We recently connected with Aaryan Ramzan and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Aaryan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

At Earth & Halo, we prioritize two things distinctly: no age shaming and simplified skincare. My journey as a trans man struggling with self-acceptance profoundly shapes our approach. Being a minority in several intersecting ways—Asian, progressive Muslim, within the broader LGBTQ community—I deeply understand the importance of self-acceptance and celebrating diversity.

The idea for Earth & Halo sparked during my transition, a period intensified by immense stress from life-altering events like surviving a mass shooting and enduring significant personal and financial losses. These challenges prematurely aged me by over a decade. However, it took years of embracing my identity, from balding to wrinkles, to realize that self-care should stem from love, not insecurity.

Traditionally, skincare for men in my cultural background was minimal—no sunscreen, no moisturizers. After finding myself, my perspective shifted radically towards embracing effective, straightforward skincare routines. This inspired our flagship product, Blue Crystalline, a multi-faceted serum designed as a one-step skincare solution. It offers toning, brightening, moisturizing, collagen boosting, and more, all in a couple of drops.

Our vision at Earth & Halo is not to bombard our customers with endless product choices but to curate a compact ecosystem where each product complements and enhances the benefits of others. This means you won’t need separate treatments for vitamin C, retinol, or hyaluronic acid—our products provide these benefits collectively.

We’ve pledged never to use ‘anti-aging’ as a term; aging signifies life, and there’s no shame in living. We approach skincare from a perspective of self-love and acceptance, not from capitalizing on insecurities. Earth & Halo is committed to being cruelty-free, toxin-free, and soon, certified clean and vegan. We use sustainable packaging and support causes that resonate with our core values, ensuring our operations reflect our ethos of care and respect for all beings.

Aaryan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Aaryan Ramzan, the heart, sweat and blood behind Earth & Halo, a brand born from a deeply personal journey of self-acceptance and transformation. As a trans man who has navigated the complex intersection of identities—Asian, brown, progressive Muslim, and part of the LGBTQ+ community—I’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact of societal norms on self-perception and well-being.

My Journey into Skincare:
My venture into the skincare industry was not just about launching a business; it was about forging a path where self-care meets self-acceptance. After enduring significant life challenges, including a transition that drastically affected my skin, I realized the skincare industry often thrives on insecurities. This revelation drove me to create Earth & Halo, where we focus on promoting a positive self-image through thoughtful, effective skincare solutions.

Our Products:
We specialize in creating multifunctional skincare products that simplify beauty routines without compromising on quality. Our flagship products, the Blue Crystalline Face Serum and the Apple Of My Eye Eye & Lip Contour, are designed to address multiple skin concerns with each application. These products stand out because they are not only multifaceted in their benefits—tackling everything from wrinkles to hyperpigmentation—but also embody our commitment to clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulations.

What Sets Us Apart:
What truly sets Earth & Halo apart is our foundational commitment to promoting “Anti-Wrinkle” rather than “Anti-Aging.” We celebrate life’s journey at every stage, encouraging our customers to embrace their natural beauty. This ethos is woven into every aspect of our business, from product development to marketing. We’ve pledged never to retouch model photos, emphasizing authenticity over perfection.

Pride in Impact:
I take immense pride in the personal testimonials from our users, like Marissa Madrid, whose life was transformed by our serum, boosting her confidence to an all-time high. These stories validate our mission more than any award could.

Engagement with the Community:
Beyond products, Earth & Halo is active in community service and advocacy. I’ve served on boards like Cedar Sinai’s Cancer Prevention Collaborative and support initiatives across various nonprofits including the ACLU, GreenPeace, It Gets Better Foundation, AKDN, and Girls Opportunity Alliance, all aligning with our values of inclusivity and environmental stewardship.

Invitation to Join Our Movement:
To our potential clients and followers, I want you to know that Earth & Halo is more than a skincare brand. It’s a movement toward embracing your authentic self, caring for your skin with the best nature and science have to offer, and supporting a brand that values sustainability and ethical practices. Join us in redefining beauty standards and celebrating the beauty in diversity and the natural process of aging.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was putting others before myself, a common thread in many LGBTQ+ stories. Growing up, I felt that being different meant I was less deserving—my dreams and needs seemed secondary to those of my straight, cis-gendered peers. This belief was subtly ingrained, often reflected in how families prioritize futures, expecting LGBTQ+ individuals to sideline their own aspirations for others.

Overcoming this mindset required a lot of self-reflection, therapy, and meditation. It was about realizing that I am enough, exactly as I am. Unlearning this deep-seated belief has been a transformative journey, liberating me to prioritize my well-being and pursue my dreams with the same vigor I once reserved for others. Now, I see the beauty in standing firm in who I am and advocating for myself, a lesson that has been as challenging as it has been rewarding.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Launching Earth & Halo wasn’t just about creating another product; it was about crafting something exceptional that stood true to my vision. I started with a clear idea of what I wanted: a potent, clean formula that aligned with my ethos of natural, effective skincare. Knowing this, the journey to find the right manufacturing partner was filled with trial and error, extensive research, and many discussions with potential labs. Each lab has its pricing structure, often charging for each tweak to the formulation, which adds up quickly.

After several less-than-satisfactory experiences with local manufacturers, I connected with a lab in Taiwan. They offered a base product close to what I envisioned but included some undesirable ingredients. After much back-and-forth and many modifications, the first version of Blue Crystalline was created. Yet, the consistency and stability weren’t up to my standards.

Persistence led me to a trade show where I met a lab that seemed promising. The chemist there had experience with top skincare brands in the US and Europe and understood my demands for high-quality results. I provided them with a sample and my specifications for modifications. They understood the assignment perfectly—after just a couple of attempts, they delivered a formula that was exactly what I had envisioned: perfect in texture, efficacy, and integrity.

This process taught me the crucial role of persistence in product development and the importance of partnering with manufacturers who not only have the capability but also the commitment to bring a visionary product to life. Now, Blue Crystalline isn’t just another serum; it’s a testament to what happens when determination meets the right expertise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://earthhaloskincare.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/earthhaloskincare/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earthhaloskincare
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthhaloskincare
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVmWYVo4vEc
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@earthhaloskincare