Keri Miller found a special way to honor her late mother while also bringing comfort to others. After learning how to make cold-pressed soap to ease her mother’s pain during chemotherapy, she founded Beauty from Ashes Candle Co., which offers artisan soaps, candles and skincare products using eco-friendly and phthalate-free formulas for gentle nourishment.
From grief to giving
When Keri’s mother, who lived in Canada, was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, Keri knew she needed to find a way to support her despite the distance. During her research, she discovered that unscented soap made with premium ingredients like cocoa butter could help soothe skin sensitivity caused by chemotherapy.
“The first Beauty from Ashes product was Sharon’s Caring Gentle Soap — named after my mom and inspired by her belief that sharing is caring,” Keri says.
Since its founding, Beauty from Ashes has donated more than 1,300 bars to cancer patients.
"I usually give them directly to people at events or through businesses that support cancer patients," Keri says. "It’s been incredibly eye-opening and humbling, as it shows just how many people are either battling cancer or are connected to someone who is."
In addition to its signature soap, Beauty from Ashes offers a luxury Arkansas-based candle line called The Arkansas Collection, created to honor the state's natural beauty and inspired by its many landmarks. One example is the Eureka Springs candle, which blends notes of sandalwood and patchouli to reflect the area's charm.
“Each scent in the collection is inspired by these special places, bringing them to life in candle form so people can take home a small reminder of their favorite Arkansas destination,” she says.
Keri adds, “Beauty from Ashes is more than candles and soap, it’s how I honor my mom, give back to our community and hopefully remind others that even in the most difficult seasons, there is still hope.”
For more information, visit beauty-from-ashes.com.