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Canadian maker Matter Company harnesses the medicinal qualities of herbs and plants so we can treat our bodies better
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Denise Williams founded Matter Company back in 1996, long before most of us were talking about wellness and self-care. She knew that there was a healthier, more effective, more natural way to nourish our skin and bodies. A certified therapeutic herbalist, Williams relied on her knowledge of the medicinal qualities of plants to start making her own products—initially skin salves and first-aid ointments formulated in her own kitchen, using all-natural ingredients such as shea butter, plant and herb extracts, and scented with aromatic essential oils. And without chemicals like parabens and petrolatum. Today, Matter Company offers a range of products from bath salts to body wash, all handmade in Canada.
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Matter Company incorporates a host of powerful herb extracts in its products, such as comfrey, juniper and calendula, to name just a few.
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The brand takes a solutions-oriented approach to development. When a friend who was pregnant wanted products safe to use on herself and new baby, Matter Company gave birth to its Mom & Baby line.
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Matter skincare formulas are cooked in small batches for 24 hours to extract the herbs’ beneficial properties at the brand’s studio in Toronto’s West End.
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The Matter: Outdoors line, aimed at hardcore gardeners, rock climbers and campers, was inspired by Williams herself, an ardent lover of getting her hands dirty.
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"It’s both an internal and external experience," says Williams. "The products feel luxurious on the skin, but they also do something— they’re healthy for you."
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