Written By Bailey Kennedy
Plantd is a Vancouver-based, plant-powered skincare brand that launched its new facial care collection this fall online and in retailers across Canada.
The five-step range combines regeneratively grown jojoba, wild Pacific kelp, and red seaweed in formulas designed to support the skin barrier, which is especially timely as colder, drier weather sets in.
Every product is formulated and produced locally, with thoughtful sourcing, reusable-minded packaging and environmental impact built into the brand from the start. Every purchase also supports kelp forest restoration along the BC Pacific Coast through Plantd’s partnership with veritree. Veritree is a restoration organization that plants, monitors and verifies ecosystem restoration projects around the world.
I recently had the privilege of testing out Plantd, a brand new skincare brand based out of Vancouver, which has both an incredible resume and ethos behind the business.
Plantd was founded by Shaune Bowers and Tricia Stevens, who spent three decades inside The Body Shop and Lush Cosmetics. They worked the manufacturing floor. They campaigned for industry change. They listened to what staff and customers wanted. Those years shaped what they believe skincare should be.
Formulations that are genuinely kind to skin and to the earth
A supply chain that centers the growers and producers
A brand with impact built into it, not added on after
While all of that is incredibly important and impressive, what consumers always want to know is - does it work? So I put it to the test.
First of all, let me give you an idea of who I am and what kind of criterion I look for in a skincare brand.
Currently, I am a pregnant mom of a rambunctious three year old. That means I’m tired, my skin looks tired, I don't have time for a ten step skincare routine, and my 8pm shower is the one time of day I wash my face.
Things I need in a skincare line:
Non-toxic
Good for sensitive skin
Quick and easy
Smells good, but not too perfumy
Won’t clog pores
Moisturizing but not heavy
Plantd sent me a number of products:
I’ve been using these products for 2 weeks now, so I can give a confident review of how they have held up and how my skin has reacted.
Enzyme Cleansing Scrub
This product I have been using every other day in the shower after I use my facial cleanser. It has a very neutral smell, a bit of grit to it as a physical exfoliator and it also has the enzymes in the formula to slough off everything else. I found this very gentle on my skin, and appreciated having a physical grit to the scrub. I've used enzyme cleaners before that are exfoliating but nothing is more satisfying than feeling like you are really cleaning your face.
Restorative Facial Oil
This is a very thin oil, not greasy at all. I’ve been putting it on in the morning and evening before the all day defense cream. It feels nice on my skin, had a very mild scent and once it's on you can hardly tell it's there. I have used other facial oils that feel heavy, greasy and leave a thick residue on my face. While I don’t mind those for doing gua sha or before bed when I really want some deep hydration, this is a perfect daytime facial oil that is light and highly absorbent into your skin.
All Day Defense Cream
I really like this cream! Similar to the facial oil, it goes on and absorbs quickly, leaving my skin feeling soft but not greasy. It doesn't leave a residue and you can apply makeup over it immediately without having to wait for it to really settle in before putting anything on top.
Vacay Hand and Body Lotion
They also sent me a big jar of this cream and I used it for a week on my body. It left my skin feeling very soft and smooth, and it felt great on my growing belly. Sometimes those hydrating creams can leave your skin feeling sticky, and this did not. Scent wise it smells like coconut and vanilla, which I liked for the first few days, and then I found it a bit too heavy for every day. I’d like to add a disclaimer that I am pregnant and every smell bothers me except citrus right now - so take that information with a grain of salt.
Love Hand and Body Lotion
Personally, I did not like the smell of this so I did not put it on my body. But scent is subjective, and they DO have a Discovery Set of six scents you can get to find the one that works for you best. After a quick look at their options, I feel like I would have loved the Eucalyptus, Lavender or Unscented ones. However I offered it to a friend who LOVED the scent and was happy to take it home with her.
THE VERDICT:
Overall, I would say that my skin feels soft and hydrated, perhaps a little smoother than it was a week ago. I’m prone to clogged pores and none of these products have given me any sort of inflammation, or that clogged feeling like some of the heavier products do. I am now interested in trying their cleansing balm. Every product has such a soft and light feel, I just know the cleansing balm would be so soothing to my skin this winter.
I would absolutely recommend Plantd Skincare for anyone who needs something simple, light, high quality, made with integrity and is easy on sensitive skin.