Helen Rose products are vegan and free from tree nut derived ingredients. How do these benefit the skin?  

All of the Helen Rose products are not tree-nut ingredient free, but the majority are. The purpose of this was to offer an alternative to people who suffer from tree nut allergies or that wanted an alternative to Shea butter. My daughter was suffering from terrible eczema and Shea butter-based products just seemed to be making it worse. I started doing research and found out that people that have certain types of allergies can have adverse effects from using Shea butter. I searched for a product that would hydrate similarly but I couldn’t find anything so I started doing research to make my own blend.

I really love using Shea butter for my body, especially rough parts like feet, knees, and elbows. I really needed alternative for my face. My Cupuacu butter blend is hydrating like a butter but light like a cream.

The idea for vegan friendly products is a combination of my own allergies and serving the community in which I live. I am allergic to beeswax, so I had to create products without it. A product containing beeswax is NOT considered vegan friendly, so it just happens that my products are vegan friendly by removing this ingredient. I also live in the Pacific Northwest and a lot of my customers are vegan, so it just made sense to go that route.

How do Helen Rose products benefit the skin?

Helen Rose products are designed to heal holistically. My products are designed to heal the skin and support mental health and mood. A lot of times when we are experiencing skin disruption it is a direct result of stress on the body. Stress and anxiety can lead to rashes, acne outbreaks, eczema episodes and hair loss.

The ingredients in Helen Rose products regulate your skin’s oil production so as not to produce to much or too little and balance the microbiome (protective barrier) on the surface of the skin. My products also penetrate that top layer of the skin to reduce fine lines, fade scars, improve tone, smooth hyperpigmentation, and retain moisture.

Your skin is flawless. Is Helen Rose your secret? What has been your skin care journey?

Thank you! One of the most valuable lessons I learned from my mom was to care for myself on the inside and outside. What we put inside our bodies and our minds has a direct affect on the condition and appearance of our skin.

Secret 1 – I drink TONS of water. I don’t drink any soda and I rarely drink juice or coffee. If I want a pick me up, I will drink tea but mostly I drink water.

Secret 2 – A consistent skincare routine. Just like diet and exercise, consistency is key to healthy, glowing skin. It may take time to find what works for you, but always find time to cleanse, tone, and moisturize.

Secret 3 – Hot Yoga. I believe that any type of consistent exercise is good for our skin. I really love hot yoga because of the benefits for my body and my mind. It’s a great way to keep my mobility, flush out excess toxins, and regulate my nervous system.

My skincare journey starts with a girl with very dry, very sensitive skin. I was relentlessly teased in school for my ashy legs and chapped lips. I NEVER want my kids to have to go through the teasing that I went through. At that time there weren’t any natural skincare products in the stores that my parents shopped at. Natural ingredients weren’t really a priority, but that’s why I think my skin was irritated all the time. I would wash my face and get dry, flaky patches, especially in the cold weather months.

As a young adult I just started trying natural remedies instead of relying on chemical heavy prescriptions from doctors. Shea and Cocoa butter became my go to moisturizers for my body, but I struggled to find anything that worked on my face.

Helen Rose offers such an extensive range of ingredients and scents. Does that mean you have products suitable for every skin type and skin concern? 

I wouldn’t say every type, but Helen Rose products are safe to be used on many skin types including dry, combination and oily skin. My products also soothe and heal many skin concerns such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, scars, stretch marks, and even help tattoos heal at record speed.

The products are scented with pure, therapeutic grade essential oils that each have unique healing properties for the skin and support mood.

As an entrepreneur, how did you succeed bringing your vision of such a unique, top quality product line to reality?

I feel like it’s still a work in progress, but I’ve gotten to this point by combining my wildly active imagination with passion and consistent hard work. At times that work can be grueling – 16 hours days, working 3 jobs, caring for my children, but I love the work so much that it keeps me going. I have also had a TON of support from my community. Helen Rose Skincare would not exist at all without the support from my friends, colleagues, mentors, family, and customers.

I really tap into the knowledge of the people around me. One of the best things I decided to do was hire a business coach when I first started. Admitting and accepting help is key in being successful.

I’ve always felt that I had something to offer. Through this journey I have felt imposter syndrome many times. Like – who do I think that I am? But one thing I’ve learned in my healing journey is to challenge negative self-talk. Keeping a positive attitude even in challenging times really helps me focus and get the work done.

The link between Om Thrive’s healing wellness and Helen Rose skincare is ingenious. How did you discover the connection between skincare and wellness?  

I was introduced to this concept because of aromatherapy. I struggle with anxiety and depression, but I am very sensitive to medication. I’m also allergic to most pain medications so I’ve had to find alternative pain management solutions. I’ve used mind/body practice and aromatherapy for years to address my anxiety, stay grounded and manage pain. When I was developing my scent selection, I really wanted to focus on what the scents can do for your mood since this was going to be something that you are using on a consistent basis and rubbing all over your body.

Like I mentioned earlier, when we are stressed out, we may see manifestations of that on our skin, nails, and hair. When I am feeling depressed, my skin tends to get dry, especially on my face and I’ll start getting flaky patches. But when I’m happy my skin GLOWS.

How do Helen Rose products assist the domestic abuse survivors they are donated to through Om Thrive?

I founded Om Thrive in 2018 before I started selling Helen Rose Skincare products. Om Thrive’s original mission was to provide healing yoga practice and wellness services to survivors of domestic violence. I am a DV survivor and yoga was pivotal to me leaving my abusive marriage and healing. One of the reasons I started selling Helen Rose Skincare products was to have a revenue stream to fund Om Thrive services. Along with accepting donations for Om Thrive, a portion of the sales from Helen Rose Skincare are donated to support survivors. We have done this work by hosting virtual and in-person yoga classes, providing stipends to pay for yoga classes for our participants at the studio of their choice, purchasing yoga supplies for our community, and paying our instructors a fair rate.

In 2022 we plan to pivot this work to begin supplying DV emergency shelters and resource centers with Helen Rose Skincare products.

What motivates you to stay so committed to uplifting your community?

I stay motivated because I am paying forward all of the help, love and support that I received in my time of need. Humans need human kindness.

I have goals, and dreams, and aspirations. This company was named after my mother who passed away in 2019. She was such an inspiration to so many people. I owe it to her legacy and the legacy I’m leaving for my children for this company to be successful.

Black skin has been devalued for centuries. What effect do you see on your customers and community, by providing them with products that enable them to properly care for their skin?

I see pride. I see community. I see that I am an inspiration to others. I live in the community that I grew up in and my peers are so excited for me and eager to see how far I can take this.