The Chronicles of Botnia 

In “The Chronicles of Narnia,” intrepid children enter a fantasy world of magic and are called upon by Aslan the lion to safeguard it from evil. 

For Justine Kahn, literature lover and founder of Botnia Skincare, her brand’s name is a twist on this magical place and the awe-inspiring roles botanicals play in skin health. In her reality, Narnia is likened to her skincare business—a magical world into the wonders of the microbiome for which she’s tasked with keeping evil out; in this case, evil being pore-clogging impurities, inflammation, dryness and any other environmental offense that can disrupt a healthy microbiome. For the esthetician-turned-entrepreneur, this evil was a years-long battle with acne.

“I have had acne for most of my adult life,” Kahn told Happi. “So many estheticians end up in school because they’re curious about their own skin. That was my story. Uncovering how to heal acne has been a lifelong journey.”

From Fantasy to Farm 

After attending the Nova Studio, Point Richmond, CA, and becoming a licensed esthetician in 2001, Kahn opened a luxury spa in San Francisco. During her time in the treatment room, she began questioning product ingredients. Those questions prompted her to segue into entrepreneurship. 

“I think I always was raised with the idea that you can create anything you want to create; it just takes walking forward to create it,” she said. “And the area that I carved out for myself was skincare.”

Kahn launched Botnia Skincare in 2017 with help from Clayton Coker, a Stanford-trained scientist who helped guide her through product formulation and efficacy. Their partnership was just as organic as the botanical-centric skincare products. What sets this indie apart from the competition, Kahn insists, is the micro-farm in Sausalito, CA where she cultivates the plants that go into her products. She started to grow her own after supply chain challenges in procuring pesticide-free botanicals used in her skincare products.

But Botnia doesn’t shoulder this plant-growing responsibility alone. The brand partners with local farms, Gem and ICS, a farm training program for adults with disabilities, and Single Thread Farm and Inn, a three Michelin-star restaurant and farm, to help grow these ingredients. Growing botanicals carries many benefits. 

“We want to make sure our soil has enough nutrients to create a healthy plant. We want to ensure topical pesticides aren’t applied to our plants,” she explained. “We want to make sure skin is getting the most nutrition, and having the best chance to have a positive result.” 

Kahn is not only the CEO, she’s a customer. She says her acne issue has tapered off since using her own skincare. She uses the brand’s hero products in her own daily regime: the brand’s Gentle Cleanser doubles as a makeup remover that assists with cellular turnover; Rose Water Toner balances skin’s pH; Well Serum, a retinoid and vitamin A compound from algae, helps repair the skin while giving it a dewy, plump look; and Wisdom Oil, which is packed with antioxidants to repair sun damage. At night, she applies Botnia’s Restorative Face Cream. The regimen works its magic to keep skin as youthful and bright as the classic tale.