At LAKE+MAIN, we take immense pride in being a truly Canadian skincare brand. Every batch of our products is handcrafted in-store at our Westport, Ontario location.
But beyond just being locally made, we are dedicated to sourcing our ingredients and packaging from Canadian suppliers whenever possible. While this commitment comes with its own set of challenges, it is a labour of love that reflects our core values: sustainability, transparency, and supporting fellow Canadian businesses.
Sourcing Ingredients: Keeping It as Canadian as Possible
Whenever we have the option to source an ingredient from within Canada, we do. A great example is our sweetgrass hydrosol (responsible for ELEVATE’s intoxicating scent), which come from a single source in Gaspé, ensuring quality and ethical harvesting.
However, some essential oils and natural actives simply aren’t grown here due to climate limitations. In those cases, we still prioritize Canadian suppliers who ethically source and distribute these ingredients.
This ensures that even when we need to look beyond Canada’s borders, we are still supporting local businesses.
The Reality of Sustainable Packaging in Canada
Sustainability extends beyond just what’s inside our products; it’s also about how we package them. At LAKE+MAIN, we use aluminum, glass, and cardboard for our packaging to minimize waste and reduce reliance on plastic. Our long-term goal is to transition into a refillery model, allowing customers to bring back containers for reuse or purchase refills.
However, sustainable packaging is one of the biggest challenges we face as a small business. Most sustainable packaging options are manufactured overseas, making it difficult for companies like ours—who can’t afford to buy in bulk—to source them affordably.
Ironically, if we were to opt for plastic packaging, it would be much easier and cheaper to buy from Canadian manufacturers. But for us, sustainability wins out, even if it means tighter margins. Currently, we source our aluminum in Canada, while our glass and cardboard come from U.S. suppliers.
Our sustainability practices are the result of hundreds of hours of logistics, research, and networking. But the work is never over—we are always on the lookout for innovative, sustainable packaging options that align with our values.
The Future of Sustainable Skincare at LAKE+MAIN
No one in Canada—at least no small-batch, locally owned skincare company—is doing what we’re doing when it comes to sustainability. Many competitors in the natural skincare space rely on plastic packaging to keep costs down. While we understand the financial reasoning behind it, we want LAKE+MAIN to serve as living proof that luxury-quality skincare can be locally owned, and sustainable.
Our future vision includes becoming a refillery, making it even easier for customers to make sustainable choices. Though sourcing Canadian-made sustainable packaging remains a challenge, we are committed to this path. We want to create products that not only nourish your skin but also align with your values, supporting both sustainability and Canadian businesses.
Being a truly Canadian brand is difficult, but it is a labour of love—one that we are proud to share with our customers. Each order and interaction with our customers pushes us to keep going, and to remain steadfast in our values.
When you choose LAKE+MAIN, you are choosing handcrafted quality, ethical sourcing, and a deep commitment to a greener future.
