The Mother of Invention

Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, is a condition that makes skin red and itchy. Yet, skin disorders bring about much more than irritation; chronic outbreaks cause anxiety and an overwhelming self-consciousness for some adults. Eczema is also common in children, and St. Charles resident, Heather Clark’s heart broke when her daughter’s eczema grew so severe she was not only having trouble sleeping, Abigail was starting to be self-conscious about her appearance.
“Nothing was working,” Clark told me over coffee at Brunch Cafe in St. Charles. “I was frustrated because the lotions and creams we tried didn’t help, and as a registered nurse, I knew topical steroids were not a viable long-term solution.”
Like any concerned parent, Clark started to research other options.
“I wanted a safe alternative,” explained Clark.
Known as a “dabbler” in home remedies for her family already, Clark took to educating herself about natural ingredients with healing properties, something that would take the intensity out of her daughter’s itchy inflamed eczema.

Clark then looked at all the products she had tried with her daughter and made a list of what she liked and didn’t like with each solution. Taking the information she found about oils, herbs, essential oils, and plants, Clark entered into a creation process that not only brought about a balm that would soothe Abigail’s skin, it would contribute to the clean living movement rapidly building momentum the United States.
“After just a few days of consistently using the balm, her eczema flare up was nearly gone,” Clark explained about Abigail’s recent outbreak.
Since the balm worked, Clark decided to share her discovery with friends and family who struggled with similar skin conditions — and it worked.
But what was this balm made of?
“It’s a totally clean, steroid-free alternative for eczema that does not sting when applied,” said Clark.
The Eczema Care is formulated with certified organic ingredients, such as, calendula flower that is infused into olive oil. It also contains sunflower oil, beeswax, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, and raw shea butter. Essential oils included in the blend are lavender and German chamomile. Pure vitamin E derived from sunflowers completes the balm. The Eczema Care does not contain any water, steroids, alcohol, parabens, sulfates, chemicals, preservatives, or synthetic fragrances.
“This gentle product is safe enough for kids,” states Clark. “It helps calm and nourish the inflamed skin, soothe the itching, decrease risk for infection, and increase hydration. It’s a silky, non-greasy balm that absorbs quickly leaving a light barrier to help keep the skin moisturized and protected longer.”
A mom on a mission is a powerful force, and also an inspiring one. Both of Clark’s neighbors, Carrie Barley, who previously worked in advertising, and Trish Kuk, a graphic designer, saw the potential in the product and knowing her character and the significant meaning behind the creation of the Eczema Care, the duo wanted to help and joined the team in 2017.
Clark launched Abby Rose Skin Care (after Clark’s daughter, Abigail Rose) in 2015 and this flourishing small business grew everyday. Owner of About Face + Body, Gregory Wlezien took notice and began stocking the Eczema Balm in his Geneva, Illinois, shop.
“Greg is very supportive of our product,” Clark commented of Wlezien’s willingness to have the Abby Rose Skin Care line in his all natural organic store in downtown Geneva. “Our mission resonates with the About Face + Body customer in providing a solution for that search of effective products free of toxins and chemicals.”
Talking to customers and focusing in on her own needs for her family, Clark had a second product in mind to add to the skin care line: The Healing Elixir. This new product would act as a non-greasy balm to speed up the healing process and help sooth minor burns, dry skin, cuts, scrapes, rashes, bug bites, sunburn, cold sores, poison ivy, and psoriasis. The Healing Elixir features organic frankincense and lavender, both known to help minimize scarring, kill bacteria, and act as an antiseptic.
“It’s an organic, “clean swap” for Neosporin or hydrocortisone creams,” said Clark. “The ultimate all-purpose skin care product for the whole family.”
Recently rebranded and packaged in 2018, the Abby Rose Skin Care line began to venture outside Kane County and is seeking USDA certification for Clark’s products. And in an effort to partner and support other area businesses, Clark is having calendula flowers grown by Foxtrot Organic Farm in St. Charles for the products.

“While we continue to grow, our mission stays the same — to be a provider of organic skin care for people who choose to manage their skin conditions without the use of harmful ingredients,” says Barley. “Consumers are demanding products free of chemicals whether in food, cleaning supplies or health/beauty products.”
“This is a movement,” Clark added. “And it’s not going anywhere.”
For more information about Abby Rose Skin Care, visit their website at abbyroseskincare.com .
This article originally appeared in the Kane County Chronicle on July 5, 2018.

