Image Credit

Ishan @seefromthesky
It’s no secret that the world’s coral reefs are in serious trouble, a threat that should concern us all (if you’re not up to speed on why we need to be concerned about coral reefs, check out this great article here). While we’ve been digging eco-friendly SPF and sunscreen products for a while, the news that Hawaii has taken measure to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate by 2021 gives us a timely excuse to do a sunscreen round up of the best brands that are great at keeping harmful rays at bay, while being kind to both your body and the planet.

First, it’s good to know what to look for when choosing a sunscreen that is reef safe. The majority of problematic ingredients are found in chemical based sunscreens.

What to Avoid

• Sunscreens with high Titanium Dioxide content. Titanium Dioxide is a non-biodegradable mineral that reacts in warmer seawater, forming hydrogen peroxide that is harmful to sea life.
• Sunscreens that contain mineral oil or petrolatum, both of which take years to biodegrade and are recognized as being fatal to aquatic life and water fowl.
• Oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are both chemical ingredients recognized to cause coral bleaching.

Safe Sunscreens and Where to Buy Them In Canada 

Think Sport  

available at gothinksport.com and well.ca

Suntegrity 

available at Clementine Fields

Derma E 

available at healthyplanetcanada.com

Green Beaver 

available at well.ca

Raw Elements 

available at Clementine Fields

Sustainable beauty brand, Biossance is bringing The Clean Beauty Bus to Toronto, starting today through May 27th. Lovers of clean and effective beauty are invited to check out the bus and join the Biossance team for demos and “Insta-ready” fun.

Why We Love Biossance: 

Biossance specializes in highly effective skin care that works to replenish and nourish the skin’s natural squalene oil. The human capacity to create and retain squalane peaks in our teens and starts to decline as we head into our 20s, leaving the skin vulnerable, rough and dry.

Squalane comes from Squalene (confused yet?) Squalene comes from our skin’s natural moisture and is found in a variety of plants and shark liver. As squalene becomes hydrogenated it is converted to skin-friendly squalane.

Biossance works with plant-derived squalane (no shark liver!) and offers a complete range of highly effective, beautiful skincare products.

As per the Biossance website:

“Scientists spent years trying to find a way to produce squalane as safely and effectively as the body does. Enter, Biossance. Our squalane comes from 100% plant-based, renewable sugarcane, then bio-fermented to create a beautiful end result—highly stable, totally sustainable squalane. Every drop of squalane in our products is derived in this eco-friendly way.” 

Images from the Biossance Instagram Page

Below is where and when you can find The Clean Beauty Bus in Toronto over the next few days

Thursday 5/24
King Street W – 464 King St W
10am-7pm

Friday 5/25
King Street W – 464 King St W
10am-7pm

Saturday 5/26
The Distillery – 10 Trinity St
10am-7pm

Sunday 5/27
The Distillery – 10 Trinity St
11am-6pm

While clean/green beauty continues to become a priority amongst Canadian consumers, there still remains only a handful of Canadian-grown trailblazers in the clean/green beauty space and Jennifer Freitas, founder of The Truth Beauty Company, is without a doubt, one of them.

We call her a trailblazer, because not only has Freitas built an online platform (and two brick and mortar locations) where Canadians can shop a carefully curated selection of the best and most current products in the clean/green beauty and eco-friendly lifestyle space, The Truth Beauty Company also hosts regular Masterclasses and Workshops where interested people can meet the faces behind some of the industry’s most coveted brands. For example, JoAnn Fowler, founder of Sappho will be at The Truth Beauty Company’s Guelph Location this Friday. Past events include a meet and greet with Indie Lee, the founder of Indie Lee and a Masterclass with Jessica Burman of Cocoon Apothecary.

All images from The Truth Beauty Company Instagram Feed

We sat down with Jennifer to find out her inspiration, how she selects brands to carry, her advice for brands just starting out and what clean/green beauty products she’s loving for spring.

What led you to start The Truth Beauty Company?  

It was actually a personal need! I had moved from Toronto to Waterloo in 2010 to raise my twin daughters and could not find ‘clean’ shampoo that was not stripping my hair (personally, the brands that I found in health food stores, while they met my ingredients criteria as far as being non-toxic, I didn’t find them nourishing!) I figured I wasn’t the only one in the region who was seeking clean, luxurious and performance-based personal care products. When my minis were 18 months old, I opened our Waterloo store.

When it comes to selecting the types of brands and products you carry at The Truth Beauty Company, what do you look for specifically?

We have a five pronged approach:

1. Is it clean? (free of toxic ingredients)

2. Is it different from other products we presently carry?

3. Is it effective? (like, will the deodorant actually work?)

4. Price-point? (we like to offer a range of prices so price is not necessarily an exclusionary credential, but rather simply something we consider)

5. Is the packaging appealing?

We have different categories at Truth Beauty so it must fall under a type of product we would even carry; we focus on personal care so if it is in that vein and meets the 5 points above, we will review a brand / product.

What Canadian beauty brands do you feel are making an impact in green beauty space?

I think many of them do actually! I know Province Apothecary really looks to source Canadian grown ingredients – hence the name ‘Province Apothecary’. Cocoon Apothecary packages mostly in glass because the founder feels it is important to reduce plastic consumption; it raises an issue so even if it gets you to think about how you are consuming, she is making a difference. Woodlot uses only essential oils in all of its products – including its candles! That is a big deal as it takes a lot of essential oil for the scent to carry and linger – which most people want their candle to do! Sonia, Woodlot founder really believes in the importance of being pure.

Really, I think clean beauty brands all want to make a difference. They entered clean beauty from the outset to make a difference and I think many of them operate from a place of authenticity – and that is certainly true of the brands that I have fallen in love with.

What advice would you offer an independent green beauty brand that is trying to get started in this space? For example, how could one make an impression on you enough to consider carrying it at The Truth Beauty Company?

The market is fairly saturated and I know it’s competitive – so first piece of advice would be: Get ready to hustle.

I would suggest that before you even begin hustling, know your angle. How will you be different? Why will people know about and seek out your line? (This is my prep for newbies, essentially reiterating that it will take a lot of hard work).

Ultimately, a brand needs to stand out. It if stands out and a retailer, like Truth Beauty is interested, it is great when a company is prepared, meaning they should have a press kit, an understanding of the minimums, tester policy, vendor buy-back policy, preferred shipping methods and rates, are able to offer demo support, etc.

Running a business is hard work. Building a brand is even harder.  

What 5 products are on your ultimate must-have list for spring this year and why?

My Must-Haves for Spring! Oh so fun!

I love simplicity with make-up so products that really double up are faves of mine. I am really loving Kosas Duos these days – especially in Velvet Melon; the juicy peach hue I just can’t get enough of! It’s so fresh looking on the cheeks. Get Kosa’s Velvet Melon here. 

Graydon Skincare’s Face Glow is also a staple because it is so versatile. It acts as a primer, offers some sun protection, adds some luminosity and evens out my skin tone. Only thing this gem doesn’t do is the dishes. Get it here 

I really fell in love this year with gel based serums – they offer so much moisture that is long lasting, yet feel fresh upon application and are incredibly light-weight. The one that is on heavy rotation for me these days is the Pai Back to Life Serum.  

Spring also gets me back outdoors. I am out running, gardening and just generally being more active … so a deodorant is a staple. We recently introduced Canadian brand Hola and I think it is my favourite to date! The texture is firm, not gritty and most importantly, it is effective.

Lastly, I am offering a year round must have – the Woodlot Palo Santo spray … for my hair, my linens, my room … I spray this stuff anywhere and everywhere. It just calms me and makes me feel beautiful.

Image Credit:

Priscilla Du Preez

Slipping into your first pair of open-toed shoes since winter can be one of the most gratifying feelings after months of chill and clunky boots. Add a gorgeous pedicure and polish to the mix and you’re unstoppable. As we head into a new season and are remaining mindful of what we are putting in and on our bodies, it’s important to pay attention to the polish we’re putting on our nails.

In spite of cute colour names, bright colours and Instagrammable bottles, there are still a large number of brands that use harmful and highly toxic ingredients in nail polish products which can enter the bloodstream. The fact is, unless your nail polish bottle states that its contents are non-toxic, you can be certain it is a toxic, chemical-laden product that you need to avoid.

While there are some amazing nail brands that are going 5-free, 6-free, 11-free and even 25-free, the most important ingredients to avoid are the following three chemicals. That said, we encourage using  polishes that eliminate even more than these three chemicals, like some listed in our round up below. There are plenty of amazing, high quality and trendy options.

The Big Three

Dibutyl Phthalate or DBP

Used to make plastics malleable, the European Union has banned DBP from cosmetics, skincare and toys. It has been targeted as toxic for reproductive and developmental growth. Health Canada associates DBP with liver and kidney failure in young children. It is also extremely toxic to our aquatic friends.

Toluene 

Toulene is a moderate skin irritant and can cause dermatitis with prolonged contact. Inhalation of toluene vapour can affect our central nervous systems, which explains the light-headedness, drowsiness and irritation of the nose and throat when you’re painting your nails.

Formaldehyde

Recognized as a carcinogen, formaldehyde is also a suspected environmental pollutant that is incredibly toxic and has no place on or in our bodies.

If your nail polish is non-toxic than you can rest assured that these three chemicals and a slew of others are not present in your bottle.

The good news is that an increasing number of brands are making on-trend, green-friendly polish hues that are perfect for anyone who loves to see a pop of colour on their fingers and toes. Take it even further with companies that don’t test on animals and you’re golden!

Lauren B. Beauty

Lauren B. Beauty is the perfect nail polish for business people who are always on the go. It’s an easy application, and the quick dry formula is vegan-friendly and free of harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, formaldehyde resin and camphor. With a variety of colours, you are bound to find the right shade and nude for your skin tone. Although Lauren B. Beauty is located in the United States, they are still available at Vegan’s Imperative in Parkdale.

Image Credit: Lauren B. Beauty

Tenoverten

Tenoverten’s collection has a variety of long-lasting colours that make your nails stronger and healthier. Whether you are at a salon or home Tenoverten’s nail polishes are designed to leave a smooth, streak-free finish in all their unique colours. All products are cruelty-free, vegan, and made in a US factory that honours the Leaping Bunny Program; which ensures that no animals have been tested on at any phase of product development. Tenoverten’s nail polish collection is available at salons like Her Majesty’s Pleasure, Healthwinds Spa and One2One Studio in Toronto.

Image Credit: Tenoverten Polish

Sundays Studio

Sundays Studio has perfected their nail polish formula creating the simplest and purest collection that have long-lasting strength and shine. This high-quality formula is one of the safest for clients and salon employees since it is nontoxic, cruelty-free, and vegan. Sundays’ non-toxic nail polishes are free of dibutyl phthalate, TPHP and formaldehyde and other harsh chemicals. Since Sunday Studios believe that you do not need to sacrifice the lives of animals for beauty, all their products are 100% free of animal byproduct and are not tested on animals. Sundays Studio nail polish can be purchased on thetruthbeautycompany.com.

Image Credit: Sundays Studio

AILA 

In the nail polish world, you can never be too careful of the chemicals that are going at your fingertips.  Aila strives to keep as many chemicals out of their nail polishes as possible by creating a 25-free formula. All of AILA nail products are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and are available at Clementine Fields.

Image Credit: AILA Nail Lacquers

Leximphoto
So your kale is organic, your chakras are open and free-flowing positive energy. You’re rocking two to three Hatha yoga classes a week and at least one meditation sesh. You’re in alignment and ready to radiate your vibrations into the world with a fresh face. All great stuff.

While we may be killing it in our self-care and self-love practices through our movement and consuming routines, where are we at when it comes to our make up and beauty products? And how can this affect our energy and flow, along with our inner and outer glow?

There’s no doubt that when we take the time to toss away old make up and ancient lotions from our cabinets, we naturally feel lighter. That said, the products we purchase to replace old ones can have a direct affect on our inner vibrations and feelings of self-love and self-care. As we are enter an age of awareness and re-awakening, it’s never been more important re-evaluate old purchasing habits, ensuring that what we are buying to make us beautiful comes from compassion and love.

Simply put, if the products you are purchasing for your beauty and self-care come from a place or company that focuses on humane practices and respect for the earth, for you as a consumer, and for our dear animal friends, you are more able to project and manifest compassion and love, both for yourself, the world we live in and for our companion beings.

And what’s more beautiful than love?

Below are quick ways to get started on your mindful beauty journey.

Is It Cruelty-Free? Like Really? 

Image from Ethical Elephant 

As individuals, it is important that we understand our own purchasing power. There is nothing beautiful about a beauty brand that tests or allows its product to be tested on animals by a third party. As conscious consumers, we must be aware of the fact that global corporate companies may try to work with consumer naivety and use phrases like “Against Animal Testing” or “We Do Not Test on Animals Unless Where Required By Law”, neither phrase means that a company’s product is not tested on animals. Any brand that sells in China, for example, is tested on animals, whether it is by the company directly or not. Companies that choose to sell their products in China know that this is a consequence of that decision.

Our favourite source for knowing which brands are still testing on animals is Cruelty-Free Kitty. The site also makes a ton of great recommendations on good brands that are animal friendly. Always look out for the lovely Cruelty-Free Bunny label and check out this post from Ethical Elephant on the differences between each label.

Is It Even Good For You? 

It’s no secret that companies have been filling beauty products with chemicals and not-so-good-for-us ingredients for years. This is where a company’s respect for their consumers really come into play. A company that is selling you toxic fillers to make a profit does not care about you. By purchasing these products because they are cheaper or better advertised due to high marketing budgets and sexy spokespeople we are allowing large corporations to dictate our self-worth.

Clean beauty has never been more accessible, with more and more companies developing highly effective products without the use of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or colours, peg ingredients or phenoxyethanol.

Apps like Think Dirty are an excellent tool to get a quick and easy-to-understand reading on your beauty product purchases. Another great site to check out is EWG that offers a straight-forward guide to what’s in your lifestyle products, everything from home cleaners to mascaras. You can also shop at places that have done the homework for you, and offer a curation of the best in clean beauty like Clementine Fields or Well.ca.

The Outside Counts

Making a conscientious move to purchase products sold in sustainable packaging can go a long way. Look for recyclable bottles, boxes and containers. In addition, more and more beauty brands are working with sustainable, natural ingredients, spearheading the green beauty industry. Companies like Detox Market offer the world’s best selection in green beauty, with high-end products that surpass the offerings of your local drugstore both in quality and sustainability.

It’s literally never been a better time to be mindful in your beauty choices. The quality and selection of clean, green beauty brands continues to grow so we can embrace and enhance our natural beauty with loving products.

Looking to primp and prime without the chemicals? Below are the best places to go in Toronto to not only ensure an all green, natural and chemical-free experience, but we guarantee that these service spots trump any chemical ridden salon in the city!

WAXING

Fuzz Wax Bar

Fuzz Wax Bar offers the best of the best when it comes to waxing services. Their experienced Fuzzologists use all natural wax on your bits for a smooth, refreshing self-care experience. They also offer a unique service called the Vajacial, which is exactly what you might imagine. A  “facial” inspired service for your vagina. Fuzz also makes and sells an all-natural line of skin care products. Really doesn’t get much better for a one-stop waxing shop.

NAILS 

Barefoot Beauty 

In our never ending quest for green beauty products and services, we often forget about our tips. We love a pink pedi more than anyone, but will forgo the polish for an au natural look if it means having to resort to chemical ridden paints. We couldn’t have been happier to discover Barefoot Beauty, a nail salon that offers mani/pedi perfection with waterless pedicures, forgoing soaks for the more hygenic hot towel and massage, and a curated selection of 5-free polishes such as our favourite Lauren B Beauty, organic scrubs and lotions, along with newly sterilized tools for each appointment.

HAIR

World

One of our favourite eco-friendly Toronto-based salons is World. With a mission to provide chemical-free hair care products and services for their staff and clients, World’s founder Brian Phillips developed a luxury hair care line used both in the World salon and available to all via their online shop. You will also find the line being used in various eco-forward spas and salons. World’s line extends to high-end safe and green skin products as well.

Is there anything Himalayan salt can’t do?  Most of us know that adding a Himalayan Salt lamp to our spaces not only adds a beautiful and calming aesthetic, it also helps to purify the air we breathe in. However, few of us know the benefits of using Himalayan salt on the skin.

Why Use a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar? 

Using a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar on the skin can provide numerous therapeutic benefits, both from a beauty and a wellness perspective. Given that salt is extremely hostile to bacteria, using a salt bar will cleanse the skin in a profound way, pulling toxins from the body while removing dead and dull skin cells for an incomparable glow. Routine use of a Himalayan Crystal Salt bar will aid in increasing blood flow, firm up skin tissue and work towards soothing sore and tired muscles.

Using a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar regularly will also allow salt to be stored in the upper callous layer of the skin, which binds water, ensuring our skin stays moisturized and hydrated.

That said, in order to get the best benefits from this wonderful natural product, it’s important a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar is used properly to get the full benefits. We spoke with Sarah McCain from Canadian holistic beauty and wellness company Earth Luxe to get the exact details on how to use a crystal bar properly and effectively.

How to Use a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar

1. Place the salt bar directly on damp skin or in a soft/muslin cloth if you have sensitive skin.
2. Rub bar in a circular motion on your body
3. Let the salt dry on your skin, do not wash off. Rub off access once it’s dry.
4. Do not use any creams after applying the salt bar to your skin, but if your skin is dry you can use an organic oil of your choice.

Sarah also states, “for best results keep the bar as dry as possible so that it doesn’t deteriorate (it’s salt, so when wet it will dissolve!)  This will prevent sharp edges for forming. It’s recommended to use a crystal salt bar immediately post shower and only once per day and completely avoiding use  with regular soap or on broken skin. And remember that even though this it is called a “soap” it will not produce a lather!”

We recommend Earth Luxe’s Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar and check out their full range of Himalayan Salt products here.