From Plant to Bottle

Jenna Levine is a perfect example of an inspiring individual always on the brink of reinvention. Prior to starting her natural skincare line, Linné Botanicals, in 2016, her career included successful stints as a set designer (she worked on Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino), food stylist, farm manager and chef (at the acclaimed Scribe Winery in Sonoma, California). She then went on to study native botany and herbal medicine at the Regenerative Design Institute in Bolinas, California, where she learned about the healing power of herbs and other plants with medicinal properties. Today, she is based in New York where she is busy creating products formulated with natural ingredients sourced from around the globe. Here, Jenna tells us about two of her star performers, both harness the skin-transforming power of plants.

The Power of Plants with Jenna Levine

Written and Photographed byAlison Engstrom

On Her Scrub Face Mask

“This scrub combines both mechanical and biochemical exfoliants to dissolve dead skin away, which can clog pores, make skin look dull and prevent products from penetrating. We use finely ground bamboo, an Ayurvedic herb rich in silica, to provide a gentle polishing action. We also use extracts of bilberry, orange, lemon, sugar cane and sugar maple to further dissolve the bonds between dead and fresh tissue so that the dead cells can be easily washed away. The sugar cane and maple are a source of glycolic acid which, being such a small molecule, can penetrate to the deepest layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production and prevent acne. Other ingredients include soothing chamomile, turmeric, moisturizing aloe vera and glycerin. All products containing water-soluble extracts, such as aloe and bilberry, require a preservative system to prevent mold, yeast and bacteria. We use a fermentation of radish root. It’s basically like sauerkraut or kimchi juice, but without all the spices. The radish root ferment produces a colony of healthy bacteria that grow in whatever medium into which they are introduced. This healthy bacteria supports our human biome while inhibiting the growth of unwanted bacteria, yeast and mold. Additionally, Leucidal, as the ingredient is known, can fight acne and skin dryness.” Available at thedetoxmarket.com

On Her Balance Face Oil

“This was the first product we created. It was formulated to bring my sister's skin back into balance after using Accutane. We use astringent hazelnut seed oil, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial shiso seed oil, and jojoba oil — which is most like human sebum — as our carrier oils. These oils nourish the skin and bring its own oil production into balance. We use many beautiful and hardworking essential oils throughout the line, such as geranium and palmarosa, but this particular product is unique for its high content of herbaceous plants such as mugwort, rosemary (three varietals, in fact) and sage. Sage essential oil is very valuable, especially for blemish-prone skin, as it is anti-fungal, anti-microbial, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and healing. Sage is also described as a stimulant. It activates and optimizes the brain, nervous system, liver, spleen, circulatory and excretory systems. Given its antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties, it also helps, along with radish root ferment, to extend the life and vitality of the product.” Available at thedetoxmarket.com

To learn more, visit linnebotanicals.com