Question 1

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

It may seem confusing since my products are crafted in northern Manitoba but I also offer free pickup in Regina Saskatchewan. How? I live an interprovincial lifestyle, and split my time between homes in the north and south. The heart of my business is in the north, and I gather and manufacture my botanical products in the boreal forest. However, my permanent job exists in the south so I also craft the tallow products and complete any final packaging there. It also allows me to provide free pickup to my customers in Regina and facilitate timely shipping across Canada from a major city instead of up in the bush! Wekusko Wild is registered and licenced in BOTH Manitoba and Saskatchewan, making my business and products local, interprovincial, and most importantly, CANADIAN.

You can find my products online (you're already here, hi!) with shipping available, and at a few Canadian shops listed on my website contact page. I try to stay small and exclusive, which allows me to provide the utmost quality to all of my customers without cutting any corners.

Question 2

Do you use commercially prepared essential oils (EOs)?

Accepted Answer

Never.  The consumer market is flooded with EOs, and it's almost impossible to avoid them (toothpaste, haircare, room sprays, deodorants, laundry detergent - the list goes on!). EOs are extremely potent (even when diluted) and are highly irritating or sensitizing for many people. Our skin is not designed to contact or benefit from plant materials in these concentrations, and it reacts by becoming dry, red, itchy or irritated. When used inappropriately in skincare, EOs can also be harmful to the body if applied near the eyes, nose and mouth where they may be internally absorbed. Many if not most, are of unknown quality and purity or utilize unsanitary processing methods, and I simply do not see these as the one-stop solution to effective and safe skincare. It is also worth considering the immense amounts of plant material necessary to process for creation of EOs, making over-harvest a real concern for sustainability. Wekusko Wild products focus on small-scale boreal herbal materials, which are prepared in a way that realizes their skin benefits without being anywhere comparable to commercial concentrations. As a result, my products are effective, gentle and safe for all skin types, including very sensitive or reactive skin.

Question 3

Do you use preservatives?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the product. Balms and ointments which contain only oils and butters do not require a preservative since bacteria and mould cannot survive without water. However, oils and butter can oxidize and go rancid over time so organic vitamin E oil is added as an antioxidant and stabilizer. For lotions and creams which contain water, a preservative must be used to create a stable and safe product free of bacteria, mould and yeast. Wekusko Wild uses only naturally-derived preservatives which are laboratory-tested and conform to international ECOCERT requirements (derived from renewable resources, manufactured using environmentally friendly processes). No synthetic or chemical preservatives are used (including those with parabens and formaldehydes), and these naturally-derived preservatives are suitable for sensitive skin. For those with highly reactive skin, wishing to avoid all preservatives, the benefits of boreal botanicals can still be enjoyed with the Grass River Facial Serum, Goose Bay Facial Serum, or any of the oil-based balms and ointments which do not contain any preservative.

Question 4

What is the difference between 'natural', 'organic', and 'synthetic/artificial'?

Accepted Answer

These terms are often used together and easily confused. There are also countless definitions of what consumers consider natural or synthetic. For the purposes of Wekusko Wild skincare -  'natural' products are those that either come from unaltered natural sources  - such as shea butter which is the fatty component of nuts off the shea tree, or are derived from natural sources - such as xanthan gum which is a natural thickener made by fermenting sugars. In order to be called 'organic', products must be approved by regulated international certification organizations who assign organic labelling to all-natural products that meet their guidelines for organic production (no pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals) and processing. Synthetic/artificial ingredients are those entirely made in a laboratory setting that do not exist in any form in nature. Many of these are considered chemicals. Every ingredient used by Wekusko Wild is natural by our definition, but not all of those are approved organic. Please see product pages for information about specific ingredients to ensure that they align with your own beliefs on natural skincare ingredients.

Question 5

Your creams and cleansers are 'pH balanced', is this important?

Accepted Answer

Yes! One of the most important things you can do to protect your skin is to ensure you are using products that are pH balanced. Your skin has a pH of approximately 5.5 (on a scale of 0-14, with 0 being acidic and 14 being alkaline). When you use products that are either more acidic or alkaline than your skin's protective barrier, it can cause short term changes to your skin's pH resulting in damage (dryness, redness, acne, irritation). Over time, your skin becomes less able to repair itself and bounce back to it's natural pH of 5.5. Wekusko Wild facial creams and cleansers are pH balanced, which means I carefully balance each batch to make sure they are between pH 5.3-5.8 when they are packaged. In some cases this pH cannot be achieved in any case - handmade hard soaps (like the Wekusko Wild Goose Bay hemp shave soap) have a more alkaline pH than your skin, as it is impossible to make a true 'soap' without alkalinity. But high levels of natural oils and butters are added to counteract the higher pH and to ensure that sensitive skin is protected with use.

Question 6

Are your products tested?

Accepted Answer

As per Health Canada guidelines, independent or laboratory testing is not required for all-natural cosmetic-grade formulations unless they will be ingested and then considered a 'food & drug'. However, to ensure quality control and safety of products, Wekusko Wild does perform in-house microbiological testing for the presence of bacteria, mould and yeast in samples of botanical extracts and also end products.  All Wekusko Wild products, including ingredients, are also screened against the Health Canada cosmetics database and filed with them prior to public sale and distribution. This is a Canadian requirement, and one you should watch for when purchasing any all-natural skincare products. More informally, I have used all of my own products extensively prior to their initial release, and actually continue to do so as I have abandoned all of my store-purchased balms, moisturizers and cleansers for this all-natural product line I love! Your skin is unique - so if you experience irritation, discontinue use and please let me know. As with any skincare product, these natural formulas are used at your own risk, and Wekusko Wild cannot take any responsibility for reactions that may occur.

Question 7

Tell me about your packaging?

Accepted Answer

Wekusko Wild strives for zero waste, and utilizes recyclable/reusable and environmentally responsible packaging. Lip and other stick balms feature plastic-free paper tubes that are compostable and degradable, made using rice glue and soybean wax coatings. Balm, creams and oils are packaged in metal tins or photo-protective tinted/opaque glass containers that are perfect to reuse for storage of small items or spices. Lids are metal wherever possible, since this material can be recycled infinitely. Plastics are avoided to the extent possible. Labels feature GreenGuard Eco Inks printed with low VOC methods on FSC Certified stock.

Question 8

How fast will my order ship?

Accepted Answer

I don't maintain much of an inventory, as I prefer to make microbatches as needed to maximize freshness and minimize waste. Having said that, I have most products available in small quantities so can usually ship within 2 days. Please understand that it could take up to 7 days for your order to ship if I need to make anything or you have a larger order.

Question 9

Are you licensed or permitted?

Accepted Answer

There is no license or permit required in my province to gather non-wood forestry products, however, I acknowledge that many botanicals I gather lie on Treaty 5 territory and the traditional homelands of the Swampy Cree. I am educated (Bachelor of Science degree University of Regina, Master of Science degree University of Guelph) and trained as a registered professional biologist/botanist and have been studying boreal plants most of my career.  I maintain 2 jurisdictional business licenses, and as a federal government requirement all Wekusko Wild products, including ingredients, have been screened against the Health Canada cosmetics database and filed prior to public sale and distribution. I have studied formulating, and am a professional member in good standing with the Handcrafted Bath & Body Guild of Canada. Wekusko Wild is also Leaping Bunny Certified - this is an international certification that ensures all products including raw ingredients used in making these products, are entirely free of animal testing.

Question 10

How should I store my products and will they expire?

Accepted Answer

To maximize the shelf life of your products, store them in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and excess moisture. Balms and ointments will safely last up to 2 years (or longer) while lotions, creams and serums should be used within 1 year of opening.  Wekusko Wild uses a truly natural (not synthetic or nature-identical) preservative system that is highly effective, however, one of the ingredients can oxidize from oxygen exposure over time and may start to create a slight almond aroma to products after 8 months or so. THIS IS ENTIRELY NORMAL, SAFE, AND DOES NOT DIMINISH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PRESERVATIVE OR THE PRODUCT. It is also recommended to use clean and dry fingers when taking product from jars as this reduces the potential for contaminants to enter your skincare after opening.