Justine Kahn, founder of Botnia, is a licensed esthetician, formulator, herbalist, and passionate botanical grower. Her journey began in 2010 with the opening of Skin Remedy, a luxury spa in San Francisco. It was in the treatment room where she noticed a gap in the market and her treatment room: conventional skincare was either ineffective or, worse, harmful. The clean beauty movement was falling short—lacking both efficacy and integrity.
Driven by this realization, Justine collaborated with a Stanford-trained scientist to create a science-backed, organic skincare line. In 2017, after years of refining her formulas on real clients, Botnia was born, quickly amassing a loyal following. With a commitment to purity, Justine began growing her own botanicals, and today, Botnia’s micro-farm and lab in Sausalito supply the freshest, pesticide-free ingredients. Partnering with local farms, Botnia ensures that every plant is grown sustainably and ethically, supporting a network that includes Gem and ICS, a farm training adults with disabilities, and Single Thread Farm, a Michelin-starred restaurant.
We’d love to hear a bit of backstory. What led you to start Botnia?
I founded Botnia because I wanted better control over the ingredients and outcomes in my treatment room. After more than a decade as an esthetician, I realized that despite my best intentions, my clients were often left with red and inflamed skin. They deserved better. So, I set out to create customized skincare solutions tailored to each client's unique needs at the time of service. The idea was simple: by selecting skincare ingredients based on the client's current skin condition, I could achieve more specific and positive results. I also wanted to view home care as a nutritional system—products that feed the skin and nourish the body, not deplete it. To bring this vision to life, I went back to school to study green cosmetic chemistry and began formulating my own products. This journey led me to farming, community building, and sharing my findings with other estheticians. Botnia has become successful beyond my wildest dreams because it's rooted in authenticity and real results, and that feels incredible to me.
Your sustainability mission is inspiring. What role does nature play in your life?
Nature is at the heart of everything I do; it's a profound part of my life and values. Sustainability, for me, is a natural extension of my deep love for the earth and my appreciation for beauty. We are nature—that's not just a tagline in our logo but a fundamental truth I believe we all need to embrace. We are part of a larger system that thrives when we care for it, not separate from it. In this era of mass consumption, it's crucial that we consider the impact on our planet from every angle. I live on a microfarm, and farming and plants are integral to my daily life. I spend every moment I can immersed in nature because it feels like home in so many ways. My daughter attends a Waldorf school where she's learning about biodynamic farming and how to care for the earth as well. Often, when I'm walking through the forest or harvesting flowers, I become emotional at the sheer beauty of nature and how fortunate we are to be part of something so vibrant and incredible.
How has becoming a mother shifted your idea of beauty?
Becoming a mother has profoundly transformed my perception of beauty. I've come to realize that beauty is a feeling cultivated within ourselves. This is a liberating truth, especially as our bodies change through motherhood. Embracing our inner beauty allows us to exemplify a strong, feminine beauty that transcends societal expectations or the male gaze. I remember looking in the mirror after the birth of my daughter and thinking, "Damn, woman, you look incredible." It makes me smile now, but it's true—there's nothing more beautiful than a woman right after birth, breastfeeding, or simply loving herself as she journeys through motherhood.
Do you have any skincare tips to support mothers in the postpartum space?
Absolutely! Postpartum hormones can significantly impact your skin, leading to issues like hormonal breakouts or changes in oil production. It's important to seek support from professionals who understand these changes. Botnia has spa partners across the United States who are trained to help balance your skin and support you at every stage of motherhood. Incorporating a skincare routine can be a powerful act of self-love. It might be the only time in the day when you focus solely on yourself. Making it a ritual—spending time gently caring for your skin while connecting with yourself in the mirror—can help you feel more grounded and better equipped to handle the challenges of new motherhood. I know being a new mom is incredibly hard, and sometimes even washing your face feels impossible. But this small gesture can nourish you in so many ways.
What does self-care mean to you?
Self-care can be a loaded term, especially as a mother navigating an industry filled with conflicting messages. To me, self-care means doing what you can to love yourself. It's about building a relationship with what truly nourishes you—whether that's enjoying a cup of tea, watching a favorite show, reading a book, or taking a yoga class. It's important to step back, identify what brings you joy, and use those tools to create balance in your life.
In your vision of the perfect world, what changes would you like to see in the skincare industry as a whole?
That's a big question! If I could, I'd change a lot about the beauty industry—the focus on the male gaze, the marketing tactics, the chemical-laden makeup and skincare products, and the overall culture. But in my small corner, I focus on being truthful, transparent, and creating skincare for real human skin. It may sound simple, but so much skincare today is driven by marketing rather than genuine skin health. Products are often packed with active ingredients—it's like drinking energy drinks all day or only eating power bars. Skincare should be based on facts and an understanding of how our bodies' intricate systems are already perfect. We should nurture and soothe our skin, working in harmony with our body's systems rather than against them. I hope the industry continues to move toward this approach, embracing science and physiology. It's already happening, with many incredible brands like Botnia emerging. My hope is that consumers will see through the clutter and choose companies like mine as a form of protest against outdated beauty models that harm both the earth and humanity.
What has you feeling inspired lately?
Lately, I've been incredibly inspired by sea plants. I was previously focused on terrestrial plants, but I've fallen head over heels for a type of sea algae that's an amazing source of retinol. It's sun-safe, pregnancy-safe, and offers women the benefits of retinoids without the typical side effects like a weakened skin barrier, hyperpigmentation, or sustained redness. I've incorporated it into our Well Serum, and I'm absolutely obsessed! What's fascinating about algae is that it's unicellular, acting like a building block for the skin and helping to heal various skin conditions. I'm also working with another strain for our 2025 line to address acne scarring.
We’d love to know—what does your personal skincare routine look like?
As a busy mom and founder, I keep my skincare routine simple but effective. Twice a day, I follow a four-step regimen. In the morning, I use a gentle cleanser, apply a hydrosol, follow with the Well Serum, and finish with our Restorative Face Cream. At night, I cleanse, spritz with hydrosol, apply the Well Serum, and finish with Wisdom Oil. It's quick but keeps my skin healthy and nourished. I'm now in my 40's and I have to say my skin looks and feels resilient, healthy and the most vibrant it ever has and I believe it’s in part to my skincare but also this incredible middle age I've entered, I just love my skin <3
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