Owned by Laura Whitaker, a Haudenosaunee and member of the Mohawk nation from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Wildcraft was created with the intention of providing high-quality natural skincare products at an accessible price point. Handmade in small batches in Toronto, all products are $35 and under. Try the bestselling Calm Face Lotion ($34), a plush mattifying moisturizer which features chamomile and lavender to balance the skin and calm inflammation, or the Renew Eye Serum ($32), which blends anti-inflammatory turmeric with yarrow to minimize the look of dark circles and deeply hydrate the skin.

Nangoons Wabegijig from the Ketegaunseebee (Garden River) First Nation started her business, Ojibway Natural, four years ago while she was on mat leave with her son. Her goal? To start a business that would allow her to stay home with her son while making natural products more accessible to the general public. “I strive to make all products gentle for skin and for those with scent sensitivities, both of which I have personal experience with. It’s also important for me to tie in my culture by incorporating medicine scents into the products, sharing knowledge in workshops and demonstrations, and setting up a vendor’s table at events, powwows and other gatherings.” To sample Wabegijig’s line, try the Breathe Easy Gift Set ($20), which features peppermint-and-eucalyptus-infused bath bombs, candles and vapour rub, or try the Sweetgrass Sugar Scrub ($7) for smoother, softer skin all over.

Based in North Vancouver, Anishinaabe member of the Fort William First Nation Patrice Mousseau is the woman behind Satya Organic Skin Care. Mousseau set out to create a natural and effective alternative to steroid creams when her eight-month-old daughter developed eczema. After plenty of experimentation with combining traditional medicine with scientific research, Satya Organic Skin Care was born. Now, Mousseau provides organic plant-based skin relief products that are not only super effective, but affordable too. Notable products include the Satya Stick ($25), which glides on effortlessly to provide an instant soothing effect, as well as the brand’s signature The One Stick ($25), which effectively combats all forms of itching, from eczema flare-ups to bug bites and thigh chafing.

Launched in 2016, Cheekbone Beauty is a sustainably made cosmetics brand founded by Anishinaabe-Canadian Jenn Harper. The products are designed to be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, from product ingredients to packaging materials. For each Cheekbone product purchased, 10 percent of the sale proceeds go towards Shannen’s Dream and the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (FNCFCS). For a high-impact and hydrating pop of colour, we love the Sustain Lipstick ($32) and Lipgloss ($24) lines. Next year, keep an eye out for Cheekbone Beauty on Sephora.ca: the brand will be available for purchase online following Sephora’s pledge to dedicate 25 percent of its retail space to BIPOC-owned cosmetic brands by 2026.

Mother Earth Essentials is a beauty line inspired by traditional Indigenous recipes and teachings, created by Carrie Armstrong, who comes from a long lineage of Cree Medicine women. Armstrong draws upon the knowledge passed down to her to create high-quality, plant-based products, such as the refreshing and soothing Peppermint Sage Collection (from $20). For a calming and grounding experience, light up a Cedar Balsam Candle ($20), made with 100 percent natural soy wax to naturally purify the air.

Quw’utsun’ Made is an apothecary-style beauty line created by Arianna Johnny-Wadsworth, who is originally from Duncan, B.C., in the Quw’utsun’/Cowichan Valley. Each product is vegan and cruelty-free and is hand-crafted in small batches using 100 percent renewable energy.  All packaging is sourced from companies in America to reduce carbon emissions. Try The Weaver Fragrance ($60), which has a pleasant genderless vanilla-and-sandalwood scent and is inspired by Coast Salish cedar & wool weavers, or the Salish Forest Oil ($30) which softens hair and skin thanks to a rich blend of coconut, sweet almond, argan, jojoba and cedar oils.

Founded in 2008 on the Oneida First Nation Reserve, located near London, Ontario, Spirit Earth Holistics combines traditional Indigenous teachings with holistic practices and high-quality, soothing formulas. With a range of bath and body products including DIY kits, essential oils, soap bars and sanitizer (and even an odour-neutralizing Blueberry Sage Deodorant ($15), there’s plenty to fall in love with.

Sister Sky is a Native American cosmetics brand run by two sisters from the Spokane & Pauquachin Tribe. The products are inspired by the plant-based traditions and ancient medicine practices of their heritage, and blend ingredients such as sweet grass, cedar and sage to make a variety of healing ointments, creams and salves. Sister Sky’s hero product is Kevin’s Care Body Lotion ($17), which was made to soothe co-founder Monica’s son’s severe eczema. To soothe sore muscles and soften skin, we suggest dropping the Sweetgrass Bath Bomb ($16) into your tub during your next self-care sesh.

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