People ask me all the time what the differences between our body washes are. The short answer is; the fragrance imparted by the natural extracts in them.  So, it really comes down to personal preference. While this is true, we have chosen Bergamot, Eucalyptus and Geranium for reasons beyond their beautiful scent. All of these ingredients are not only mood-lifting in their scent, but have also been known to promote skin health.

For instance, eucalyptus is a good antiseptic because of its germicide properties, helping to heal wounds and skin infections. It also helps ease muscle and joint pain. On top of all that, it has also been used in aromatherapy to fight fatigue and mental exhaustion. A shower with our eucalyptus body wash is an invigorating way to start the day.

Bergamot has also been used in aromatherapy as an anti-depressant and to treat anxiety. It is also a disinfectant as well as a deodorant. Its relaxing properties make it the perfect preparation for a full night of sleep after a hectic day.

Meanwhile, geranium is naturally astringent, as well as anti-bacterial. Additionally, it has anti-viral qualities and promotes cellular turnover. Even if that means nothing to you, you’re still sure to fall in love with the crisp green scent with a hint of floral.

So you see, a product as seemingly simple as body wash can in actuality be so much more. You learn something new every day! Which one is your fave?

Brian Lynch, National Training Manager

It’s that time of year again – we’re in the thick of holiday party season. I don’t know about everyone else out there, but I rarely have time after work to run home and do a full on freshen up session as I’d like to. However, a crazy day at the office is no excuse to show up to your holiday festivities not looking fresh and your absolutely best.

Admittedly, it’s a bit easier for me than for most to freshen up at work considering I’m surrounded by amazing products all day, but what I’m about to tell you is easy, low maintenance and anyone can do it anywhere. Our Detox Face Mask is the first step to fresh, dewy skin on the go. A face mask probably seems like one of the last things you can do with ease “on the go”, but the awesome thing about this mask is it doesn’t even require any water; it’s a gel that you simply massage onto a dry face and leave on for 5 minutes. Do this in the privacy of your office or the loo, because it does foam up and you’ll look a little silly, but it’s way worth it! It is an extremely deep cleansing max that also leave the skin intensely hydrated. After 5 minutes you can simply tissue it off.

Next comes my favorite part. Once you tissue off the gel from the Detox Face Mask, apply 2 or 3 drops of our Replenishing Face Serum for an instantly bright, refreshed complexion. That’s it – now you will look as if you had the luxury of making a stop at home before the party. And for the ladies, it makes the perfect primer to freshen up your makeup on your way out! Now go eat, drink and be all sorts of merry!

Now I have to run – it’s time for the Malin+Goetz staff holiday party!

Happy Holidays!

Brian Lynch, National Training Manager

Oh the good old days of the bubble era. A Saturday afternoon shopping spree in the Meatpacking District after a long brunch at Pastis followed by a $400 dinner for two at Buddakan; while days like this become less and less frequent for most of us during these uncertain economic times, there are still certain luxuries that one can enjoy that won’t break the bank.

At this point I’m sure it is pretty obvious where I’m going with this: “oh he’s going to tell us to go out and buy great skincare products.” If you thought that, you would be correct. However, anyone who has ever shopped the beauty counters at Barneys or Neiman Marcus knows that it is easy to spend one month’s car payment on a single serum. Malin+Goetz is an anomaly in this glittery world of excess. Take our Grapefruit Face Cleanser for instance; it is our number one best seller in the entire line, and at $30 it’s priced less than a week’s worth of Starbucks! And for the cost of your average sushi take out order, you can get one of our beautiful body washes (Bergamot is my personal fave).

Even though many are tightening the purse strings, it is still possible to shop in the shiny luxe department stores or the uber cool downtown boutique – if of course you’re shopping for Malin+Goetz. With all of the many sacrifices we have made the last couple of years, quality personal care products should not have to be one of them. The days of gauche overspending on trivial items are over (is that such a bad thing?); it’s all about accessible luxury. Now go ahead – light your Cannabis Candle, put on your Detox Face Mask and ride out the Great Recession to the next Boom Era.

Brian Lynch, National Training Manager

Back when I was a teenager (all of 14), and thumbing through the pages of GQ for the first time, I gained a fast appreciation for the finer things in life – including great skincare. I came to understand from reading editorials, seeing advertisements, and going into sensory overload on the main floor of department stores, that there was a wide array of options when it came to skincare. Despite the overwhelming amount of options, one thing my 14 year old mind internalized was: Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize. It didn’t matter what brand I bought, as long as I followed three steps (and as long as I bought it from an expensive store), I was set.

In the years following, I experimented with countless brands and was occasionally wooed by the glossies (Vogue says Gwyneth Paltrow uses a lotion from a certain store on Spring Street – Must.Go.Buy!).  But I would always come back to these simple three steps. Yet, no matter how much I was told I needed all three, it didn’t seem to quite work for me. As I became more educated and stopped being an advertising zombie, I realized my skin didn’t need to be toned; that a cleanser and a moisturizer was sufficient. Surely if I was coming to this realization, others must feel the same. I started paying attention to trends and certain brands seemed to begin taking a more minimalist approach to things. It was around this time that I first discovered Malin+Goetz, with their less is more approach to skincare. Since then I have more or less lived my skincare routine by this doctrine.

Having followed this belief for so long, you could imagine my shock upon reading a recent New York Times article which sited several brands coming out with not fewer steps, but more. Not 2 or 3 more steps, but up to 11! Eleven products that one has to go out and spend their hard earned money on, and then spend even more of their valuable time in front of the bathroom mirror applying. As I read on, it was clear that these extra products were not being introduced to us because they are a necessity; they are being created because the Asian market happens to favor a long, drawn out facial regimen and will spend money on all of these products. The funny thing is, representatives from certain brands were blatantly saying they will produce anything and everything that someone will spend money on.

As an employee of, and a loyal user of Malin+Goetz, I can proudly say that over the years, in light of the continued growth and evolution of the company the core philosophy of simplicity and honesty still very much holds true. Yes, new products have been introduced, but they fill a void or meet the needs and requests of our customers. We are never saying these few additional “problem+solution” products are essential to everyone and must be used as part of your daily regimen.

In these complicated and unsure economic times, the last thing that should cause stress or financial hardship is your skincare routine. Our core concept of balance doesn’t just apply to a single great cleanser and a single moisturizer, but also to the balance between luxury and efficiency.

Brian Lynch, Training Manager

In April, our beloved English Bulldog of more than 15 years, died.  It was and is very sad.

About one week after his death, I was walking to my favorite neighborhood (Chelsea) coffee shop, Grumpy’s , and ran into a neighbor and friend–the artist Barbara Sandler.  Barbara often walked her dogs while we were walking ours (Junior, our Frenchie, turned 14 on July 17th).  Barbara asked me about Bob and immediately offered to paint a portrait.

A few days later, we had an appointment with the General Manager of the new Crosby Street Hotel to discuss our amenity program for their rooms.  Rushing to our appointment (as usual, we were late), we jumped in the hotel’s elevator, and, low and behold, there was a photo of Bob hanging in the center of the car!  We were certain it was Bob–he was standing in front of our apartment building.  The manager later told us that he himself took the photo while wandering the streets of NYC one afternoon.

Just this morning, another dog-friend-neighbor (Dede the Boxer’s father) stopped me.  He asked about Bob, and, then mentioned that his vet, the Gramercy Park Animal Hospital, has a photo of him in front of our store in their office.  This is again unique since we have never used this veterinarian.

Maira Kalman, a friend and artist, in 2000, painted a portrait of Bob (and Andrew) as character’s in her children’s book called What Pete Ate A-Z.  Bob’s “ball” is “B”.  Not to be outdone, our friend Seattle based friend and artist, Victoria Haven, created a Bob picture book for us, chronicling her time with him (and us) during a visit she made to NYC many years ago.  Bob has also been featured in Life Magazine for a story about what people eat for breakfast (he was the token dog).  Of course, he has been featured in many beauty editorials with us, including the New York Times and WWD.

When we openedthe door to our Chelsea store in 2004, Bob and Junior came to work with us every day.  Junior sat near our desks, waiting for food or a lap to keep him warm.  Bob, by choice, sat in our front window to watch the passersby (no, not greet customers–he couldn’t be bothered).  Before we moved to our offices three years later, he sat in the same spot, every day.  And, without exaggeration, was photographed possibly 10 to 15 times per day, each day he was there.

Barbara just finished Bob’s portrait and presented it to us the other day.  It made me want to cry.  She really did “channel” Bob and entirely captured his essence.  Not only do we have this to remind us of him, but, we have the potential surprise of the thousands of random photos that are awaiting our acknowledgment.  How great is that?

If you have any photos of Bob, we would LOVE to see them. E-mail to info@malinandgoetz.com

Erica sent us this adorable photo of bob lounging at our Chelsea store.