Canadian Cosmetic Cluster Team
Uniting Canadian Cosmetics and Bringing it to the World
|
When it comes to beauty and wellness, most of us think skin, hair, maybe even fitness routines — but rarely do we think about our eyes. For Angela Jenkins, that blind spot became both personal and professional. What began with her own struggles — watery eyes, blurred vision, and the frustration of makeup not sitting quite right — grew into a bigger mission: to make eye health part of the beauty conversation. Angela is the voice behind Dry Eye Girlfriend, a platform where science meets everyday life, and where women can feel understood, empowered, and equipped to care for their eyes without giving up the things they love. In this interview, Angela shares her journey, busts a few myths, and reminds us that when your eyes feel good, you feel good. What started your dry eye journey?
My dry eye journey is both personal and professional. Personally, I began noticing the signs myself: blurry vision, watery eyes, that constant sandy feeling, and even difficulty wearing makeup the way I wanted. At first, I brushed it off, but as the symptoms grew, I realized just how disruptive dry eye can be. Professionally, working in eye health, I saw countless women experiencing the same struggles, often without even knowing it was dry eye, and when they did seek help, they were usually told to “just use drops.” What was missing was a bigger conversation about lifestyle, beauty, and nutrition. Living it myself and witnessing it every day sparked the idea for Dry Eye Girlfriend: a space where women feel understood, where science meets everyday life, and where we can take care of our eyes without giving up the things we love. What is the most misunderstood piece of information on eye care that you have read on social media? One of the biggest myths is that “clean” or “natural” automatically means safe for the eyes. In reality, some natural oils and plant extracts can actually block or damage the delicate glands that keep our tears healthy. On the flip side, preservatives have been given a very bad reputation, but what often gets lost is that preservatives play an important role in keeping products safe and stable. The issue isn’t preservatives themselves, it’s about the type, the concentration, and how the product is formulated. When social media oversimplifies this conversation into “clean is good, preservatives are bad,” women are left making choices that aren’t always best for their eye health.
0 Comments
Have you ever wondered how seaweed ends up in your skincare routine—or how something slimy from the sea becomes a superstar in serums, creams, and masks? Now you can dive into the answer with our brand-new course, Seaweed Biotech and Application in the Cosmetic Industry, brought to you by the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster. This course is where ocean curiosity meets cosmetic innovation, designed for both beauty professionals who want to work with marine ingredients and seaweed entrepreneurs looking to transform biomass into high-value beauty products.
This isn’t your average course. It’s a hands-on, high-impact learning journey that blends marine science with real-world cosmetic application. You’ll explore everything from extracting seaweed polysaccharides to formulating antioxidant-rich skincare, all while understanding how this magical marine material fits into circular economy models and blue biotech trends. Whether you're a formulator, a brand owner, or a seaweed farmer with big dreams, this course offers the knowledge and tools to make waves in the beauty industry. At the cutting edge of sustainable ocean technology, MediSea Robotics is pioneering intelligent, modular robotics designed to serve the evolving needs of the blue economy. Founded by Dr. rer. nat. Joseph Ambrose Pagaran, a scientist and innovator with a passion for ocean regeneration, MediSea Robotics is more than a robotics company—it’s a vision for a smarter, more circular marine future. Through a modular design philosophy, AI-driven autonomy, and a mission rooted in the UN’s 5Ps—People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, Profit, and Partnership—MediSea is reshaping how aquaculture, seaweed farming, and environmental monitoring are approached. As a sponsor of Beauty by the Sea, MediSea will demonstrate how robotics can enable regenerative beauty—transforming raw kelp into skincare, data into insight, and sustainable harvesting into a wellness experience. In this exclusive interview, we dive into how the company is using scalable automation to create impact across industries, all while putting people and the planet first. 1. You mentioned that MediSea Robotics uses modular robotics technology aligned with the 5 Ps—People, Planet, Prosperity, Profit and Partnership. Could you explain how each of these pillars informs your product development and company culture?
Here’s how MediSea Robotics bakes the 5Ps—People, Planet, Prosperity, Profit, Partnership—into both our product decisions and our day‑to‑day culture:
In a world craving practical climate solutions and authentic connection to nature, Get Kelp stands out as a refreshing voice—playful, purpose-driven, and deeply rooted in ocean advocacy. Founded by Rachel Huber, a seasoned marine conservationist, travel journalist, and diver, Get Kelp is more than just a platform—it’s a movement to make seaweed visible, valuable, and deeply personal. What started as a journey of curiosity became a storytelling platform dedicated to regenerative seaweed brands and the people behind them. Rachel isn’t just highlighting products—she’s weaving stories that connect consumers to the sea in accessible, non-preachy ways. Through authentic reviews, thoughtful content, and a community-driven voice, Get Kelp supports cosmetic and wellness brands using seaweed by turning marine science into everyday inspiration. Whether you’re a brand looking to share your ocean-positive values or a consumer wanting to live more sustainably, Get Kelp is your bridge between curiosity and action. It reminds us that seaweed isn’t just something clinging to your toes at the beach—it’s a vital part of climate resilience, coastal economies, and the blue beauty movement. 1. What inspired the creation of Get Kelp, and how does your platform support the marketing and education of seaweed-based brands for cosmetic and wellness brands?
Get Kelp was born from a personal journey. After 20+ years working in marine conservation, scuba diving, and travel journalism, I started seeing seaweed not just as a climate solution, but as a storytelling opportunity. It’s an entry point for people to connect with the ocean in a positive, hopeful way. The platform highlights regenerative, responsibly harvested seaweed people and products - spotlighting the brands doing great work, and translating seaweed’s benefits into content that consumers can easily understand and get excited about. We’re not overly scientific, sales-y, or preachy. Our role is to bridge curiosity with action, making seaweed less intimidating and more inviting. 2. Can you walk us through how a seaweed brand would benefit from your website? Get Kelp is designed to offer high-integrity, low-barrier visibility for brands doing good work with seaweed. Here’s how we support seaweed-based brands, even as a growing platform:
|
Canadian Cosmetic Cluster TeamUniting Canadian Cosmetics and Bringing it to the World Archives
October 2025
Categories |
Home |
Cluster |
2024 Activities |
Services |
Cluster Updates |