Romancing the Skin – A Spotlight on Local Business

As with many entrepreneurs, Dempsey’s business was birthed from her personal quest to find an answer to a problem.  After suffering from an undiagnosed skin condition for most of her life, she finally found a physician who diagnosed her with a condition called Keratosis Pilaris.  This condition is the inability to shed skin properly which causes red bumps to appear on the upper arms and upper legs.  Not having success with prescribed medications, Dempsey began a personal quest to research a safe, non-medicinal answer to her prolonged skin issue.  What she found, not only cleared her skin, but launched a business designed to help others condition their skin with appropriate nutrients rather than harsh chemicals found in most soaps.  In addition to quality soap, her business has further expanded to include other products such as shampoos, cold cream, shaving cream, pet soap, and even room sprays.

Dempsey, a Pennfield High School graduate, attended Kendall College of Art and Design and Western Michigan University and earned a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Electronic Prepress.  After working in graphic design and technical writing for nearly 20 years, for various companies including Stryker, Upjohn, and even coordinating various Kellogg accounts for a Kellogg subcontractor, Dempsey grew weary of the hustle and bustle of corporate business and, in 2006, began to exercise her entrepreneurial skills on the side while still working full time.  After extensive research of various natural ingredients and a plethora of experimentation, Dempsey’s soap creations began to take shape and her business, “Romancing the Skin”, was born.    

Each year Dempsey adds more soaps and products to her line.  For the adventurous, there are unique soaps like Goat Milk Ylang Ylang, Mood Soap, Dragons Blood, Egyptian Musk, and even Beer and Wine Booty Bar.  While the names may sound adventurous, the ingredients of all Dempsey’s soaps have organic and therapeutic qualities.  For those inclined toward more traditional names, you can always choose from Tropical, Woodland, Vacation Breeze, Vanilla, or the old standby, Unscented.  The “texters” among us may enjoy LOL (Layers of Luv). Since there are 55 different soaps to choose from, it is unlikely you will have difficulty finding one that doesn’t call out your name.  

While she has fun naming some of her products, Dempsey takes her research and ingredients very seriously.  Her objective is to offer to her customers the wonderful pleasures, benefits, and positive environmental effects obtained by utilizing her natural and chemical free products. Dempsey contends, “Store bought, so called, ‘soaps’ aren't really soaps at all, but detergents that are preserved with lots of chemicals that can be irritating to your skin and dangerous to your body. These soaps may contain some or all of these ingredients: Sodium Cocoylisethionate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Tallowate, Sodium Isethionate, Coconut Acid, BHT, Sodium Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoate or Sodium Palm Kernelate, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium, EDTA, Trisodium Etidronate, Sodium Dodecybenzenesulfonate, and, if it’s antibacterial, it most likely has triclocarban.”  As we have heard it said about labels many times before, if you can’t pronounce it, it probably isn’t good for you.  

Dempsey further says, “As the protector of the body, the skin is the first defensive element against foreign substances entering the body as well as protecting the body from trauma.  Remember that your skin is absorbent and porous. It absorbs whatever it comes in contact with, much the same as sticking something in your mouth. Chronic use of chemical laden products will cause the body to store the chemicals in the body fat or even in the brain. With enough accumulations of toxins in the body, illness can occur.”  Dempsey continues, “These nasty chemicals and toxins are now finding their way into our eco-system. Every time that lather goes down the drain, those pollutants are going with it. Many reports have revealed that synthetic chemicals from soap, body washes, shampoos and other healthcare products have been sneaking through the filters at water purification plants. The list of offenders included phthalates, which are linked to reproductive disorders in humans and animals, and parabens, a preservative, which links to cancer.”

One of the most sought after soaps in Dempsey’s line is Tea Tree and Rosemary, a great Vegan soap.  According to Dempsey, “Rosemary is especially useful for treating chronic skin conditions, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. Its skin nourishing action makes it ideal for dry and mature skin. Rosemary and rosemary oil can effectively tone our skin (especially sagging and loose skin) and make it firmer and more elastic. This herb has very powerful astringent properties, meaning that it can effectively reduce extra oil, as well as refresh and rejuvenate our skin. It is a very good natural remedy for reducing swelling and puffiness. Studies have also shown that rosemary is a potent anti-carcinogen and may play a role in treating cancer in the near future. Tea Tree oil is a natural antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-infection oil. It is effective against nail fungus, ringworm, athlete's foot, dandruff, acne and many types of infestations including lice, mites and scabies. This soap also contains Oatmeal & Turmeric which is popular for its cure against acne, pigmentation, brightening skin & reducing cell damage.”

Each soap product in Dempsey’s collection contains ingredients designed to resolve a skin issue or assist in applying natural nutrients to enhance the condition of the skin.  While she has more women than men as repeat customers, women are not her only customers.  She has a growing male customer base.  One of the most popular items for men is the Shaving Bar.  Dempsey reports, “Men have said they really like the Shaving Bar.  It lessens skin irritation from shaving and it lasts much longer than shaving cream they buy at the store.”  Additionally, there is another customer segment that is growing.  Pets are also benefiting from the Romancing the Skin collection.  Dempsey says of her Healthy Pet bar, “It has received high praise from pet owners! It leaves their fur shiney and silky smooth. They smell great and it significantly slows down the scratching and itching.”

Dempsey’s blog is littered with a plethora of compliments about all of her products.  From eczema, to acne, to shaving, to itchy pets, Romancing the Skin products have received rave reviews.  Here are a few customer comments:

“This product is wonderful! My skin has never felt this silky after taking a shower. And I do not have to spend time putting on moisturizer after showering. Money saved not having to buy moisturizer! Please- don’t ever stop making this product!”

“I had been seeing a dermatologist for 30 years to keep the eczema under control between flare ups. Ever since I have been using the Romancing The Skin soaps I have not had one flare up in 2 ½ years. I recently visited my dermatologist on another issue and he is also impressed with your products.”

“I have been purchasing your Oatmeal Soaps for my teenage daughter who has a real problem with Acne. It has really helped to draw the bacteria out of the skin pours and has really helped to clear up her complexion. Thanks for a great product.”

“Thank you for this fabulous invention!! My husband tried your shaving bar and is addicted! He has thick growth and the bar not only makes shaving easier, it moisturizes without causing breakouts!”

"Kelly, I have a Jack Russell that spends a lot of time outdoors. I can't believe that after using the Dog Bar how it has reduced his itching and scratching after he comes in the house. Rocky loves you for it."

Dempsey, a paradigm of creativity, offers Romancing the Skin gift sets for her customers to use for any occasion such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day.  She also creates and markets crocheted purse and scarf sets in your favorite colors or possibly your favorite sports team colors.  Additionally, she creates crocheted pet coats to keep your pet warm on chilly days.  As to the future, Dempsey envisions expanding her “Romancing” theme to include, “Romancing the Home”, “Romancing Your Baby”, and “Romancing Your Pet”.  Keep looking for new creative products to come from this local creative entrepreneur.   

You can find Dempsey and her products featured at the Springfield Indoor Market and various festivals throughout the area.  You can also see all the products featured at http://romancingtheskin.blogspot.com.  Dempsey can also be contacted by e-mail at romancingproducts@yahoo.com or by phone at 269.274.5263.