From Kitchen to Collection: Crafting Our First Body Butters: What happens when a biologist, a stand mixer, and a dream team up for soft skin.

When Queen City Skincare first launched, we were focused on curating — hunting down the best masks, toners, and spa-night treats from Korea and beyond. And while that was exciting, I knew early on I wanted more than just to source great skincare. I wanted to make something. Something that would carry our voice, our care, and that unmistakable Regina energy — right down to the last swirl.

My first experiment? Whipped body butter.

I dove in the only way I knew how: like a biologist on a mission. I researched ingredients like it was finals week, drafted test recipes, and sniffed essential oils until I was lightheaded and second-guessing everything I thought I liked. Finding the right scent profile was its own journey — balancing richness with freshness, playfulness with calm. I wanted it to smell like a Regina kind of night — luxurious, grounding, and deeply comforting.

But let’s talk process. People don’t realize just how much science goes into body care. Precision isn’t optional. The sanitation standards alone are enough to scare most DIYers off. Every tool, every surface, every container has to be sterilized — especially when you’re working with water-free products like body butter that can still go bad if you’re not careful. I turned my kitchen into a clean lab, complete with gloves, sanitized spatulas, and the MVP of this story: my home stand mixer. That thing whipped hundreds of batches before it even blinked.

I started with one scent. Just one. And like any proud creator, I gently forced it onto friends and family — “Here, just try it. Seriously. Try it.” I tweaked the texture, adjusted the absorption, softened the scent. And when I finally felt it was right, I brought it to our next pop-up.

It sold like crazy.

Two-thirds of my stock — gone in a few hours.

That first scent is still going strong, but now it’s got company. Our Essential Moisture line includes three dreamy options:

• Unscented – for those with sensitivities, or who just want skin care without the scent story
• Cherry Blossom – a soft, sweet fan favorite with floral warmth and a kiss of nostalgia
• Lemongrass & Lavender – fresh, herbal, and relaxing as hell (Regina’s favorite, obviously)

And this body butter? It was just the beginning.

Today, Essential Moisture is growing into a full collection — soft, feel-good hydration for face, body, and eventually lips. We’ve just launched our Face & Body Oil, available in Unscented or Bright Botanical. It’s lightweight, nourishing, and the perfect follow-up to a steamy shower or spa night at home.

Next up? A lip mask and balm — still in the experimentation phase, because (as I’ve learned) good things take time… and a lot of batches.

Essential Moisture started with one mixer, one recipe, and one dream: to create something that makes people feel taken care of. And we’re just getting started.