You eat organic whenever possible, and exercise regularly. With so many great organic beauty products available – and in some cases, made – in Ottawa, it’s easier than ever to put that same care into your outer appearance by choosing lotions and potions that are preservative- and chemical-free, eco-friendly and not tested on animals.
Parenting Times asked Ottawa moms about their favourite beauty products – then scoured the shelves – to bring you a list of the eight best earth- and body-friendly products available close to home.
Unscented Face Oil
Badger
Price: $20 for 1 fl. oz.
Available at: Whole Foods (951 Bank St.)
Regardless of your skin type, the first step in any beauty routine is moisturizing, which provides a protective barrier and helps makeup go on smoothly. Badger’s unscented face oil soaks into your skin like water into a thirsty sponge.
This oil is not tested on animals, is hypoallergenic, 100-per-cent natural, certified organic and is free from gluten and fragrance, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
Sunny Face Natural Sunscreen
Goddess Garden Organics
Price: $36 for 105 ml
Available at: Terra20 (2685 Iris St.) and Whole Foods
While we welcome sun and warmth after a long winter, we need to think about our skin before heading outside. After moisturizing, protect your skin with a good sunscreen to limit premature aging caused by UV exposure.
This sunscreen is sheer, won’t turn your face ghostly white and doesn’t leave a greasy film, which makes it perfect under makeup.
While many sunscreens contain chemicals to block the sun, this one is made with certified organic ingredients, vitamins, antioxidants and essential oils, so you can protect and repair sun damage at the same time.
Fruit Pigmented Pretty Naked Palette
100% Pure
Price: $58.99
Available locally at: Terra20
Since becoming a mom, you’ve become a girl on the go. Next time you’re in a rush, toss the Pretty Naked Palette into your bag.
It comes with two eye shadows, two lip glosses, and a blush in coordinating neutral colours that look good on almost anyone – perfect for creating a natural look.
This set is organic, free from harmful chemicals and is not tested on animals.
Lip Sunscreen (SPF 15)
Green Beaver Company
Price: $8
Available locally at: Milkface (445 Churchill Ave. N.)
Between eating and licking your lips, you’re actually ingesting lipstick and lip balm, which is why it’s so important that what you’re spreading on them is certified organic and chemical-free.
The Green Beaver Company, located in nearby Hawkesbury, makes its lip sunscreen with Canadian wildflower beeswax. The product keeps lips hydrated and protected from the sun and wind.
Lip Balm
Eco Chic Movement
Price: $4.99
Available locally at: Baby enRoute, (416 Richmond Rd.), Belly Laughs (300 Earl Grey Dr.), Rainbow Foods (1487 Richmond Rd.) and Dandelion Kids (1300 Stittsville Main St. Unit 100)
Made by Eco Chic Movement – an Ottawa-based company founded by chemical engineer, pharmacologist, toxicologist and naturopath Dr. Alexis Reid – this lip balm is 100-per-cent chemical-free, which means no parabens or other preservatives, phthalates, sulfates or petroleum products and is nut, soy and wheat-free.
But that’s a lot of information for a little stick of lip balm. The only thing you need to worry about is that it will soothe your chapped lips.
Sensitive Aloe Eye Make-up Remover
Green Beaver Company
Price: $18
Available locally at: Terra20
Makeup is fun and boosts your self-confidence, but at the end of the day, you want it to go away.
The Green Beaver Company comes through again with the sensitive aloe eye makeup remover. Being organic, this product is good for your skin, and because it’s biodegradable and chemical-free, it won’t hurt the environment.
This remover comes in cream form and contains sweet almond and grape seed emollients. It removes even the most stubborn waterproof mascara, while the aloe soothes and calms the delicate skin around the eye and the vitamin E provides a natural antioxidant. It’s non-greasy, vegan, gluten-free, and won’t make you tear up.
Eco Chic Movement
Nipple Balm
Price: $11.99 for 30 grams
Available locally at: Milkface
Breastfeeding has all kinds of benefits. Cracked, painful nipples are not one of them.
Eco Chic’s certified organic nipple balm is lanolin-free and contains 100-per-cent natural (cocoa, coconut and shea) butters, which go on smoothly, without tugging, to heal and soothe tender breastfeeding nipples.
It’s made without artificial fragrances, preservatives, colour, or petroleum products, meaning it’s safe for baby, so there’s no need to wash it off before feeding.
Nail wraps
Jamberry
Price: $17.50 each or buy three, get the fourth free
Available locally from: A representative like Teela O’Neill-Boivin at Teela@stylemeprettynails.com
It’s sandal season, and nothing dresses up a pair of cute open-toed shoes like a splash of colour on your piggies. While nail polish looks pretty, the chemicals inside them are decidedly not.
Jamberry’s nail wraps are non-toxic, free from dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and camphor, and are durable against chipping, peeling and fading.
There are over 300 styles to choose from at stylemepretty.jamberry.com.
When it’s time to take them off, skip the harsh nail polish removers and simply soak your nails in coconut or olive oil.