A Veterinarian Does What?!

Changing Careers from Veterinarian to Mom to Cosmetic Formulator

Went to vet school and now you do what?!

That is the question I get asked quite often these days. Most people in my local area and family have decided to call me a farmer. Others just think I’m a stay-at-home mom. Some think I am a teacher. So, which group is right? Would you believe me if I told you they all were?

Well, this is a natural cosmetics website, so how is any of that related? Keep reading and you will see how I became a natural cosmetic formulator. Ever since I was five years old, I said I wanted to be a veterinarian. So, all throughout my early school days, I focused on becoming a veterinarian. I went to NC A&T State University and majored in laboratory animal science with a minor in chemistry. Then, I went to NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine and earned my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Phew, that was a lot of science talk! Now you know that I am a scientist first and everything else second.

While I was in vet school, I searched for different ways to relieve stress. This resulted in me exploring LOTS of hobbies and taking LOTS of classes (as if I really had time for that). I ended up really enjoying gardening (even from my apartment balcony), candle making and learning about holistic and natural medicine for animals. Well, the funny thing is that when you learn about aromatherapy, natural nutrition, acupressure and acupuncture for animals, you inadvertently start learning and practicing on yourself, friends and family. Of course, you still practice on the furry members of the house. It was in those years that I discovered rubbing a few essential oils under my nose during long days and nights rejuvenated me better than a Red Bull or soda (I hate coffee) and left no negative side effects.

About a year after vet school, I got married and started a family. I was working in my career but focusing on public health and living what I thought was my best life. It was the life I had worked all those years to achieve after all… Once I started having kids, I realized my career was not what brought me happiness. My family, helping people and nature are the things that brought me the most happiness and peace. Once we bought our house in the country (which I never imagined I would do), I decided to start a garden to help de-stress from work.

Then, I realized my children and I were dealing with a common problem. However, it was much worse for them because they were babies. We all had sensitive skin! Doesn’t sound like a big deal? Well, imagine buying the most expensive, hypoallergenic soaps and lotions on the shelf of your favorite store. You get home with high hopes of not just being clean and moisturized, but your skin looking and feeling great. However, the results were much different for us. Instead, I had babies covered in rashes, scratching until they bled sometimes. What was a mother supposed to do in that situation? Well, this mama talked to another resourceful mama and decided to learn how to make all-natural and safe skincare products for us. So, I took a few classes and learned how to make cold-processed soaps, bath salts, lotions, body butters, balms and salves.

Have you ever tried a fresh egg, like straight from the chicken’s nest? In case you haven’t, let me describe my first time. I’ve eaten eggs from the grocery store my whole life. While working in public health, I discovered those eggs could be several weeks old before you get them. So essentially, I spent my whole life eating stale eggs! Imagine my surprise. We had chickens for about 6 months or so before I ate my first “fresh” egg. I was so excited because I had never seen such a deep orange yolk in all my life. I put the first bite in my mouth…and…I had to make myself swallow! I almost threw up!! I had never tasted such an intense egg flavor in my life! Fast forward a few months. My family was eating at a popular breakfast restaurant, and I couldn’t finish my eggs because they tasted funny. I told my husband that something is off with them. He looks at me with a “Seriously?!” look and says, “It’s because they’re not fresh Candace.” Don’t believe me, try fresh and then go back.

Why did I tell you that story? Well, when my other mama friend let me test some of the soap she’d made, I was shocked! I felt like I had never truly washed my body clean before that moment. I felt squeaky clean, but my skin was moisturized and not itching. The best part was it worked well on my babies too. The butters helped family members who struggled with eczema. And that natural lotion! It was so thick and luxurious. None of the stuff I bought in the stores even compared to the feel or results of the natural products I was making.

Remember, I told you that I like helping people. So, I started making soaps, lotions and butters for people and their kids who were faced with similar skin challenges. I only scented the products with essential oils that I knew would also benefit their skin. Most of the people I helped were at my job since the bulk of my time was spent there. I even had a soapmaking class on one of our laxed days. I love sharing knowledge with people. It was all great, until it wasn’t.   One day, I suffered a serious injury that landed me in physical therapy for over six months and caused me to retire from veterinary medicine at 36.

At first, I did what any other person who spent the last 15 years on busy overload would do…I binge watched every movie and show I’d missed while studying and working! After that, I focused on helping build our farm, planting fruit trees and bushes and building my garden. It’s kind of hard for an overachiever to go to living like every day is Saturday. I realized I still wanted to do more and I was too young to live a retired person’s life. I wanted to continue helping people with skin issues and curly haired people find affordable, natural haircare products.

I just had one problem. I was stuck with just using other people’s recipes and did not know enough to create my own. Let’s be clear, I am all about DIY. However, you can’t trust the internet for everything. Skincare and haircare DIYs are some of those things. I told myself that I would not make another product until I understood the science behind each ingredient and how it interacts with the skin and hair. I am a scientist after all, so it should have been an easy task…Right? Wrong. I looked into cosmetology and esthetician schools, but they would not give me what I was looking for. Plus, I was now homeschooling my kids, farming and teaching English as a second language online. So, I really did not have time to sit in a classroom all day.

I found the perfect school to get certified in natural skincare formulation and natural haircare formulation. It was perfect, but that price tag was not! Then, the pandemic happened and everyone had such a giving spirit to help everyone else on lockdown. Guess what? The price for the school was cut in half!! I signed up so quickly. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Formulating is so much fun! I love being able to help people feel better, look better and just be better. There are so many things in nature that help us easily. Now, I truly understand the science behind everything and feel comfortable and confident creating solutions for people’s skin and hair challenges and problems.

So, who am I? I am Dr. Candace Wilson: wife, mom, teacher, cosmetic formulator, entrepreneur, gardener, farmer, author and veterinarian. Do I still treat animals? Sure, but only the 100+ that live at my house. I hope to continue to provide you with relevant and helpful information and natural products to address the issues you may be having with your skin or hair.