Jo DeMarco is the president and chief executive officer of Contessa Cares, the manufacturing company of Contessa Cares, "A Sign of Relief" products, a 100% natural and organic skin care line designed with skin sensitivities in mind. She is an entrepreneur whose success is attributed to her commitment to healthy living and dedication to creating pure, completely natural and effective products for those who suffer from skin sensitivities and the severe effects of cancer treatments. "I've acquired a vast amount of skin care knowledge; first, as a consumer with an insatiable appetite for the best products available, and secondly, as a health-conscious person who strives toward a natural lifestyle. Merging the two was a natural, progressive endeavor."

Some time ago I was introduced to the acai (a-SIGH-ee) berry from Brazil in the form of a daily nutritional drink. I was astounded when I learned of this berry's unparalleled vitamins and nutrients and included less than 8 ounces of the juice in my daily diet. I noticed an improvement in my overall strength and endurance in my daily workouts, my skin, digestion and sleep. At the time, a very close relative of mine had recently experienced chemotherapy and had been affected by raw, itchy skin as well as an aversion to smells. Radiation was soon to follow and it left the skin looking and feeling like a raw piece of meat. Every type of product we tried to soothe the skin only irritated it more. I wanted to help, but had no idea as to how. It was extremely frustrating searching for truly natural products that did not contain alcohol, synthetics, fragrances, parabens, etc. which are harmful to those who have adverse reactions to such ingredients. Then one morning, as I was taking my daily shot of acai berry juice, it hit me..."hey, if this is so good to ingest, what about applying it topically?" And so I begun research for the development of A Sigh of Relief products, using the acai berry as the key ingredient. These products underwent numerous tests and ingredient refinements before evolving to the ultimate line launched in 2010. The formulation house that prepares and packages each product uses only natural/organic raw materials, and the Formulation Manager has a background in oncology. Needless to say, it was a perfect fit in achieving my goals to produce a skin care line that would be safe and effective for this isolated group. Considerable care and research was also dedicated to the specific side effects experienced by cancer patients while they underwent chemotherapy and radiation, and each organic, completely natural ingredient found in A Sigh of Relief products was specifically selected to address them. In addition to soothing skin that has been burned, these carefully selected ingredients are also very effective in addressing other skin sensitivities such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacia as well as the tender skin of babies and toddlers.

The "A Sigh for Relief" skin care line consists of a bar soap, facial cleanser, facial moisturizer, body lotion and hand crème. Each product contains 100% natural ingredients that soothe, replenish and rejuvenate skin. The main ingredient found in A Sigh of Relief is the amazing acai berry, a declared super fruit from Brazil. Native Brazilians ingest the acai berry daily, as a whole fruit.

Rich in health benefits and anti-aging agents, the acai berry is one of the most potent antioxidants in the world, and is effective in promoting skin health, wellness and healing. Acai berries contain highly concentrated levels of nutrients and cell regeneration properties that nurture, soothe and heal skin effectively due to their ability to penetrate deep into the cell membrane, fight inflammation and irritation, and accelerate the repair process to restore skin's supple nature. In 2010 the World Health Organization published a study identifying breast cancer diagnosis around the world (published in the Chicago Tribune in October, 2010). The study showed that South America, particularly Brazil had a miniscule ratio of breast cancer diagnosis compared to other countries. Coincidence? Additionally, "A Sigh of Relief" products contain a patented, 100 percent-natural preservative, made completely from raw materials that maintain the overall natural integrity of the products — a distinguishing fact that few other product lines can boast of.

"It comforts me to know that while my products were not here to help my family member, they are now available to soothe and support the loved ones of others. I am proud to have invested so much time, care and passion in their development, and love to hear (see the testimonials!) how they've helped my clients."