Survival, Sisterhood, and the Search for Safety

Why I Created Paige & Ivy: A Skincare Line Born from Survival, Sisterhood, and the Search for Safety 

My sister Tammy’s first severe allergic reaction happened while we were on a girls’ trip to Hawaii. One moment we were laughing in the sunshine, and the next we were far from home, terrified, and trying to find a doctor. We had to locate an EpiPen, get her stabilized, and cut the trip short just to get her home safely. That was years ago—but it changed everything.

Since then, I’ve been with her on countless emergency room visits. After dental cleanings. After hair salon appointments. After walking through stores where she unknowingly came into contact with hidden coconut derivatives. She can’t even wash her hands in a hospital bathroom without risking a reaction, because most soaps—even the “gentle” or “unscented” ones—contain coconut-derived ingredients. We had to teach a five-year-old how to use an EpiPen. That kind of vigilance is exhausting, isolating, and entirely unfair.

Fast forward several years, and I was facing my own health crisis: a breast cancer diagnosis. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, aromatase inhibitors, and surgical menopause that completely changed my body. My skin became dry, tight, and incredibly sensitive. My hair thinned and shed in clumps until it all fell out, then came back different—more fragile, with a texture I didn’t recognize. The products I had once relied on were suddenly too harsh, too fragrant, or full of ingredients my body could no longer tolerate.

So, I went searching—for products gentle enough for my post-cancer skin, and safe enough for Tammy’s severe coconut allergy. But every label I read was a disappointment. Even “natural” or “hypoallergenic” products were filled with hidden coconut derivatives, tree nut oils, synthetic fragrances, and botanical allergens like lavender.

That’s when I had my aha moment:
What we both needed didn’t exist—so I decided to make it.

I created Paige & Ivy because no one should have to live in fear of everyday products. Because after watching my sister suffer, and living through the trauma and transformation of cancer, I knew that true healing and safety start with trust—and trust starts with ingredients.

Paige & Ivy is 100% coconut-free, nut-free, lavender-free, and crafted in small batches with nature in mind. Every ingredient is transparent, gentle, and purposeful. Our formulas are minimalist, soothing, and designed for sensitive, reactive skin—whether you’re managing allergies, recovering from medical treatment, or simply tired of playing skincare roulette.

This line is for Tammy. It’s for me. And it’s for everyone who has stood in a store aisle reading label after label, feeling like there’s nothing safe for them. You deserve better—and now, you have it.

As always, please consult with your healthcare provider before introducing new skincare or haircare products, especially if you have known allergies or sensitivities.