14 Sustainable Low-Waste Canadian Skincare Brands
When I began my green journey 20 years ago, no sustainable low-waste Canadian skincare brands were on the market. Most of them were packaged in plastic. Fast forward to today, and it's a different story! Here are 15 Sustainable Low-Waste Canadian Skincare Brands you NEED to know about.
I've never really been a major skincare junkie. Don't get me wrong, I love a good body butter or face serum, but my skincare regime is very minimalist, and it's been that way pretty much my whole life. When I began this "green" journey 20 years ago, I learned so much about toxins in skincare that it made me even less likely to get hooked on the latest product.
All these years later, my routine consists of washing my face with a good cleanser, using a good serum/moisturizer, and sunscreen, which has always been an important part of my skincare regime.
You will notice I did not use the term zero-waste, simply because there is no such thing as zero-waste. All products whether eco-friendly or not create some form of waste. Nothing is waste-free! I have chosen products that use glass packaging and eco-packaging that can be reused or recycled. All of these brands are sustainable, low-waste, and made in Canada.
Low Waste Skincare Brands We Recommend
Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of this article to read more about how I chose these brands.
1. NatuKari
NatuKari isn't your everyday skincare line; it's a passion project by Dr. Kari, a molecular medicine Ph.D. And let's be clear: she's a skin expert. Every product is vegan and specially handcrafted to ensure quality, efficacy, and freshness.
Diving into their collection, you're met with various products tailored to your hair, face, or body needs. What stands out is Dr. Kari's commitment to using plant-based and skin-friendly ingredients, making her creations a godsend for those with sensitive & dry skin.
Every ingredient is meticulously chosen, emphasizing the natural benefits they offer.
The brand's eco-consciousness shines too.
And for those wondering about its origins, every product is proudly crafted in Quebec, Canada.
Their Face Serum, infused with the delightful aroma of sweet orange essential oils, is a treat. Depending on your skin's needs, you have three tailor-made options: mature & blemish, dry & dull, or just normal.
On the other hand, their Toning Body Oil, enriched with fair-trade organic coffee, aims to rejuvenate your skin. It targets cellulite and dryness and captivates with its blended scent of citrus essential oils, geranium, and lavender.
Taking a special place in their product range is the unique Shikakai & Rhassoul Clay Shampoo Bar. This vegan shampoo bar is a harmonious blend of tradition and science, combining the age-old benefits of Shikakai, revered in Indian haircare for enhancing silkiness, combatting dandruff, and promoting hair growth, with the detoxifying qualities of Rhassoul clay from Morocco.
This union is further enriched with coconut and castor oils, providing an unmatched nourishing experience for the hair. What sets this bar apart is its long-lasting formulation; when used properly, this shampoo bar offers both longevity and unparalleled hair benefits, free from sulfates and silicones.
2. Luna Oil Organics
LUNA OIL ORGANICS is a woman-owned, Canadian company specializing in luxury, handcrafted face & body oils that are made with 100% natural and organic ingredients. The entire line is based on the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda principles.
None of the oil contains harsh preservatives. They carry face and body oil that comes in these beautiful glass jars. I can totally see myself reusing these bottles. What really stands out to me is that each of their botanical formulations is specifically tailored to your skin type.
3. Skin Essence
Skin Essence Organics is one of my favorite sustainable low-waste Canadian skincare brands, it was developed nearly 20 years ago when the concept of using organic oils & extracts on the skin was relatively unknown.
Formulating their products started by thoroughly studying each ingredient on thousands of people’s skin, and observing their individual effects before spending years delicately balancing them to obtain the best possible results.
Today, they continue to produce their products locally in small batches to ensure both quality and freshness. They ECOCERT-Certified. I've been lucky enough to use the whole line and I must say my skin loved this stuff...all of it.
4. Jack59
More than 552 million shampoo bottles end up in landfills each year. It is estimated that by 2050 the ocean will contain more plastic than fish. Each Jack59 shampoo bar eliminates up to 3 plastic bottles and our conditioner bars can eliminate up to 5 bottles.
I love the fact that no matter your hair type, long, curly, normal color-treated hair, they have a bar for you. The bars smell amazing and are made in Edmonton Canada by women. "We are proud to employ local women and local mamas. We provide all of our staff with flexible working hours so that they can provide for their families and take care of all the things that matter in their lives."
I have finer hair and have really been enjoying their Serenity Shampoo and conditioner bars, loving them so much, my hair feels great when it's dry and it smells like heaven.
5. Cardea Auset
A Canadian plant-based beauty and wellness brand with a philosophy based on the power of feminine energy and the gifts of Mother Earth.
Founded by two BFFs who were called to build something new two years ago that would redefine what it means to live the good life. I was introduced to the brand at the Green Living Show last year and was hooked. I use and LOVE the Phoebe facial oil, it's simply lovely.
6. UpFront Cosmetics
Each Upfront shampoo or conditioner bar replaces up to 3 bottles of packaged alternatives, minimizing waste and ecological impact.
They offer a line of shampoo and conditioner bars free of sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. It's a female-owned company from New Brunswick. Got to love that. I've been using the Enlivening Conditioner Bar which has really helped my hair with the frizz this summer and it smells UNREAL!
7. Two Sisters
Two Sisters Naturals is founded, owned, and operated by East Coast born and raised sisters Crystal Mills and Jillian Anderson.
I really love how they have embraced natural living. The whipped body butter and hand salves are two of my absolute favs. Both are not greasy at all and my skin just soaks it in!
8. Leaves Of Trees
I was first introduced to this beautiful brand about 5 years ago. I was looking for a good eco deodorant, back then you didn't have the selection we do now, and was gifted one at an event, I fell in love with the brand right away. The brand was founded by Dr. Roohi Qureshi, who has a master's in chemical engineering and a passion for high-quality, natural, and fair trade products.
Many of the ingredients used in the products are sourced directly from producers in Morocco — the country that inspired Qureshi’s development of the brand after her first visit.
Among these sources is a women’s cooperative that Leaves of Trees supports by the exclusive use of their hand-pressed organic Argan oil. All of their products are made locally, by hand, and in small batches, using as many high-quality organic and fair trade sources as are available. They also carry a wide range of skincare products, each time I use the lavender-infused lotion someone always comments on the beautiful scent.
9. F. Miller. Skincare
This was one of the first green beauty brands I began using. Thie facial oil and body oil is unlike anything I have used before. I fell in love instantly.
The scent of each product is truly sensational! The herbal infusions are crafted in-house and they hand blend each formula in small batches to maintain freshness and efficacy. They prioritize eco-friendly, responsibly sourced packaging materials and are committed to minimizing waste and footprint.
10. Woman Divine Skincare
I adore this brand and its founder Magdalena Tomczak (a skincare therapist) so much. She's given me so much insight into clean skincare. She's taught me about oil cleansing and how to help my skin during stressful times.
I've been using the face balm for years, it's my go-to in the winter and the summer. It's super healing and I just love it. I also use cleansing oil which effectively removes pollution and makeup without disturbing or stripping my skin.
The whole line is inspired by the Polish pharmacies of her childhood and prepared with all-organic healing and nourishing cold-pressed vegetable oils, nut and seed butter, essential oils, and premium quality herbs. Magdalena has a gorgeous studio in Ottawa, which one day I will visit.
11. Herb Market Botanicals
Founded by a holistic nutritionist, and wellness advocate, Herb Market Botanicals is committed to using only 100% natural, effective, superior-quality ingredients.
I am new to this brand and have been using the Lavender Patchouli Luxury Body Oil blend which takes me on a woodsy and enlightening journey, heightening all my senses with the unique blend of rich, earthy aromas from lavender and patchouli. If you love body oil like me, you will LOVE this.
12. Sḵwálwen
Sḵwálwen (skwall - win) is an Indigenous business creating small-batch botanical skincare products. Honoring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge, we incorporate wild-harvested plants and organic, high-quality ingredients.
Our wild plant ingredients are harvested in a sustainable and respectful way and each product has a Squamish name to honor the place where this plant knowledge comes from.
Founder Leah is an ethnobotanist, researcher, and community activist, her aim is to contribute to cultural knowledge renewal in connection to Indigenous plant foods and medicines. Wherever possible she draws on teachings learned from family and community members that are connected to Indigenous plants and the land.
13. Luxcey
Rose Gwet founded Luxcey beauty to inspire slow living, communion with nature, and stepping into positive rituals. Drawing on her roots and time spent living in a Cameroonian village, Gwet finds inspiration in life’s simple moments and believes in dedicating time to one’s well-being.
From Montréal, she perfects her notion of rituals, an important legacy of her journey in Cameroon. More than just products, Rose can now offer a complete sensory experience.
All these beautiful creations are packaged in glass that can be reused or recycled.
14. The Cure Apothecary
Founder by Nitasha Goel, originally a Toronto native but now calls the East Coast home. After owning retail shops she decided to create her own line of natural goodies, every ingredient that goes into The Cure products is selected for its effective properties.
No fillers, perfumes, emulsifiers, or parabens are used in The Cure products. Understanding that skincare does not need to be fussy, but it does need to be functional. Filling in the gaps with our admire brands is very important to what The Cure stands for.
I love the hand and cuticle oil. It's a fast-absorbing oil that is perfect to take on the go instead of hand cream.
A final word on Sustainable Low-Waste Canadian Skincare Brands
If you are new to The Eco Hub my goal with this website is to help you make informed decisions when buying products that claim to be sustainable. When it comes to sustainable beauty, our criteria are simple. Brands must meet the following guidelines to be featured:
- Natural and/or non-toxic ingredients
- Cruelty-free ingredients (and practices)
- Vegan ingredients
- Ethical sourcing
- Environmentally-conscious packaging
- Corporate responsibility
Sometimes these factors are difficult to spot, in my comprehensive guide on What Is Sustiabale Beauty Anyway, I break it down for you. Switching to natural skincare can be a challenge, take your time and start replacing the ones you use the most with more eco-friendly options.
Parents, is your teen looking for skincare to help fight acne? Take a look at the guide about Non-Toxic Skincare Brand For Your Teens. What do you think of these sustainable low-waste Canadian skincare brands?
Have I missed any? Please tell me in the comments below.
sunpreet singh
says:great content on your site. thanks
Angela Linier
says:What about North America’s Clean Beauty Industry Leader, EcoStar finalist, Seaflora Skincare? Organic doesn’t begin, sustainable to the hilt, and actually a climate positive Canadian company that has been featured on Canada Over The Edge. You need to check them out!!!
Candice Batista
says:We will check it out, thank for the tip,
best,
Candice