Over the last ten years, healthy lifestyles have become a norm in America. The definition of health looks different to everyone based on their budgets, geographical location, and lifestyle choices. To one person it may mean eating organic food and exercising every day, to another it may look like exercising and following an "everything in moderation" eating style, and to the last it may be simply using clean beauty products. To me, living a healthy lifestyle means exercising, following the 80/20 eating rule, and using natural, toxin-free cosmetics. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, I have personally made a much larger effort than ever before to be as healthy as possible to keep my immune system in tip-top shape. This meant changing my eating habits, slowly switching over to clean skincare brands, and exercising more regularly. Switching to cosmetic and beauty brands that omit toxins and chemicals required a lot of research. Throughout this process, Haoma came across my browsers numerous times. When I was given the opportunity to interview this incredible company, I nearly jumped for joy. Haoma is a clean skincare brand that believes in reconnecting people to nature through their products, inspiring individuals to take care of themselves and the planet. Haoma's plant-based, cruelty-free beauty products are truly one-of-a-kind. I tried the Charcoal Earth Bar last week and was astounded by how gentle and hydrating it is, and, as silly as this sounds, by how clean I felt after. With no perfumes or unnatural ingredients, I felt at ease knowing I had not worked out and eaten healthy all day just to lather toxic chemicals all over my body. While Haoma's products give back to communities by reducing the number of harmful products on the market through smart consumption and ethical craftsmanship, they also have partnerships with companies that give back to communities where the Haoma product may not reach, expanding their impact across the globe. We love brands that give back! Doreen Hatcher, Haoma CEO and Brennan Courtney, Haoma Residential Herbalist, answer a few of my questions on the company, it's partnerships, and the products in the following interview. Let's dive in! How did the founder(s) come up with the idea for Haoma? DH: Haoma's origin story stems from our founders' deeply held belief that the human connection to Nature is key to wellness. Creating those pathways of connection is at the heart of this company. Your work with Trees.org is extremely inspiring. How does Haoma choose the companies it partners with and does Haoma have any plans to collaborate with other impactful brands? DH: Our partnership with Trees.org came out of the idea of returning to the earth what we take: 'A plant for a plant, everytime.' We also wanted to make sure it was free and easy for everyone to recycle their Haoma packaging from day one, so we partnered with Terracycle, a wonderful company whose business model is built around "recycling the unrecyclable" - all those little pieces that aren't accepted by curbside recycling programs can be put into a pre-paid envelope and turned into materials that can be used to make new products. How does Haoma pick the ingredients that are used in products and lines? What does this process look like? BC: As a brand, we're focused on ingredients that have stood the test of time as agents of health and vitality. Our ingredient selection process involves a round table approach, taking many aspects into consideration. We all come up with ideas, which are fleshed out by myself and the rest of our product development team. Then, we work closely with our chemists, who tweak and finalize the products until the whole team is satisfied. We're also always taking pause to make sure our products feel inclusive, genderless and inspired. Where did inspiration for Haoma's new clay-based earth bar come from? BC: Our Earth Bar was created with a nod to the concept of forest bathing. The earthy, grounding clays, scents of Douglas Fir and Frankincense and the exfoliating powers of Volcanic Sand all lend themselves to the experience of a deeper connection to nature and our own bodies. This soap also possesses potent antimicrobial plant oils and rich butters and oils to keep skin clean yet properly hydrated. What have been a few of Haoma's biggest accomplishments? DH: Honestly, our biggest accomplishment is the quality of our products. Some of the feedback we get from our customers is simply astounding - for instance, a pediatric nurse in Austin, TX shared with us that the Temple Balm has been a lifesaver for her overwashed hands - and has even had a remarkable effect on her chronic psoriasis. It's these moments that keep us going! How does Haoma differ from other clean skincare brands? BC: The positive union of herbalism and science, coupled with years of experience in the industry, creates truly superior products. Our unique approach to genderless, plant-based beauty creates something timeless, luxurious and effective. For more information, visit haomaearth.com.