A DESIRE to use only natural products on her own children, Mia and Dominic, has led a Ripon herbalist to set up a company which specialises in hand-made herbal products for mothers and babies.

“I have been making what my father dubbed ‘lotions and potions’ since the age of eight and I have always had a passion for natural medicine and herbal products," says Jennifer Feltham, of Mia & Dom Organic Skincare. "This passion has led me to gain experience – and qualifications – in herbal medicine and aromatherapy. As a result I started creating soothing creams and balms in my own kitchen, and once I had perfected them, the time was right to launch Mia & Dom Skin care.

“My objective, which is instilled throughout the company, is to use the very best ingredients to provide our customers with beautiful, organic, natural and safe skin care for their family. My organic, natural mother and baby products are gentle on delicate skin, eczema-friendly and free from harsh chemicals.”

All the company’s modern day products are based on ancient wisdom. Carefully selected combinations of herbs like calendula combine with lavender and rosehip - renowned for their soothing and relaxing properties - to calm the skin of both mothers and babies.

“Our skin care range is aimed primarily at pregnant mothers, new mothers and babies, as I feel there is a major gap in the market there," says Jen. "But that doesn' mean they can't be used by younger women and older men, or older women and young men, who want to look after their skin naturally or treat conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.”

The products, which feature 100 per cent natural and organic ingredients, include nappy rash balm, baby shampoo, morning sickness balm, stretch mark oil, nappy serum, calming baby massage oil, soothing skin salve and lip balms.

Jen believes the combination of her love of natural medicine and her experience of marketing and business development – she spent 15 years working for professional services firms Deloitte and Addleshaw Goddard in Leeds – will stand her in good stead in her new venture.

“The business will be primarily mail order and, working from home, I will be using social networking sites as a primary source of marketing," says Jen. "The huge popularity of sites such as Netmums and Mumsnet graphically underlines the power of the internet when it comes to mothers, and these sites specialise in providing advice on parenting, pregnancy and baby care products. The majority of women who use them are well informed, environmentally aware and computer savvy.”

Jen is also keeping Mia & Dom Skin care in the family. Apart from naming the company after her two children Mia and Dom, step-son Tom has been instrumental in developing the website.

miadomskincare.com