LiveWell Louisiana

Island Inspiration

Tropical ingredients give these problem-solving skincare products added flair.
July 10th, 2014 by: Lianna Patch

Sénica founder Benardett K. Jno-Finn, who grew up on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, created what would become her all-natural body product line in response to her own skincare struggles. “I always had sensitive skin, and then I moved to Syracuse, New York [to attend college],” she says. “When I moved to Syracuse, the drastic change in the weather really caused a lot of complications for me and my skin.” The biochemistry student spent a great deal of time at the dermatologist’s office, seeking treatment for conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

“At the end of the day, I get to help a lot of people celebrate their natural beauty.” 

“That’s when I started looking at ingredients that I grew up with,” Jno-Finn remembers. “Starting with that, and researching other ingredients, I started to create products for myself.” Thus, the idea behind 
Sénica was born. The products’ moisturizing bases, like cocoa butter, shea butter and coconut oil, help soothe dry skin, while ingredients like lavender and lemon offer natural antiseptic and astringent properties, respectively. Essential oils in scents like lavender, tea tree, orange and bay rum help calm and balance the senses. “They’re head-to-toe products that can be used on all skin types,” Jno-Finn says.

In Syracuse, Jno-Finn found that with the help of her self-created skincare regimen, along with regular exercise and good hydration, her skin issues abated. “Those are the things that form the foundation of Sénica,” she says. “When you pay attention to your body and how it responds to things, a lot of times, you can curb those issues without major medical intervention.”

After moving to New Orleans in 2007, Jno-Finn launched Sénica at the Freret Market. The company has grown to include other hair and body products, including Senk solid shampoo and conditioner bars, which avoid stripping the hair’s natural oils. 

“At the end of the day, I get to help a lot of people celebrate their natural beauty,” Jno-Finn says. senicanaturals.com