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LINNÉ Botanicals is a beautiful skincare line rooted in nature. Created by Jenna Levine, this small-batch botanical skincare is formulated from a diverse selection of natural, wild-harvested & organic ingredients to nourish rejuvenate & promote healthy skin.

Jenna Levine grew up in a medical household with her father, a surgeon and professor of medicine and her mother, a talented cook whose style was rooted in the Hippocratic axiom, “Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine”. Inspired by the nutritional and experimental activity of cooking, Jenna eagerly became her mother’s sous chef and by the age of 11 had added edible face masks to her repertoire using such pantry staples as apples, honey and almonds. Her interest in farming, healthy eating and environmental stewardship eventually led her to Middlebury College in Vermont. There she was involved in various sustainability and ecological initiatives, including campaigning for carbon reduction, maintaining the organic vegetable garden and studying plant-based remedies with a local herbal medicine doctor. As a dancer, she expanded her interest in anatomy, physiognomy and wellness.

With a certification in California native plant botany and herbal medicine Jenna began crafting skincare products in an attempt to resolve her sister’s post-Accutane imbalanced skin. After significant research she experimented with wild-harvested essential oils and organic cold-pressed virgin seed and nut oils. With her sister’s feedback the formula was iterated until she established a balanced, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory face oil which has since restored health and radiance to her sister’s skin. The rewarding process of research, ingredient sourcing, formulation and experimentation organically evolved into a product line designed to safely and effectively feed the skin. After a year and half in beta testing, LINNÉ botanicals launched in the spring of 2016.

We love LINNÉ for its highly-effective products and strong commitment to the environment. As all ingredients come directly from the earth, we feel completely safe using them all, even during pregnancy. The SMOOTH Body balm is a desert-island product, as are the REPAIR and RENEW face oils and serums. The newly launched RISE and REST functional scents are also a game-changer, as you’re getting a potent dose of nutrition with every use of the roll-on scent. Nothing but pure GLOW with Jenna’s products.

LINNÉ // www.linnebotanicals.com

Photography by Miles & Miles.

NAME:

Jenna Levine

PROFESSION:

Founder & Formulator, LINNÉ Botanicals

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Downtown Chicago

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Recently relocated to Charleston, SC after several years in Brooklyn.

WHEN YOU’RE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…

BREAKFAST: For many years I’ve been making a long, slow infusion of jujube dates and goji berries, and it’s especially nourishing now that I’m in the last weeks of pregnancy. I love mixing in the strained brew with the LINNÉ Skin Tea and my homemade nut milk - today’s was a combination of sprouted walnuts, cashews and pumpkin seeds. Because I never like to waste a thing, I use the strained stewed fruits in steel cut oats and in smoothies. I also like to start the day with either a homemade fresh pressed juice or smoothie. I have had my Super Angel juicer for well over a decade and it’s a total workhorse! I love mixing fennel, greens, cucumber, beets, carrots, apple, lemon and ginger. When I’m in a fruity mood, I make a smoothie with frozen berries, bananas, mango, hemp seeds, coconut, bee pollen, a handful of spinach or kale, spirulina and pearl powder. Yum!

LUNCH: Usually a big salad that makes use of leftovers. I love combining textures such as caramelized delicata squash, crunchy seeds and briny olives.

DINNER: My husband and I both love to cook and have quite the collection of cookbooks from which we draw inspiration. One of our go to meals is a Japanese inspired rice bowl topped a host of delicious goodies such as adzuki beans, sauteed mushrooms, seaweed salad, raw carrot, cucumber and radish slaw, sprouts, crispy shallots, and vibrant dressings combining ingredients such as yuzu, rice wine vinegar, coconut aminos and freshly grated ginger.

To best support my body through pregnancy I have been eating more animal protein and am always very mindful of sourcing. At LINNÉ we promote and donate to regenerative agriculture organizations in support of healthy soil and carbon reduction. To further our commitment, I also personally buy direct from farms practicing holistic livestock management. I feel so grateful to have such access to such exemplary producers and to live in Charleston, where we can buy line-caught, sustainable-choice fish direct from fishermen on the waterfront.

SNACK: We’ve been on a real broth kick lately. I’m also enjoying the season’s bounty of persimmons and pomegranates. Good ol’ apples with nut butter and cinnamon are always welcome too!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?

I love making these cookies and catch myself nibbling on them morning, noon and night!

Recipe: mix 1 cup almond flour, 1 cup tahini or other nut butter, ½ maple syrup, chocolate chips. Chill 30 min in the fridge. Preheat oven to 350. Mix in 1 tsp baking soda and one egg or egg substitute. Scoop into balls on a baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Bake 10-12 min. Gooey is good!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE?

There are so many I miss in NYC, including Grand Army (we had the MOST fun pre-wedding dinner there), Wildair (innovative cuisine and natural wine to pair), Casa Lever (such an elegant place for a sexy date), Long Island Bar (for a stiff cocktail and a Lady Burger).

WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP?

I love shopping seasonally at farmer’s markets and exploring local larders.

TOP 3 ITEMS YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITCHEN?

My Spanish heritage dictates that I always have exquisite olive oil. I buy Rio Bravo Ranch unfiltered olio nuovo picual olive oil by the gallon (it’s made by my friend’s California family farm dating back to the 1860s), and use Oracle olive oil for all my drizzling. I also always have a range of ferments on hand, from fermented chili, homemade krauts and kimchi and at least one type of miso. Salts too feel very important, and we usually have a fun collection including maldon flake salt, black lava salt, Himalayan pink salt, red Alaea salt, Celtic grey salt and some fun blends such as matcha and yuzu salt. I also love soaking in salts, namely Epsom and dead sea salts - hence why we developed the LINNÉ bath salts collection.

WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN? (how often & what you do)

Prior to the pandemic I would take a yoga, pilates, and dance class 3-4 times a week. I also have a highly active pup, so I walk a lot! We spent this past summer in Vermont getting great exercise, hiking mountains and romping in rivers each day. I also had the pleasure of working in our family garden. My favorite kind of exercise happens outside. These days at 38 weeks pregnant I mostly walk in the park or at the beach. I can’t wait to get back on a bike, surf the sweet little waves down here and ski next year!

WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? (products, facials, etc)

I start my day by splashing my face with cool water. After patting dry, I generously mist myself with our REFRESH mineral essence and then follow with a quick facial massage using our RENEW serum and BALANCE face oil to provide the perfect slip. I also like to roll-on our RISE functional fragrance on my brow, neck and inner wrists. The squalane based essential oil blend contains ingredients that directly benefit the skin and moreover the aromatherapeutic qualities help release anxiety, promote hormonal equilibrium in the body and support bodily systems to operate at a higher level of efficiency, all of which indirectly support healthy skin.

In the evening I wash my face with PURIFY face wash. It’s a wonderful creamy clay cleanser that doubles as a mask, so once a week or as needed, I use it as such to achieve an even deeper cleansing. I also use our SCRUB face mask once or twice a week to gently shed dead skin. Following cleansing and masking I mist with REFRESH and follow with RENEW and REPAIR face oil. I try to do a longer massage at this point to further tone facial tissue, iron out creases, and increase product penetration (you can find our massage tutorials on IG in story archives and IGTV). Prior to bed I apply SMOOTH body balm to hands and feet, and apply our REST functional fragrance to temples, wrists, the underside of my nose and along my back to ease sore muscles and promote better sleep and deeper relaxation. I have to say, REST really made a noticeable difference for me in these final stages of pregnancy where sleeping has previously been challenging.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MAKEUP/NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS?

Westman Atelier and Saie make my favorite clean makeup. I also use our NOURISH lip balm in TEKAPO and ATACAMA on lips and cheeks for a super-natural boost of color.

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

PURIFY, RENEW, REPAIR - not only would they keep my skin looking its best, but they can double as first aid items as they are all so cleansing, protective and restorative.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY/HEALTH/FITNESS/SPIRITUAL GURUS DO YOU SWEAR BY?

Lia Bartha’s B The Method Pilates app has been such a gift during this pandemic. I also love the teachings and inspirations of Deborah Hannekamp AKA Mama Medicine (medicine reader and ritual bath guru), Biet Simkin (author, spiritual teacher and all-around badass), Thom Knowles (maharishi of Vedic Meditation).

FAVORITE SHOPS/BOUTIQUES?

I’ve yet to explore what Charleston has to offer but in NYC I love Kallmeyer on Orchard Street. Her garments are chic, polished yet relaxed and very wearable. While I’m clearly biased, because we are dear friends, I’m certain she makes every individual who enters her space feel just as welcome and at ease. I also love Nalata Nalata for super special Japanese homewares - they have the best cast iron pans and clay donabes. Archestratus Books + Foods is such a gem in Greenpoint- not only do they have the best selection of cookbooks but they have an amazing cafe and historically have offered wonderful educational dinners and cooking classes. Utilitario Mexicano in Mexico City is also a fave for unique kitchen essentials!

COOLEST PLACE YOU’VE EVER VISITED?

It’s a tie between Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile, where I visited in 2018 with my husband for our honeymoon (picture jagged mountains, pristine nature, batty-lashed guanacos and milky blue glacial water) and the annual horse festival in Kham Province, Tibet, when I was 16 (had the best peach of my life while chilling with beautiful dancers and rugged cowboys).

FAVORITE HOTELS?

When traveling I prefer agrotourism and boutique hotels. My husband and I had the most romantic stay in the Adobe-style houses, at Cavas Wine Lodge in Mendoza, each with their own outdoor fireplace and plunge pool. We also love the Post House Inn here in Charleston. Each of the 7 rooms are so well appointed and I crave their restaurant’s spoon salad made with butter beans, celery, cucumber, shishito, herbs and charred tomato vin.

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Our puppy Breeze and I can’t wait for our daughter to be born any day! Her due date is Christmas Day. Whether she comes then or any other day, she will certainly be the greatest gift.