When a child has severe allergies, parents go into fight mode. They become fiercely focused on keeping their baby safe from harm—from food and topical products too.
 
Maura Mandell has been one of those moms. Her son was born life-threatening food and skin allergies,
 
“He was so allergic…to soy, egg, milk…My two older kids didn’t have anything, so this flipped our lives over,” she told Happi.
 
So like others in her situation, Mandell sought out advice and information joined support groups, and became very involved with the Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) at Mt. Sinai—all in an effort to help her son.
 
That quest has brought her down a new path: skin care entrepreneur. Today, this corporate lawyer is founder and CEO of #MPWR, a new line of soon-to-launch certified USDA organic skin care products for teens.
 
According to Mandell, the line was developed with unique care and consideration of adolescent skin and is designed keep skin clean and hydrated as well as keeping blemishes under control.
 
As a corporate lawyer who provided legal advice to many start-ups, Mandell did her due diligence when she set out to create her own brand; she extensively researched products and ingredients on her own, hired a consultant and began reaching out to chemists.
 
“They told me what I wanted to do was impossible,” she said.
 
Mandell eventually linked up with a chemist who was willing take on the challenge, and began the long process of formulating and testing, and finding a contract manufacturer that could deliver on the USDA certification.
 
“At the time, there were only 10 labs that could make this product and I reached out to all of them,” said Mandell, who has since tapped a contract manufacturer in California.
 
The #MPWR range includes Go Wash Your Face! Gentle Cleanser; MIst Off! Refreshing and Deep Cleansing Spray; Recgarge! Nourishing Moisturizer; and Zip, Zap, Gone! Spot Treatment, a concentrated antioxidant solution that harnesses ginseng extract, white willow bark, evening primrose and cinnamon extract to dry and soothe blemishes. All of the SKUs in feature the Certified USDA Organic seal.
 
Greenwich, CT-based #MPWR completed an Indiegogo campaign last Fall, raising just over $11,000 of the $25K it was seeking.
 
Mandell has been showcasing #MPWR at trade shows, where feedback has been great. In fact, #MPWR received a Natural Products Expo East NEXTY Award (Editors' Choice) last year.
 
This month, #MPWR will be exhibiting at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim.
 
The #MPWR line is set to begin shipping in May. Orders can be placed http://www.mpwrskincare.com