AN INTERVIEW with HILLARY ROSE

To say we were surprised when we found out there was a spa in North America exclusively using spring water in-house for all their spa services would be an understatement.

We were flabbergasted.

As many of you know, spring water is a subject close to our hearts and whole raison d'etre: we use only locally harvested spring water in all of our hair care products and have since the beginning.  But a brick and mortar spa using only spring water? That is truly next-level. 

We quickly sought out to find out more and who was the visionary behind the business that is Rose Mountain Sanctuary in beautiful Redding, California.  Hillary Rose is the woman behind the vision and we were so pleased to learn that not only is she a spring water fanatic (like us!) but she is just as devotional when it comes to clean, natural beauty.

A peek online into some of her signature services will not yield you anything at all conventional or ordinary.  Instead of the typical Botox and fillers, you will be encouraged to try the Buccal Facial sculpting or Lymphatic facial drainage, both of which work wonders to naturally reduce inflammation and puffiness, naturally lifting and reshaping the face.  Looking for deep relaxation and healing?  You won't find any mention of Xanax here.  Instead you might try their Somatic therapy, Sound healing or even their highly sought after Japanese head and scalp massage treatment.

We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Hillary about her spa, her love of all things natural and healing and which spa services will always be a no-no for her.

Can you tell us a little about the path to opening Rose Mountain Sanctuary? 

I was drawn to the idea of creating a private wellness club in Redding, California, because I didn’t see anyone else doing it, and I felt there was a real need for a true sanctuary rather than a transactional spa.

On a deeper level, the name itself holds personal meaning. My real last name is Rosenberg, but my family was forced to change it while fleeing the Holocaust. Rosenberg means Mountain of Roses, and Rose Mountain is my way of reclaiming that lineage—of returning legacy, beauty, and safety where there was once loss and displacement.

Rose Mountain Sanctuary became both a physical space and a spiritual offering—a place rooted in restoration, privacy, and reverence for the body, the nervous system, and the soul. In many ways, it’s my way of giving back and honoring where I come from while creating something enduring for others.

Spring water is very important to us as we use it in all our products. Rose Mountain is the only spa in North America that we know of to exclusively use only spring water in house. How is it that you are able to do this?

Spring water is foundational to everything we do. We believe water carries memory, vitality, and intelligence, so it felt important that what touches the body here is as pure and alive as possible. I love the idea of staying rooted to the Earth, and Spring Water is straight from the Earth.

We’re able to do this because we intentionally source fresh spring water directly from Mount Shasta and have built our internal systems around it—from how we prepare our products to how we store, handle, and use the water in-house. It requires more logistics, more planning, and more devotion than using municipal water, but for us, integrity matters more than convenience.

To our knowledge, Rose Mountain Sanctuary is the only private sanctuary or spa in North America exclusively using spring water throughout the entire space, and that’s very intentional. It’s part of our commitment to offering a level of purity, reverence, and care that you can feel the moment you walk in.

Can you describe the actual spring to us? What does it look like and where is it found? 

We were originally working directly with a water delivery service that sourced spring water straight from Mount Shasta. When that company was recently sold, rather than compromising, I chose to take it on personally.

I now go up myself to collect spring water at the base of Mount Shasta, directly from the Headwaters. At times I’ll also gather from a nearby creek—everything we use is true spring water flowing directly off Mount Shasta.

I’ve considered working with another local spring near Lassen Volcanic National Park, and that may be something we explore in the future as logistics evolve. But Mount Shasta holds a very specific energy for me. It’s often referred to as the root chakra of the Earth, and there’s a grounded-ness, purity, and presence in that water that feels deeply aligned with the Sanctuary.

This may change over time as we grow, but for now, it’s a labor of love—and one more way we choose integrity over convenience. 

Your Japanese head and scalp massage treatment is just one of your signature offerings. Can you tell us the process, its unique benefits and what makes it Japanese?

Our Japanese Head & Scalp Massage is one of our signature offerings because it works on a level that most people don’t realize they’ve been holding tension in—until it releases.

The process is slow, intentional, and highly ritualized. It begins with grounding and breath, followed by a deep scalp assessment, warm water therapy, and precise scalp massage techniques designed to move lymph, increase circulation, and calm the nervous system. We work through the scalp, neck, jaw, and upper shoulders—areas that hold stress, mental fatigue, and emotional load. The treatment is both cleansing and deeply restorative.

The benefits go far beyond relaxation. Clients often notice relief from headaches, jaw tension, TMJ symptoms, eye strain, and mental overwhelm. It supports hair and scalp health, improves blood flow to the brain, and brings the body out of fight-or-flight into a parasympathetic state. Many people describe it as feeling “reset,” clear, and deeply rested afterwards.

What makes it Japanese is the philosophy behind it. Traditional Japanese head spa practices are rooted in preventative care, nervous-system regulation, and respect for water as a healing element. It’s not about force or intensity—it’s about precision, presence, and rhythm. The water work, the pacing, and the techniques are all designed to harmonize the body rather than stimulate it aggressively.

At Rose Mountain Sanctuary, we’ve honored those traditional principles while elevating them—using only spring water, organic formulations such as Hair Therapie, and a sanctuary environment that allows the body to truly let go. It’s not just a treatment; it’s a nervous-system ritual.

We are always interested in any and all alternatives to Botox. What does Rose Mountain offer in this respect?

We’re very aligned with the desire for alternatives to Botox, especially for people who want results without freezing expression or interfering with the body’s natural intelligence. At Rose Mountain, our philosophy is to work with the face rather than override it.

At Rose Mountain Sanctuary, our primary Botox alternatives focus on manual, structural, and nervous-system-based approaches. One of our most impactful offerings is Buccal Facial Sculpting, an intra-oral technique that releases deep tension from the jaw, cheeks, and fascia. Much of what people perceive as “aging” is actually chronic tension and stagnation—when that releases, the face naturally lifts, softens, and reshapes.

We also specialize in Lymphatic facial drainage, which reduces puffiness, inflammation, and fluid retention while improving circulation and skin tone. Over time, this supports collagen production and creates a clearer, more sculpted appearance without paralysis or toxins.

Another key piece is nervous-system regulation. Chronic stress keeps the face locked in protective holding patterns. Treatments like our Japanese Head & Scalp Massage and somatic facial work calm the nervous system, which allows the facial muscles to relax and rebalance. When the body feels safe, the face follows.

What makes our approach different is that we’re not chasing quick cosmetic fixes—we’re restoring function. Many of our members notice that their face looks lifted, brighter, and more youthful, and that jaw pain, headaches, and tension patterns improve at the same time.

For those who want a natural, expressive, long-term alternative to Botox, we offer a pathway that’s both effective and deeply respectful of the body.

What is your personal philosophy on nutrition and eating and how do you incorporate this into the healing sanctuary experience if at all?

My personal philosophy on nutrition is rooted in simplicity, purity, and listening to the body. I don’t believe in rigid rules or extreme diets—I believe the body is incredibly intelligent when we give it clean inputs and the space to communicate. For me, nourishment is about what brings the body back into regulation, not what creates stress or obsession.

At Rose Mountain Sanctuary, we view nutrition as inseparable from nervous-system health. Clean food, mineral-rich water, and mindful rhythms all support the body’s ability to heal. That’s why hydration—especially spring water—is foundational here. We exclusively use spring water because minerals matter, structure matters, and water is the primary way the body receives and distributes nourishment.

We don’t operate as a food-focused facility, but nutrition is subtly and intentionally woven into the sanctuary experience. From the quality of water and teas we offer, to the way treatments support digestion, lymphatic flow, and vagal tone, everything is designed to help the body shift out of stress and into receptivity. When the nervous system is regulated, digestion improves, cravings normalize, and people naturally begin making better choices without force.

Personally, I prioritize whole, organic foods, adequate protein, mineral balance, and eating in a way that supports hormonal and metabolic health. I also honor seasons—there are times for lighter foods and times for grounding, warming nourishment. That same philosophy carries into the Sanctuary: we honor cycles, individuality, and the idea that healing happens best when the body feels safe.

So while we may not hand someone a meal plan, the entire environment is designed to support better nourishment—physically, emotionally, and energetically. When the body feels held, it remembers how to care for itself.

What in your opinion are some of the most toxic beauty/salon/spa services that women partake in regularly but that they should stop immediately?

From a science-forward perspective, the concern with many conventional beauty and spa services isn’t aesthetic—it’s chronic biochemical exposure and physiological disruption. Small, repeated stressors add up over time, especially for women whose hormonal and nervous systems are already highly sensitive.

Here are some of the most concerning practices, and why they matter biologically:

1. Repeated neurotoxin injections (Botox & similar injectables)

Botulinum toxin works by blocking acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, causing temporary paralysis. While effective cosmetically, repeated use can:
• Reduce muscle signalling and tone long-term
• Impair lymphatic drainage (which relies on muscle movement)
• Alter proprioceptive feedback between the face and brain
• Affect emotional processing, as facial movement is neurologically linked to mood regulation

Over time, this can create muscle atrophy, stagnation, and reduced facial resilience, rather than true rejuvenation.

2. Acrylic, gel, and UV-cured nail services

Common nail products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene, formaldehyde, and phthalates, which are known:
• Endocrine disruptors
• Hepatotoxic (liver burdening)
• Respiratory irritants

UV nail lamps add cumulative radiation exposure to the hands, an area already prone to accelerated aging. Chronic exposure—especially monthly—can increase systemic toxic load without the body having adequate time to clear it.

3. Lash extensions and industrial adhesives

Most lash glues contain cyanoacrylates, which off-gas formaldehyde as they cure. This matters because:
• The eyes and sinuses allow rapid absorption
• The trigeminal nerve is easily irritated, triggering headaches and nervous-system stress
• Chronic low-grade inflammation can develop around the eyes and lymph nodes

For women already living in sympathetic dominance (high cortisol), this adds another neurological stress signal.

4. Conventional hair dye & chemical straightening

The scalp is one of the most absorptive areas of the body due to its vascularity. Many hair dyes contain:
• PPD (para-phenylenediamine)
• Ammonia
• Resorcinol
• Formaldehyde releasers

These compounds have been associated with allergic sensitization, endocrine interference, and cumulative toxic exposure. Regular scalp exposure bypasses many of the body’s natural detox checkpoints.

5. Aggressive exfoliation, peels, and barrier-disrupting facials

Overuse of acids, peels, and mechanical exfoliation damages the skin barrier, leading to:
• Increased transepidermal water loss
• Chronic inflammation
• Microbiome disruption
• Heightened sensitivity and premature aging

Inflamed skin signals danger to the nervous system, keeping the body in a low-grade stress response that actually slows repair.

At Rose Mountain Sanctuary, our approach is grounded in supporting the body’s detox pathways, lymphatic flow, neuromuscular balance, and endocrine harmony. Manual therapies, nervous-system regulation, mineral-rich hydration, and non-toxic inputs allow the body to restore function rather than override it.

From a scientific standpoint, true beauty is a byproduct of physiological regulation.
When inflammation goes down, circulation improves.
When the nervous system feels safe, repair accelerates.
And when toxic load is reduced, the body expresses vitality naturally.

We believe regular detoxing is an absolute necessity for optimum health. What do you recommend for keeping the blood, lymph and skin clean and clear?

We completely agree—regular detoxification isn’t optional for optimal health, it’s foundational. From a physiological standpoint, the body is constantly detoxing, but modern life places far more demand on those systems than they were designed for. Our role is to support the organs and pathways that already do this work: the blood, lymph, skin, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Here’s how we recommend keeping the blood, lymph, and skin clean and clear, in a way that’s both effective and sustainable:

1. Lymphatic System: Daily Movement + Manual Support

The lymphatic system has no pump—it relies on muscle contraction, breath, and manual stimulation.

Science-based support includes:
• Regular lymphatic drainage massage to move stagnant interstitial fluid
• Gentle daily movement (walking, rebounding, stretching)
• Deep diaphragmatic breathing to stimulate the thoracic duct
• Avoiding chronic muscle paralysis (which impairs lymph flow)

When lymph stagnates, toxins recirculate, inflammation increases, and skin issues often appear first.

2. Blood: Mineralization, Hydration & Liver Support

Blood detoxification is largely handled by the liver and kidneys, but they require the right inputs.

Key principles:
• Adequate mineral-rich hydration (spring water matters—minerals are cofactors for detox enzymes)
• Enough protein to support phase I & II liver detox pathways
• Reducing endocrine disruptors that the liver must constantly process
• Supporting bile flow through nutrition and nervous-system regulation

Clean blood equals better oxygen delivery, hormone balance, and cellular repair.

3. Skin: Respect the Barrier, Don’t Strip It

The skin is the body’s largest detox organ, but only when the barrier is intact.

We recommend:
• Avoiding harsh soaps, acids, and over-exfoliation
• Supporting the skin microbiome rather than sterilizing it
• Encouraging gentle sweating (movement, sauna, warm rituals)
• Using non-toxic topical products that don’t add to the detox burden

Inflamed skin increases systemic inflammation and slows overall detox capacity.

4. Nervous System: The Missing Detox Link

This is often overlooked, but it’s critical. Detoxification is suppressed in chronic stress states.

When the body is in sympathetic dominance:
• Digestion slows
• Liver detox pathways down-regulate
• Lymph flow decreases
• Skin repair is impaired

That’s why nervous-system regulation—through touch, rhythm, warmth, and safety—is not optional. It’s biological.

At Rose Mountain Sanctuary, our approach supports detoxification without forcing the body. Manual therapies, spring-water hydration, heat, lymphatic work, and nervous-system rituals create the conditions where detox happens naturally and efficiently.

From a scientific lens, detox is not about aggressive cleanses—it’s about flow. When blood moves well, lymph drains freely, skin barriers are intact, and the nervous system feels safe, the body does exactly what it was designed to do: clear, repair, and renew.

When it comes to skin and hair care products, what do you look for and what is most important to you? 

When it comes to skin and hair care, what matters most to me is biological compatibility—how a product interacts with the skin, scalp, hormones, lymph, and nervous system over time. I’m far less interested in trends or marketing claims and much more focused on ingredient integrity, formulation intelligence, and long-term physiological impact.

Here are the core principles I look for:

1. Ingredient Safety at the Endocrine & Cellular Level

The skin is absorptive, especially the scalp. I avoid ingredients known to interfere with hormone signaling or burden detox pathways, including:
• Phthalates
• Parabens
• Synthetic fragrance
• Formaldehyde releasers
• PEGs and harsh solvents

Even small, repeated exposures accumulate—so non-toxic isn’t a buzzword for me, it’s a biological necessity.

2. Respect for the Skin & Scalp Microbiome

Healthy skin and hair depend on a balanced microbiome. Over-cleansing and antibacterial formulas disrupt this balance and lead to inflammation, sensitivity, and accelerated aging.

I look for products that:
• Support barrier lipids
• Maintain an appropriate pH
• Nourish rather than sterilize
• Allow the skin to self-regulate

3. Minimal, Functional Formulations

More ingredients do not mean better results. I prefer fewer, purposeful ingredients that the body can recognize and utilize. Each ingredient should serve a clear function—hydration, repair, mineral support, or circulation—not just texture or scent.

4. Mineral & Lipid Support

Skin and hair require minerals and healthy fats to function properly. I prioritize formulations that include:
• Bio-available minerals
• Cold-pressed oils
• Fat-soluble nutrients
• Plant compounds that support circulation and repair

This is especially important for scalp health, where poor circulation and inflammation often masquerade as hair issues.

5. Nervous-System Compatibility

This is often overlooked. Harsh scents, cooling agents, or aggressive actives can signal stress to the nervous system. I favor products that feel grounding, calming, and supportive—because when the body feels safe, repair accelerates.

At Rose Mountain Sanctuary, we curate products with the same philosophy we use in treatments: nothing that creates harm, inflammation, or dependency. Our goal is not to override the body but to remind it how to function optimally.

From a scientific standpoint, the most effective skin and hair care supports the body’s own intelligence—protecting barriers, reducing toxic load, and creating the conditions for regeneration rather than force.

Of all the services you offer, which are the top three that you just couldn't live without?

Oh my goodness—that’s such a difficult question. But if I had to choose, I would say therapeutic massage, Buccal Facial Sculpting, and Lymphatic drainage massage and Trauma Gates Somatic Therapy. 

All three come back to one core value for me: nurturing, intentional touch. I’ve moved out of my incredibly deep-tissue season of life. While that work has its place, I’ve learned that healing doesn’t always require force. Often, what the body needs most is safety, softness, and attuned presence.

Therapeutic massage offers grounding and nervous-system regulation. Buccal work releases deeply held tension in the jaw and face—areas where so much emotion and stress live. And lymphatic drainage is essential for circulation, detoxification, and reducing inflammation without overwhelming the body.

At Rose Mountain Sanctuary, these services reflect a philosophy I live by personally: when touch is respectful, slow, and intuitive, the body remembers how to heal itself. For me, those are non-negotiables—not just as offerings, but as medicine I truly couldn’t live without.