Sparks Ignites

  New York, NY – Beauty products are big business, especially “skin care.” Every year, billions are spent trying to recreate the glow of youth, now marketed as “healthy,” “clean,” and “natural.” Consumers are encouraged to avoid lab-formulated ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, retinoids, glycolic acid, crude oil, paint thinner, spackle, and Flex Seal. As marketing ramped up to soothe anxious shoppers whose wrinkles were begging to be plumped, high-end brands rolled out “natural panaceas.” Sheep placenta— including “Mary’s Little Lamb” —had its moment. Then companies researched niche markets and added grapeseed for wine drinkers. Soon, French, Swedish, and Finnish brands were offering Tadpole Face Rejuvenator, Elk Sweat Gland Wrinkle Erase, and Feline Hairball Restorative Gel. Whether dissected, extracted, or coughed up onto a carpet, nothing gave consumers the glowing results they wanted. Well, except for Swedish Duchess Lydia Fish of Flugelhoffer, who says that after four weeks...