Conscious Beauty And Beautiful Minds: Interview w/ Emilie Hoyt of Lather
Decades before the “clean beauty” movement, Emilie was inspired to take her cues from nature. As a young girl, Emilie suffered from debilitating migraines, sometimes so bad they would visually impair her sight. When medical experts were unable to provide relief, Emilie rolled up her sleeves, deciding to take her remedy into her own hands. Digging into extensive research, she became awakened to the idea that her personal care products were most likely the culprits behind her migraine activation. Of the hundreds of alarming findings from her research, one disingenuous and dangerous “ingredient” stood out among the rest: synthetic fragrance, otherwise known as toxic, petroleum-based compounded chemicals that are permitted to be used in 95% of beauty products. It was then that Emilie made it her life mission to make natural and safe products accessible to people looking to feel the very best they can in their own skin. Emilie channeled her passion for wellness and aromatherapy into LATHER, and opened the brand’s first store in Pasadena, CA in 1999.
What was the first beauty routine you adopted as a child or teenager? Which emotions do you connect with this memory?
As a teenager, I had a hard time finding beauty products that didn’t contain synthetic fragrance- so I didn’t have the same products that my friends had. One of the first beauty “tricks” I learned is to splash my face with cold water- sometimes I would rub an eye cube over my eyes. I just associate the feeling of surprise and instant energy when I think about this.
CONSCIOUS BEAUTY — What meaning do you give this term?
For me, conscious beauty is responsible companies producing thoughtfully made products that seek to serve the user in an authentic, honest and healthy way.
Which aspects of sustainability in beauty are especially important to you?
Sustainability is always on my mind, the ingredients commonly found in beauty and household products can be harmful to our health and our environment. Because they are more “invisible” after we use them, than plastic for example, they tend to get overlooked when we talk about sustainability. However, toxic VOCs found in artificial fragrance (which is in most beauty products) is a major source of air pollution. A 2018 study by NOAA found that these chemicals cause nearly as much air pollution as our vehicles do. What concerns me is that we aren’t talking about this enough. Fragrance companies continue to enjoy special “trade secret” status under federal law and because of this they do not have to disclose the ingredients they use.
When do you consciously feel beautiful?
When I’m laughing with my friends and family.
Did your approach to beauty change within the last 1–2 years?
Definitely. I spent less time on products focused on my outer routine and more time on products that helped me feel better. So, lots of long baths, foot scrubs, face masks, etc.
How would you like to see the image of beauty change within the next 5 years?
To me, “beauty” and how it is celebrated is still a little flat and not as captivating as it could be. I think the more we can celebrate all types of humans in their truest form, the more “beauty” can inspire us all.
What or who inspires your beauty routine?
I am constantly inspired by natural ingredients and aromas that soothe and energize. Beauty routines are just as much an internal process as they are external. I am also inspired by strong women and men embracing their beauty in all walks of life.
What is your best beauty advice to others?
Put your energy into mental and physical health first and you will be beautiful. Any products used on the outside should just be supporting that health.
THANK YOU!
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Demee Koch about the MEDIUM interview series on CONSCIOUS BEAUTY:
Hello! I am a serial entrepreneur with more than 2 decades of experience in the health & beauty industry. This interview series is intended to create awareness about the movement of Conscious Beauty.
We are in a beautiful time of Conscious Beauty — you may have heard of this term, but what does Conscious Beauty mean, and why does it matter?
For us, beauty is a way to love — it is about self-care, art, nutrition, exercise, life, self-love. I invite you to become part of a movement that re-defines beauty. Let’s empower beautiful minds.
Thank you for being the change. I’m looking forward to learn from you. Reach out to me via LinkedIn.
Demee ❤︎
