How a mother’s cancer battle and her daughter’s resilience sparked a natural skincare movement.
in a world that rarely slows down long enough for healing, Em’s Moisturizing Solutions was born from a mother and her daughter, who refused to give up on hope. After receiving her cancer diagnosis, Lucy faced a long and grueling recovery—physically and emotionally. At the same time, her daughter Em was enduring relentless bullying at school, a burden no child should carry. But instead of breaking them, these hardships fused their bond into something fierce, protective, and beautifully resilient.
During treatment, when her skin became fragile and reactive, they began experimenting with simple, natural ingredients—building moisturizers in their kitchen, searching for relief without toxins or complexity. What began as a necessity slowly became a ritual, then a passion, and eventually a mission.
Together, mother Lucy and daughter Em turned pain into purpose, creating a brand dedicated to clean, sustainable, uncomplicated skincare. Today, Em’s Moisturizing Solutions stands not only for nourishment of the skin, but for empowerment, family strength, and the quiet courage it takes to rebuild your life—one gentle ingredient at a time.
BAHM: Lucy and Em, can you take us back to the moment when the idea for Em’s Moisturizing Solutions first emerged, and how your healing journey as a mother and daughter shaped that vision?
Em’s: The vision for Em’s Moisturizing Solutions actually began quite simply—when Emily decided she wanted to make body butter as Christmas gifts for friends and family one year. As a breast cancer survivor, I was especially mindful about the ingredients we used, so it became a chance for both of us to explore natural skincare together. We spent time researching, experimenting, and eventually created a recipe we were proud of.The response to those first body butters was incredibly encouraging. People loved them, and that feedback sparked something in both of us. It made Emily feel accomplished and seen, and it made me realize we might be building something meaningful. That’s when we decided to turn it into Em’s Moisturizing Solutions.Not long afterward, Emily went through a difficult period of bullying at school. It was painful for both of us, and we were searching for something positive we could pour our energy into. This little skincare business became that outlet—a space where Emily could express creativity and confidence, and where we could reconnect as mother and daughter.What started as a Christmas project grew into a healing journey for us both, and that sense of purpose is still at the heart of everything we create.
BAHM: You were both facing deeply challenging moments—cancer recovery for you and bullying for your daughter. How did those experiences strengthen your bond and influence your approach to creating this brand?
Em’s: Those difficult experiences—my cancer recovery and Emily’s struggle with bullying—pulled us into a place where we had to slow down, be vulnerable, and really lean on each other.
Healing wasn’t just physical for me or emotional for Emily; it was something we had to navigate together, day by day.
Going through cancer reshaped the way I looked at everything, especially the importance of choosing what we put on our bodies. It made me more intentional and more protective—not just in a physical sense, but in making sure Emily always felt supported, valued, and safe. When she began experiencing bullying, it was heartbreaking. I could see her confidence slipping, and I
recognized that same feeling of being overwhelmed and unsure that I faced during my own recovery.
Creating our products together gave us something positive to focus on. It became more than a hobby—it was a shared space where Emily could feel capable and empowered, and where I could show her that even in hard seasons, we can create something meaningful. Mixing ingredients at the kitchen table, celebrating when a recipe turned out well, laughing when one
didn’t—those moments helped rebuild her confidence and strengthened our bond in a really profound way.
Those experiences influence our brand because they’re the reason it exists. We don’t create products just to sell skincare. We create them with the intention of comfort, gentleness, and care—values that came directly from our own journey. Em’s Moisturizing Solutions is rooted in resilience, hope, and the belief that even the toughest chapters can lead to something beautiful
when you face them together.
BAHM: Was there a moment during treatment or school struggles when you realized you were truly supporting one another in a profound way?
Em’s: Yes—there was a moment for each of us when it became clear that we weren’t just getting through our challenges side by side, but truly holding each other up in a deeper way. I think the moment came during the height of her school struggles. One evening, on the way home from horse riding, she broke down and told me how overwhelmed she felt. She said was thankful I beat cancer because she could not get through this without me. She then realized she wasn’t facing things alone. We spent time together healing and coming up with our first recipes. That mutual support is the heart of our brand. It’s why Em’s Moisturizing Solutions feels less like a business and more like a reflection of how we learned to heal together.
BAHM: Your products use simple, sustainable, natural ingredients. What made you choose this path, and how does it connect to your personal experiences with health and self-care?
Em’s: Choosing simple, sustainable, natural ingredients was never a marketing decision for us—it was personal from the very beginning. After my breast cancer experience, I became extremely conscious of what we were putting on our skin. I wanted to understand every ingredient, not just trust a label. That shift toward clean, uncomplicated self-care became a foundation for how I approached healing, both physically and emotionally. For Emily, natural ingredients were part of creating a sense of safety and comfort. When she was going through bullying, her self-esteem and nervous system were both affected. The process of making products with gentle, recognizable ingredients gave her a way to reconnect with herself. She loved knowing exactly what was going into each formula and that it was something calming, not harsh or overwhelming. So when we started Em’s Moisturizing Solutions, choosing natural ingredients wasn’t even a question—it was a reflection of our own journey. We wanted products that were pure, honest, and made with intention. Ingredients that supported healing. Our products are really an extension of how we cared for ourselves—and for each other—during some very tough chapters. That’s why staying true to natural, sustainable ingredients will always be at the heart of what we do.
BAHM: How did creating skincare become a part of your recovery—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?
Em’s: Creating skincare became an unexpected part of our recovery in all kinds of ways. Physically, making our own natural products gave me something gentle and safe to use after cancer treatment, which helped me feel more in control of my healing. Emotionally, it became a stabilizing force—especially for Emily during her experience with bullying. Mixing ingredients together gave her a positive outlet and helped rebuild her confidence, while giving us precious time to reconnect.And spiritually, the simple act of creating something with our hands became grounding. It slowed us down, brought us closer, and gave us small moments of calm during a challenging time. Skincare started as a project, but it ultimately became part of how we healed—and that sense of care is still at the core of Em’s Moisturizing Solutions today.
BAHM: For you, having gone through bullying and still showing up to support your mother, what did creating this company mean for your sense of self-worth and empowerment?
Em’s: For me, creating this company came at a time when my confidence was really shaken. Dealing with bullying made everyday life feel heavy. But working on our products with my mom gave me something completely different to focus on—something that reminded me I had strengths, creativity, and a voice worth hearing. Every time a recipe turned out well, or someone loved one of our body butters, it gave me a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in a long time. It made me feel capable again. Instead of seeing myself through the hurtful things people were saying at school, I started to see myself through what I was building. Being part of something real—something that helped people feel good—helped me reconnect with my own worth. And supporting my mom during this made me realize how strong I actually was. It showed me that even when I was struggling, I could still show up, still contribute, still make a difference. Creating this company became a way of reclaiming my confidence. It helped me grow into a more empowered version of myself, and that feeling is something I carry with me every day.
BAHM: What was the first product you made together, and what emotions or memories do you associate with that initial experiment?
Em’s: The very first product we made together was a simple body butter—our holiday experiment that ended up changing everything. We mixed it at the kitchen table with measuring cups, a mixer, and a lot of guesswork. We laugh now thinking about it, we were just hoping it would turn out well enough to give as Christmas gifts. But the emotions behind that first batch were special. For me, it was a moment of connection during a time when life felt overwhelming. I remember feeling grateful just to be doing something creative with Emily, something that wasn’t about the struggles we were facing. For Emily, that body butter represented possibility. She was going through so much at school, and seeing the mixture come together—seeing something she made with her own hands—gave her a spark of confidence she really needed. So when we think back on that first product, we remember more than a recipe. We remember laughter, relief, hope, and the first signs that we were creating something that would help us heal—not just physically, but emotionally too. That body butter became the foundation of Em’s Moisturizing Solutions, and it still carries that memory of where our journey began.
BAHM: Your brand is committed to sustainability. Why is that important to you both, and how do you incorporate it into your product development?
Em’s: Sustainability has always been important to us because it reflects the care we want to put into everything we do—not just for our customers, but for the planet. After my cancer recovery, I became much more conscious of how every choice—big or small affects our health and our environment. We wanted Em’s Moisturizing Solutions to be a brand that feels responsible and intentional, from start to finish. In practice, that means we focus on using natural ingredients and selecting materials that are biodegradable or recyclable whenever possible. It also means taking the time to create formulas that are effective and safe, so nothing goes to waste and every product brings real value. For us, sustainability isn’t just a guideline, it is a reflection of the same care, mindfulness, and respect for life that guided our own healing journeys. It’s part of how we show love to our customers, to each other, and to the world we all share.
BAHM: What has building a business as a mother-daughter team taught you about each other that you didn’t know before?
Em’s: Building a business together has been full of surprises—and it’s taught us so much about each other. I learned just how resilient and creative Emily really is. Watching her take an idea, experiment, and problem-solve without giving up—even while dealing with school challenges showed me strengths I hadn’t fully seen before. Emily continues to help with the business when she can. Being a teenager, her focus is on school and friends right now. But when I need help she takes the time to help. It’s reminded us that we’re stronger together.
BAHM: What do you hope people feel when they use Em’s Moisturizing Solutions, and what future do you envision for the brand—and for your shared journey?
Em’s: We hope that when people use Em’s Moisturizing Solutions, they feel cared for — like someone took the time to make something gentle, safe, and thoughtful just for them. We want every product to bring comfort, calm, and a little bit of joy, the same way creating these products brought healing and connection for us. Looking ahead, we envision the brand growing while staying true to those values. We hope to reach more people with products that are natural, sustainable, and purposeful, and to continue creating a space where self-care feels natural and beautiful. For us personally, our shared journey will always remain at the heart of Em’s Moisturizing Solutions. As mother and daughter, we’ve learned that working together through challenges can turn something difficult into something meaningful. We hope that through our products, others can feel that same sense of care, connection, and hope in their own lives.
Find out more about Em’s at www.emsmoisturizingsolutions.ca
and Instagram @emsmoisturizingsolutions
