I was introduced to Libby DeLana through our mutual friend, artist Windy Chien, who knew we shared the same values. Libby’s practice of daily cold plunges, which she writes about in her new book Cold Joy (available October 14) mirrors the way we care for skin at Botnia: simple, intentional rituals that build strength over time. Recently, Libby plunged in the waters of Sausalito, close to our home, and it feels right to share the Botnia essentials she turns to after each swim.

From Libby:

“Getting into the cold water is an act of care, a way of waking up every cell and our spirit. Nourishing the skin afterward is just as essential. Both are rituals of tending, both reminders of how to care for the body that carries us into the wild.

Botnia is how I care for my skin after plunging into wild water. There’s a stillness that lingers, both in body and in spirit. After a dip, I reach for these products:

ESSENTIAL ENZYMES

I turn to this as a way of tending to my skin the way I tend to my spirit. It’s skincare magic: a nutrient-rich formula that cleanses, nourishes, and doubles as a gentle mask. Powered by pomegranate, juniper, and calendula, it restores, balances and protects from environmental stress. Grown on local organic farms, these botanicals are harvested with care for the earth, making every use an act of nourishment for both skin and planet.

ROSE GERANIUM HYDROSOL

It feels gentle, sweet, and kind on my skin. I love knowing it’s made through a slow, careful distillation that captures the true essence of the plant. This floral water is gentle yet powerful, helping my wise, old skin feel nourished and awake. Using it is more than skincare, it’s a ritual that connects me to the earth and the thoughtful way these botanicals are grown and crafted.

WELL SERUM

I use this retinoid serum to care for and love my skin, not to change it. The gentle, nutritive formula supports my skin’s natural balance, keeping it strong, nourished, and steady without irritation. I love that it’s sun-safe, pregnancy-safe, and kind to the skin’s biome. For me, it’s about tending to what’s already here, offering protection and deep care so my skin feels healthy in its own rhythm.

LANDFALL LEATHERWORKS x BOTNIA TRAVEL BAG

I love this bag for so many reasons. It’s beautifully designed, practical, and holds up to my daily adventures, but what makes it even more meaningful is the story behind it. Created by Emma of Landfall Leatherworks, it’s crafted from recycled sails with care for the planet woven into every detail. Emma is a true badass, building something both functional and responsible. Made in Sausalito, the same place I often slip into the cold water, this bag feels like a reflection of the values I carry with me.

At the heart of both Botnia and Cold Joy is the idea of care. Care not as a luxury, but as a responsibility. We care for our skin not to perfect it, but to honor it. We care for our tired muscles, our wind-kissed cheeks, our weathered hands. We care for our inner world too, for the self that shows up again and again. And woven through it all is the care we extend outward: to the planet, to the wild waters that welcome us, to the quiet rituals that root us.

There is joy in this care. Joy in slowing down, in choosing what’s nourishing, in finding rhythm between the icy plunge and the warm towel. Botnia becomes a continuation of the cold, an embrace instead of a jolt. And in that rhythm, in that act of tending, there’s something quietly revolutionary. A reminder that to care, gently, thoughtfully, daily, is one of the most joyful acts we can offer this life.”

You can find Libby’s favorite products in the Cold Joy Set. Libby’s ritual reminds us that care and joy are always intertwined.

Xo,
Justine