Province Apothecary Plant Powered Skincare for Your Next Trip

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At a recent media event in Toronto, I had the opportunity to preview several products from a few wellness brands, one of which included Province Apothecary out of Chatsworth, Ontario.

A Canadian company, Province Apothecary, ethically sources their ingredients from around Canada and the world, focusing on being cruelty-free, vegan, and avoiding toxic ingredients. Their plant-powered skincare products endeavour to be both good for you and the planet. 

I have used a few of their products before, and during the pandemic, I fell in love with their hand sanitizer. It has a great scent, avoiding the alcohol scent typical of other hand sanitizers. 

Please read the article Essential Travel Wellness Products to Pack in Your Carry-on to learn about the hand sanitizer as well as a few other travel wellness products. 

Speaking with Julie Clark (pictured above), Founder of Province Apothecary, during the event, I asked her what she recommends from Province Apothecary as it pertains to travel. 

Julie highlighted that most of their product line is available in travel-sized bottles. Still, three items she thought were ideal for travel are: 

• Reusable Silicone Sheet Mask Set for Face + Eyes
• Sculpting + Toning Facial Cupping Set
• Healing Eczema Balm 

Years ago, before sheet masks were widely available in North America, I brought boxes of sheet masks home in my small carry-on bag whenever I travelled to Asia. I coveted and used them sparingly since I had such a limited supply. So, you can see why I love the idea of a reusable version. 

Also, I have experience with cupping as part of Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and physiotherapy, but I had never heard of facial cupping before. Luckily, Julie gave me a mini demonstration during the event!

Don’t get me started about my life-long struggle with eczema! 

Intrigued? Keep reading.

Province Apothecary Reusable Silicone Sheet Mask Set for Face + Eyes

Touted as their ultimate anti-aging skincare tool, the Reusable Silicone Sheet Mask Set for Face + Eyes is excellent for all skin types. The mask covers your face, allowing the product underneath (an oil serum or balm) to absorb and sink further into the skin. Not only is this nourishing the skin, but it also improves barrier function and diminishes fine lines or wrinkles.

Province Apothecary recommends prepping your skin with their Invigorating + Balancing Toner. Then follow with their Rejuvenating + Hydrating Face Serum, Vital Nutrient Face + Eye Balm, or Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum in the areas you plan to apply the mask. Oil-based products are best when using the mask, as the antioxidants work with the active ingredients (like Vitamins A, E, and C), which are then further absorbed into the skin. 

How to Use?

Luckily, the mask package has a QR code leading to a tutorial with additional information relating to mask how-to questions. There is no one way to use the masks; you can use them as often as you like! Rinse the mask with warm water using a gentle soap and then air dry after each use. Province Apothecary recommends using the Eye Masks for 5-10 minutes daily and the Full Face Mask for 15-30 minutes once a week—but this is easily changeable depending on your skincare routine. 

One thing I really liked about the full-face silicone mask compared to the disposable paper masks is that it loops around your ears for a secure fit. This allows you to move around and not worry that the mask will slide off.

Sustainability Factor?

The Province Apothecary sheet mask is made from food-grade silicone, and the eye masks are from medical-grade silicone. With attentive care and washing, they can last for hundreds of uses.

Compared to the usual one-use sheet masks that can create over 3,000 pounds of trash that cannot biodegrade or recycle, the Reusable Silicone Sheet Mask Set for Face + Eyes is a safer, less wasteful, and more sustainable option. I think back to all those bulky boxes of face sheets I brought home from Asia in my suitcase and shake my head.

Regarding travel, it’s easier to pack one reusable mask than a bunch of small disposable ones. I like to wear one on the plane, soothing my skin during the long hours up in the air. I know it can be a bit embarrassing, but hey, will you ever see these people again? Probably not, and imagine how smooth and refreshed you’ll look when your plane lands!

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Julie suggested bringing a little plastic baggy for the plane to hold the used masks and to save the proper washing/drying/storage process for when you are comfortably checked in to your hotel.

Province Apothecary Sculpting + Toning Facial Cupping Set

Cupping as a healing method has been used in China for thousands of years. Province Apothecary wants to incorporate this traditional practice into an essential part of your skincare routine with their Sculpting + Toning Facial Cupping Set.

The facial cupping set gently pulls the skin away from the deeper fascia – the sensitive connective tissue that tightens under stress. Thereby helping to relax facial tension, smooth out wrinkles, and promote increased blood circulation – bringing all those nutrients deep in your skin to the surface! Cupping also helps reduce puffiness and discoloration (yes, that means dark circles, too!), drains lymph nodes, and naturally sculpts and revitalizes your face as elasticity and oxygen supply increase within the skin.

How to Use?

Province Apothecary includes instructions on how to use the cups on their website. It’s straightforward and becomes second nature after a few goes!

Here’s a video

She recommends prepping the skin with an oil-based serum and reminds you to wash the facial cups with warm water and gentle soap and to air-dry after each use. Using the facial cups once a day (morning or night, according to your preference) is suggested; however, if you have sensitive skin, once to twice a week should be plenty.

Make sure to give the website a glance for their contraindications. Cupping is a very stimulating practice, so there are certain conditions where it is not recommended, such as inflamed or damaged skin or you have eczema, psoriasis, melanoma, etc. Read the complete list of contraindications here. 

After a few weeks of use, I can confidently say that I see the difference around my eyes and jawline. The Sculpting + Toning Facial Cupping Set is small enough to pack in your toiletry bag, making it easy for you to continue your treatment wherever you are travelling.

Province Apothecary Healing Eczema Balm

I’ve suffered from eczema my entire life, and it always seems to flare when I travel. Sun exposure, salt water, stress, lack of sleep, and simply showering with different water can cause my skin to react, rebel and fight back. 

Province Apothecary Founder Julie also has struggled with eczema her whole life, and after struggling to find a solution, she decided to make her own: the Healing Eczema Balm. 

The Eczema Balm is deeply hydrating, steroid-free, and full of natural ingredients suited to even the most sensitive skin. Really, even babies could use it! Though marketed for eczema, it also relieves psoriasis and rashes, soothing itchiness and redness and helps heal the skin. 

How to Use?

Like their other products, this balm also has a QR code on the package leading to a tutorial and more on how to use the product. You can apply generously to your skin as often as you want!

Since it is a balm, it is slightly oily when first put on the skin but quickly absorbs as you rub it in. Province Apothecary recommends gently massaging the tube before each use, as some natural separation of the ingredients can occur. Make sure to store it somewhere cool in between use.

Pairing the Eczema Balm with the Hydrating Rescue Balm is beneficial for especially dry areas. The Vital Nutrient Face Balm is also marvellous to use in tandem with the Eczema Balm if you have eczema on the face.

Sustainability Factor?

In an effort to be as sustainable as possible, the packaging for the Healing Eczema Balm is made of over 50% Post Consumer Resin and is entirely recyclable. The tube also allows for the product to be protected from oxidation and bacteria, making the product last longer in an effort to be as sustainable as possible.

I can sometimes be sensitive to scents, and since all Province Apothecary products are scented, I was concerned when I started using them, but luckily I was not affected! Honestly, I think I’m sensitive to “fake scents” because none of their naturally scented serums or balms have bothered me.

It’s no surprise that I love the Healing Eczema Balm since, texturally, it’s the same as their Vital Nutrient Face + Eye Balm that I adore. I couldn’t help but share a true story with Julie to emphasize my love for her eye balm when I lost the tiny cap to a new tube of eye balm in a hotel bathroom on one trip. I ended up sacrificing a L’Occitane mini hand cream by using the cap as a replacement (Ya’ gotta do what you gotta do!).

The importance of skin care cannot be understated — especially in travel! Being away from home does not mean your skin has to take a back seat. Consider Province Apothecary’s multiple travel and plant-friendly products for your next trip, so your skin can look healthy and glowing worldwide! 

Let me know which product intrigues you the most!

If you are looking for more Travel Wellness articles, check out:

• 10 of the Best Essential Oil Recipes for Travel
• Essential Travel Wellness Products to Pack in Your Carry-on
• How to Treat and Avoid the TOP 5 Vacation Illnesses

Special thanks to Lucid Communications and Julie Clark of Province Apothecary for providing product samples for this review. I did not receive financial compensation for this review. Calculated Traveller maintains complete editorial control of all content published on this site.