Winter Skin Heroes ft. Wildcraft, Rachel's Plan Bee, SBT Seabuckthorn, Ilike + more!

Winter weather may have come late to Toronto, but now that it's here, it's not kidding around.  Monday saw temperatures as low as -15°C - and that's before factoring in the windchill!  Brr.  Inevitably as soon as the negative temperatures hit, my skin needs a little extra love, and that's where these products come in...



Wildcraft Cell Regeneration Face Serum
I had the pleasure of meeting Jessica and Laura from Wildcraft at a green beauty event a couple months ago and got to learn a little about this local Toronto company.  Everything is handcrafted in small batches and made with predominantly raw, organic, and local ingredients.  The Cell Regeneration Serum features a blend of rice bran, meadowfoam, rosehip, hemp, seabuckthorn, and sunflower oils, and hydrates the skin beautifully without any heaviness or greasy residue.  Carrot seed extract and frankincense and palmarosa essential oils provide additional anti-aging benefits and give the oil a unique spicy/earthy scent that I really enjoy as well.  You could certainly use the oil by itself, but since I've been on more of a cream moisturizer kick of late, I've opted to use it a little differently.  I like to mix a couple drops into my moisturizer for an extra punch on days when my skin feels more dry or in need of a boost.   

Rachel's Plan Bee Bee Cream
I've written about Rachel's Plan Bee several times before, but the Bee Cream is a new discovery for me this winter.  It's a concentrated product that hits that perfect intermediate between a balm and a body butter.  You get the richness and nourishment that you would from a balm, but with a softer whipped consistency.  Like a balm, a little goes a long way and you don't need to use a lot to get great results.  The Bee Cream has the lovely RPB signature citrus vanilla scent, though I find it milder than in some of the other products like the Body Oil and Polish, which, for my sensitive sniffer, is another plus.  I've been using the cream mainly on my feet and cuticles - both of which are super soft now - but it's one of those great products that you could probably find a million and one uses for.  

SBT Seabuckthorn Lip Balm*
In the winter, lip balms always get split into two categories in my head: indoor and outdoor.  Its slippery, thinner consistency puts SBT Seabuckthorn's Lip Balm firmly in the indoor category, but where this Canadian balm really excels is in its ability to heal and nourish sore chapped lips.  I'd go for something heavier and more protective before braving a snowstorm, but this is what I'd reach for right after.  Made with both seabuckthorn seed and fruit oils, as well as shea butter, beeswax, and a host of other nourishing oils, it feels like a product that really feeds your lips, helping to repair any cold-weather inflicted damage.  The balm is unscented and unflavored, so the earthiness of the seabuckthorn does come through, but it's in no way overpowering or offensive.

Ilike Carotene Essentials Gel Mask*
The Carotene Essentials Gel Mask was specifically formulated for summer skin, but I've been finding the same hydrating soothing blend of carrots, fruit, and honey fantastic for winter skin needs too!  Our first tendency is often to reach for rich oils and butters to combat dryness, but skin really needs a combination of oil AND water for optimum health.  The Gel Mask provides that water component and only needs to be left on for about 15 minutes.  It's soothing and provides light hydration - which you can then seal in with those richer creams and oils if you want.  I did a more detailed review of this mask over the summer.

Dry Brushing
Don't get me wrong, I love a good body scrub or polish, but some days they just feel like that extra step I can't bring myself to do.  What I can get behind any day of the week is dry brushing!  It takes less than two minutes to brush your entire body, leaves no slipperiness or oily coating on the tub, and in addition to exfoliating away dead skin, it also offers lymphatic and circulatory benefits.  There's tons of information about dry brushing out there, but it's hard to get wrong: just start gentle and make sure to brush in a direction towards your heart.

Has the cold weather hit where you are?  What are your winter skin essentials?

*Press sample
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2 comments

  1. I'm all about the oils and balms when the cold weather hits. Your choice of products sounds lovely :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah! Totally agree - balms and oils are great in the winter :)

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