2021 Made in Vancouver Awards Winners: Beauty

Credit: Photo by Tanya Goehring, Styling by Robin Del Pino and Jordyn Taylor-Robins

Winner

Eco-Balance Probiotic Radiance Cream by Luksha

We’ve had our eye on Luksha Cosmetics since the Made in Vancouver Awards launched three years ago—they’ve been finalists before, and this year they rightfully clinched the top prize with this probiotic cream. Founder Anastasia Babenko studied in Russia as an epidemiologist, and has been perfecting her organic skincare line from her home base in Burnaby since 2016. And this cream just feels beautiful. The small-batch line has a pale yellow colour thanks to carrot tissue oil and coenzyme Q10, and it’s rich with organic ingredients like pomegranate seed oil (its high concentration of ellagic, punicic and omega 5 fatty acids helps to regenerate and repair skin). Probiotics top off the mix to improve and balance the skin’s barrier and biome.

$56, lukshacosmetics.com

Honourable Mention

Keep Calm Oil-to-Milk Cleanser  by The Other Skincare Company

While oil cleansers are great at melting away dirt and makeup, they’re also known for leaving a not-too-pleasant residue on your skin—and, for those prone to breakouts, it’s not ideal. A small pump of this super-rich oil cleanser goes a long way, and it rinses off clean with water. And even our problem-skin tester got soft, glowy results, not a breakout in sight.

$49, theotherskincare.com

Honourable Mention

Vanilla Cocoa Lip Balm by The Rose Company

Post-winter, chapped-lip-mask-face has us always reaching for our lip balms, and this one is lovely: simple, clean ingredients like organic coconut oil and cocoa butter, and a light chocolate-vanilla scent. But just as impressive is the packaging: The Rose Company set out to reduce the waste created by everyday beauty essentials. Each custom paper tube is made from FSC-certified paper, and is totally compostable.

$20, shoptherosecompany.com

Mayan Magic by LaVigne Naturals

The wonder cream that launched LaVigne Naturals 17 years ago is the balm that keeps on giving. Made from shea butter, vegetable emollients and 20 percent tepezcohuite—an ingredient used for centuries by the Mayan people in Mexico to heal skin—it really is magic on everything from eczema to hand-sanitizer-irritated hands.

From $19.50, lavignenaturals.com

Clockwise from top left: Canadian Wilderness Body Polish by Beauty Through Balance, Bare Super Oil by Flora’s Bare, Naturally Sensitive Deodorant by I Luv It, Mineral Serum by Nena Skincare, Hand Santizer by Scentuals, Cleansing Facial Cleanser by Truly 

Finalists

Canadian Wilderness Body Polish by Beauty Through Balance

A lovely combo of healing aloe vera and hemp oil in a gentle sea salt scrub. $48, beautythroughbalance.ca

Bare Super Oil by Flora’s Bare

A lovely serum made with rosehip, pomegranate, raspberry and apricot seed oil—and no fillers. $40, florasbare.com

Naturally Sensitive by I Luv It Natural Deodorant

A natural deodorant that smells like coconuts and works too? Sold. $22, iluvit.ca

Mineral Serum by Nena Skincare

Glacial mineral water turned serum (with vitamins C and E, and hyaluronic acid, too) that’s light but hydrating. $35, nenaskincare.com

Liquid Hand Sanitizer by Scentuals

A lemongrass and eucalyptus scent makes this non-drying sanitizing spray a treat. $8.45, scentuals.com

Cleansing Facial Cleanser by Truly

A lemon-fresh scent that’s anything but astringent: leaves your skin feeling soft and clean. $36, trulylifestylebrand.com