Birkenstock steps out with skincare

You never forget your first… Pair of Birkenstocks, that is. I was 16 and in Key West with my mom for Thanksgiving. It was right before my birthday, and my mom (being a hippie for real in the 60s and at heart for the rest of her life) was totally down with buying me my first set of ‘Stocks—which were the most expensive shoes I had ever owned up to that point. I decided on forest-green suede Arizonas, and I wore them until they literally fell to pieces. When I lived in NYC, I got my second pair—maroon Boston clogs in suede laser-cut to look like corduroy. I still have them and love them. I added white leather (with white buckles and soles) and red sparkly patent leather Arizonas to my collection in the years since, and not a week goes by that I don’t wear at least one pair of them.

Now, your closet isn’t the only place you can find Birkenstock—because the indisputable original “natural” footwear brand has branched out into personal care. Apparently the cork oak used in their super-comfy footbeds has some benefits for your skin, and the compound that gives cork its flexibility is called suberin. Birkenstock has included this unique ingredient in a complex that works to provide redness reduction, antioxidant protection and anti-aging effects.

Currently available in a Cooling Foot Cream, Moisturizing Foot Balm, Nourishing Leg and Foot Oil and Moisturizing Hand and Nail Cream—I’m excited about the forthcoming facial offerings coming out this fall. Now all I need to do is bust out the Grateful Dead tie-dye tee I still have from my first show in 1993, slip on my Birks and I’m good to go from head to toe!