For a decade, the family-owned skin-care and cosmetics business Mad Hippie of Portland has carefully crafted products free of harmful ingredients while remaining a dedicated steward of the environment. Owners Sam and Dana Stewart rooted their company in “the less is more” philosophy, borne back in the days they lived and played in the “harsh equatorial sun” on the beaches of Central America. Concerned about the lack of clean, natural products available to protect surfers’ sun-damaged skin, they developed a stripped-down line of skin-care products and cosmetics, free of harmful ingredients, parabens and preservatives. Made with a clean base, these vegan, cruelty-free products are packed with antioxidants, peptides and vitamins—what the Stewarts call “rejuvenating actives.”

Carrie Ellers, founder of Kind Mother Botanicals, started her business making CBD tinctures, salves and muscle balms in her kitchen. “I have always created my own medicinal salves and ointments, for over 25 years, for different ailments – from diaper rash to burn cream,” Carrie says. “One day, my friend gave me some CBD flower to experiment with and I fell in love with the process and how well CBD works for people.” The rest is history, as they say. Kind Mother Botanicals produces three kinds of full-spectrum CBD tinctures, several CBD creams and salves for the muscles, and even a CBD tincture for pets. CBD (cannabidiol) oil is the essential oil produced from the hemp plant, extracted from the leaves, buds and stem. The extract contains cannabinoids, which are antioxidant and neuroprotective. “Our salves and muscle balms contain organic cottonwood bud oil, shown to reduce inflammation and resulting pain, especially in combination with other anti-inflammatories, like CBD,” Carrie says. Added essential oils also create pleasing aromas in every Kinder Mother Botanicals product.