From the Mountains to the rivers to the glistening snow, we are greeted each day by awe-inspiring natural beauty. Alaska’s wilderness overflows with beauty and rich wild ingredients perfect for nourishing the body. Alaskans are familiar with harvesting these wild ingredients to nourish our bodies but there is also a growing group of Alaskans seeking to harness these wild ingredients to nourish our skin as well. Small-batch cosmetic manufacturers across the state are sustainably capturing Alaska’s wild beauty for us and others to use every day to keep our skin and bodies well.
When Lauren Padawer, founder of the skincare brand Alaska Glacial Essentials, visited Alaska for a rafting trip 24 years ago, she had no idea that it would mark the start of her journey in the skincare industry. At that time, Lauren was working at a spa and had the entrepreneurial bug but wasn’t sure what to do with it. When she stopped and took a dip in a glacial pool and felt the rich, buttery mud, she knew that she had to bring the beauty and mineral richness of Alaska’s glaciers to others. Lauren made Alaska her home not long after, working as a commercial fisherman for many years as she launched her skincare brand Alaska Glacial Essentials. Her skincare brand ranges from rich glacial mud masks to hydrating serums, with over 50% of ingredients in most products coming straight from Alaska’s wilderness. Alaska Glacial Essentials is more than a skincare brand, though. Lauren says that her goal over the last 20 years has been to “Honor Alaska and create a beautiful, modern product that harmonizes commerce and philanthropy.” Lauren ensures that she doesn’t just take from the land but gives back 2% of all revenues to organizations that support the continued stewardship of the Copper River and the surrounding area where she and her business call home.
When you choose to support a local skincare company like Alaska Glacial Essentials, you are supporting Lauren’s mission of honoring our great state and bringing its rich beauty into our homes in a sustainable way. Lauren is an Alaskan through and through, and your support means the world to her and her family. The next time you are looking to add a bit of luxury to your skincare routine, think Alaska first.
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