Winter, especially here in the North, requires a special kind of self-care. The well-stocked arsenal features a number of products primed for facing the unique challenges of the season: dry air, a lack of sunlight, the tendency to hibernate — not to mention the new hardships of the COVID-19 era. We’ve rounded up 12 beauty and wellness essentials to get you through the rest of winter.
Photography provided by Veronique Gabai
Veronique Gabai Sunshine Face Oil
This clean vegan formula from Veronique Gabai is literally sunshine in a bottle. It enhances skin’s natural luminosity and activates its resilience, giving you a glow like you’ve just returned from a vacation to a tropical destination (remember those?). It’s formulated with a number of key oils — argan, moringa, vitis and fermented shinko — and without parabens, silicone, talc or chemical sunscreen.
Photography provided by Bamford
Bamford Botanical Sugar Polish
Sea salt, brown sugar, shea butter and essential oils team up in this deeply exfoliating body polish from nature skincare cult-favorite brand Bamford. It leaves your skin bright, radiant and nourished from head to toe. (Available in the Twin Cities at Martin Patrick 3.)
Photography provided by Christophe Robin
Christophe Robin Regenerating Serum with Prickly Pear Oil
Our tresses have been suffering for a while, and now with the whims of winter, the hair struggle is getting very real. Christophe Robin’s luxe multipurpose serum protects and nourishes with 94% natural-origin ingredients like prickly pear seed oil, tucuma butter and more. The result? Sumptuous, shiny and strengthened hair.
Photography provided by Manukora
Manukora A Daily Dose Of Immunity
The name of this product from New Zealand brand Manukora is music to our ears. A daily dose of immunity? Yes, please! This concoction marries manuka honey with active ingredients ashwagandha, astragalus and eleuthero for a powerfully protective formula that can be enjoyed by the spoonful, mixed into your favorite drink or drizzled over granola.
Photography provided by Urb Apothecary
Urb Apothecary Slumber Serum
Sleep has been elusive as of late, to put it lightly. Urb Apothecary to the rescue with an aromatherapy oil featuring lavender, cedarwood, peppermint and clary sage to ease anxiety, reduce racing thoughts and promote deep, peaceful sleep. It’s as simple as rolling onto temples, wrists and other pulse points. (Available in the Twin Cities at Golden Rule.)
Photography provided by Kérastase
Kérastase Aura Botanica Masque Fondamental Riche Hair Mask
An at-home spa experience can be as simple as enlisting a deep conditioning mask to nourish dry ends and tame frizz. This paraben-free mask from Kérastase employs 99% natural-origin ingredients (think Amazonian Brazil nut oil and Thai rice bran oil) to leave your locks utterly soft and smooth.
Photography provided by Farmacy Beauty
Farmacy Beauty Honey Savior All-In-One Skin Repair Salve
Let’s be real: Winter wages war on our hands — and that’s without the ultra drying effect of dousing them in hand sanitizer nonstop. Farmacy’s multipurpose honey salve repairs dry skin, soothes irritations and even calms sunburn. It can be used on hands, cuticles, lips, elbows, feet, hair — you name it. Plus it mixes up beautifully with makeup for a glossy glow.
Photography provided by Alo Glow System
Alo Glow System Magnesium Reset Spray
From fitness favorite Alo Yoga comes a new line of cutting-edge skincare powered by the miracle fruit amla. Our pick? The positively restorative Magnesium Reset Spray that helps ease tension, soothe muscles and support better sleep. The namesake mineral is accompanied by workhorse ingredients like arnica, turmeric, aloe vera and valerian root.
Photography provided by Alder New York
Alder New York Cleansing Facial Brush
This brush from Alder New York gives your everyday facial cleanser a major boost, taking your daily routine to new heights. Boasting nylon bristles and an ergonomic palm grip handle, it gently exfoliates, improves circulation and relieves tension. (Available in the Twin Cities at Gray Home + Lifestyle.)
Photography provided by Eyetamins
Eyetamins Blue Blocker
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that we’ve been clocking more screen time in the past year — which is turn is having a negative impact on our eye health. Designed by an neuro-ophthalmologist, Eyetamins aims to address the needs of the modern day utilizing natural ingredients. Blue Blocker reduces eye strain, defends against blue light and improves sleep quality thanks to lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry, vitamins C and E, and more.
Photography provided by Riddle
Riddle Scented Spray Lotion
Riddle’s light and silky spray lotion makes moisturizing oh so easy, layering your skin with a subtle yet long-lasting scent. Organic aloe, emollient-rich coconut, grape seed oils and moisture-locking vegetable glycerin combine for the ultimate indulgence. (Available in the Twin Cities at Grethen House.)
Photography provided by Evolution_18
Evolution_18 Relaxing Vanilla Collagen Powder
Beauty queen Bobbi Brown is behind wellness brand Evolution_18, and we are here for it. We can’t get enough of Relaxing Vanilla, which combines collagen peptides, biotin, healthy fats, probiotics, hyaluronic acid, magnesium and essential vitamins. It’s a staple in Bobbi’s daily routine, and now it is in ours, too.
