East Providence native creates a line of skin care products good enough to eat

Posted 9/9/15

What do you get when you combine an advanced degree in biochemistry with the conviction that your family should not use skin products full of unpronounceable, suspect ingredients?

You get Deelish Skin, the brainchild of Roxanne LaCroix, a mother …

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East Providence native creates a line of skin care products good enough to eat

Posted

What do you get when you combine an advanced degree in biochemistry with the conviction that your family should not use skin products full of unpronounceable, suspect ingredients?

You get Deelish Skin, the brainchild of Roxanne LaCroix, a mother and grandmother who returned to school after her children were grown, to study cellular and molecular biology with a concentration in toxicology and immunobiology.

"I did this for my family," Roxanne says. "I don't believe you should put anything on your skin that you wouldn't put in your mouth."

That's right—Deelish products are edible, made from natural and organic food. "Not that you would want to eat them," Roxanne cautions. "I've developed them for effectiveness, not flavor." But the point is made: there's nothing in Deelish products that is not safe to eat—and then some. They're made almost exclusively from healthy, organic, unrefined products. Everything is gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO. She has even gone the extra mile and obtained the same certifications required of food manufacturers.

Deelish products do not contain any artificial colors, dyes, scents or additives. Also, nothing is tested on animals—it's all "tested" on humans.

Science is behind Roxanne's product line in more ways than one. She decided to start the business because she discovered a peptide that shows promise as an antibiotic, but funding sources for further research were few and far between. So she hopes that one of the benefits of Deelish is that it may provide a revenue stream to fund further research.

Roxanne's appreciation for plants and the power of natural cosmetics is deep-rooted. She grew up in a family of 10 children in East Providence. "We all had chores," she says. "I was a cook and gardener. I've always been into plants; and fascinated by herbs." Living in California with her Air Force husband (as well as Washington, D.C. and Turkey; they are now settled in North Kingstown) allowed her to expand her knowledge of medicinal plants. "Herbs are the original pharmacy," she says.

Deelish carries a number of products, including bath oils, skin creams, moisturizers, masks, muscle rubs, toners, and scrubs. All products are made at Hope & Main, Warren's culinary small business incubator.

Roxanne doesn't, at this time, have any plans to distribute her products through large cosmetics retailers; she prefers a more one-on-one approach and offers at-home skin care consultations.

"I wanted to combine science and nature," says Roxanne. "Marry the two of them together and make something wonderful."

Roxanne LaCroix and Deelish Skin can be reached at 401/230-7510 or www.deelishskin.com.

Deelish Skin, Hope & Main, Roxanne LaCroix

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