After Claudia became a licensed skin care specialist and subsequently a mother, she became increasingly alarmed at the widely-used harmful components in everyday skin and body care products-- such as shampoos and conditioners, bath oils, moisturizers, lotions and toothpaste. In 2001, She founded Suis for Face and Body, determined to set a new standard in the body care industry by allowing no compromises in the ingredients of her products.

She felt that her role was to educate the consumer -- so that you, armed with facts, have the information to protect you and your family for years to come. She also hoped to educate skin care practitioners so they will no longer tolerate companies that don't care about their clients' health. When the manufacturers see that people aren't buying their product, they'll realize that they cannot cut corners when it comes to public health. Where the consumers lead, manufacturers will follow!

Until the 1960's, we believed the skin acted as a nearly perfect barrier to prevent chemicals applied to it from penetrating the body. We know now that though skin protects our bodies from most foreign invasion, it also absorbs many things that are harmful to the body. Our skin has adapted to protect us from Mother Nature's onslaught, but it is also designed to let things in as well. Back before the industrial age came along, the types of chemicals that touched our skin were pretty much those that the Earth made on her own. Today it's a different story. What you are putting on your skin day after day, year after year, may be doing much more harm than good. Have you ever stopped to think how many hours a day your face spends under a layer of makeup, and what ingredients are penetrating your skin?

Among the potentially harmful ingredients used in many products is Triethanolamine or TEA that adjusts the pH level and is believed to contain carcinogenic (cause cancer-causing) nitrosamines. Another favorite “offender” is FD&C Red #4, a coloring agent, which the FDA has banned in foods and is also considered a carcinogen. Consumers likewise need to be leery of Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Quaternium, Propylene Glycol and Cocamide DEA. Companies justify the inclusion of such toxic ingredients by claiming only small amounts are used, but the body’s organs and tissue accumulate these toxins, regardless of the dosage. What you, the consumer are paying for more often than not is the high cost of advertising and packaging, not quality ingredients. (These toxic ingredients are used because they are very inexpensive.) Regrettably, the FDA isn’t regulating the skin care industry, but legislators are waking up to this issue. Senator Edward Kennedy is one of those involved in introducing more FDA regulation of cosmetics.

You are your body and your skin. Here's to their good health!