Wildling Beauty isn’t your average clean-beauty line—it’s more like a modern-day ritual kit dreamed up by an acupuncturist (Gianna De La Torre) and a product alchemist–herbalist (Jill Munson) who believe glowing skin starts with a well-loved lymph system and a calmer nervous system. Born from late-night gua sha sessions, hours in the treatment room, and a shared conviction that “wild-crafted” can outperform injectables, the brand pairs mineral-rich Bian-stone tools with whole-plant formulas to turn daily skincare into a full-body reset.
In this Living Well conversation, the duo open up about everything from the logistical chaos of launching their first product—picture Gianna packing orders with a newborn strapped to her chest—to why less pressure (and more neck work) is the real secret behind gua sha’s glow. They also drop vitamin-cabinet must-haves and the one five-minute sequence that rescues puffed-up mornings. Consider this your backstage pass to a brand that’s rewriting beauty culture one intentional stroke at a time.
Living Well with Wildling Founders
What sparked the idea for Wildling, and when did you know it was something the world needed?
Gianna: As an acupuncturist in Los Angeles, I’ve always been drawn to holistic healing modalities—and I believe many other women are, too. They just need effective options. As younger women were increasingly turning to pharmaceutical injectables, we wanted to offer wild-crafted skincare and premium facial tools that deliver compelling results. We were on a mission to prove that clean, natural beauty truly works.
Jill: The idea for Wildling sparked when I took a gua sha workshop led by our cofounder, Britta Plug. At the time, facial gua sha was relatively unknown in the U.S., but once I experienced it firsthand, I immediately recognized how powerful and transformative it was. With my background in the beauty industry and a deep passion for herbalism, I knew we had an opportunity to share something truly meaningful—ritual-based skincare rooted in traditional wisdom and whole-plant healing. It was clear to me then: the world needed this.
How do you divide your strengths as co-founders? Is it clear-cut or more intuitive?
Gianna & Jill: As co-founders, we couldn’t be more different—and that’s our superpower. Launching a brand demands an incredibly broad skill set, so we naturally gravitated toward what each of us does best. In the beginning, our roles were more intuitive because we were wearing so many hats. Over time, things have become more defined and clear-cut.
What are three things you do every day, without fail, for your well-being?
Gianna: I exercise for an hour every day, meditate, and try to get 8 hours of sleep every night.
Jill: I workout, eat healthy, and get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
What do you wish more people knew about lymphatic health, and why is it so important for more than just skin tone?
Gianna & Jill: Your lymphatic system is a key detox pathway—it clears waste from your cells. When it’s congested, it bogs down your entire system. One of the most important things you can do is move your body to keep it flowing. And don’t forget to stay hydrated!
If someone opened your wellness cabinet right now, what supplements would they find?
Gianna: Magnesium glycinate, vitamin D, high-quality probiotics, omega-3s, NAD, and NMN. I use supplements and Chinese herbs that are practitioner-grade. I always encourage people to invest in higher-quality, trusted brands—it makes a huge difference. I’m a big fan of Researched Nutritionals—Anxiaease and Transfer Factor Multi-Immune have been life-changing for me.
Jill: You’d find frankincense, turmeric, a good probiotic, omegas, zinc, and elderberry. My favorite, though, is an herbal tea I brew daily—it’s a blend of 25 medicinal roots, barks, fruits, and seeds that’s been incredible for balancing hormones and improving my sleep.
Gua sha has become such a buzzy tool, but you’ve been teaching it long before the trend. What do people still get wrong about it?
Gianna: They use way too much pressure on the face. Less is more.
Jill: The angle of how the tool is held, for most strokes the tool is held almost flat to the skin.
Moonbounce is a newer launch and already a cult favorite. Who is this product for, and how do you recommend incorporating it into a routine for skin repair or recovery?
Gianna & Jill: Our Moonbounce 2% Bioretinol Moisturizer features a plant-based bioretinol clinically tested against traditional retinol—and it outperforms without the redness or irritation. It’s gentle enough for day or night use, and over the course of a few weeks, you’ll see a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.
What’s something you wish someone had told you before launching your first product?
Gianna: How complex the logistics would be—packaging, shipping, and getting it to market. That was a rude awakening. When we launched, I was a new mom. I was literally packing boxes with my four-month-old strapped to my chest. These are the less glamorous realities of startup life.
Jill: Having worked in product development across many beauty brands, I came in with a strong foundation—but bringing a product to life on your own is an entirely different experience. I don’t think I would’ve wanted anyone to tell me more at that stage—it might have shifted my path. It all unfolded exactly as it was meant to, and I’m deeply grateful for the journey.
If you had to pick just one Wildling ritual for someone who’s brand new to this kind of skincare—what would it be and why?
Gianna & Jill: Our Empress Collection—the facial gua sha starter set we launched with—is still our best-seller. It delivers incredible results. The before-and-afters speak for themselves.
Let’s talk about the Empress and Aura tools. What makes these tools different from the hundreds of gua sha tools on the market?
Gianna: These are our patented gua sha tools for face and body. When we launched, we changed the game in the U.S. with designs that fit comfortably in your hand and address specific skin concerns. The Empress Stone lifts, plumps, and sculpts the face. The Aura Stone features a unique wavy edge that helps reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Jill: What sets the Empress and Aura tools apart is that they’re patented and custom-designed based on hundreds of hours in the treatment room. Every angle, curve, and the weight of the stone was intentionally crafted to deliver the most effective results. We also use 100% pure, sustainably sourced Bian stone—a high-vibration, mineral-rich material—unlike many tools on the market that use lower-grade stones or fillers. These tools are truly in a league of their own.
If someone only has 5 minutes—what’s your go-to quick gua sha sequence for glow and grounding?
Gianna: Don’t skip the neck! Lymphatic drainage from below the earlobe to the clavicle is essential for de-puffing. I’d also add lifting strokes across the entire face for an instant glow.
Jill: Start with gentle downward strokes on the neck to open up lymphatic flow and release shoulder tension. Move to lifting strokes across the cheeks and jaw—spend an extra moment there if you’re holding tension—then finish by combing through the scalp. It’s a quick, energizing reset that brings glow to the skin and grounding to the whole system.
How do you approach aging—as a human, and as someone who works in beauty?
Gianna: Gosh, that’s a loaded question—but I’ll keep it simple. I genuinely love my skincare routine. It’s part of how I regulate my nervous system. Sometimes I stretch it out over hours—doing gua sha while watching a movie, taking a nap under red light, or meditating with acupuncture needles in my face. I’m a total skincare nerd. I also think sleep is the ultimate beauty ritual. If you’re not prioritizing rest, there’s only so much your skincare can do. I lean into sleep—deeply.
Jill: For me, aging is really about feeling my best—physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s about living in a way that supports vitality and connection, so I can move through life with energy and presence. As someone who works in beauty, I see aging as something to embrace, not fear. When I feel balanced and well from the inside out, it naturally shows on my skin and in my energy—how we look is often just a reflection of how we feel.
This is why Wildling exists—to help us look and feel our best at any age through a truly holistic path. With my years of experience in both beauty and wellness, I’ve seen time and again that this approach is what delivers the most lasting transformation. It’s not about a quick fix—it’s about rituals, nourishment, and consistency that support deep, radiant well-being over time.
Complete this sentence: Living well means…
Gianna: Living well means drinking fresh water, eating clean food, seeing the world, and nurturing meaningful relationships.
Jill: Living well means embracing practices that support a healthy, balanced life—honoring our bodies and the earth, putting family and connection first, staying curious, leading with love, and following the wisdom of the heart.
