Starting in July, I began reviewing clean, Canadian beauty brands. I love to support Canadian businesses and I was interested in expanding my knowledge of self-care and beauty products that focus on being clean, non-toxic, handmade, and sustainable. Most of these companies are also 100% vegan.
Just like the foods you put into your body show on the outside, the products you put on your skin can make their way into your bloodstream. Here is a great list of the “Dirty Dozen” ingredients that you should avoid in your beauty products.
If you’re looking to switch over your conventional products to clean ones, you don’t have to just throw all of your products away! Start small. For instance, you can start by switching out your cleanser or moisturizer and then fill in the gaps as you go.
Here are some of my favourite Clean Canadian Beauty Brands and my reviews:
Clean Canadian Beauty Brands
1. Lowen’s
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Lowen’s Natural Skincare is a family-owned and operated skincare company based in Calgary, Alberta. This Clean Canadian Beauty Brand was conceived by a veteran Pharmacist and they are committed to using organic, fair-trade, and/or locally-sourced ingredients. I have been using their products for about a week now and I am loving them! They are also very affordable, considering the high quality of their products.
PRODUCT SAFETY: I have an immense amount of trust in this company and the ingredients that they use to formulate their products. They carefully trace each product they use and screen them for toxicity.
MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT: Lowen’s kindly sent me a variety of their products to try and, surprising to me, my favourite product was their Smooth Criminal Shave Balm. It is made of aloe vera, oat oil, & honey, making it super conditioning. But the best part is that it doesn’t clog the razor like other shave balms I have tried.
OTHER PRODUCTS I TRIED: I also tried a couple of their lip balms, their clay mask, their BB cream, their facial toner, and their hand soap, and I am a big fan of it all. You can tell they are clean products when you are using them and they all have a very fresh scent. I also love that they don’t over-complicate their products, but rather use the ingredients in their unrefined form.
SUSTAINABILITY: One of Lowen’s Skincare’s core values is sustainability. I love that they use locally sourced ingredients and all of their packaging is recyclable!
2. Wild Jasmine
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Based in Vancouver, BC, Wild Jasmine seeks to provide their customers with clean, quality, and effective eco-conscious alternatives to commercial bath and body products 🌸🌼 I have been using their products for quite a few days now and I am loving them! Note that while many of the products are vegan, some do contain animal by-products. Definitely one of my favourite clean Canadian beauty brands.
PRODUCT SAFETY: When Jasmine says that her products are clean and include mainly local ingredients, I believe her 100% . 😍In fact, I learned that her products contain organically grown botanicals and herbs that were primarily handpicked from her parent’s farm in the Kootenays!
MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT: My favourite product I tried is definitely the Botanical Facial Steam. Made of 100% pure flowers and botanicals, it makes you feel like you had been in a spa.The best part, to me, is that you can save the botanical-infused steam water and use it as a toner. Two-in-one and less waste!
OTHER PRODUCTS I TRIED: I was also able to try out two of the Wild Jasmine Perfume Balms (so handy and I love the paper packaging!), the Facial Oil, and a bar of Lemon Eucalyptus & Litsea soap. I have loved all of these products so far.
SUSTAINABILITY: I love this company’s strong eco values. All of their packaging is either minimal, biodegradable, reusable or recyclable.
3. Elate Cosmetics
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Based in British Columbia, Elate creates safe, effective beauty products using cruelty-free ingredients and sustainable practices 🌸🌼. With the goal of becoming the first waste-free cosmetic company, their products offer innovative solutions to the otherwise wasteful practices of the beauty industry. I love this Canadian company and everything that they stand for — they have quickly become my favourite make-up brand!
PRODUCT SAFETY: Elate puts a lot of focus into making sure their products are clean and safe for everyone to use. All ingredients are 100% vegan and cruelty-free and are around 75% organic. As well, Elate products are 100% gluten-free and safe for use by celiacs.
MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT: While I really like their mascara (packaged in bamboo!), I love their Foundation Sample Kits. As someone who has bought the wrong foundation shade TOO MANY times, I find this option so clever. You simply choose one of their foundation types and select your shade range (light, light-medium, medium, or deep). Then you’re able to try out a few shades (sample sized) and pick the right one for you.
OTHER PRODUCTS I TRIED: I was also able to try out their Essential Mascara and Prep Primer. I am a fan of both and am excited to try out more of their products.
SUSTAINABILITY: Through the use of compostable bamboo and seed paper, and through refill programs, Elate has created a wide variety of zero- and low-waste options.
4. Routine
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Based in Calgary, sisters Neige and Pippa created Routine Natural Deodorants — they are low waste, effective, and made of 100% natural ingredients. 🌸🌼. Note that some of their deodorants contain bee products, but there are multiple bee-free/vegan options. They also have sensitive skin/baking soda free options!
PRODUCT SAFETY: Routine contains only clean, wholesome ingredients. That means no nasty aluminium zirconium, aluminium chlorohydrate, parabens, triclosan, or propylene glycol. They’re also not tested on animals.
MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT: I got to try out eight of their different deodorant scents. My favourite scent by far was the Blackberry Betty. In fact, I just noticed that Blackberry Betty is on sale for 20% off on their website for the rest of August ❤️It smells like sweet berries. And honestly, it works really well — one of the best natural deodorants that I’ve tried.
OTHER PRODUCTS I TRIED: I tried out 8 mini deodorants in total in their “mini kits”. I tried the Sweet Emotions and the Greatest Hits mini deodorants. I loved all of the ones that I tried. The mini kits are great because you can try out a variety and pick your favourite to get in full size in the future.
SUSTAINABILITY: The full-size deodorants come in glass jars and Routine offers a refill program Canada-wide! Check out their website for a refill station near you. Kingston friends, there’s no refill station here yet, but let’s hope for the future. There is one in Ottawa, though!
5. Green Beaver
ABOUT THE COMPANY: The Green Beaver is a Canadian brand that I have been loving for years! In fact, they have been my go-to toothpaste and deodorant brand for a while now.
PRODUCT SAFETY & SUSTAINABILITY: Their products are organic, sustainable, vegan, gluten-free, and don’t contain any harmful ingredients. All of their packing is also sustainably and ethically sourced and 100% recyclable.
PRODUCTS I TRIED: For this series I was able to try out a variety of their clean beauty products including their Invigorating Tea Tree shampoo & conditioner, their facial gel cleanser, exfoliant, and day cream (all from the sensitive aloe line), and one of their toothpastes (enamel protect). Overall, I loved all of the products (and I’m not surprised).
MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT: My favourite product was definitely their Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner. They made my hair feel SUPER clean, but not stripped. I would definitely re-purchase them.
6. Tofino Soap Co
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Based on the West coast of Canada, the Tofino Soap Co. makes 100% natural, handcrafted, plant-based, and sustainable beauty, skin, and home products.
PRODUCT SAFETY: Angela and Michael from the Tofino Soap Co use ingredients from their garden, wild foraged from the local Tofino forest, and organic, fair-trade ingredients wherever possible. All of their products are also biodegradable and their soaps don’t contain any detergents, fillers, chemicals, or petroleum that are often used in commercial soaps. Head to their website and watch their videos — you’ll feel great about supporting this small business.
MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT: My favourite products from the Tofino Soap Co is a tie between the beautiful seasonal Terracotta Candle and the Fireweed & Juniper Facial Oil. The candle smells amazing (even when not lit!) and the facial oil is perfect for my currently blemish-prone skin.
OTHER PRODUCTS I TRIED: I got to try out a variety of their products, including the Rose & Cedar Perfume Oil and the Water Essential Oil Blend. I’m usually not a perfume lover, but all of their scents smell amazing, but not too overpowering. I also feel really safe using them on my skin.
SUSTAINABILITY: They are very passionate about reducing single-use plastics in their products. In fact, less than 6% of their packaging containing plastic! Rather, much of their products are packaged in glass. Their paper packaging is also 70% recycled paper board, uncoated, biodegradable and recyclable.
7. Woodlot
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Founded in 2014 in Vancouver, Woodlot is a Canadian line of premium, natural home & body basics. The business was born from a desire for natural, plant-based products which infused the best essential oils for aromatherapy.
PRODUCT SAFETY: All of Woodlot’s products are crafted from simple, ethical ingredients. I trust that all of their products have been carefully created with our wellness in mind.
MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT: I am obsessed with Woodlot’s Nourishing Cleansing Balm and I definitely plan to purchase it again once I run out. It’s rich with antioxidants and contains ultra-moisturizing shea butter. It takes off any make-up that I’m wearing and doesn’t leave my face dry like other cleansers do.
OTHER PRODUCTS I TRIED: I also tried out the Fresh Face Exfoliant and the Green Tea Clay Mask. These two combined with the Nourishing Cleansing Balm makes the perfect trio for a spa night. My skin feels so fresh and clean after using them!
SUSTAINABILITY: Woodlot prides themselves on using clean, sustainable ingredients and packaging. All of the products that I received were packaged in glass, with a beautiful paper package on the outside.
Let me know if you try and like any of these Clean Canadian Beauty brands! Be sure to follow me on Instagram @naturally_makayla for similar content and more clean beauty product reviews!
