About Forage & Soothe

Clean, Science-backed Skincare & Superfoods for Real Life

Sylvia: Agrologist, Formulator, Nature-Led Maker

Sylvia, Founder of Forage & Soothe

Sylvia is the founder and formulator of Forage & Soothe Botanicals. Her journey into running a business began not in a lab or office, but in the forest, and in her own body. After being diagnosed with a chronic illness over 10 years ago, she turned to herbal medicine and began crafting remedies to support her healing. That path led her deeper into a belief that nature gives us all the tools we need to support our bodies. 

She holds a Masters in Food Science and spent many years working in corporate product development, but it wasn’t until she began crafting products with ingredients that resonated deeply that she truly felt fulfilled. With a sharp intuition and a deep reverence for the land, Sylvia formulates each product in small batches, using high-quality ingredients she either grows, forages, or sources from trusted suppliers. Her products are as full of love as they are effective, designed to reconnect you to your body, your senses, and the peace that comes from knowing you’re supported by something real.

“There is no greater joy for me than creating products that have a real, meaningful impact on people’s lives. Products that align with my own values of wellness, freedom and the natural world.” ~Syl

Leanne: Marketing Strategist, Skincare Researcher, Technology Nerd

Leanne, Co-owner of Forage & Soothe

Her path into the wellness space started early. Long before she worked in marketing, with a habit of reading product labels in beauty & health food stores just for fun. Professionally, she spent almost two decades in the software industry, helping small businesses grow, sharpen their story, and connect with people who care.

Today, she’s found her place making sure Sylvia’s creations reach the people who need them most. She approaches health and skincare with curiosity, a slightly dark sense of humour, and a data-driven obsession with what actually works. For her, skincare and wellness products should be effective, nourishing, and never cost a fortune.

She values health, solitude, nature, and the deep comfort of knowing when you’ve finally found your holy grail.

“I believe the right skincare routine should feel like a love letter to your future self.” ~Lea

How It All Began

Leannes elderberry tree

In late summer 2024, Leanne posted a free listing on Facebook Marketplace. Her elderberry tree was overflowing, and she didn't have time to harvest or process it. Sylvia answered the listing, showing up with a bag full of handcrafted skincare to trade. At that time, Sylvia had been running the business as a one-woman show for years, and she knew deep down that she needed support to grow, not just labour, but an aligned partnership. 

A few elderberries turned into a fast friendship. Sylvia and Leanne talked about everything from sea buckthorn trees to castor oil, the bounty of nature, and ways to support their health journeys. For nearly a year, we connected as friends before realizing there might be something more. Sylvia had secretly been asking the universe for someone with the right experience to help bring her already popular products to more people. And Leanne had been looking for a purpose-driven product and a partner she could believe in.

The rest unfolded naturally.

By summer 2025, we officially partnered to grow Forage & Soothe Botanicals, a brand with a lifelong love of nature, health and care.

Why Forage & Soothe?

We believe skincare can be more than something you swipe on before bed. Nourishing your body is more than just being mindful of what you consume. Turning to nature can be a ritual. A reclaiming. A return to self.

We partnered together because we both wanted something better. Better than mass-market chemicals, better than greenwashed branding, better than what you find in big box stores or pharmacies.

What we offer is products that are:

  • Made with purpose: every ingredient matters
  • Crafted slowly: in small batches, by hand
  • Backed by wisdom: traditional + modern science
  • Made locally: designed and made in the West Kootenays

We don’t chase trends. We follow what works.

We Love Our Community

We’re not just building a business, we’re investing in the future of our local economy and natural ecosystems.

Whenever possible, we:

  • Source ingredients from nearby organic farms and wild landscapes
  • Collaborate with other rural Canadian businesses
  • Sell through local markets, shops, and retail partners
  • Donate extra products to local shelters, women’s groups or meal programs
  • Keep our production close to home, right here in Castlegar, BC

When you buy from Forage & Soothe, you’re keeping your dollars in the community and supporting a natural, intentional way of doing business.

Our Values

These are the compass points that guide everything we do:

  • Nature is our ingredient list, inspiration and guide
  • Health as a daily practice, not a destination
  • Freedom to live untamed, in rhythm with what matters most 
  • Peace found in quiet rituals and the space to 'just be'
  • Self-worth comes from care, not perfection
  • Solitude is not loneliness, it's where healing happens 
  • Gratitude woven into every jar, every package, every moment, every use. 

Together, we believe in skincare that supports your whole self. Not just your face.

Come Say Hi

You can find us at farmers markets across the Kootenays, in select retail stores, or on Facebook & Instagram. Thank you for supporting local, woman-led, earth-connected skincare and superfoods.

We’re glad you’re here.

With gratitude,
Leanne & Sylvia
Co-owners, Forage & Soothe

Leanne & Sylvia, Co-owners of Forage & Soothe

Our Promises to You

  • 1. HERBAL

    We carefully select the best quality herbs and botanicals that are safe and efficacious. Each plant is harvested at its peak for maximum potency, ensuring that the products you use contain the most powerful healing allies nature has to offer. By formulating with herbs, we aim to keep us connected to the land and the earth, reminding us of the profound benefits that come from the natural world.

  • 2. NATURAL INGREDIENTS

    We're committed to using the purest, most natural ingredients, free from harmful chemicals, additives, and artificial fragrances. Your health and well-being are our top priority, and we believe that nature’s ingredients offer the most effective, gentle, and nourishing solutions.

  • 3. VEGAN SKINCARE

    All of our skincare products are naturally vegan because we believe in highlighting the healing power of plants. Plants are at the core of everything we do, and we want every product to be a pure reflection of nature’s healing potential. Our skincare products will always focus on nourishing, plant-based ingredients while animal products and animal by-products are left out.

  • 4. LOCAL FOOD

    We're dedicated to supporting the local economy by sourcing ingredients from my community whenever possible. By choosing local suppliers, we help strengthen our region’s ecosystem and support the hardworking farmers and producers who cultivate it. For our superfoods line, we use local ingredients including honey, which are both sustainable and beneficial, ensuring the long-term viability of our products while supporting a healthy local food system.