A Matter of Life and Death: Montclair Mother and Wife is on a Mission

Fourteen years ago, Shan Massucco, then 32 years old, almost died as she was driving home with her two children, who were two and three years old at the time. "We just had dinner at my mother in law's house,' explained Massucco. "My husband was following me back home in his car. I was stopped at a red light when I suddenly felt a stabbing pain in my chest."

She was rushed to the hospital. There, she was told that she had experienced a stroke and a pulmonary embolism, an event that typically kills over 99 percent of its victims. The news astonished Massucco, who ran two miles every day and was in perfect health.

"The doctors said that less than 1 percent survival rate and yet I survived," said Massucco. She underwent numerous tests at the hospital and discovered that she had a blood mutation that caused her to form a blood clot due to an imbalance in her body. Toxins were also found in her blood stream. "The doctors told me that the toxins were intact which meant they were not due to something that I ate or that had gone through my digestive tract. It had to be something that I had used on my body that was absorbed through my skin," she said.

Massucco, whose mother was a model, was a licensed hairdresser and certified cosmotologist, and worked as a style consultant. "I did hair and makeup for TV appearances and developed my own make-up line," she said. It was clear to her the incident was the result of the skin care products she had been using. "The chemicals and the toxins in the products I was using had made their way into my body," she learned.

Then came another shocker. Massucco's condition was hereditary. Her daughter, now 14, was diagnosed with it as well. Massucco became obsessed with finding all natural and pure skin care products for her daughter and herself. "I went to Whole Foods and searched for products. I did find a few but I didn't enjoy using them," she said. Then came yet another surprise. "I had to go for blood tests every three months to monitor the medication I was taking," said Massucco. "The doctors kept on finding toxins in my blood. I had to stop using the products or else I could die."

After conducting her own research, she became aware that the FDA does not monitor the cosmetic industry. "Cosmetic companies are not required to list all the ingredients they use on their labels!" she exlaimed. It was then that Massucco decided to take matters in her own hands by creating her own luxury skincare line. "It's been a long process. I established my company in 2003. It took me three years to develop the line. I hired a team of chemists and we worked for a couple of years to test market them," she said.

Massucco's entire line, called SHAN, which stands for So Healthy And Natural, is eco-friendly and toxin-free. The products address everything from anti-aging and combination skin to treatment products, such as a green tree serum and products for both moms and babies. The line also includes shampoo, shower gels, and lotions. While Massucco is thrilled with her products, she readily admits she works extremely hard to ensure her line remains free of toxins, her ultimate goal.

"My health and the health of my daughter is a huge motivator to make sure everything is toxin free," she said. She is a signer of The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics and she voluntarily exposes her entire ingredient list to the Environmental Working Group. "If you are a signer, you must comply by updating your ingredients to be as clean as possible and remove the ingredients that they have discovered to be toxic within one year," said Massucco. The EWG rates products on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the most toxic. "My products are all rated 0-3. A few were mistakenly rated a 3, which is still a low rating but not acceptable to me. We are in the process of having that adjusted with them."

Not only does she use botanical based preservatives and essential oils, her packaging is also green. "All the packaged goods are recyclable and recycled," she said. "Even the ink on my labels is nontoxic." Massucco also has plans on donating proceeds to various charities.

Massucco has lived in Montclair with her husband and two children, a 15-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter, for nearly nine years. Although her life is busy juggling her family, health, skincare line, and a career as an image consultant, she wouldn't have life any other way. "I feel as if I was given a second chance in life," she said. "I intend to make the most of it!"

SHAN products are currently sold on line here and in Luxury and Destination, Wellness Spas in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The products will also be sold at a luxury wellness spa in Montclair, Bala Natural and Bala Natural Skincare located at 6 Midland Avenue.

On Thursday, July 22, Massucco is offering an opportunity for guests to participate in a focus group where they will be able to try the SHAN product line. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Massucco at 973-509-1424 or email her at shan@sohealthyandnatural.com. Snacks and beverages will be served.

For future event information, be sure to go here for more details.

Do you have ideas for upcoming columns, know an athletic enthusiast, want to ask a question or can put me in touch with people who are inspiring or creating a healthier Monclair? E-mail Hurtado. Hurtado is an enthusiastic fitness and wellness expert with years of experience. She has spent nearly a decade on the business side of publishing as a Beauty Director at magazines such as Mademoiselle and Seventeen.