Thoughtful Choices at Shoppers Drug Mart: Cruelty-Free, Chemical Free Green Beauty

In an effort to preserve our planet, many consumers are turning to green beauty products that are safer for our families and better for the environment. 

Shoppers Drug Mart offers a wide variety of Thoughtful Choices that are cruelty-free and formulated without: Parabens, Pthalates, SLS, SLES, Triclosan, Formaldehyde Agents and other harmful ingredients. These products are also made with recycled packaging.

Here are a few great brands that have made Shoppers Drug Mart's Thoughtful Choices list. 

 CLEANSING 

The Lise Watier Soothing Rose Petal Gel Toner ($31) is one of my favorites! The moisturizing formula eliminates traces of makeup, dirt, sweat, oil and impurities so skin appears smooth and radiant. Toning should be one of the most important steps in your skincare routine if you want a glowing complexion.

To keep your skin clear, clean and healthy, try Carbon Theory’s Breakout Facial Cleansing Bar ($12.99). This cleanser is lab-formulated for acne prone skin with charcoal and tea tree to draw out impurities and excess oil.

Another great product that helps keep blemishes at bay is the Clarins Clear-Out Targeted Blemish Control Lotion ($22). This milky liquid reminds me of the popular Mario Bedescu Drying Lotion. Apply the treatment directly to the blemish to dry it out and purify the skin with minimal scaring. 

Boscia makes fabulous skincare products and I love their Purifying Gel Cleanser ($45). Unlike many natural cleansers, this one provides a rich, milky, hydrating lather that deep cleans and purifies. It leaves my skin feeling silky and conditioned with no residue. 

MOISTURIZER 

In this category I’ll start with the Pacifica Glow Baby Booster Serum ($23). This vegan formula contains concentrated Vitamin C, Kakadu Plum and Glycolic Acid that brightens clogged dry skin. It has a mild scent and feels lightweight and supple. I use it before applying moisturizer and it works well as a makeup primer.

The Burt’s Bees Anti-Wrinkle Cream ($32.99) is 99% natural. The formula is infused with a long list of Botanicals, Vitamin E and Bakuchiol - a natural retinol alternative that stimulates cell turnover, smooths fine lines, diminishes wrinkles and improves skin tone and texture. The rich formula is very hydrating and leaves skin bouncy and incredibly supple.

The After Dark Natural Peptide Sleeping Cream ($45) is a cruelty-free, anti-pollution, skin transforming overnight treatment that is completely free of harmful ingredients. There is a long list of natural botanicals, fruit extracts and butters that lift, firm, smooth and rejuvenate the skin while you get your beauty rest. It may also help even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots. The texture is quite rich and it has a naturally derived fragrance.

BODY CARE 

The Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion ($33.99) targets dryness, breakouts and aging skin by speeding up cell turn-over and improving texture and tone. It helps firm loose skin around the knees while a blend of Squalane and Cocoa Butter smooths rough elbows and dry patches. The cream does not have much of a scent and the formula is lightweight and non-greasy which is perfect for summer.

If you haven’t made the switch to a natural deodorant, you should. Tom’s ($8.49) is a popular brand known for its aluminum and paraben free formula. It works for up to 24 hours and is gentle on sensitive skin. 

HAIR

I’ve seen the Monday Collection at Shoppers before, but this was my first time trying it. The Colour Protect Shampoo ($9.99) is sulfate and paraben free with a nourishing pH balanced formula that revives colour treated hair. I don’t dye my hair but I appreciate a great smelling shampoo that cleanses and refreshes my scalp without drying out my ends.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY

*Evio Lip Serum ($22) – Packed with the healing power of hemp, peppermint and omega oils. This soothing serum keeps lips soft and supple by sealing in moisture and repairing the skin’s natural barrier. It also provides a cool refreshing sensation. A portion of the proceeds are donated to help women experiencing domestic violence. 

*Marcelle Talc-Free Quintet Eyeshadow ($16.99) – Spiced Cider 

*Quo Setting Powder Brush ($32) – Soft, luxurious vegan bristles that are perfect for pressed and loose powder. 

*Covergirl Last Blast Clean Mascara ($15.49) – Formulated without parabens, sulfates, talc and mineral oil. 

*Quo 50% Plant Based Blending Sponge ($12) 

*Quo Evergreen Plant-Based Nail Polish ($12.49) 

*Butter London Signature Glass Nail File ($16) 

*Quo Facial Razors 3 Pack ($9) – Removes peach fuzz. 

 You can find all of these eco-friendly beauty products at Shoppers Drug Mart and shoppersdrugmart.ca

Clean Beauty Must-Haves from Shoppers Drug Mart

Recently I’ve been writing a lot about clean beauty. Shopping responsibly is not just another trend. It’s about reducing waste and eliminating some of the harmful substances that enter our lakes, oceans and landfills. 

To help you find amazing brands that are mindful of our planet, Shoppers Drug Mart has initiated the “thoughtful choices” campaign. Today I will be featuring a few sustainable products available in-store and online.

First up we have a summer essential that I will be packing for vacation next week – Garnier’s Green Labs Brightening Serum Cream ($19.99) with broad spectrum SPF 30. The vegan formula is free of mineral oil, parabens, BPA, aluminum, phthalate and dye while the bottle is 100% recyclable. 

Infused with Vitamin C and pineapple, you get the brightening power of a serum with the lasting moisture of a supple cream. According to the description - your skin will look smooth, even and radiant after one week of daily use. I love the fruit scent and non-greasy finish.

I’m a big fan of Live Clean’s hand soap and conditioners so I knew I’d like their vegan Rebalancing Shampoo ($7.99) with organic botanicals and vitamins. The formula is 98% plant derived and free of petrolatum, parabens, SLS, silicone, phthalate, phosphate and dye. The rich lather thoroughly removes build-up at the scalp to balance oily roots and moisturize dry ends.

Covergirl’s Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara ($10.99) is also formulated without parabens, sulfates and mineral oil. The waterproof vegan pigment is smudge proof and the spindly brush grabs each hair to lift, elongate and volumize.

I reviewed Zero Skincare when the brand launched at Shoppers earlier this season (you can read my full review by clicking HERE). The products are 100% natural, plant-based and cruelty-free. 

The night Cream ($34.99) is rich, deeply nourishing and infused with antioxidants, green tea, shea butter and rejuvenating oils that leave skin soft, supple and renewed.

I have a love-hate relationship with natural deodorants. I appreciate the concept but haven’t found one that really works (if you know what I mean). 

Native is one of the better brands I’ve tested. The Coconut and Vanilla scent smells fantastic and actually moisturizes my skin while keeping me fresh. $18.99 might be a bit pricey for odor protection but the cruelty-free formula does not contain parabens or aluminum.

Burt’s Bees Truly Glowing Gel Cleanser ($16.99) contains Hyaluronic Acid to reset and refresh your skin. The packaging does not specify whether this product is for face, body or both but based on the instructions, I’m guessing face. If I’m not wearing makeup this formula is sufficient but for a deeper clean I prefer something that foams and lathers.

Every year 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are produced and most of them end up in landfills or oceans. To help reduce that number Colgate has introduced the Whitening Starter Kit ($20.99). It comes with a reusable aluminum handle and one replacement brush head. The spiral bristles and whitening cups polish away stains and when used with whitening toothpaste, your smile will look amazing.

Last but not least we have the Clarins Re-Boost Refreshing Hydrating Cream ($29.00). The formula contains an energizing morning cocktail of fruit extracts, coconut water and a botanical based anti-pollution complex that boosts radiance, protects against environmental assaults, plumps, rebalances, smooths and revives.

For more information, visit shoppersdrugmart.ca. All of the green beauty products are marked with the “healthy choices” label.