Plant-based skincare?
Yes, please!
Botnia is an organic and science-driven skincare company powered by wise and wild plants. Last week, I had the privilege of visiting the Botnia headquarters where I met up with founder Justine Kahn and manufacturer specialist Sara Waitt. Together we walked the lovely garden, talked all about their key ingredients, and even made one of their signature products! I was already in love with Botnia, but after hearing Justine's story and vision, and seeing how locally, intentionally, and handmade everything is, I am totally convinced and committed.
Botnia is the best!
Justine was an esthetician in spas for eight years before she realized that, with the products she had available, she was unable to help her clients the way she wanted to and believed in. Most skincare products are manufactured for the masses and have alcohols that dry and synthetic fragrances that irritate and inflame the skin, along with harmful and toxic chemicals that are used to preserve the products. Frustrated, yet hopeful and passionate, Justine went on to study cosmetic chemistry and learned that the most powerful and healing ingredients are simple, fresh, and natural.
With a mission to provide individualized and healthy skincare treatments, Justine opened Skin Remedy in San Francisco, California where she started crafting and using her own raw and highly effective formulas. Justine started seeing real results and wanted to offer more, so she teamed up with friend and Stanford-trained plant biologist Clayton Coker. Together they created a full line of plant-powered products that are rooted in science. They use a few select and potent ingredients such as Jojoba, Geranium, Lavender, Goldenseal, Rose, Squalane, Witch-hazel, Hyaluronic Acid, and Arnica. You can learn about each plant's unique and magical profile here and learn more about their face washes, face creams, serums, toners, and masks here. Whether you have dry, oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin- they have something carefully crafted for you!
I was gifted the Rose Water Toner a few months ago and it has become the star of my morning and evening rituals. I feel like a goddess every time I use it and when the alarm goes off at 4:30 am, I'm actually motivated to get up and out of bed to spritz my face with the cooling, hydrating, and completely nourishing rose water. I've also seen incredibly balancing results and people have even commented on my "glowing" skin recently.
Just this morning I was reading one of my favorite Irish authors, John O'Donohue. His book Anam Cara is about the inner and outer soul friendships that so delicately and intimately awaken us to the presence of life. He talks about how the senses are one way to step into the present moment and he says, "Our skin is alive and breathing, always active and ever present." It's through the skin that we experience a belonging, a connection, and a homecoming to the light and love within and around us.
Botnia's organic skincare is the perfect compliment to the skin because it is also alive, colorful, and vibrant much like the organic food that we know energizes and nourishes the body so well. This living aspect is what sets Botnia apart and makes their products so potent. It just makes good sense and it literally FEELS so good to apply these natural, powerful, and plant-based products to your skin. After all, the skin is the largest organ in your body and one of it's main functions is to protect you from microbes, bacteria, and disease. Honor and take care of the skin by offering it rich, kind, and powerful plant-based products.
So check them out! Either visit Skin Remedy and treat yourself to an individualized facial or browse their products in their online shop. Currently, the Rose Water Toner and the Replenishing Facial Oil are my go-to, in LOVE with, products.
Lots of Love,
Meredith
