Lots of skincare lines come and go. This year’s miracle ingredient is often next year’s outdated science. But once in a while, there is an exceptional new line that not only delivers results, but also tells a compelling story because it is derived from real human experience.  A brand narrative not created by a corporate marketing team, but by a personal history.

Clark’s Botanicals was born out of tragedy when company founder Francesco Clark
suffered a crippling spinal cord injury in a pool diving accident on June 1, 2002. With his central nervous system impaired, Francesco lost the ability not only to walk and to feel, but even to sweat. This led to clogged pores and chronic breakouts.

When neither over-the-counter nor prescriptive remedies worked, Francesco turned to his father, Dr. Harold Clark, a physician trained in both traditional Western medicine and homeopathy. Together they developed botanical products that effectively rebalance skin. All Clark’s Botanicals products feature Jasmine Absolute, a precious essential oil derived from nocturnally blooming flowers. Naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulating, this extract works to calm, balance and heal a broad spectrum of skin types, from young to mature, oily to dry, and normal to sensitive.

Author of the new book Walking Papers: The Accident that Changed My Life and The Business that Got Me Back on My Feet (Hyperion), Francesco serves as National
Ambassador for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. A percentage of profits from the sale of Clark’s Botanicals products benefits The Reeve Foundation.

Through word-of-mouth other people discovered and fell in love with the line, and Francesco began selling Clark’s Botanicals on his website: www.clarksbotanicals.com

“Clark’s Botanicals is an organic part of me and my recovery,” says Francesco, “everything about this line has a purpose and reason for being, from the ingredients to the packaging, to the contribution to medical research, it’s an expression of who I am in its purest form.” Clark’s Botanicals is the recipient of the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) “Indie” Beauty Award. The brand has also been honored with the Fashion Group International (FGI) Rising Star Award in the Beauty/Fragrance Entrepreneur category.

KDH favorite? The Anti-Puff Eye Cream is fantastic, especially during allergy season!