The Story Behind Gerra's Essentials

Hi, I’m Thais (pronounced Tie), the maker behind Gerra’s Essentials, along with my husband, Kevin.

I grew up in Seattle, surrounded by misty forests, gray skies, rugged coastlines, and the quiet beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Nature was always close by, and I think that early connection shaped the way I see self-care today: simple, grounded, and intentional.

But my relationship with my skin wasn’t always so simple.

For years, I dealt with persistent acne and, like so many people, tried product after product promising better skin. Too often, those products left my skin feeling stripped, irritated, or overwhelmed by long ingredient lists filled with things I didn’t understand.

One day, Kevin, frustrated by my frustration, encouraged me to try making my own products instead of continuing to rely on the mass-produced industrial products that weren't working for me.

That little nudge changed everything.

I started researching ingredients, learning about formulation, and asking more questions about what we put on our skin and why. The more I learned, the more curious I became.

And that curiosity led me to soapmaking.

What began as an experiment quickly became a passion. I loved learning how oils, botanicals, clays, and other carefully chosen ingredients could come together to create something useful, beautiful, and thoughtfully made.

Soapmaking became a blend of science, craftsmanship, creativity, and purpose.

Late-night research turned into small kitchen batches. Small batches turned into recipes we continued refining. And eventually, those experiments became something much bigger: a desire to create everyday essentials that bring a little more intention to the routines we often move through without thinking.

From a Simple Bar of Soap to Something More

Our passion grew into an earnest prayer. And from prayer, it became a plan.

In 2017, Gerra’s was born.

Soap has remained at the heart of what we do, but over the years, we began noticing a need for other options to include into everyday routines. We started exploring and formulating other essentials from deodorant and toothpaste to body creams and jewelry.

Because self-care doesn't have to be complicated.

Sometimes, it can be as simple as washing your hands, stepping into your morning shower, or taking a few quiet moments for yourself.

Those small moments matter.

At Gerra’s Essentials, we believe the everyday things we use can help us slow down, reconnect, and care for ourselves with greater intention.

Inspired by the Pacific Northwest we call home, we create thoughtfully made essentials that bring together simple ingredients, intentional formulation, and meaningful everyday moments. And every essential is still made with the same intention that started it all:

✨ Simple ingredients.
✨ Thoughtful craftsmanship.
✨ Small daily essential moments that make a big impact on our lives. 

We're grateful you're here, and we hope our essentials become a small, but meaningful part of your everyday routine that makes everyday essential.