BCBusiness

62 2 : L a u r e n L e g g a t t ; 4: A n g i e G all a n t P h o t o g r a p h y 5 : M a h i h k a n S t u d i o B C B U S I N E S S . C A S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5 GLOWING HOUR These B.C.-based skincare brands are redesigning how products are made and how to care for your skin. by Dani Wright and Sandrine Jacquot I N V E N T O R Y 5. Land connection Every product in the Indigenous skincare line Sḵwálwen Botan- icals has a Squamish name, like the Kalkáy (wild rosebush) line, designed to sooth and moisturize all skin types, including sensitive ones. Sḵwál- wen uses sustainably harvested organic plants along with In- digenous plant science and wisdom from the Squamish Nation as the foundation for its products. "Sḵwálw- en is a way for me to honour my ancestors who carried cultural knowledge forward so that I, and others, can continue the work of Indigenous knowledge renewal," says founder Dr. Leigh Joseph. skwalwen.com 2. Building the basics Taran and Bunny Ghatrora launched Blume to help young people build their first skincare routines. Frustrated by harsh, clinical products, they created a gentle line for sensitive, acne-prone skin. What began in their basement is now a big brand sold in thousands of Sephora and Ulta Beauty stores. They even did a collab with Canadian beauty- positive influencer Spencer Barbosa (3.2M IG followers) for the silky, toffee- flavoured Superbalm tripeptide-1 lip tint. blume.com 4. Less is more After more than two decades as a makeup artist, Chrystal Macleod founded Vancouver-based Harlow Skin Co. with the intention of using fewer fillers and harmful ingredients, like parabens, in skincare products. Harlow's products use "specific formulations for what your skin needs, when it needs it," Macleod says, including less than a dozen natural ingredients in its skincare products. Macleod's holistic approach cuts through all the "clean and green" noise and is housed at Harlow's shop in Vancouver— which also stocks other clean beauty, body and home products. harlowskinco.com 1. The essential oils Allison Audrey Weldon founded Bowen Island-based botanical skincare brand Sangre de Fruta with the intention to "share the secrets of holistic indulgence," based on what she learned while studying under a collective that had led a holistic medicine apothecary in Kitsilano in the 1970s. The brand's small batch, organic products— like the dreamy botanical body cream in scents like lavender (which is harvested on Salt Spring Island)—are all free from synthetics and artificial fragrances. sangredefruta.com 3. Apothecary aisles Om Organics' apothecary in Invermere is designed so that customers can watch the plant- based products being manufactured. Founder Kari Asselin says she designed Om to be customizable to different skin types and made with high-quality, highly concentrated natural ingredients—like the dewy Multitasking Radiance face mask with adaptogens and copper peptides. Om Organics is set to open its second location in Calgary later this year. omskin.com 6. Hydration paradise Glow Jar Beauty's founder and CEO Jaime Pereira knows what it's like to need soothing products for highly sensitive skin. It's this gentle, moisture-forward philosophy focusing on skin longevity rather than perfection that sets the Victoria-based brand apart. Its research- based products are designed to be inclusive of every skin age. The brand has also gone plastic neutral, so customers can feel good about stocking up on Glow Jar Beauty's bestselling (and radiant) Pineapple Body Oil. glowjar.ca 1 2 6 3 4 5

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