their products be used within six months of purchase.
To keep the product fresh, all soaps and lotions are made weekly in small batches. If a batch of product isn’t perfect Kevin Clark tosses it.
“If it’s not something I’m going to use and be happy with, I’m not going to sell it,” Kevin Clark said.
With the success of their body product business, the Clarks plan to continue developing skincare and soaps. In the future, Kevin Clark would like to offer bar soap. Though he hasn’t discovered a recipe he’s happy with, he’s confident he can create something to his standards.
Kevin and Catherine Clark have enjoyed establishing local connections through their business, as well. 2020 was their first season selling at farmers markets. An overall success, they are looking forward to expanding to more farmers markets, Kevin Clark said.
Clark Family Farms sells products at farmers markets and online. They will be selling wares at an upcoming bazaar in La Center. People can also buy products from their website, clarkfamfarms.com.
