There’s something truly special about skincare that feels like a retreat, each use bringing with it a moment of calm and connection. For Sarah Miramontes, founder of Paca Botánica, crafting cold-pressed soaps goes beyond skincare - it’s an homage to Mexican botanicals and a celebration of the natural beauty of her heritage. Made in small batches in California, Paca Botánica’s soaps are organic, vegan, and formulated with a deep respect for both the earth and the skin they touch. Infused with Sarah’s passion for natural ingredients, each bar is designed to offer a spa-like experience that reconnects us to simpler, purer routines.
Drawing inspiration from the ancient Aztec ritual of using saponin-rich Amolli plant roots for bathing, Sarah's vision for Paca Botánica began with an appreciation for traditional, earth-centered cleansing. Her mission is clear: to create truly clean, high-quality skincare that brings us back to basics while honoring every ingredient and its origin. We recently connected with Sarah to learn more about the artistry, intention, and cultural connection that shapes every bar of Paca Botánica soap. Join us in this Q&A as Sarah shares her journey, the story behind her lovely brand, plus a few other fun details to help you get to know her!
What inspired you to start Paca Botánica?
Before Paca, I was working in the musical theatre space as an actor. When COVID hit and everything shut down I needed to find a creative outlet and soap making sort of fell into my lap through helping my mom with her new found hobby one day. Sustainability, quality ingredients and aesthetics have always been important to me. As a long time bar soap user, I quickly poured my creativity into that space. I never imagined myself doing this but it has been both challenging and rewarding.
How did you get started vs. where are you today?
I got started making 1 lb batches in my kitchen dreaming up the tiniest details of the 9 bars that I carry today, to now having a home studio making about 200-300 bars a week. I still consider myself a micro business, and am still the only one handling every detail, but I am so grateful for the support I have received over the past two years and the growth that has come with that.
How did you learn your craft of soapmaking?
I learned from my mom. It was a wonderful bonding experience for us through the pandemic and to this day. She is the only person in my world that I can really nerd out with when it comes to soapmaking and formulating.
What sets cold process soapmaking apart?
Some of the benefits of this age-old process include a creamy feel and lather, the quality of ingredients and their properties are not degraded through excess heat, and it is very moisturizing because it retains all of the natural glycerin produced during the soap making process. It is a labor of love that is so worth the 6-8 week curing time. It is my own little form of rebellion to all the fast, mass produced body care packaged in plastic and filled with unnecessary chemicals that don't have our body or our planet's best interest at heart.
Where do you draw inspiration from for creating your different formulations/scents?
I keep scents, colors, skincare benefits, and feel in mind when creating each bar. What is my skin concern focus? What Mexican botanicals can support this? What essential oil blend assists with this goal? What natural colorant in the form of clays or spices will also aid in this goal? These are only a few of the questions I ask myself when creating and it is by far my favorite process. I love learning and above all, I love creating.
If you had to pick one soap from your collection, which would it be and why?
That's such a tough question because I love them all for different reasons and swap them out according to my mood or the season, but I am always in the mood for Mellow. My skin loves the soothing formula and I find the essential oil blend to be very calming and grounding which I've been needing a lot of lately.
Have you been able to travel to Mexico, and if yes, where is your favorite place you've visited and why?
I was very fortunate to be able to visit Mexico almost every year growing up to see family. That usually meant we were either going to Guadalajara or Nayarit. As I've grown older, I have ventured out to see much more of Mexico, which has been a lot of fun. My husband was born and raised in Mexico City so I frequent there now to visit my new family and friends. Mexico has so much to offer and every place carries its own beautiful energy. I would have to say Mexico City carries many important memories for me and I leave inspired everytime I visit. It is full of history, culture, charm, and vibrancy. There is so much I have yet to see, but Oaxaca City is next on my list.
Describe your ideal Saturday morning.
There is nothing I love more than a slow morning on the weekend. My routine as of late has been throwing on my thickest, coziest robe, making myself a warm drink, then melting into my couch with my husband and our dog for some reading or journaling. We've been loving making breakfast at home and having it outside in our backyard soaking up a little morning sunshine. After that, we will usually go on a walk around our neighborhood together before tackling our weekend to-dos.
