Winter weather can leave skin dull, dry, and in desperate need of care. Collage, a made-in-Canada skincare brand, has developed a 3-step system to tackle the season’s toughest challenges. With gentle exfoliation and intense hydration, these botanically-powered products promise to transform your winter complexion into a radiant canvas. We caught up with co-founder Olga Roberts to discuss the science behind their new skincare line and her tips for keeping your glow all season long. —Noa Nichol
What inspired you to co-found Collage, and what was the vision behind creating a made-in-Canada skincare brand?
The idea to co-found Collage came from significant personal and professional transformations in my life at 51. These shifts sparked a passion in me to meet the rising demand from savvy consumers, myself included, who want to “get real” about their individual wellness. Everyone deserves access to knowledge that empowers informed self-care decisions.
Our vision was to create a Canadian skincare brand that acknowledges the distinct needs of individuals while promoting inclusivity, celebrating aging, and emphasizing sustainability. Working with a driven, predominantly female-led team, we decided to prioritize local suppliers and invest in natural ingredients, small-batch production, and transparency to reflect our commitment to individual and environmental care.
Aging begins the moment we enter this world, and I aspire for Collage to be a trusted ally in personalized self-nurturing practices, encouraging everyone—regardless of gender, culture, or life stage—to embrace their skin with confidence and intention.
Winter can be particularly harsh on the skin. How does the Collage 3-step system address seasonal skincare challenges like dullness and dryness?
Our Collage 3-step system is your go-to for tackling the harshness of winter with a smart layering approach. It kicks off with the Canvas Serum, which has low molecular weight hyaluronic acid for deep hydration and gentle exfoliation from white willow bark, helping to speed up skin cell turnover that slows down in cold, dry weather. Then, the Composition Gel Moisturizer steps in to amp up hydration with both low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, reaching different layers of your skin.
Finally, the Gesso Niacinamide Balm seals in moisture and boosts your skin barrier. Infused with botanical waters like chamomile, lavender, and witch hazel, it calms skin stressed by winter, while rosehip oil and green tea extract deliver powerful antioxidants.
Collage’s thoughtfully designed system ensures each layer builds on the last, turning dry, flaky skin into an ultra-hydrated, protected glow. A gradual increase in product thickness maximizes ingredient absorption, and the natural elements provide solid defense against winter challenges like indoor heating, wind, and chilly temperatures.
Can you walk us through the benefits and unique active ingredients in each of the three products: the Canvas Serum, Composition Gel Moisturizer, and Gesso Balm?
The Collage layering system offers synergistic benefits for optimal results. We built a full-stack system which means virtually all ingredients appear in all 3 products to maximize potency of the actives and ensure harmony and compatibility amongst all the botanicals.
Our Canvas Serum provides intense hydration with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and gentle exfoliation from white willow bark. It calms the skin using chamomile, aloe vera, and cucumber, while green tea and rosehip oil enhance brightness and offer antioxidant support.
The Composition Gel Moisturizer combines low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid for thorough hydration. Glycerin and rosehip oil strengthen the skin barrier, while chamomile, lavender, and aloe vera soothe irritation. Green tea and white willow bark boost radiance and protect against environmental damage.
The Gesso Balm is a rich moisturizer that delivers deep hydration with high molecular hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide smooths texture and minimizes pores, while rosehip oil aids in repair. Cetearyl olivate helps retain moisture, ideal for dry areas.
Together, these products form a cohesive system. The Canvas Serum preps and hydrates, the Composition Gel Moisturizer balances and fortifies, and the Gesso Balm locks in moisture, resulting in healthier, radiant skin.
Collage emphasizes gentle exfoliation and intense hydration. How did you ensure the products are effective yet suitable for all skin types?
Collage distinguishes itself by combining gentle, natural ingredients with scientifically formulated solutions for skin health. A standout feature is that the three products feature white willow bark extract for gradual exfoliation, avoiding the irritation of stronger exfoliants, making them suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Our products also contain hyaluronic acid in both high and low molecular weights and this ensures hydration throughout different layers of the skin, keeping it deeply moisturized and giving you that plump, radiant effect we all desire. Designed for twice-daily use, our formulations ensure consistent care without overwhelming the skin.
Conscious sourcing is a key value for Collage. Can you share more about how the botanicals in your products are sourced sustainably?
For Collage, conscious sourcing is a fundamental value that guides every step of our product development. As a small, local company with a small-batch approach, we collaborate closely with suppliers and formulators to ensure our ingredients meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
We focus on using botanicals that are organic, cold-pressed, cruelty-free, non-GMO, and unrefined, which helps us keep their natural goodness intact while also supporting ethical and eco-friendly practices. Our ingredients are vegan, gluten-free, and go through third-party testing to guarantee they meet strict safety and effectiveness standards.
By carefully choosing these botanicals, we stick to our commitment of sustainable sourcing, crafting products that enhance personal wellness and care for the environment.
How does the Gesso Balm, fortified with Niacinamide and enhanced by aloe vera and rosehip oil, stand out as a winter must-have?
The Gesso Balm is an essential for your winter skincare routine. It deeply nourishes while providing excellent hydration and protection. Thanks to niacinamide, it strengthens the skin barrier, reduces redness, and promotes a more even complexion, making it perfect for combating winter dryness and irritation.
Aloe vera adds a soothing touch to relieve sensitive or chapped skin, which can be quite uncomfortable. Rosehip oil delivers powerful nourishment and supports skin repair with its rich blend of vitamins and essential fatty acids, known for their ability to enhance the skin’s elasticity, improve texture, and support the skin barrier, making it more resilient against winter’s drying effects.
Heavy molecular weight hyaluronic acid locks in moisture, and cetearyl and sorbitan olivate give it a smooth, silky, and breathable finish. This all-in-one balm keeps your skin shielded from harsh winter elements while keeping it hydrated, soft, and strong all season long.
What sets Collage apart from other skincare brands focusing on hydration and exfoliation?
Collage stands out by addressing skin cell turnover twice a day instead of once a week as in traditional skincare and chemical exfoliation systems. By gently exfoliating with gentle, natural ingredients that are scientifically formulated, Collage keeps your complexion from getting dull. All three products feature white willow bark extract for sustained mild exfoliation, avoiding the irritation of stronger exfoliants, making them suitable for sensitive skin. The layers of hyaluronic acid in various molecular weights provide stratified deep hydration and moisture retention.
Designed for twice-daily use, the layering of our products work together to enhance effectiveness, along with soothing botanicals like chamomile, aloe vera, and cucumber extract complementing antioxidants such as green tea. Our thoughtful system and formulations provide effective hydration and exfoliation while remaining gentle and protective, making Collage a unique versatile option in the skincare market.
As a Canadian brand, how does the local climate influence your approach to product development?
Our product development strategy was definitely shaped by the local climate in two main ways. Firstly, we focused on using a selection of ingredients sourced or grown locally, for eco-friendly and effective products. Secondly, we developed a skincare line specifically aimed at protecting and nourishing skin against the diverse and often tough Canadian weather.
Canada’s wide range of climates—from the icy Prairies to the muggy East Coast and the rainy, windy West Coast—brings its own set of challenges like dryness and irritation. Our products are designed to provide flexible hydration and protection suited to these varying conditions. A perfect ingredient for changing climates is witch hazel, as it is celebrated for its soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Our goal was to create a skincare line that genuinely addresses the needs of all Canadians, no matter where they live or what climate they face.
What has been the most rewarding part of creating a skincare brand that prioritizes health, sustainability, and efficacy?
Creating Collage, a line brand focused on healthy skin, sustainability, and effectiveness, has been incredibly fulfilling. Every detail of our products reflects our commitment to people and the planet. With my background in wellness, skincare feels like a natural extension of my holistic approach.
From the beginning, we have made thoughtful choices, using recyclable glass receptacles, eco-friendly packaging, and FSC-certified shipping materials from Canada. Made right here in British Columbia, we produce in small batches to minimize waste.
By prioritizing Canadian ingredients and suppliers whenever possible, we strive to enhance product effectiveness while supporting local communities and reducing our environmental impact. Collage is more than just skincare; it embodies care for both skin and the planet.
What makes this journey special is the trust our customers place in us. Knowing we help people feel confident while promoting sustainability and holistic health is our greatest achievement.
What advice would you give to someone looking to refresh their winter skincare routine, and how does Collage fit into that journey?
Upgrade your winter skincare routine by prioritizing high quality, clean and natural ingredients. Collage is ideal for this journey, as our products are designed for Canada’s diverse winter climates, addressing everything from dry winds to damp air, all while nourishing and protecting all skin types.
Focus on simplicity, consistency and a holistic approach. Streamlining your regimen will yield lasting results. Improve your efforts by staying hydrated, using a humidifier, eating nutrient-rich foods, and protecting your skin from harsh winds.
Choosing the Collage system, packed with powerful ingredients, means adopting a straightforward, effective routine that adapts to your environment, supports your skin in tough conditions, and helps maintain healthy, radiant skin all winter long.
Win! A $325 Full Set Of Collage Skincare Products!
One lucky Canadian winner will receive a $325 Full Set Of Collage Skincare Products! To enter, head over to Instagram, follow and @collageskincare and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens February 24, 2024 and closes March 3, 2024. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.
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