Winter Skincare Haul: 7 Of My All-Time Favorite Clean + Green Products
Here are some of my very favorite skincare products that are tried and true.
This is a no-endorsement zone, I am merely doing this as a gift to anyone that wants to use clean beauty products that they can be confident in- that actually work and fit all skin types. There are so many products in the industry now that it is a roller coaster ride trying to decipher and evaluate everything you see/hear/read about!
Why you can trust my guidance:
1. I am a licensed esthetician who went to school for natural skincare.
2. It is literally my job to research products and brands that are good for your skin, with little to no harmful chemical content. I also work at a spa that focuses on holistic wellness and carries most of these products- so I've used them on myself and almost all of my clients. (The Pearl Spa)
3. I get dry af in the winter and need all the help I can get. I understand the struggle!!!
(Actual footage of me when I don't take care of my skin appropriately in the winter)
Lets get to it!
1. Farmacy Lip Bloom (www.farmacybeauty.com) ($9.50)
I'm gonna start off with this product because I just recently discovered it and IT. IS. FIRE! If you look at me at any given time it is likely that I'm sticking my finger in this lil pot of gold (actually a silver lid though) and slathering it on my lips. Due to my frequent use and habit of misplacing things I have lost it twice and literally reordered it because it's that good. (sheesh.) I've only tried the honey ginger one- it has a little bit of flavoring in it which seems to be the only synthetic ingredient but it is a very small amount and makes it taste yummy. It's really hard to find a quality lip balm that actually treats your lips, keeping them moisturized even when there is nothing on them. All of their lip blooms have a "unique patent-protected variant of Echinacea Purpurea" that basically make your lips more even-toned and plumped due to its ability to inhibit enzymes from breaking down collagen. Herbal oils hydrate the lips and Castor Seed oil gives that nice thick barrier that is also kinda glossy. Soooold me. They have it at Sephora I believe but I got it through their website since they are on sale right now.
2. Waxing Kara's Honey+ Raspberry Lip Scrub (www.waxingkara.com) ($15)
Of course you can always make your own scrub with equal parts oil and sugar- but for those who want less mess and more bang for your buck while supporting a local beekeeper on the eastern shore, check out Waxing Kara's products. People always ask me whether you are supposed to scrub your lips when they're chapped, worried that maybe that will irritate them. The answer is absolutely yes. Using a gentle scrub before applying lip balm makes the balm penetrate into the tissue and do a better job at hydrating. Though it isn't necessary to have a lip scrub, it's definitely a game changer if you're trying to soften your lips. This one is made in a small-batch Maryland Honey House, using organic honey and sugar crystals to exfoliate, while the pink color comes from real raspberries. They make a blueberry scrub too! Kara is an awesome lady and I support her business 100%.
3. ZO Exfoliating Polish (zoskinhealth.com) ($67)
Allright, this product is definitely the least "natural" of the bunch- with some fragrance and coloring- but it is hands down one of the best face exfoliants out there. This is a cult product at the spa and regularly needs to be stocked on the shelves. ZO is a medical skin line that focuses on results. It features ultra-fine magnesium crystals which lightly buff the skin, making it much less irritating than conventional exfoliants with larger granules. Vitamins A,C, and E fuel the skin with antioxidants and help promote a more even complexion. For my oily and acne-prone friends- use this nightly after cleansing on damp skin and it will change your life. For normal or dry skin types, shoot for 3-4x a week and see how it goes. You don't need to use any pressure, just guide the crystals with your hands for a light polishing action. It is soooo good, and you get a lot of product in this large tub. A dab will do ya.
4. Kerstin Florian Organic Lavender Facial Oil (www.kerstinflorian.com) ($64)
Worth evvvery penny. Using only three drops-ish for a nice face massage application, this will also last you a long time. This is a nice nightly ritual to boost up moisture levels in your skin when you're feeling dry and irritated. Even for problematic complexions, this is a non-comedogenic facial oil that will absorb easily and not break you out. Use as needed, either in place of your moisturizer or adding a few drops to boost it up. This blend of meadowfoam, and organic sea buckthorn, argan, and jojoba oils balances the skin while the calming and anti-microbial properties of lavender help inflammation and upset complexions. You can get creative and use this as an aromatherapy oil to inhale and relax, in the bathtub, in your own bodycare recipes, on dry cuticles, to tame flyaways, etc.
5. Lymphatic Phytopower Sea Cleanser and Masque (redflower.com) ($42)
This is my favorite mask of ALL. TIME.... I cannot tell you how amazing this product is! Everything from Red Flower's nature line is 100% organic and plant-based, sourced from all over the world. All of their products are amazing but to keep it chill I'll just talk about this one. (And the lemon coffee scrub of theirs below..lol) This is a creamy cleanser that can be left on the skin to double up as a mask. Honestly I think it's best to make it last and just use as a treatment mask- everybody needs this to feed their skin with a serious dose of nature's medicine. I'd go to Red Flower's site to see their extensive product description but I'll list off some of the impressive ingredients: aloe, chaga, reishi, and maiitake mushrooms, helichrysum oil, juniper berry oil, lemon oil, and arctic white peat extract. It can be used as a body wash too! I leave this on my face while I'm showering for max apsorption and use it all the time in the winter to protect it from the elements.
6. Lemon Coffee Olive Stone Scrub (redflower.com) ($66)
This is the best body scrub ever. And the brand Red Flower has nature's finest ingredients again to back it up. Arabic coffee, black olives, sugar, sweet almond oil, fresh lemon rind, jasmine absolute, black pepper, and pink grapefruit oil come together to bust literally any skin issue you can think of. It detoxes the body, brightens and smooths skin, helps decrease the formulation of cellulite, stimulates blood flow, and wakes your senses with its invigorating aroma The olive oil is so rich in omega fatty acids and leaves a nice residue on the skin that continues to hydrate it post-shower. Expect to have to rinse your tub afterwards since it leaves some coffee grinds behind. This is the definition of self-care, using products like this that are so pure and healing for the body.
7. The Beauty Chef "Hydration" Boost (thebeautychef.com) ($50)
Last but not least- I cannot write a post on skincare without acknowleding the importance of INTERNAL health and hydration! The Beauty Chef makes various products to help balance gut health- which is directly related to the health of our largest organ, the skin. This yummy elixir is a coconut-infused, bio-fermented, probiotic and prebiotic rich concentrate featuring coconut water, aloe vera, lemon myrtle to help hydrate from the inside out! It tastes so good and is so easy to incorporate daily- just a tablespoon in your glass of water. Make sure to keep it in your fridge since it is alive with healthy bacteria!