Whether you have an oily t-zone, dry under eyes, or blackheads upon blackheads that you’re itching to clear up, I think we can all agree that the amount of skincare options in 2021 is nothing less than a maze. Aisles upon aisles of products; everything from clinical cleansers to pink and purple face polish, prices ranging from in the hundreds to practically below zero. It’s overwhelming, to say the least. That’s where Ralphie and Alice come into the picture. Gender-neutral high-performance personal care, all about keeping it simple while enhancing confidence when it comes to your skin.
When Megan the CEO and founder of Ralphie and Alice began modeling at the ripe age of 14, she naturally suffered from the same skin concerns as all other teenage girls, alongside the pressure for perfection within the industry. When Megan’s autoimmune deficiency left her struggling to find safe and effective products that did more to help than to hurt. After a little research, she found herself questioning ingredients and formulas in her previous routine, and knew it was time to take matters into her own hands. It began with a small line of lip care and soon became what we now know and love as Ralphie and Alice.
“The formulation process has been filled with trial and error,” explained Megan. “Since I began this project in 2013 I’ve seen some great success and some major failures.” With some hardcore research and constant testing on all skin types, Megan was able to fine-tune formulas to perfection with no synthetic fillers and no preservatives. “I began selling my products here and there while I was living in New York, and watched to see what stuck and what didn’t hit the mark. Then we worked from there”.
When it comes to formulas, Ralphie and Alice is as harmless as skincare can get. Vegan, cruelty-free, irritant-free, all-natural, responsibly sourced, and USA-made. “When I was diagnosed with lupus in 2017 my body basically began to attack itself,” explained Megan. Rashes, infections, and a ton of doctors appointments led Megan to begin cutting out food groups that caused inflammation, and then she began to do the same when it came to her skincare. “It’s important to use products without all that junk and filler to let us respect both our bodies and our planet. Chemical-filled products constantly washing down the drain into our ocean have a serious negative impact on the environment. That’s why keeping it clean is so important”.
After formulas were perfected, it was time to package the products. Inspired by Megan’s grandparents (named Ralphie and Alice) and there coca-cola obsession, red and black gender-neutral packaging keeps Ralphie and Alice skincare inclusive and open to anyone and everyone. “Their collection is insane; bottles and bottles of Coca-Cola collections, their backyard filled with vending machines, it’s like a museum” explained Megan. But the moral behind the red and black goes even deeper than just that. “Growing up with 3 brothers I was always a tomboy at heart” said Megan. “I never felt attracted to the fragrant baby pink products I saw on the shelves, and I wanted to stand out and make something that could be used by anyone”.
After packaging it’s time to export products to the public. “I’m really turned off by overpriced products,” says Megan. “In all honesty, it doesn’t cost much to make skincare. Chemicals are relatively cheap and the way prices get jacked up is absolutely ridiculous. It was really important to me to keep Ralphie and Alice both affordable and accessible. I don’t need to make a 200% profit on a product, I’d rather focus on building great formulas and including people of all economic backgrounds than spend my time ripping people off with a 30 dollar lip balm.”It all comes back to the Ralphie and Alice philosophy; simplicity. “We’re in this “buy buy buy” society and the overuse and over-complication of products ignore the true purpose of skincare and disrupt the skin’s oil barrier. Easy, effortless products and a heavy education are what I want for my customers. I want them to have the confidence I didn’t.”
Megan loves all her children equally, but if she had to pick a favorite it’s gotta be the wash or the pop stick. “The wash is my saving grace. The vitamin e and hyaluronic acid are all over those little wrinkles that I’ve begun to acquire in my late 20’s, while still remaining gentle. Pop stick is perfect for your typical tomboy who doesn’t wear much makeup but wants that little extra POP of color. It makes all the difference. Additionally, we have a serum dropping in the next few weeks. I’m obsessed and I just know it’s gonna be a fan favorite.”
Alongside that serum, there is a toner, a spray, and an exfoliating line coming in the near future for Ralphie and Alice. “Next year we are really focusing on exfoliating products. Dead skin removal is such an important part of any skincare routine.” On top of all that there is tons more merch on the way. Bags, hats, sandals, and more charity t-shirts will soon be available for purchase.
Key takeaways? Whether it be in skincare or in life; Always keep it simple. The smoke and mirrors of the skincare industry can only do so much so when in doubt, stick with Ralphie and Alice. Consciously crafted products, chique gender-neutral packaging, and a modest price tag, what’s not to love!
Keep up with all things Ralphie and Alice on Instagram and shop on ralphieandalice.com.
