It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what inspired me to start Cocoon Apothecary because it wasn’t one thing. It was my first whiff of lavender essential oil, watching a natural cream make my mom’s skin glow, and watching my stepfather and our family dog develop the same type of cancer at the same time—one that had been linked to pesticide exposure. That experience made me think much more seriously about the chemicals we’re exposed to every day.

I originally planned to open a natural skincare store. Instead, I fell in love with making the products. Ideas for formulas came so freely, it felt less like I had chosen this path and more like I had found what I was meant to do. Funny enough, ten years earlier I had studied microbiology hoping to work in a cosmetics lab. Somehow, I had found my way back.

 immersed myself in herbalism, aromatherapy, cosmetic chemistry, distillation and perfumery. The formulas took years to perfect, and the collection grew slowly and intentionally.

More than 22 years later, we make over 40 products with sensitive skin in mind. And after all this time, I’m still fascinated by the same thing that started it all: what plants can do for our skin.

Jessica Burman, Founder