Growing up, I was often told that I had “bad” skin; because of this, I would often swap tank tops for crew necks to cover up the bumps and dark spots on my back and arms. Acne and eczema had taken a toll on my body, thus making it hard—even as an adult— to feel confident in my own skin. While trips to the dermatologist added some relief, I found that steroids and expensive products did not solve my problem. I was looking for a long-term solution to my primary skin issues: Acne, eczema, discoloration, and diabetes. So, it was not until I experienced a massive burnout from teaching and writing a dissertation, that I started to study herbalism. By following the rules of nature and understanding the medicinal properties of plant botanicals, I experienced the magic of natural healing. It was a game changer that inspired me to share my knowledge with everyone.

Guided by Native American and African herbalism, I launched Smart Cookie Bodycare. While the name suggests an edible, specialized cookie, it means a mindset of sophistication, wit, intelligence, and drive. This is the foundation on which the brand stands. So, I want customers to do away the old saying, “I have bad/problem skin,” and instead, celebrate the climb toward healthy skin through plant-botanicals and non-toxic ingredients that offer them natural healing.

 Josette (Akoredele) Compton, EdD