A Love Note to: Province Apothecary

This post is the first installation of a new series that I have planned – “A Love Note to” brands I enjoy shopping and from which I own multiple products.

Province Apothecary has been on my radar since I started shopping green beauty thanks to The Detox Market, which has acted as a sort of hub for me. It’s been since the fall however, when I moved into my new apartment on Dundas Street West, that I’ve really fallen in love with the brand. Province Apothecary’s mission is to “produce the best skincare products using only high quality, certified organic, biodynamic and wildcrafted ingredients sourced from each Canadian province”. All of the products are totally natural and high quality, vegan, and naturopath recommended.

As you can probably tell, this is a brand that really resonates with me. It couldn’t really get any more local for us Torontonians – Canadian ingredients blended into gorgeous skincare products right here on Dundas West (incidentally, their production facility and storefront are immediately beside my apartment!). The pretty, recyclable blue glass packaging and sleek graphic design are only a bonus. The brand seems to place a lot of emphasis on customization to tailor to your skin’s unique needs, and you can even work with staff to blend your own unique facial serum or essential oil perfume.

The first product I tried was their Clear Skin spot treatment, which contains lavender and immortelle. The tiny bottle set me back $30, but this stuff is so potent that I don’t think you’d need much more. I apply a little dab to spots at night and it definitely helps to clear them up faster. Another tried and true product for me is their Eczema Balm, which I picked up when the temperatures started to drop and a dry, red patch started to develop under my right eye. The formula contains zinc, which leaves a bit of a white cast on the skin, so I prefer to use this at night. For day, I use an over the counter hydrocortisone cream from the drugstore and the combination seems to keep the problem at bay.

Another love for me is their new Radiant Body Oil, which is made up of really moisturizing carrier oils and smells absolutely incredible without being overpowering. I like to apply it after I shower in the evening so that it can sink in and work its magic overnight. It makes freshly shaved legs feel especially soft!

For Christmas, I put together two little self-care bundles for my roomies which contained socks, some Korean sheet masks and PA’s Moisturizing Cleanser + Makeup Remover. I chose this for both of them because cleanser is a little less personal than serum or moisturizer, and they both wear makeup, which has to come off at some point! I haven’t heard much by way of reviews from them, but I will do a little prodding. The Detox Market also chose this product as Best of Green Beauty 2016 winner.

In addition to great products, Province Apothecary also offers treatments at their Sheridan Avenue location, by appointment only. These services include facials, brow services, and holistic skincare consultations. I booked myself a facial for February as a treat for getting a new job (yay!) and I can’t wait. For now, I’ll keep on using my products at home, and I have my eye on their new West Coast Sea Salt Soap…