Our Story

Verdant Wild was founded in Santa Cruz, CA in 2015 and relocated to Colville, WA in 2022. Our mission is to create clean, approachable, and effective herbal skincare products that are good for your body and good for the earth.

Founder Elizabeth (Liz) Hodges spent her early childhood years on an off-grid homestead in Washington State, following her parents around the pasture, garden, and kitchen. Her mother lost a battle to melanoma at the young age of 36, and Liz bridged the gap she left behind by seeking connection with her matrilineal kin in California—her grandmother and two aunts.

Her Aunt Chris established a beautiful farm in the Santa Cruz mountains, and Liz moved to the area in 2006. She ended up harvesting lavender and bottling olive oil seasonally with her aunt for about ten years. Naturally, these were some of the first ingredients Liz experimented with, and her original hand and body cream formula is still one of our top bestsellers.

In addition to a BA in Global Studies and experience in photography, writing, and horticulture, Liz has completed two herbal studies programs. Her favorite things to do in her free time are paddleboarding, foraging, gardening, and to research and develop her ideas for new formulas. She is a member of the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetics Guild.