California-based Threshold Enterprises offered condolences to friends and family of natural products pioneer Rachel Perry, who passed away on March 13, 2016. Threshold was one of the early supporters of Perry and distributed her groundbreaking natural skincare and body care products, the company said.

“She was a visionary in the field of natural skincare products when so few others even existed,” said Stephen Sturm, a friend of Perry. “She was truly a pioneer in our industry.”

Perry became renowned as a manufacturer of natural skincare and cosmetics long before the vast array of natural options available today. She honed her skills in body care from an early age, working at Coty Inc. cosmetic company at age 15. She was a devoted student of skincare, dermatology, chemistry and cosmetics, and ultimately decided that the nutrients in fruits, vegetables and herbs could best feed and nourish the skin naturally.

Working as a cosmetologist in a health club, she began formulating her own products, and was encouraged to sell them in health food stores. In 1977 Rachel Perry Inc. was established for the product line originally known as Potions Eternal. 

During her lifetime, she received numerous awards including Entrepreneur of the Year by the Small Business Administration and appearing on the cover of the inaugural issue of Entrepreneurial Woman. Perry was also active in rainforest preservation and animal rights campaigns.

She also entered the music business in her teens as a singer/songwriter and eventually attained a gold record for “Fine, Fine Day,” which was recorded by Roberta Flak and appeared on her 1977 album Blue Lights in the Basement.

Perry also designed Rachel’s Radiant Light Color Therapy, a system which uses seven colored lights and corresponding colored fragrances.

Her creative spirit was reflected in every aspect of her products, from formulation to her renowned colorful labels, which reflected her belief in color therapy.