Maskwiomin

04/04/2026

Many people ask where the birch bark in Maskwiomin® comes from.

The answer is simple: Cape Breton forests.

Every year in early summer, we collect birch bark that has naturally fallen or loosened from the trees. At this time of year, thin layers of bark can often be found on the ground beneath birch trees.

We never remove bark from living trees. Instead, we gather only what nature has already released.

Because our extraction process is efficient, we need very little raw bark — only a couple of trash bags per year to produce our birch bark extract.

This careful approach allows us to create skincare inspired by traditional knowledge while respecting the forests of Unama’ki (Cape Breton).

Small batches. Local ingredients. Respect for the land.

04/03/2026

04/03/2026

From Cape Breton to shelves across Nova Scotia.

You can now find Maskwiomin at select shops across the province — including beautiful spaces like

Happenstance: 260 Main St., Antigonish

Teasdale Apothecary: 65 Beech Hill Rd, Antigonish

Alexander Graham Bell Museum Association: 559 Chebucto St, Baddeck

Flying Kite Artisan Shop: 507 Chebucto St, Baddeck

Bear River Mercantile: 1909 Clementsvale Rd, Bear River

Cape Breton Food Hub: 1415 Highway 105, Bras D'or

Bridgewater Pharmasave: 215 Dominion Street, Bridgewater

The Trainyard General Store: 137 Portland Street, Dartmouth

East Coaster: 747 Bell Blvd, Goffs, Halifax International Airport

Island Beach Company: 747 Bell Blvd, Goffs, Halifax International Airport

Whistleberry Market: 1120 Pleasant Valley Rd, Greenhill

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia: 1723 Hollis St., Halifax

Museum of Natural History: 1747 Summer Street, Halifax

Silverbirch Spirit Connections: 5589 St. Margaret's Bay Road, Head of St. Margaret's Bay

Doucette’s Variety Store: 37867 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach

Admiral Benbow Trading Co.: 84 Montague St, Lunenburg

Membertou Heritage Park Petroglyphs Gift Shop: 35 Su’n Awti, Membertou

Wells Craft Supply at Membertou Trade&Convention Centre, 50 Maillard str, Membertou

Sma’knis Traiding: 211 Abenaki Rd., Millbrook

Escape Outdoors: 299 Commercial St, North Sydney

La Quaintrelle Boutique: 258 Commercial St, North Sydney

Fundy Geological Museum: 162 Two Islands Road, PO Box 640, Parrsboro

Colaisde na Gaidhlig / The Gaelic College: 51779 Cabot Trail, St. Ann's

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design: 322 Charlotte St, Sydney

Charlene’s Nutrition Centre: 254 Kings Rd, Sydney

Hippy H**p: Port of Sydney: Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, 74 Esplanade, Sydney

MacQuarries Pharmasave 512: 179 Esplanade St, Truro

A place where local stories, craftsmanship, and everyday rituals come together.

If you’re nearby, stop in and explore.

04/02/2026

Restock alert in Sydney.

Maskwiomin® products are once again available at Charlene’s Nutrition Centre, a well-known destination for natural health foods, vitamins, and wellness products in Cape Breton.

We’ve been proud to work with Charlene’s for four years, and it continues to be one of the places where many customers first discover the story of our birch bark skincare.

If you’re nearby, it’s a great opportunity to stop in, explore the products, and support a local business that has long supported small Canadian brands.

04/01/2026

The quiet side of Cape Breton.

A small home between the hills.
A path through pine trees.
A moment you almost remember.

Our updated Cape Breton Pines Bar Soap captures that feeling — with bears, cabins, and layered landscapes in every bar.

Each one is slightly different.
Like the places that inspired it.

Handcrafted with birch bark extract.

03/31/2026

For those who rely on it daily.

Our Birch Bark Extra Strength Ointment — 50g is now available in a small limited production.

Designed for:

• regular use
• longer-lasting supply
• customers who already trust the ointment

🖤 Black glass jar
🖤 No outer box
🖤 Small batch only

We made this because you asked for it.

03/30/2026

Some ingredients become popular for a season.

Birch has stayed with people across time.

That is one reason we continue to build with it.

From forest to formula, from story to science, birch remains at the heart of Maskwiomin.
https://www.popsci.com/health/neanderthals-antibiotic-birch-tar-medicine/

03/29/2026

A note on how we share this story:

This new birch tar paper is exciting, and we are proud of the connection to Cape Breton University and to Dr. Matthias Bierenstiel’s, Co-founder&CEO of Maskwiomin, Professor of Chemistry at Cape Breton University work. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0343618

At the same time, we want to share it responsibly.

This research is part of the broader educational story around birch — its history, its significance, and why it continues to matter. It does not change our cosmetic claims.

For us, it strengthens something we have always felt strongly about:
birch belongs in a deeper conversation about history, science, and care.

https://www.popsci.com/health/neanderthals-antibiotic-birch-tar-medicine/

Traditional Mi’kmaq skincare remedy based on the natural power of birch. Birch bark is carefully processed in a campfire method to obtain a powerful and concentrated oily extract.

03/28/2026

Long before Maskwiomin became a brand,
it was just an idea.

Two people.
Years of work.
And a belief that this should exist.

Today, 6 years later, Maskwiomin is:

• on shelves across Canada
• trusted by thousands of customers
• still handcrafted in Cape Breton

Thank you for growing with us.

03/27/2026

Every brand starts somewhere.

This was ours.

Over the years, our visual identity evolved —
but the foundation stayed the same:

Cape Breton
Birch bark
Traditional knowledge

A stronger brand doesn’t replace the original idea —
it makes it easier to understand.

03/26/2026

Birch keeps showing up — not just in tradition, but in modern research.

This week, research connected to Cape Breton University was featured on CTV Atlantic, exploring birch-derived materials.

It’s always interesting to see something so deeply rooted continue to be studied today.
🎥 Watch the segment https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/video/2026/03/26/neanderthal-research-and-mikmaq-medicine/