Quick-Fix Comfort Is Out, Real Healing Is In – Inside Seed to Skin with Founder Jeanette Thottrup

April 20, 2026
Fashion & Beauty
Words:
Beanie Stolper

Spring skin reset, but make it real. Skin is done with snappy shortcuts, Seed to Skin’s Restorative Collection is about actual repair, not anything performative. Co-founded by Jeanette Thottrup, the brand sits at the intersection of nature and green biotech, fully uncompromised. Visiting where the magic happens, the Italian estate of Borgo Santo Pietro in November, where everything from soil to formula exists in one continuous ecosystem, makes the level of intention impossible to miss. In a culture obsessed with zappy speed, bizarre alleged miracle products and a never ending skincare step process, that kind of slowness feels almost quietly disruptive. I spoke to Thottrup about restoration beyond the buzzword and why proper skin healing, not surface fixes, is the new baseline.

Beanie Stolper: I had the privilege of visiting Borgo Santo Pietro where the Seed to Skin products are made. It was absolutely amazing to meet you and I was totally immersed in the brand where I truly experienced the 360 approach. It felt like stepping into another world, how do you even explain that magic to someone who hasn’t been?
Jeanette Thottrup: Thank you so much, your words truly mean a lot. It’s always quite difficult to explain Borgo to someone who hasn’t experienced it, because it’s not just a place, it’s a feeling. It’s the combination of the land, the care behind everything. It’s about the intention that runs through every detail, from the way we grow our plants to how we welcome people. What you experienced as a “360 approach” is exactly what we hope to create, a space where everything is connected; nature, science, wellbeing, and a sense of calm. It’s not something we try to define too much, because the magic really lies in how personal the experience becomes for each person. In many ways, it has to be felt rather than explained and I’m so happy you were able to experience that.

 

BS: I am a complete Seed to Skin convert and your products are firmly integrated in my routine (the Midnight Miracle Oil is my go-to for dry, tired skin from long set days!) Ahead of the launch of The Rescue Cleanse and The Recovery Cream I have been secretly testing them. You’re mixing totally natural ingredients with advanced green biotech, how do you balance purity with innovation without compromise?
JT: That’s such a lovely thing to hear! I’m so happy Midnight Miracle has become part of your routine, it’s one of my favourites too. For me, the balance between purity and innovation is actually very simple, because there is no compromise. It always starts with the ingredient, its quality, its origin, and how it has been grown and transformed. If that foundation is right, everything else follows. Innovation, for us, is not about replacing nature, it’s about elevating it. We use green biotech and advanced processes to enhance what the plant naturally offers, whether that’s through fermentation, extraction, or improving bioavailability. But the integrity of the ingredient is always protected. So it’s never a question of choosing between natural and effective. It’s about making the ingredient the hero, and then using science to allow it to perform at its absolute best.
BS: Restorative is the word on everyone’s lips, what does restoration really mean for skin scientifically, and a bit of a straightforward question but why is it the core of this collection?
JT: “Restorative” is a word that’s used a lot, but for us it has a very specific meaning. Scientifically, restoration is not just about calming the skin, it’s about actively bringing compromised skin back to its normal, healthy state. That means supporting the repair of the skin barrier, reducing underlying inflammation, and helping the skin regain its natural balance and function. This is something we have been working towards for years. Creating a line that doesn’t just soothe temporarily, but truly helps the skin recover and rebuild itself over time. That’s why it sits at the core of this collection. It’s not about quick comfort, it’s about real healing. About giving the skin what it needs to return to strength, resilience, and long-term health.

 

BS: Let’s talk about The Rescue Cleanse, what’s actually happening when the cleanser meets water and turns into that buttery, calming balm which is a godsend after late night, makeup wearing London evenings. How is it targeted specifically for sensitive skin?
JT: What’s happening in The Rescue Cleanse is actually quite special, and it starts with the base. We use a glycerin-rich base, similar to what we developed for Divine Cleanse, which has the ability to transform when it meets water. On application, it feels rich and oil-like, but as soon as you add water, it emulsifies into a soft, silky balm. This allows it to dissolve makeup, impurities, and excess sebum very effectively, while still being incredibly gentle on the skin. But what really defines this cleanser is what sits within that base. At its foundation are macerated oils of Hypericum and Calendula, which are deeply calming and reparative. These work on reducing irritation, supporting the skin’s healing processes, and strengthening the capillaries, so even as you cleanse, you are actively caring for compromised skin. We’ve then layered in a series of bioactive and supportive ingredients. The avocado bioactive complex, developed through green biotechnology, delivers essential lipids and helps reinforce the skin barrier. Camelina oil replenishes and restores elasticity, while pink mineral clay gently purifies without disrupting the skin. Alongside this, we use calming herbal extracts rich in polyphenols to reduce redness and oxidative stress, and a combination of black seed and tamanu oils to further calm inflammation, support regeneration, and promote overall skin resilience. So the experience is very different from a traditional cleanser. It’s not about stripping the skin, it’s about cleansing while restoring. Especially for sensitive or reactive skin, this means you can remove everything the day has brought onto the skin, while leaving it feeling comfortable, balanced, and supported rather than tight or compromised.
BS: Clinical testing on both The Rescue Cleanse and The Recovery Cream shows reductions in redness, dryness, and flare ups. How do you define “restored” skin scientifically?
JT: For us, “restored” skin has a very clear scientific meaning, it’s when the skin returns to a stable, healthy state where it can function normally again. That means the skin is no longer overreacting. It doesn’t flare up, turn red easily, or feel dry, tight, or irritated. Sensations like heat, stinging, or burning are reduced, and the skin feels comfortable and balanced. From a biological perspective, restoration also means the barrier is functioning properly again. Transepidermal water loss is reduced, hydration is maintained, and the skin is able to protect itself from external stress without becoming reactive. So it’s not just about how the skin looks, it’s about how it behaves. When skin is restored, it is calm, resilient, and consistent. It no longer swings between imbalance, but holds a steady, healthy state over time.

 

BS: What was absolutely amazing to witness and obviously a key pillar of Seed to Skin is that you’re totally involved in everything, from the soil to the jar. How do you make that intimate, enchanted and unique Borgo energy translate into products for the everyday user?
JT: JT: I suppose, in a way, I’m a bit of a nerd and I think most people around Borgo are too. Everyone here has a genuine curiosity and passion for what they do. Nothing is ever done just on the surface; there is always a deeper reason, a real interest, and a care behind every step. Whether it’s how we grow the plants, how we extract them, or how we formulate, it’s never just about creating a product, it’s about understanding it, refining it, and constantly wanting to do it better. I think that’s really what creates that energy you felt. It comes from people who are deeply engaged, who care, and who are connected to the process. And that is what translates into the products. Even if someone is using them far away from Borgo, what they are experiencing is that same level of attention, curiosity, and intention that went into creating them. You should hear our ‘aperitivo’ conversations!
BS: Your skincare feels almost medicinal, why is it so important that it heals, not just soothes? Have you had any push back from anyone stating that this idea of fully restoring from within wouldn’t be possible?
JT: For me, the whole point is to heal. I’ve never been interested in creating something that simply soothes on the surface or offers a temporary feeling of comfort. What drives me is the idea of truly supporting the skin to return to its optimal state, to function properly, to be balanced, and to be resilient. There’s a part of me that is deeply focused on understanding what is actually possible within nature, and how far we can go in optimising that. So when people say the products feel almost medicinal, I actually take that as a compliment. That’s exactly the intention, to demonstrate that natural skincare can be both deeply effective and grounded in real results. Yes, there will always be people who don’t believe in the idea of natural recovery from within and in some cases that perspective can make sense. But for me, it’s less about waiting until something is wrong and then trying to fix it. It’s about how we support the skin and the body every day, so it stays balanced, resilient, and healthy in the first place.
BS: How do you balance creating high efficacy, restorative formulas while keeping them 100% biocompatible and safe for hypersensitive skin types? How do you make sure your products are universally 100% biocompatible?
JT: For us, high efficacy and biocompatibility are not opposing goals, they actually go hand in hand. We use processes like fermentation and hyper-fermentation to transform our botanicals into forms that the skin can more easily recognise and absorb. These processes help break down the molecules, increasing bioavailability and making the ingredients more compatible with the skin. We also work with different forms of encapsulation to control how and where the actives are delivered. By refining molecular size and using skin-mimicking delivery systems, we can guide ingredients deeper into the skin in a way that is both effective and gentle which is especially important for hypersensitive skin. That said, it’s important to acknowledge that no formulation can be 100% universal for every single person. Skin is highly individual. But what we can do is create formulations that are as biocompatible as possible, working with the skin’s natural structure, supporting its barrier, and minimising the risk of irritation. So for us, it’s about increasing the skin’s ability to receive and benefit from the ingredients, rather than forcing on just the ingredient.
BS: Running a skincare brand today is not for the faint hearted! How do you navigate competitors, trends, and the UK market while staying true to Seed to Skin’s ethos.
JT: It’s honestly very difficult, the competition is strong, and instant gratification and greenwashing are everywhere. For me, it’s about staying true to what we believe in and not following trends. We focus on doing things properly and creating real, long-term results. We love what we do and I trust that the right clients can feel the difference.
BS: Masks, oils, creams, they’re almost ritualistic. Especially in this rise of ‘self-care’ with everyone seemingly swapping out late nights for early mornings (especially Gen-Z’s). Why do these textures and moments of care still matter in a swipe obsessed, digital world?
JT: I could talk about this for hours! We live in a world where simply being is almost out of trend, our minds are constantly either in the past or preparing for the future, and rarely in the present moment. In a world like that, these rituals become essential. They create a space to pause, to breathe, and to come back into ourselves, even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes. Textures, touch, and the act of caring for ourselves bring us out of the digital and back into something real and physical. It’s not just about the product, it’s about the moment. And I think that’s why they still matter so much. Because they give us a way to reconnect, to slow down, and to actually feel ourselves again.

 

BS: How do you see the idea of “skin health” evolving generally in the market, and what are your plans to expand?
JT: I think the idea of skin health is slowly evolving from something surface-led to something much more holistic and long-term. There’s a growing understanding that healthy skin is not just about how it looks, but how it functions and how resilient, balanced, and supported it is over time. As for us, we’ll continue to do what we do in the way we live it. We’re very passionate about it, and as long as we are enjoying
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