Papa’s Skin Care Company
founder: Jacqueline Helen Mckenzie Brown
course: Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation + Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science
Graduation year: 2022
location: The Bahamas
Hero product: Lemongrass Awakening Facial Gel & Beet Root Toner
Brand overview
Long before Papa’s Skin Care Company came to life, Jacqueline Helen Mckenzie Brown was working as a Registered Nurse in The Bahamas, where an experience involving the traditional use of green papaya would eventually spark an entirely new direction in her career.
While working with patients, Jacqueline recalls receiving repeated requests from healthcare professionals and patients’ relatives concerning the traditional use of green papaya. Those experiences stayed with her and eventually inspired an idea she wanted to explore through cosmetic formulation.
Jacqueline describes developing her Green Papaya Paste as “a dream” that was ignited by those experiences. But to turn that idea into a properly formulated cosmetic product, she knew she needed to develop her knowledge and skills.
She went on to study with Formula Botanica, completing the Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation and Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science in 2022.
“Formula Botanica provided me with the knowledge, skills, confidence and understanding to develop my vision for formulating Green Papaya Paste.”
What began with one formulation soon developed into something larger. As Jacqueline progressed through her studies and completed the practical requirements of each module, she was encouraged to experiment with different formulation types and ultimately expanded her original idea into a range of seven skincare products.
Today, Papa’s Skin Care Company offers products including the Green Papaya Paste, Coconut Moisturising Barrier Cream, Colloidal Oatmeal Foot Scrub, Lemongrass Awakening Facial Gel, daytime and night-time moisturising creams, and Beet Root Toner. The range reflects Jacqueline’s interest in gentle, multipurpose skincare and her desire to create products with mature skin in mind.
Looking back at her Formula Botanica journey, Jacqueline says the experience taught her much more than how to formulate.
“During my tenure with Formula Botanica, I learned what it means to be patient, to persevere, the art of intensive and extensive research, and the significance of repeating formulations to achieve a desired goal.”
Her studies also reinforced the importance of continuing to learn as a formulator, from keeping up with developments in the industry to networking and engaging with ongoing educational resources.
Jacqueline credits the Formula Botanica community with helping her continue that journey, thanking the team for its “continuous efforts to ensure that students are connected and placed in a position to receive the support and assistance where needed”.
From an idea inspired by experiences during her nursing career to a seven-product skincare range, Papa’s Skin Care Company reflects Jacqueline’s commitment to learning, perseverance and creating skincare with purpose.
