GET TO KNOW US
GET TO KNOW US
OUR STORY
Madeline Grace, Founder
Born in a suburb of Chicago, my family relocated to a small town when I was just four. It was a wonderful opportunity to leave the city behind and settle in the woods. We thrived in this new environment, spending our days immersed in nature and forging meaningful connections with the world around us. Growing up in the forest was deeply formative, and the bond I developed with nature continues to inspire me to this day.
From a young age, I felt a deep connection to plants. I would borrow botanical encyclopedias from the library and care for my plants as if they were my babies. I still remember when I was six years old, and my mom gave me a purple African violet, who naturally I named Violet. When Violet started to look a little sad, I gave her a mirror to look at herself, played music for her, and spoke words of affirmation.
This love of plants and natural healing eventually led me to create Flora x Fauna, a passion project born from years of navigating skin struggles. Throughout this journey, I became increasingly mindful of the fact that what we apply to our skin can significantly impact our health in the long term. As I spent more time learning about the body, I began to understand the importance of supporting it in ways that honor both modern science and ancient practices.
Growing up, I always had sensitive skin. In my teens, I struggled with hormonal acne, a battle that continued into my early twenties. It wasn’t until I embarked on a journey to heal my reproductive system that things began to change. This phase was one of rediscovery—tuning in, honoring myself, and reconnecting with my inner voice. I learned to support my hormones with herbs, the wisdom of other women, and a cyclical approach to life.
After finding balance, I enjoyed a period of stability with my skin. But then, I unknowingly dealt with mold exposure in my home for years, which triggered eczema, hives, and cystic acne. It wasn’t until I took certain minerals and experienced a herxheimer-like reaction that I identified the root cause. It’s been a long healing journey, and I’m still working through it, but the lessons I’ve learned have been invaluable.
My experiences have taught me that skin is a mirror for what’s happening inside our bodies. Creams and salves, whether pharmaceutical or medicinal, can’t always address the deeper issues. I say this because I know how frustrating it can be to constantly try new products, hoping for relief, only to be disappointed when they don’t fully resolve the problem. Prolonged skin issues that aren’t linked to topicals or skin barrier damage are often a sign of an internal imbalance. Though it can be painful, it’s incredible how our skin reveals what’s going on inside—both physically and emotionally.
Through all of this, it has reaffirmed to me the power of pure ingredients and formulations to help heal compromised skin. But I also acknowledge that true healing requires looking deeper. We must consider not only what we apply to our skin but also how we nurture ourselves inside and out. There is hope on the other side when we are conscious of what we are introducing to our sacred temples.
My purpose, both through Flora x Fauna and in life, is to connect with women who share an awareness of the freedom that comes from living in alignment with our embodied selves—rediscovering the access we all have to our innate, divine feminine energy.
Through self-responsibility, exploration, and connection, I’ve found healing, and I believe it’s incredibly important to share this journey with others.