Isa Brito – founder & maker of Isa’s Restoratives

ISA IS BASED IN BROOKLYN WHERE SHE MAKES HER OWN SKINCARE UNDER THE NAME ISA’S RESTORATIVES. HER SKIN CARE LINE IS MADE OF HERBAL BEAUTY ELIXIRS MADE IN SMALL BATCHES, PACKAGED IN THE RECYCLABLE BOTTLES. SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS ARE SOURCED FROM HER VERY OWN GARDEN, BUT THE MAJORITY ARE HARVESTED LOCALLY FROM KNOWN AND TRUSTED SOURCES.

Like me, more and more people want to know not only know all of the ingredients in their beauty and skin care, but where it is grown and how it is harvested. Supporting local businesses and game changers like Isa’s Restoratives, bringing us alternatives to products from big corporations to sustainable, conscious consumption.

Isa Brito in her studio.

The first time I went back to New York, after I had been there for work almost twenty years ago (time flies), I knew that I absolutely wanted to meet Isa i’ve only met online. When we did, it became clear that we shared the same values on natural beauty, organic life, compassion and tolerance. We instantly became friends and me at the Bryant Park (my favourite NYC park for soothing in between the city-run moments).

The reason I found Isa in the first place was because I was looking for new natural skin care brands for my own daughter. When she became a teenager along came her attention to the skin products. Although she got many cosmetic gifts on occasions, I always managed to ‘hide’ them from her for the same reasons that I don’t use them myself, because most of them have toxic ingredients. Getting her started with the right products is fundamental.

I ADMIRE ISA FOR MANY THINGS: HOW MANAGES TO KEEP HER NATURAL HUMAN KINDNESS AND FRESHNESS WHILST LIVING IN THE BUZZING BROOKLYN NY AS WELL AS MANAGE HER NATURAL SKINCARE BRAND. HOW SHE RAISED HER DAUGHTER ON HER OWN, ALWAYS GIVING HER THE VALUES SHE STANDS FOR.

Violet leaves for Isas skincare potions.

Isas Restoratives Liquid Clay silky facial cleanser.

“Something fundamental for someone who cares for nature is the necessity to pass on key values to the future generation, starting with her own loved ones.”

Join my conversation and meet Isa here:

How did you start Isa’s Restoratives? 

It was a  pretty organic beginning. I started making products for my daughter when she started showing interested in creams and make up, and soon lots of the moms and even teachers in her school were interested in them. I started selling in the school yard and soon I decided to make a website because dealing creams in the parking lot was looking weird. Soon after the website launched I got a call from ABC Home and they started carrying Isa’s Restoratives.

What are your principles in life?  

All Isa’s Restoratives products are made in small batches and delivered as fresh as possible to our costumers and stockists around the world. We support suppliers that operate in similar scale, ensuring fresh ingredients resulting from Fair Trade and organic practices. Our oils are cold pressed and our botanicals come from organic herbal farms.

What are the things that inspire you?

The energetics healing powers of plants, how so much more complex and deep their intelligence is.

How do you integrate conscious consumption and sustainability in your everyday life? 

I grew up partially in a self sustained ranch in Brazil, and there we resolved all basics life issues without outsourcing. That was my foundation for leading a natural and minimal waste lifestyle. This way of living comes natural to me. I recycle, I try my best to buy bulk items, I avoid plastic packing, I never bring plastic bags when shopping, in my kitchen I compost, I use my bicycle for transportation as much as possible in Brooklyn, and we decided to not use a box to packager products. We use an beautiful organic black linen pouch that can be re-used.

Isa’s care for Mind, Body & Soul:

Craving an extra spirit lifting ritual in my self care routine this morning and the beauty of powder masks is that they are very versatile if you want to add to the experience and/or enhance the detoxifying properties of the formula.

Today’s masking adventure: Coconut Charcoal mask, enough green tea to make it runny, Manuka honey to make it thick and creamy, a few drops of the Liquid Gold Serum, and neroli essential oil to make me happy!

It worked and I got fresh nourished and glowing skin too! Home spa baby!!

I love your hub. Can you share any favorite spots in Brooklyn with us here?

• Cafe Paulette
• Park Slope Food Co-Op
• Cafe Mogador
• La Superior (best tacos)
• Egg
• Okonomi (favorite Japanese)
• June
• Frankie’s Diner

Favorite Podcasts right you listen to while working:

• On Being (my favorite!)
• The Daily
• S Town
• Dirty John
• The Moth