Special to The Examiner Sara Damelio discovered her calling in nontoxic skin care during lunch breaks in the National Geographic library.
After college graduation in 1998, the Marylander came home to intern with National Geographic publications. At the library, she researched her personal interests: world cultures and solutions for clearer skin.
“I was shocked [to discover] the ingredients in common skin care products,” she said. “What you put on your body goes into your bloodstream and affects your health.”
While reading about Central Asia, Damelio noticed that despite harsh climates, the region’s people had beautiful skin. She learned they used honey, herbs and yogurt free of potentially toxic petroleum-based byproducts and parabens common in commercial cosmetics.
Damelio’s discoveries inspired a career change from journalism to beauty. Following her summer internship, she began creating products in her Silver Spring home and became licensed as an aesthetician.
“After making 1,000 batches in my kitchen, I came up with a formula that was natural, organic and had a fine consistency,” Damelio said. She then created Skincando, a 100 percent organic, green skin care line.
Skincando’s Combat-Ready Balm multitasks as moisturizer and salve for scrapes, eczema, psoriasis, cracked skin, even diaper rash. Her vitamin-packed peppermint lip balm, wild-crafted coconut oil and organic rosemary-black tea soap are “nontoxic down to the towels used in production,” she notes.
In 2005, a military wife shipped Combat-Ready to her husband in Iraq. “Send more of that magic balm!” he wrote after fellow soldiers found it worked for sand flea bites, sunburn and chapping from sandstorms and 140-degree days. Damelio donated skin care packages through Operation Sand Flea in Annapolis. Last year, Damelio and Skincando.com customers donated 5,000 jars.
“I sell to about 50 organic spas, salons, pharmacies and online retailers across the U.S. and internationally,” said Damelio about her growing full-time business. Skincando is available locally at the Grooming Lounge, Apres Peau, George at the Four Seasons Salon, Ginger and Village Green Apothecary.
Determination to find greener, gentler solutions motivated several other women, as well.
Diana Lussenden Stewart began creating her own creams when she realized that product additives and fragrances irritated her daughter’s skin.
“I couldn’t find anything pure enough, so I made [alternatives] in the kitchen,” said the Nashville, Tenn., founder of BabyBearShop (babybearshop.com). She blended organic oils, chamomile, olive and lavender into skin-clearing creams. The nontoxic products — including stretch-mark belly oil — became hits with her friends. Upon introducing her BabyBearShop line, orders poured in from boutiques and supermodels.
“My [products] have absolutely no parabens, no phenoxyethanol, lactoperoxidase, no citrus seed extract, no other synthetic preservatives or additives. … no nuts, no gluten, no soy, no egg, no oat, no colors, no artificial anything,” Stewart said.
When Honi Borden’s sons and husband developed skin conditions, she questioned their physician’s suggestion to treat with steroid medications. Research revealed that an industrial floor-washing chemical was among active ingredients in their bubble bath, shampoo and conditioner.
In response, Borden embarked on a “green mission” at home and at her eco-award-winning, D.C.-based Holeco Wellness Medi Spa.
Her new Holeco Life body care products (holecolife.com) are handcrafted using nontoxic, organic, healthful ingredients and packaged using safe, recyclable materials. They’re gentle enough to use after microdermabrasions and laser treatments. Borden hopes to “raise individuals’ awareness by teaching the value of one’s health, which is to be honored, and respect towards our precious environment.”
The eco-entrepreneurs expressed a goal beyond profits: helping others.
“My mother died of breast cancer when she was 32, I was 8, [so] I grew up with an interest in alternative ways of healthy living,” Damelio said. “It benefits society and the environment to have more eco-beauty businesses.”
Reach Robin Tierney at [email protected].
Skin care tips for winter months Skincando’s Sara Damelio offers these tips: » Use 100 percent organic skin care products from eco-friendly companies. Truly organic skin care products have gentle ingredients that won’t dry out your skin during the winter. » Once a week give yourself an organic honey and thick Greek yogurt mask. Mix one tablespoon honey and one tablespoon yogurt, apply for 10 minutes and rinse. The mask will exfoliate, hydrate and nourish and will leave your skin glowing. » “Check labels. Don’t use anything containing ‘sodium lauryl sulfate’ on your face; this detergent strips and dries the skin.” How green are your cosmetics? Check these resources: » safecosmetics.org The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics advocates alternatives to products containing chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems. » certifiedgreencosmetics.org Certified Green Cosmetics compiles and assesses data about products to help consumers make informed choices. » cosmeticsdatabase.com The Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database rates beauty products based on toxicity and health hazards associated with his individual ingredients.
