About Deschampsia
Plant-based skincare and scent, made with care and grounded in tradition.
Deschampsia is a small apothecary studio based on Vashon Island, Washington. We make seasonal skincare and botanical fragrances that reflect a commitment to slow craft, ecological awareness, and the everyday rituals of self care.
Each product is created in small batches using traditional, pre-industrial methods — the kind that allow us to work closely with raw plant materials and preserve their integrity. Our offerings are practical, sensory, and made to reconnect people with the natural world in a simple, grounded way.
Our Craft
We blend historical techniques with a modern standard of precision and care. Rather than relying on synthetic ingredients or industrial shortcuts, we choose slow, hands-on processes that allow the full character of the plant to come through. Every formula is developed and made in-house — from raw ingredients to finished product — with attention to detail at every stage.
Our goal is not to mystify nature, but to work in respectful collaboration with it.
Our Ingredients
We work with high-integrity plant materials that are chosen not just for their function, but for how they’re grown, gathered, and handled. Our ingredient choices reflect both what we stand for — and what we intentionally leave out.
We prioritize:
- Certified organic ingredients wherever possible
- Wild foraged herbs, harvested responsibly and with respect for the land
- Local, bioregional plants that reflect the climate and ecology of our region
- Whole plants over isolated compounds — for complexity, synergy, and potency
- Ingredients we grow, gather, or process ourselves when feasible
Just as importantly, we avoid:
- Synthetic fragrances and artificial preservatives
- Isolates, fillers, and heavily processed additives
- Lab-manipulated “natural” ingredients
- Trend-driven actives that compromise long-term skin health or ecological impact
This approach allows us to create products that are both effective and grounded — clean, transparent, and in alignment with the values of the people who use them.
Our Ethics
Deschampsia is rooted in ecological respect, transparency, and craft integrity. We’re not here to mass-produce or over-promise. We’re here to make something honest — for people who care about what they use, how it’s made, and where it comes from.
That means:
- Making decisions based on long-term sustainability, not speed or scale
- Using low-waste packaging and shipping materials
- Harvesting with restraint and intention
- Working in alignment with the seasons
We believe in doing more with less — and in making products that earn their place in your routine.
Our Founder
Deschampsia was founded in 2018 by Jonathan Deschamps — an artist, ecologist, and trained herbalist. His background includes fieldwork in native plant ecology, years of experience in herbal formulation, and a deep interest in how people relate to plants, place, and self care.
Jonathan approaches formulation as both a craft and a form of storytelling — one that respects the wisdom of older traditions while meeting the needs of modern life.