Have you ever had a moment when you realized exactly what comes next in your life? I remember the moment I knew I would marry my husband. He showed up at my door with a case of Snapple Iced Tea. It was our second date, and not much of a gift to most people, but for me, it showed that he got me.

That’s what Plant Apothecary Labs skincare is. It gives me that same “I’ve got you” feeling. My life changed when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. After a double mastectomy and 20 weeks of chemotherapy, my skin was destroyed! I gained over 60 lbs. I wanted the solutions to the bulge and crepey skin. However, social media was full of young people I couldn't relate to as a woman over 45.

So, I started going live from my minivan to share what I was going through and how I was coping. My first page was MiniVanGlam. When the pandemic hit, I committed to posting daily to encourage women to get ready for themselves — regardless of whether they had anywhere to be.

I realized that showing up for ourselves was more important than showing up for anyone else.

The one true thing I have learned since diagnosis is that you have a choice… You can be miserable in the body that you have, or you can figure out how to work with all those wrinkles, lumps, and bumps and feel good about yourself in the moment. I believe that you can feel good today if you let yourself.

Over the last several years, I’ve learned so much about skincare through trial and error, my amazing community, and some top-notch skincare experts. So, when Plant Apothecary Labs approached me to help create a new line of skincare for elevated women, based on all-natural, signature ingredients and real-life community feedback, I was all in!

Today, we have a vibrant community of Lab Foxes shaping the future of skincare.

I’m super excited to be here, and I hope to see you in the lab!

Xox Michelle

Their skin concerns became our formulas. Their voices built this brand.

Hi,

I am Tracy Holland, a serial entrepreneur who loves to see women win.

When I discovered Plant Apothecary in 2021, I saw something special: a brand with genuine heritage, rooted in Sephora and prestige beauty, built on formulations that actually worked. But I also saw an opportunity. There's a real gap in the market between products claiming to be natural and products backed by serious science—and most women were tired of choosing between the two. I acquired Plant Apothecary because I believed we could bridge that divide, and because the business needed a complete reimagining to speak authentically to the women who matter most: those forty and older, many of whom felt intimidated, overwhelmed, or simply talked down to by the skincare industry.

That's where Michelle came in. When we met, I knew immediately she was the right partner. Michelle has an authenticity that can't be manufactured—she's rebuilt her own relationship with her skin and body after surviving chemo, and that journey gives her something rare: real credibility with women who want to feel good, not just look good. She understands what it means to be overwhelmed by skincare choices, and she speaks to women like they're friends, not customers. She calls things by their real names, she explains things in order., she listens.

Today, Michelle leads our creative direction and community, working directly with 3000 women from our Lab Foxes and broader PAL community who are helping us develop products that genuinely work. These women aren't influencers or paid spokespeople—they're real people giving us real feedback as our formulations evolve. That's the Plant Apothecary difference: science, natural ingredients, and a woman-led team that actually understands what women need today. No pretense. No overwhelm. Just products that work, explained by people who care.

Let's do this, we want to hear from you.

High Five,

Tracy Holland

Dr. Deirdre "Dr. Dee" Gormley is a cosmetic chemist with a Ph.D. in Science and Engineering of Materials and a bachelor's degree in Chemistry. With more than 20 years of experience developing innovative products for leading brands, she is passionate about transforming cutting-edge science into products that genuinely improve people's lives.

Born and raised in Canada, Dr. Dee proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2026 and now lives in Southern California with her two teenage sons. She believes the best products are where science and creativity meet—combining evidence-based formulation with the artistry of crafting textures, experiences, and results people love.

When she's not in the lab, you'll likely find her cooking for family and friends, singing karaoke, cheering at a game, or skiing down a mountain. Her mission is simple: create products that truly work and help people feel confident in their own skin.

Dr. Dee 🙂

As a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a minor in Neurophysiology, I launched my career in production and research and development with pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies.

My hands-on early roles built a solid base in formula development, process optimization, and technical problem-solving.

I progressed to senior leadership, serving as Quality Control and Technical Director for a leading MLM company and then as Technical Director and Innovations Manager with a prominent cosmetic and personal care CDMO—both in the Dallas area.

Expanding into raw materials, I led a successful sales team as President, collaborating with over 20 of the industry’s top raw material suppliers on advanced technology and trend-focused innovations. (Read more)