Founder Files
Clean Skincare· Mill Valley, California, USA · Updated 14 May 2026

Hillary Peterson

After her own thyroid cancer diagnosis, Hillary Peterson founded True Botanicals in 2014 to prove plant-based skincare could meet — and outperform — synthetic prestige in independent clinical testing. The brand was the first to be certified MADE SAFE.

"Clean and clinically effective are not opposites."

Hillary Peterson
Background

Peterson was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in her 30s and reformulated her entire personal-care routine. Unable to find prestige-grade clean skincare she trusted, she founded True Botanicals in Mill Valley, California in 2014.

The brand was the first beauty company certified by the MADE SAFE standard and is best known for its Vitamin C Booster, Pacific Rose Cleanser, and the Olivia Wilde-fronted brand campaign that helped take it mainstream.

Philosophy

Independent clinical testing is the only credible answer to 'does it work?'

MADE SAFE / EWG-style certification is the floor, not the headline.

Career timeline
  • 2014
    Founds True Botanicals after personal cancer diagnosis
  • 2015
    First brand certified MADE SAFE
  • 2018
    Olivia Wilde becomes Chief Brand Activist
Press & appearances
  • Hillary Peterson on Clean Skincare's Clinical Test

    interview
    Forbes
  • True Botanicals: FUTURE50

    profile
    BeautyMatter
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