“From refill options to recyclable packaging, Peak Scents truly prioritizes green beauty.”
With more than three decades of selling plant-based, toxin-free skin care products, Flagstaff Peak Scents founder and owner DeeAnn Tracy has not only accrued accounts around Arizona and increased her sales nationwide, but has won Best of Arizona 2024 by Green Living Magazine.
In conjunction with promoting skin health, Tracy has also made sustainability a priority. “This is at the heart of our mission, to reduce waste and make environmentally conscious choices.”
Traffic in Tracy’s shop, off Butler Ave., in Flagstaff has been growing steadily. “I’ve worked at Peak Scents now for two years and I’ve watched this business grow,” said Peak Scents Sales Associate Nicole Klimper. “New people are finding us all the time and it’s wonderful to see people’s skin journey. They are transformed before my eyes.”
Two years ago, Tracy partnered with Desert Refillery in Phoenix and agreed to carry each other’s products. “We sell their household products such as dish soaps and laundry detergents and we offer replenishment of all these products,” she said. “Since we make all of our products on the premises, the next step was to offer the refilling of our products. Customers bring in their clean bottles and we fill them up.”
In addition, she wants to expand her refill options by offering refill pouches for website orders. “We have a lot of products, and we want to be more sustainable. People are just thrilled about this, and we have had such an overwhelming response.”
“I have been using Peak Scents products for 25 years. I am so happy the business is winning awards and expanding offerings because I feel like I struck gold with Peak Scents products,” said Melissa Jurgensen, a research associate at Northern Arizona University’s Economic Policy Institute, adding that she appreciates the quality of the ingredients.
“The introduction of the refillery makes me so happy,” said Jurgensen. “I have reduced our family’s consumption of plastic in the kitchen, laundry and personal care. The cost for the value can’t be beat.”
An outdoor enthusiast, Tracy has lived in Flagstaff most of her life and has worked as a river runner for several years. Intimately familiar with herbs and alternative ways of healing, her mom is well-known Flagstaff herbologist Phyllis Hogan, who has owned WinterSun Trading Post since 1976.
“The whole reason I chose this career path was because of my mom,” she said. “I grew up using herbal remedies and alternative healing methods, so after graduating college I attended the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine and came back to Flagstaff to manage her store. Customers were always asking about skin care products because, at the time, there was nothing truly natural on the market.”
That prompted her to pursue a clean line of skin care products.
Teen acne is one challenge she has worked to alleviate. “At least 10 parents have asked me about products for their teens. They mentioned how the toxic products they used didn’t work, so I suggested our Power Repair Line. But we are talking about creating products that will be a little more active toward balancing acne.”
Looking forward, Tracy is planning to host workshops this year. “We hope to address teen acne,” she said.
Poco Diablo Resort Spa Manager Karen Terry says Peak Scents products are a very important part of their spa. “We’ve used them since 2016. It’s a very clean line and our clients just love it. DeeAnn is very knowledgeable and has come over and trained our staff about the products, so we really understand them. It sells well and people really like it, including our male clients.”
Ensuring freshness, all products are produced in small batches and include a line of cleansers and toners, moisturizers, serums and oils, exfoliators and masks, balms and salves, organic essential oils and hair products. Tracy is looking into adding a clean line of cosmetics.
The Peak Scents line has been featured in several magazines, including Vogue, Outside, Travel & Leisure, InStyle, Entrepreneur, Latinista, Flower and more.
According to Green Living Magazine, “Peak Scents embodies sustainable skincare, with products crafted from organic botanicals that not only nourish the skin but also protect the environment. From refill options to recyclable packaging, Peak Scents truly prioritizes green beauty.”
“It’s been wonderful to sell natural clean products that are good for the environment and actually work,” said Klimper. “We have very loyal customers and we’re seeing our demographics widening all the time.”
With a staff of seven, Tracy’s husband, Eric, also works at Peak Scents as production manager. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, river rafting and supporting their 14-year-old son, Bodhi Brown, who is a competition dirt and mountain bike racer. FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
Peak Scents can be found online at www.peakscents.com or by calling 928-556-9499.
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Peak Scents Founder DeeAnn Tracy has been featured in a number of national magazines for her plant-based skincare products that prioritize sustainability and natural healing.