HollyBeth's Lavender Hand Cream is made with natural ingredients and contains sweet almond oil and Vitamin E.

Our plan to simplify in 2010 includes an effort to cut the number of mysterious chemicals in our skin-care regimen. A recent search for natural beauty items led us to HollyBeth’s Natural Luxury, a line of face and body products made with organic ingredients. HollyBeth Anderson had been making creams as a hobby, but decided to launch her business when she moved back to her native Georgia several years ago, after a career spent working abroad for the French government and in Latin America. Anderson’s formulas are inspired by knowledge she gleaned from her grandmother, an avid gardener, and from herbalists she met in Latin America while working for Cartier.

The Grits & Honey Scrub ($23) is based on her mother’s cornmeal recipe for exfoliating. Other products include the best-selling eye cream ($30), Rose & Geranium Face Moisturizer ($30) and Rose & Geranium Toner ($12.50), as well as lip nectars in Lavender Geranium and Honey Orange Mint ($7 each). Anderson’s visits to India and Thailand are the inspiration for the exotic fragrance of Marigold & Sweet Basil Shea Butter Hand Cream ($22). The body collection includes the refreshing Citrus Body Cream ($22), sweet and rich Lavender Hand Cream ($22) and the gentle, foaming Clary Sage Body Wash ($17). HollyBeth’s also makes all-natural soy candles ($20), such as the LIVE Rosemary-Peppermint and LAUGH Citrus, with 10 percent of the proceeds going to breast-cancer research. Five percent of the AMOR Lavender & Rose Geranium online sales go to Atlanta Pet Rescue and Adoption. HollyBeth’s Natural Luxury also supports a variety of charities, and the company is in the process of becoming USDA Certified Organic.

We love natural products with scents that smell recognizable from nature. Do you feel more comfortable with big-name skin-care products or do you try natural products from smaller manufacturers?

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