Blending Ancestral Wisdom with Modern Skincare: How Robbin Turner is Redefining Beauty
In the latest episode of The Wild Party Podcast, we welcome Robbin Turner, the innovative founder behind Violet Botanical Skincare, a brand that seamlessly blends African ancestral plant wisdom with modern skincare practices. This episode dives into Robbin’s incredible journey, from her family’s struggle with eczema to her exploration of African herbalism and the creation of a skincare line that’s deeply rooted in transparency, ethical sourcing, and customer education.
Robbin’s entrepreneurial journey is one of passion, persistence, and personal connection. Her path to creating Violet Botanical Skincare started with a search for natural remedies to alleviate her family’s eczema. When traditional solutions, such as steroid creams, only masked symptoms and carried harmful side effects, Robbin looked to the past—to the African herbal traditions her grandmother practiced. This connection to her heritage sparked her vision for a skincare brand that would honor ancient practices while meeting the standards of modern skincare.
The Initial Spark and Research into African Herbalism
What began as a personal quest evolved into a rigorous process of self-education. Robbin immersed herself in the study of African herbalism, learning how plants and natural ingredients could be combined to create effective remedies. She dedicated time during the COVID-19 lockdown to complete an herbalism certification, which deepened her understanding of botanical skincare. Through her studies, she discovered that her grandmother’s “old wives’ remedies” were in fact rooted in ancient and effective plant medicine, passed down over generations.
Her research went beyond just reading about ingredients; she actively sought out natural, sustainably sourced materials that have been used in Africa for centuries. The ingredients she identified, such as shea butter, marula oil, and baobab oil, were not only effective for moisturizing and soothing the skin but had also stood the test of time. Many of these ingredients were revered by ancient civilizations, dating back to Egyptian tombs and African tribal medicine, which gave Robbin the confidence that they could serve as reliable foundations for her formulations.
Crafting Products with Care and Precision
Robbin's journey into product creation began in her own kitchen. Her first formulation, a body butter, was crafted using her kitchen mixer and small batches of shea butter and other botanicals. After seeing the relief it brought her family, she began experimenting with new formulations, incorporating ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. With each batch, Robbin refined her process, gradually developing a product line that included body scrubs, oils, and body washes—all crafted with a deep respect for the skin and the ingredients.
As the brand grew, Robbin realized the importance of adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product safety and consistency. She invested in commercial-grade equipment and created a dedicated workspace within her home to maintain a sanitary, controlled environment for product manufacturing. This process includes using separate equipment, wearing protective gear, and meticulously sanitizing each item and workspace before and after production. By setting up this system, Robbin not only ensures the quality of her products but also stays compliant with industry standards, even as a home-based business.
Sourcing with Integrity: From Southern Africa to the United States
One of the cornerstones of Violet Botanical Skincare is ethical sourcing. Robbin partners with suppliers in Southern Africa, including a trusted supplier in Botswana, to source raw, wild-harvested ingredients. These ingredients, gathered from women’s cooperatives and rural communities, are sustainably collected and shipped with care. Robbin prioritizes suppliers who share her values of transparency and ethical practices, even personally vetting them to ensure they align with Violet Botanical Skincare’s mission.
Leaping Bunny-certified as cruelty-free, Violet Botanical Skincare adheres to high standards in sourcing and production. Robbin requires her suppliers to meet cruelty-free requirements across the entire supply chain, undergoing yearly recertification. This commitment to ethical sourcing not only ensures product integrity but also supports the communities from which the ingredients are harvested, reinforcing her brand’s goal of social responsibility.
Challenges and Resilience: The Path of a Solopreneur
As a solopreneur, Robbin wears many hats, from product formulation and manufacturing to marketing and customer service. Funding her business independently, she has chosen to rely on bootstrapping and non-dilutive funding sources, such as grants, to maintain full control over her brand’s direction. This approach allows her to make decisions that align with her vision and values without the pressure of outside investors. While it can be challenging to balance all aspects of the business, Robbin believes that staying true to her purpose is worth the effort.
Her journey as an entrepreneur is not just about building a skincare brand; it’s about honoring her heritage, creating something meaningful, and sharing a piece of her story with every product. Through her dedication to natural ingredients and ethical practices, Robbin has crafted Violet Botanical Skincare as a brand that offers more than skincare—it provides a bridge between ancestral wisdom and the modern desire for natural, effective products.
A Business Built on Connection and Compassion
For Robbin, her business is about much more than profit. She sees each product as an opportunity to connect with her customers and share a bit of her own journey. Whether through the soothing properties of her body butter or the vibrant education she provides on social media, Robbin brings warmth, authenticity, and a sense of purpose to Violet Botanical Skincare. Her journey reflects the power of resilience, dedication, and a commitment to creating products that are as nourishing for the skin as they are rooted in a tradition of care and compassion.
