About Us

Built from Necessity. Backed by Science. Made by Hand.

How Xēba Botánica Started

Xēba (hee-bah) Botánica was born from a simple but deeply personal need: to create truly non-toxic, effective skincare using the purest plant-based organic ingredients — without compromise.

Founded by husband and wife Rachel and Daniel Olvera, Xēba began during the pandemic with $500, a few soap molds, and a shared commitment to healthier living.

With a background in biology, chemistry, and pre-med, Rachel had the training to evaluate what she was putting on her skin — and what she found in most formulas didn't hold up. The “non-toxic” brands were underformulated. The effective ones were full of synthetic fragrance and petroleum derivatives. Nothing worked reliably for sensitive, acne-prone skin.

What started as a way to care for Rachel's sensitive, acne-prone skin and reduce household waste quickly evolved into a small-batch, handmade skincare line rooted in intention, craftsmanship, and results.

Every product is still formulated, poured, labeled, and finished by hand. We stay close to the process because integrity lives in the details — guided by the idea that wellness should feel grounding, accessible, and real.

As our family has grown, so has Xēba. In 2024, we welcomed our first child, Xochitl — a moment that reshaped not only our personal lives but our relationship to work, balance, and sustainability. Today, Xēba is built around a slower, more intentional rhythm, one that honors both the people who make our products and the people who use them.

With two locations in Pioneertown and Echo Park, and the expansion into holistic facial services through The Altar by Xēba, our mission remains unchanged: to create non-toxic, plant-powered skincare and rituals that are results-driven, thoughtfully made, and rooted in care.

We are not chasing trends. We are building something lasting — by hand, with heart, and with purpose.

The ALTAR Pillars

Five principles that define who we are and how we show up — every product, every service, every day.

A — Authenticity. We formulate without compromise. Every ingredient is chosen with purpose, every label tells the truth, and every product reflects what we actually believe in. No fillers, no greenwashing, no shortcuts.

L — Land. We are shaped by place — the desert, the high desert light, the botánica tradition passed down through generations. Our ingredients, our aesthetic, and our spirit come from the earth. We give back to it.

T — Teach. We believe an informed client is an empowered one. In every interaction — in store, online, in the treatment room — we take the time to explain what's in our products, why we chose each ingredient, and what it actually does for your skin. Education isn't an add-on. It's part of the service.

A — Access. Clean, plant-based wellness belongs to everyone. We keep our community at the center of every pricing, education, and outreach decision we make.

R — Ritual. We believe in the power of small, consistent acts of care. A daily practice. A weekly treatment. A moment that's yours. We design everything to support that.

Formulated for Real Skin

Everyday essentials for everyday people.

We didn't set out to build a skincare brand for everyone. We set out to build one for skin that's been underserved — sensitive, reactive, acne-prone skin that most luxury and “natural” brands still don't formulate for reliably.

That origin shapes everything. Our formulas are tested on those skin types because that's where the bar is highest. If it works for sensitive, acne-prone skin, it works for most skin. Our products are plant-based, unisex, and designed to function independently or as part of a layered routine.

Plastic-Free. On Purpose.

Plastic-free packaging is not a trend we're riding. It's a standard we set for ourselves from the start — because what you put on your skin and what you put in the landfill are both worth thinking about.

Our packaging is glass, aluminum, paper, or compostable wherever possible. We make this work even when it's more expensive and more logistically complex, because the alternative isn't acceptable to us.

Pioneertown. Echo Park. And Your Bathroom.

Xēba Botánica has retail locations in Pioneertown and Echo Park. Our Echo Park studio — The Altar by Xēba — offers both retail and facial services.

Shop online, visit us in person, or book a facial. We're a small team, easy to reach, and happy to help.