Hi! I’m Kate, founder and formulator and everything else for Midlife Skin!

Midlife Skin emerged from my personal mission to bridge the gap between natural ingredients and rigorous cosmetic science while addressing the economic inequities faced by women who’ve prioritized caregiving over career advancement.

The journey began during my own midlife transition, when I found myself questioning not just my next career move, but systemic issues affecting women like me. I was tired of being marketed to as someone who needed to ‘turn back time’ or settle for products that were either natural but ineffective, or effective but full of ingredients I didn’t want to use. At the same time I was also acutely aware of how many talented women around me had stepped away from careers due to caregiving responsibilities, losing economic ground they might never recover.

This dual awareness of both skincare industry shortcomings and employment inequities shaped my vision for what my company could become. I realized I had an opportunity to help solve both problems: create better products AND create meaningful employment for women who’ve been economically penalized for caring for others.

What started as kitchen counter experiments in natural skincare quickly evolved into something more ambitious when I realized the limitations of DIY formulation. Making products for yourself is completely different from creating stable, high-performance formulations that work consistently across different climates and skin types.

Rather than compromise on either my natural ingredient philosophy or my standards for effectiveness, I sought formal training in organic cosmetic formulation. I earned certificates with distinction in Organic Skincare Formulation, Anti-Aging Skincare, Stability Testing, and Natural Cosmetic Preservation. I chose Formula Botanica specifically because they offered rigorous scientific training without requiring me to abandon my commitment to natural and sustainably-sourced ingredients. This wasn’t about choosing between ‘natural’ and ‘effective’ it was about understanding how to harness the power of plants through proper formulation.

As Midlife Skin grows, I’m building toward my ultimate vision: creating positions for talented individuals who’ve been forced to pause their careers for caregiving, paying them the thriving wages they would have earned if they hadn’t been required to choose between care and career. The brand philosophy extends to consumer empowerment as well. I believe educated consumers make better choices not just for their skin, but for the industry at large. When women understand what ingredients actually do and why they work, they can make purchasing decisions based on knowledge rather than marketing claims.

Midlife Skin intentionally maintains a small-batch approach, allowing for quality control and environmental responsibility while keeping the brand accessible and accountable to customers. Each product reflects years of research, training, and the exacting standards that come from creating formulations I use on my own skin daily.

Midlife Skin exists to support women through education, exceptional skincare, and economic empowerment.