Vancouver pick: Moor Spa’s nutrient-rich body care products
Ignore the not-so-pretty packaging on this lotion: Not only is the Moor Spa Tension Balm ($40; moorspa.com) one of the best tension headache remedies I’ve ever tried (trust me: I’ve even tested good ol’ Bengay, and my other favourite is J.R. Watkins Deep Muscle Cooling Gel), but it’s made by a Richmond, B.C.–based company to boot.
The entire line, which also includes skin and body care products--is made using either moor--a nutrient-rich peat created when herbs, flowers and other plants are submerged and decompose into a rich black substance--or pure moor water harvested from Austria. The tension balm, which works on neck and shoulder pain, and even sore calves after a long run (I tried it!) also contains feverfew and melissa oil, which reduce inflammation, cooling peppermint oil, and magnesium ascorbate, a pain inhibitor. The entire brand also espouses a no artificial preservatives, colours, fragrances, petroleum derivates, or animal testing philosophy--not surprising, coming from a west coast company. At all Absolute Spa locations (absolutespa.com).