We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Robbin Turner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Robbin, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Violet Botanical Skincare’s mission is to harmonize body and nature with African herbal skincare for radiant, healthy skin.

The story behind my mission started in 2014 while researching natural remedies to relieve my husband’s and son’s eczema. Slathering themselves in steroid creams filled with toxic petrochemicals and synthetics was not an option. During my research, I also learned that steroid creams make your eczema worse over time and they contain ingredients that irritate your eczema. I knew there had to be a better, more natural way.

I reflected on my grandmother’s homemade remedies — natural ingredients that she would get from her garden. She’d whip up a concoction for me to take or apply to the affected area and it resolved the issue. Unbeknownst to me, these were African remedies passed down from generation to generation.

I realized that herbalism is that better, more natural way. Plants offer us so many benefits for our skin, heart, mind, and spirit. My mission is especially meaningful to me because it reconnects us to nature and the harvesters who are the stewards of these beautiful, healing ingredients.

Robbin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Violet Botanical Skincare encourages people to take care of their whole skin health. Think beyond the face. Your body skincare matters. When you neglect your body skin, it becomes dry, damaged, and unhealthy.

Astonishingly, three-quarters of women say they don’t concern themselves with body skin care. They feel their face care matters more than a body care routine. Although they are concerned with dry, irritated skin on their hands, arms, elbows, knees and legs. Their back and feet are the most neglected areas.

Sadly, women correlate their confidence with how their body looks. These skin insecurities prompt women to cover up their body.

According to research, “Dry skin is a frequent condition in the adult general population and needs special attention.” Violet Botanical Skincare encourages and helps people take care of the skin on their body because that’s taking care of your health. And we do it with with plant-based ingredients that naturally work with your skin.

My proudest moments are when people tell me they’ve developed a consistent body care routine using our products and have seen improvements in their dry skin.

I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m not about the latest skincare trends. I’m about what has consistently worked over time. The plant-based African herbal ingredients we use have been effectively used since ancient civilizations. I count that as the best longitudinal study.

I affectionately think of myself as a research nerd. I hold a master’s degree from Temple University in kinesiology with advanced knowledge and competencies in applied integrative physiology of exercise. I have over ten years of applied clinical experience studying the relationships among physical activity, health, and wellness. Now, I use my expertise to bridge the gap between wellness, clean beauty and healthy skin care.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

I handcraft my products in small batches. Prior to starting Violet Botanical Skincare, I did not have any knowledge of manufacturing products. I wish I would have paid more attention to my grandmother as she made remedies.

I immersed myself in coursework and programs at UCLA, with top essential oil experts, botanical formulators and herbalist practitioners. As a practitioner, it’s important to me to not only understand ingredients, but to understand the nuances of manufacturing them.

Lessons I’ve learned along the way about manufacturing with natural ingredients are that you have to be patient, take your time, and keep copious notes while creating formulations. The last thing you want to do is create the “perfect” formulation only to realize you forgot to note every ingredient, step, detail, and specific conditions the formulation was created.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with clients through weekly newsletters and my Work With Me Wednesday YouTube series, I have the opportunity to tell and share with community members ingredient spotlights, how I formulate, and how to do simple skincare DIYs at home.

I’ve instituted a subscribe and save program that offers a discount to help defray costs. And I’m in the process of developing a rewards program.     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.violetbody.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/violetbodyme
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/violetbodyme
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/violet-botanical-skincare
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VioletBotanicalSkincareLLC

Image Credits
Dwayne Turner