The Story of Sierra Reserve Supply Company
My love for the outdoors began during the latter half of my childhood when my parents took me on a road trip camping throughout California. That trip took us around California with a visit to Sequoia National Park being the highlight of the trip. The experience of being amongst such massive trees that have been around since the Roman empire stopped me in my tracks. Future camping trips reinforced my love of nature, which eventually led me to begin backpacking in the Sierra Nevada.
(My mom and I at Yosemite Falls in the late 80's)
Those backpacking trips up to glacial lakes in the Eastern Sierra took my breath away, but the mosquitos also took some of my blood and the sun made my lips dry. I started bringing a chap stick until I learned that it was petroleum-based and wasn't providing any healing properties. I began looking for products that would provide healing and protection for my skin while being planet-friendly, but couldn't find anything. Since I couldn't find a solution that wasn't petroleum based or contained filler oils, I decided to make my own.
(My favorite glacial lake in the Eastern Sierra. I try to visit at least once a year)
With the goal to make the best skincare solution, I started reading the scientific literature and came across a few studies on cold-pressed seed oils that seemed extremely promising for my needs.
This led to my special blend of cold-pressed seed oils that have a high content of three polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and gamma-linolenic acid. Additionally, the ratio of omega-6 (linoleic acid) to omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) fatty acids is 3:1 and many experts agree that this 3:1 fatty acid ratio is ideal for health benefits in humans.
With the blend sorted out, I began testing various consistencies on trips into the Eastern Sierra to make sure it held up in hot and cold environments. After a few trips I landed on the holy grail of formulations that is the Sierra Stick.
After good feedback from friends and family, I decided to launch Sierra Reserve Supply Company to bring the Sierra Stick to more people. I'm now asking you to take the journey with me to better skin health without using fossil-fuel based plastics and as sustainable as possible.
Sacha Papouban
Founder
