Maker Monday: SOS Botanicals

SOS Botanicals was created to give Sudburians an affordable alternative to self-care products that are packaged in plastic and containing anything but plant-based or natural ingredients: For example, artificial fragrances containing phthalates, SLSA & SLS, artificial colours, alcohol, and mineral oils are just a few ingredients you will never find in SOS products. I originally began curating a plant based skin care regimen for my own hard-to-please skin after learning about the possible effects of some ingredients in my brand name face care products. At this point, I was introduced to oil cleansing by a popular holistic blog, and following this I started reading more and more about plant based oils and how they can benefit our skin. I then began offering products to friends and family, and have grown as a small business from there. SOS Botanicals is essentially the amalgamation of many years of knowledge and teachings about herbal medicines and the impact commercialized skin care routines have on our environment.

The first product I ever created was the Mud Mask and Exfoliant Powder for myself to help calm my inflamed skin and keep acne at bay. This is a mild combination of fine powdered clays, coffee, pumice powder, and essential oils that can be applied to the face as a mask when mixed with water. It doubles as an exfoliant when rinsing and remains a staple in my personal skin care routine.

SOS products contain many different ingredients, including a combination of; carrier oils (grapeseed, coconut, apricot kernel, jojoba, etc), plant butters (Shea, cocoa, etc), many essential oils, dried herbs and flowers (lavender, rosemary, chamomile, etc), clays (kaolin, bentonite and rhassoul), and other additives such as Himalayan pink salt, arrowroot powder, and sodium bicarbonate. Most of SOS Botanicals products are vegan, excluding our Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Bar and Lip Balm as these items contain honey and/or beeswax.

Well, there are actually two! Firstly, the Body Balm, which is a very rich body butter whose main ingredients are whipped Shea butter and various carrier oils: This item was created for my partner who previously suffered with eczema on his elbows and eyelids. The second is the Luxury Facial Serum which doubles as an oil cleanser and contains rosehip seed oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, patchouli and tea tree essential oil. This serum is great for hard-to-please skin thanks to jojoba and rosehip seed oils, which both contain healthy fats to calm skin and contribute to normal sebum production.

Haha! This is a great question, and I wonder about it every day. SOS Botanicals will always remain a small business with zero-waste efforts at the forefront of product development. Every month there seems to be a new product that someone wants me to create, and I am fortunate to have some very dedicated customers and supportive friends. I hope to be accepted into more local-area fairs as I do believe SOS offers something very niche in the world of zero-waste face serums, oil cleansing, and meditation oils. SOS has been branching out as of late into the world of naturally coloured bath bombs, hair care, and jewelery – this is an expansion which I have thoroughly enjoyed, but I plan to spend more time focusing on curating custom facial serums, soaps, and meditation oils as herbal infusions and essential oils are really where my passion lies.

It is also a hope to collaborate with other zero-waste small businesses, such as the wonderful Cocos Nucifera, to offer educational workshops on the impact of the beauty industry on our environment. Clean-living can easily begin by seeking glass-packaged, or package-free, plant based alternatives for your shower and vanity. Doing so reduces our carbon footprint and results in a more healthy pH in and on the body – your skin is your largest organ, it’s very important to remember that what we use on it affects various body systems.

I still consider myself a bit of a handmade-baby in the world of artisans. At this point in my journey my first recommendation would be to make sure you are doing what you love and that it serves your soul. The minute it becomes “work”, take a break. Secondly, know your worth. I did (and still!) struggle with charging people for my time and efforts because I live frugally myself. That being said, you cannot offer what you love to people if your business is not sustainable, and if you offer something beautiful and unique your true fans will understand this. The world of handmade craft is so important, and I do believe Sudburians have always treasured this about the community – we love to support our local makers.

Lastly, don’t be discouraged if you aren’t popular at first, because your customer basis will grow as people share your work. I say this from personal experience – it is hard to grow a business when you feel you lack a platform to share your craft and knowledge. It can be hard to get a foot in the door at fairs and markets because there is so much amazing talent in this small city, but just keep doing what you love and people will notice! There is a great, supportive community for handmade items in Sudbury – seek this out!

The online website and shop, www.sosbotanicals.com, was launched in April and continues to be updated. It is a labour of love, and I hope visitors enjoy it! It contains a blog section which I am slowly but surely adding to. I am active on instagram @sosbotaniclas and Facebook, and I welcome any and all communication through these social platforms or at sosbotanicals@gmail.com.

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