Businesses are raising the bar regarding eco-friendly beauty products by enhancing both their range and quality. It’s the perfect moment to indulge your skin with masks that are free from toxins and kind to the planet, alongside rejuvenating under-eye oils, mascara, foundation, hair dyes, and much more.
A revolution in natural beauty products
Cris Robinson, co-founder of Purple Carrot Health Foods & Wellness located in Lethbridge, Alberta, recalls the challenges of sourcing natural skincare products about 15 years ago. At that time, finding effective natural items was a difficult task. “The only eyeliner available felt like you were drawing with a pencil crayon,” Robinson remarks.
She notes that the landscape has transformed dramatically since then, with a surge in both the variety and quality of natural beauty items, along with improvements in sustainable packaging.
Robinson and her business partner, Cathy Lancaster, launched the Purple Carrot four years ago as a refillery and health product store. Previously, Robinson worked as a nutritional consultant, often having to send her clients around the city for natural products. They opened Purple Carrot to create a central location for these products.
Robinson encourages thoughtful consideration of the skincare products we choose. “In a world where we’re constantly exposed to harmful substances, especially through cleaning products, we should make informed choices whenever we have the option,” she emphasizes.
The advantages of embracing green beauty
Lindsay Coulter, celebrated as David Suzuki’s Queen of Green and a champion of green living for over a decade, shares additional benefits of opting for natural beauty products.
Natural products are not only pure but often serve multiple functions. For instance, rosehip oil can be used for moisturizing, cleansing, easing osteoarthritis pain, and providing aroma for stress relief. Importantly, these ingredients do not harm the environment when washed away.
Moreover, several newly launched products, like shampoo and conditioning bars, eliminate packaging altogether. Going green in your beauty routine doesn’t have to break the bank, according to Coulter, as DIY options can be a cost-effective alternative.
Lane Edwards, founder of Pura Botanicals in Edmonton, also champions the merits of embracing natural beauty products.
Empowerment and self-love through natural beauty
Edwards founded Pura Botanicals after becoming sensitive to conventional beauty products during her first pregnancy. She designed a line of plant-based, eco-conscious, non-toxic, and synthetic-free items infused with the principles of empowerment and self-love.
Essential oils feature prominently in her formulations. “When used mindfully and in small amounts, they can enhance a product’s effectiveness,” Edwards explains. Often employed to bolster mental wellness, essential oils have been linked to improved mood, reduced anxiety, better sleep, and pain relief, though research remains ongoing.
While Edwards recognizes the rigorous nature of Health Canada certification, she ensures her products are validated through Leaping Bunny, PETA, and CertClean certifications.
Sun safety in beauty
When selecting sunscreen, carefully examine the active ingredients listed on the label. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are recognized as safe and natural UV filters. However, even if these natural ingredients are the only ones included, the other components could be synthetic and possibly harmful to health or the environment.
Coulter recommends utilizing the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database (ewg.org/skindeep) to evaluate how your sunscreen and other products measure up.
