Nice to meet you
I am Cortney Herrera, alchemist & formulator behind Wildcare. I am an intuitive dreamer, mother of two, passionate gardener and plant speaker, photographer and triple virgo. For a handful of years before we had kids, my husband Alejandro and I had a weekly practice of bopping around California in a whimsical way. With eyes closed we would point to a location on a map within a certain radius, and let ourselves be surprised with the adventure we were led to. Wandering is in my nature, and I feel that kind of play was necessary to formulate an appreciation for all facets of beauty and question the word beauty altogether. No matter where we are, beauty can be found when one stays present, curious, vulnerable and in the spirit of reciprocity.
Wildcare was founded in 2015 with a dedication to create effective, holistic skincare that encourages a sense of place, peace and plant-speak, as translated through each product. Our ethos is built upon biomimicry, and drawing from my unique intuitive dreams, visuals, scent memories, and feelings from nature— so much so, that almost every one of our formulas have arrived from a direct iteration of my dreams - a relationship deeply built on trust, connection and patience. Each formula is in trial for typically 1-2 years. It’s important for me to that my process of formulating is at the core, deeply intimate and emotional. Through our products we hope to spark connection delight and wonder.
I am currently enrolled in an Advanced Herbal Mentorship Program with Ethnobotanist & Clinical Herbalist Ash Ritter of Black Sage Botanicals (read towards the bottom for a proper introduction) since 2021. Each week is spent with a new plant, deepening my relationship with phytochemistry, ethnobotany clinical applications & energetics. Continuing education as an earth speaker and formulator is critical to my practice. My background of distillation specifically includes educational courses with distillers and formulators such as Cathy Skipper, Marco Valussi & Jade Shutes in addition to self-driven research thanks to long-time distillers such as Ann Harmon, Jeanne Rose & beyond, with personal studies through logging hundreds of distillations over the last 8 years. I am a graduate of The Oregon Culinary Institute and received my first introduction to working with plants in a clinical setting with a mentor, through an Herbalism Internship in the Pacific Northwest almost 15 years ago.
Wildcare’s formulas have always been charged as tools for emotional discovery first; our formulas are charms of repair, and mediums to encourage engagement and connection within yourself and without. In addition, our formulas have been built upon the culinary groundwork of creating a cohesive recipe, speaking through my culinary background, and considering how each unique ingredient marries and relates with the other, whether it be a connection via senses or landscape. I like to look at our skincare the same way I look at the food I eat; When I feel joy from the organic and garden-grown fruits, flowers, leaves, and fresh-pressed unrefined oils I apply on my skin, my skin radiates that joy back to me through its texture and tone. Our bodies are constantly speaking to us- reflecting what we’re feeling, consuming, and applying. This foundation has propelled my focus on the connectedness of holistic care – internally & externally throughout various modalities of healing and energy work. My desire is that our skincare is a joyful, connected and loving experience you offer yourself and FEEL, as you remember your connection as a part of the natural world.
“When you are present to working with skincare at this degree, your whole being has an opportunity to be reclaimed and renewed…The dialogue between you and nature stays open, you’re brought to the garden, our whole-being is integrated.”
“Whole-being skincare is the notion that they call to you, you call to them, many times unknowingly until we realize they show up when we’ve been speaking something into existence.”
Why ‘Whole-Being Skincare’
Beauty begins as a relationship, a feeling & an experience. I tend to view most things as a simple energy exchange— the intention that we can be supported by the living things that already surround us if given proper care and attention. I believe that what we FEEL from our skincare vs waiting for what we see, creates MORE results than textbook results. We are in harmony; We are not separate than. We communicate back and forth with the plants we cover ourselves in everyday. When you cleanse, moisturize, mist- you are anointing yourself in plants. They have the ability to shift not just your skin, but your energy and spirit. Whole-being skincare is the notion that they call to you, you call to them, many times unknowingly until we realize they show up when we’ve been speaking something into existence. When you are present to working with skincare at this degree, your whole being has an opportunity to be reclaimed and renewed; The dialogue between you and nature stays open, you’re brought to the garden, our whole-being is integrated.
Shoutout to my shining star sisters
Wildcare is a family business. While it’s just myself behind the daily scenes of Wildcare, each sister has a hand some way or another in this business- whether directly or indirectly.
Ash is a desert dwelling ethnobotanist, herbalist and educator. Her botanical medicine studies have spanned the past 18+ years through various clinical, academic & traditional settings and I’m lucky to be receiving weekly mentorship and herbal training under her wing. If you haven’t checked out her classes & herbal candy-of-the-month club yet, run- don’t walk. They typically sell out the same day a new flavor drops. We’re on a similar creative wavelength, plotting a collaboration and are always bouncing future business ideas back and forth. Ash’s works.
Mo is a mother, artist and poet living in the Pacific Northwest. Her works most often consist of drawings, sculpture, books, html & cat houses, and intermedia installations sourced from dreams and other found materials. She is also the designer & illustrator of our Wildcare bottle designs! Mo's works.
Thank you for being here.
With love,
Cortney Herrera,
founder, formulator & distiller