There's something magical about harvesting botanicals at dawn in Vancouver Island's rainforest or where it meets the shoreline. The mist still clings to the cedar branches, and the air is thick with the scent of wild roses and ocean spray. As I carefully gather our morning's treasures, I'm transported back to my days as a spa practitioner at the Ancient Cedars Spa, where my 20-year journey as a professional spa practitioner & paramedic transformed into a brand - Tofino Soap Company.
From Spa Treatment Room to Rainforest Laboratory
You know those moments when everything just clicks? For me, it was during my years at the Wickaninnish Inn's Ancient Cedars Spa, Where I transitioned from being a paramedic back to the more calming profession As a spa practitioner, I worked intimately with Vancouver Island's botanical bounty, developing signature treatments that would later inspire Tofino Soap Company's natural skincare line.
The Ancient Cedars Legacy
What started as creating custom aromatherapy blends for the spa's legendary steam cave evolved into something bigger. Today, that same expertise infuses our professional-grade spa collection
Organic aromatherapy blends for the spa's steam cave
Therapeutic muscle and joint salve
Organic shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
Signature treatment products used by spa practitioners
Nature's Medicine Cabinet: Our Rainforest Ingredients
Living on Vancouver Island's wild west coast, we're blessed with a natural apothecary unlike anywhere else in the world. Our temperate rainforest provides ingredients that simply can't be replicated in a lab:
Our Star Botanicals
Wild Nootka Rose: These aren't your garden-variety roses. Growing strong against coastal winds, they develop intense vitamin concentrations and natural astringent properties. I harvest their petals by hand during early summer mornings when their beneficial properties are at their peak.
The rainforest giants: Every time I harvest spruce tips, work with Balsam Fir or cedar I think about their centuries-old presence on these shores, all they have been witness to and the quiet strength they hold. Their natural antimicrobial properties have supported wellness here for generations, and we honour that legacy in our formulations.
Woodland Garden Herbs: In our own garden, tucked between wild spaces, we nurture:
Lavender that thrives in our coastal microclimate
Naturally the pacific ocean is the wildest and most incredible source for seaweeds / kelp (a super power ingredient) which you will find in our Surf collection.
and many more...
Peppermint that grows surprisingly well in partial rainforest shade
Calendula and rosemary, carefully tended for our skin-soothing blends
The Art of Sustainable Harvesting
When you've spent as much time as I have working with these precious botanicals, you develop a deep respect for their cycles. Our harvesting calendar follows nature's rhythm:
Spring brings tender yarrow shoots
Summer offers sun-warmed lavender
Fall yields vitamin-rich rose hips
Winter is for planning and honouring the forest's rest
Our Harvesting Principles
Never take more than 10% of any wild plant population
Harvest only during peak seasons for optimal potency
Use traditional methods that preserve root systems
Document locations to monitor regrowth
Follow sustainable practices
From Forest to Formula
it all begins with a harvest. Picture this: the mist still clings to the rainforest canopy as we carefully seek out the botanicals. Each plant is thoughtfully gathered, thanked, and prepared for its journey to become part of our small-batch products.
The Journey:
Early morning harvest in optimal conditions
Careful cleaning and sorting
Traditional preparation methods
Small-batch formulation
Rigorous quality testing
Our location in Tofino / Ucluelet, where the temperate rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean, provides us with a unique botanical palette. This intersection of ecosystems creates microenvironments where our ingredients thrive with exceptional potency. The cool, misty mornings and mineral-rich soil contribute to the development of resilient plants with remarkable properties.
Our Signature Collections
Each product in our line tells a story of Vancouver Island's remarkable biodiversity:
The Surf Collection
Inspired by our coastal environment, this collection captures the essence of Tofino's wild beauty. Our bestselling Surf Collection brings together notes from local botanicals that thrive in our unique climate and the powerful detoxifying and remineralizing benefits of wild seaweed.
The Woods Collection
A tribute to our temperate rainforest, featuring carefully harvested cedar and native flora. For every Woods Candle sold, we partner with Integrity Reforestation to plant a tree, maintaining the cycle of sustainability.
Our Commitment to Conservation
Every harvest connects us more deeply to our responsibility as stewards of this remarkable ecosystem (the planet as a whole). That's why we:
Partner with Rain Coast Conservation to protect wild salmon habitats
Plant one tree for every Woods Candle or Soap sold through Integrity Reforestation
Maintain zero-waste practices throughout our production process
Use over 80% glass and biodegradable paper packaging
From the Rainforest to Your Skincare Ritual
Every product we create carries a piece of Vancouver Island's wild beauty. Whether it's our bestselling Surf Candle capturing the essence of misty morning beaches, or our Woods Collection paying tribute to ancient cedar groves, each item tells a story of this remarkable place we call home.
Experience the difference that mindfully harvested, rainforest-sourced botanicals can make in your skincare routine. Every product tells a story of Vancouver Island's remarkable ecosystem and our commitment to preserving it for future generations.
Thank you for continuing to support my small Canadian business,
Angela