Skincare line thinks outside the bump
FASHION SPOTLIGHT
Skincare line thinks outside the bump
Posted on Wed, Jun. 25, 2008
BY JYOTI PESWANI
Special to The Miami Herald
CARL JUSTE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Jeanette D. Acosta created Novena Maternal Skincare for expectant mothers and infertility patients, keeping in mind that they can't use all cosmetic and herbal
products.As a mother of two and a seasoned medical aesthetician, Jeanette D. Acosta noticed that the maternal beauty market is saturated with chemically loaded belly butters, nursing creams and potions that claim to eradicate stretch marks. Few products, if any, focus on facial or overall skincare. Acosta saw this as a huge gap and decided to explore the niche.
Pregnancy brings unwanted bonuses like brown spots and breakouts. ''We've been told that's what's going to happen, just deal with it after the fact,'' Acosta says. So she created Novena Maternal Skincare, specially formulated for expectant mothers and infertility patients, keeping in mind that they can't use all cosmetic and herbal products.
Novena's organic and vegan formulations include ingredients like cucumber, cranberry, green tea, kelp, olive and tea oils, bearberry, tangerine and cocoa butter. Products include eye gel, face wash, blemish lotion and a belly cream, and range in price from $28-$35. Though the line was launched in April 2008, Novena's gestation period has been a rigorous four years, Acosta says.
In the biomedical field for a decade, Acosta, 37, is a Florida board certified, licensed aesthetician -- skin care specialist -- with adanced training in laser technologies. Originally an industrial engineer, she realized skincare was her calling. ''I have been battling problem skin for years,'' Acosta says. ``I wanted to find a solution.''
In 1999, Acosta opened Skintique Miami, a full-service spa offering extensive beauty treatments.
''Six years ago, I had a high-profile client who worried about what she was using on her skin. I told her to bring in everything she was using, and that's when the research began,'' Acosta says. She learned some serious facts, including that everything applied on the skin consequently ends up in the bloodstream. Her research also indicated a possible connection between chemicals used in makeup products and birth defects and even infertility.
Acosta then collaborated with an organic lab in Oregon to create a natural line for expecting moms. ''I wanted to take the guess work out of maternal skincare -- organic doesn't mean safe, there are many herbal extracts that are prohibited during pregnancy,'' she says.
Acosta says she plans to incorporate ''continuous care'' products like shampoos and body washes for all women. She adds that her biggest endorsement comes from her boater husband.
``It's funny when I see him pumping a pink bottle, but he doesn't mind as it helps reduce his sun spots!''
© Novena 2008
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