By D.A. Loeser Small

Jacquee Thomas, a Chicago-based writer (and reporter for Small Newspaper Group, the Post-Bulletin's parent company) who grew up in Hayfield, recently began making skin treatments at home with everyday foods like honey, yogurt and carrots. Using "The Herbal Body Book" by Jeanne Rose for recipes, Thomas has been pleased with the results.

"Mother Nature has everything we need to stay beautiful," she says. When not creating her own treatments, Thomas seeks off-the-shelf organic, non-synthetic products with no preservatives.

Eva Barr, an actress and owner of an organic farm and summer acting camp in Wykoff, is another believer in natural skin care, and seeks out Dr. Hauschka and Burt's Bees products. "Dr. Hauschka does great stuff," she says. "I tend to use Burt's Bees but (Dr.Hauschka) is more biodynamic. You have to splurge, but it's incredible."

Thomas and Barr are part of a trend that has a chunk of the beauty industry churning out numbers of new all natural products and focusing on details like organic ingredients, environmentally sensitive packaging, and donation programs to not-for-profit causes.

At the Good Food Store Co-op, Maria Walch, health and beauty department manager, observes increased business in Dr. Hauschka and Evanhealy all-natural products.

"There have been so many articles on synthetics and fillers. People come in and they say they don't want preservatives on their skin anymore. They want something new and cleaned up," she says.

Walch herself uses the Dr. Hauschka and Evanhealy items sold in the store.

"I get comments from my family and co-workers who say, 'Oh, your skin looks really healthy,'" she says. "It's so exciting when we get a new product in -- when you believe in it. I had age spots and they're gone."

Natural product lines with buzz

Dr. Hauschka

What: Skin care products and cosmetics

Where: Good Food Store Co-op, Rochester; Oolala, Northfield, Minn.

Why: In June, the New York Times proclaimed the German line "an environmental marketing phenomenon that has captivated Hollywood." Jessica Prill, owner of Oolala, was featured on Dr. Hauschka's website in July.

Evanhealy

What: Skin care products

Where: Good Food Store Co-op, Rochester.

Why: Launched in 1999, designed by Healy, a holistic aesthetician trained in aromotherapy and homeopathy. She got her start by overseeing the skin care department of a San Diego natural foods store and later trained as a Dr. Hauschka aesthetician in Germany. Uses recycled cardboard packaging.

And check out Healy's blog.

Motherlove Herbal Co.

What: Products for pregnant and nursing women and their babies.

Where: Whole Foods Market (Minneapolis and St. Paul), The Wedge, Minneapolis.

Why: More Milk Plus product has been rated the best-selling breastfeeding supplement in the United States. Owner Kathryn Higgins donates 10 percent of Motherlove's after-tax profits to Nurturing Life Foundation, an organization she started to promote breastfeeding, help mothers-in-need, and create opportunities for disadvantaged children.

Bare Escentuals

What: Mineral makeup.

Where: About Face, Rochester; Aspasia, St. Charles.

Why: The mother of all modern mineral makeup, dating to the 1970s, and made only with pulverized minerals. Risa Flashner, co-owner of About Face, observes: "We got (the line) in May. It's a great product for people who have sensitive skin. It's driven the business a lot."

Burt's Bees

What: Bath, body and skin care products

Where: Hy-Vee stores; Walgreens stores; Eagle Drug Store, Rochester; Olivia's Attic, Lanesboro.

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