I would love to say that I’m a diehard beauty and skincare girly, but I am really, really not. I have a very basic routine that does the bare minimum (read: keeps adult acne—which feels an awful lot like teen acne—mostly at bay). I find shopping at big cosmetics stores overwhelming, and often curse my younger self for not getting obsessed with makeup tutorials back when I had teen acne. What helps me is to narrow down the choices a bit, focusing on products that are made sustainably and, of course, locally: Vancouver beauty brands are the way to go.
After all, is there anything more beautiful than supporting local businesses? This list is made up of products I’ve tried myself, as well as recommendations from Vanmag readers. Scary international politics aside, the following brands (based in Vancouver and other close-by areas) are here for you—and the frown lines forming every time you read the news.
15 Vancouver Beauty Brands to Buy From Now
1. Kid Sister Skincare
Definitely a local fave (and the most popular suggestion when I asked for reccos via Instagram), Kid Sister offers a small but mighty lineup of face oil, a face mask and gua shas. The Super Ego face oil ($67) is moisturizing and quick-absorbing, and possibly named after my own kid sister (don’t worry, she won’t read this). kidsisterskincare.com
2. Bulletproof Cosmetics
Bold and daring lip shades from Bulletproof Cosmetics (founded in Vancouver by Elly Seddon and Cera Neima-Stewart in 2023) are even more powerful than they appear: a portion of proceeds goes to the Bulletproof Foundation, an organization that supports women in abusive situations by connecting them with resources and legal support. bulletproofcosmetics.ca
3. Okoko Cosmetiques
This luxurious (and local!) brand was founded by Oyéta Kokoroko, who has a background studying naturopathic medicine. Buy online or visit the brick-and-mortar location in Railtown for science-backed luxury (like the Diamant Bleu age-drfying cream, $177). okokocosmetiques.com
4. Dear Lucy Skincare
Vancouver-based Dear Lucy’s Marine antioxidant serum ($140) was designed to replace a bunch of other toners and serums to simplify your routine—kind of like the air fryer of skincare products. It’s made with vitamin C, alpha-arbutin, niacinamide and Canadian seaweed extract.dearlucyskincare.com
5. Allfat
In an industry rich with vegan skincare options, Allfat founders Maggie and Chad Cao are leaning in the opposite direction: beef tallow is a star ingredient. Products like the Rejuve revitalizing tallow cream ($44) are made with 100-percent grass-fed tallow sourced from Canadian farms (if that makes you hungry, checkout our story on local fridge and pantry staples, too). allfat.ca
6. Lavoh
If you’ve ever fallen asleep without taking your makeup off (if not, that’s cool, but you’re a dirty liar) let me give you a little tip: makeup-removing face cloths like locally based Lavoh’s ($25) are about as low-maintenance as it gets. You only need to wet the cloth and wipe to erase the day (or night) away. lavoh.com
7. Plantd Skincare
Vancouver-based Plantd uses organic, fair-trade ingredients and sustainable packaging in their hand and body creams. Plus, their labels come with an augmented reality feature (scan the label and use your phone’s camera to see ingredients and more info) which is probably the most exciting bathroom reading material you’ll have the next time you forget your phone. plantdskincare.com
8. Peregrine Supply
Beard-havers, this one is for you: local brand Peregrine supply offers shaving creams, after shaves, face washes, toners and moisturizers made for the stubble-prone. The Ultralight face balm ($22) is made with jojoba and hemp seed oils; it has a barely-there feel while still moisturizing skin. peregrinesupply.com
9. Elate Beauty
Okay, fine, Elate Beauty is based in Victoria, but we’re not going to let a little body of water get in the way of sharing this B.C. brand. Mascara (pictured above, $36), foundation, concealer, eyeliner, lip gloss and more are all made as sustainably as possible (you can even build your own palette, so you’re not stuck with shades you’ll never wear). elatebeauty.com
10. Collage
Collage is based in the Okanagan, which is famously not Vancouver, but I think you can get over it—especially given the brand’s refreshing “positive pro-aging solutions” that aim to combat the toxic anti-aging culture (forgive us, society, for not looking like a newborn baby for our entire lives). The Canvas everyday hyaluronic serum ($128) gently exfoliates and brightens the skin. collagebeauty.com
11. Aiona Alive
Aiona Alive founder Lisa Strong is all about hardworking ingredients like Vitamin C and peptides (as well as some lesser-known ones, like silver carp collagen). The Essential Vitamin C serum ($85) was made to improve the elasticity, texture and brightness of skin. aionaalive.com
12. Phytosurgence
Vancouver-based Phytosurgence was founded by Jason Lau in 2019. It’s actually one of the only makeup-focused local brands on this list, and the bronzer, blush balms (pictured above, $21) and eyeshadow on offer are ultra-glowy and totally dreamy. phytosurgence.com
13. Pink House Organics
Pink House is a sister-owned brand named after Tegan Klenner and Lindsay Sjoberg’s childhood home (it was, you guessed it, a pink house). The brand sells skincare, hair care, bath and body care and cosmetics for lips and cheeks, like the merlot lip tint ($12) pictured above. shoppinkhouse.com
14. Agha Studio
All of Agha Studio’s skincare is handmade in Vancouver. And Vancouverites love a good matcha—try not to actually eat the Matcha Mint lip balm ($12). aghastudio.ca
15. Sḵwálwen Botanicals
Indigenous-owned Sḵwálwen Botanicals honours Squamish plant knowledge in every bottle, bar and balm. This Hydrating kit ($132) with three moisture-packed products is a great way to kickstart an awesome skincare routine. skwalwen.com
16. Midnight Paloma
Founded by Vancouverite Taylor Rogers in 2017, Midnight Paloma offers skincare, bath and body products and skin tools (like dry brushes). The Everyday moisturizer with rosehip oil and hyaluronic acid is great everyday (duh) use. midnightpaloma.com
