Skincare: Polar Vortex Edition

“Given the sub-zero, can’t-think-straight-because-it’s-so-cold weather…” HA. So I wrote that this time last year and I literally laughed out loud when I re-read that today. “So cold?” Please. Welcome to Winter 2014 folks, and it’s not pretty. Think more….frostbite-y. As with every other winter, the name of the game is to protect and moisturize like it’s my day job. But given that it literally feels like 0 degrees on my daily walk to work, I’ve upped the ante considerably. The following five products have been working nicely thus far, but not gonna lie, nothing beats hiding under my duvet all day.

In my rush to immediately cover myself up post steaming hot shower, I’m still manage to find a few spare seconds to quickly oil up courtesy of Osmia Organics Body Oil (1). I love all the scents and am currently using Night (Light and Sunset are also favorites). I’ve been using Osmia Organics Body Oils since last summer and have received numerous body lotion/oil products to sample but thus far, but this gorgeously scented line is still my absolute favorite way to moisturize by far.

Then, I refresh myself my parched face with Evan Healy’s Facial Tonic Lavender Hydrosol (2), which is available at your local Whole Foods. Again, I’m a sucker for pleasant olfactory experiences so I’m loving the subtle sweet scent this leaves behind. It also just feels calming, both both my senses and my skin.

Of course, I’ve been trying to battle the evil vortex with the use of the richest oil I could find; thus far, I’ve been on a hot streak with Lina Hanson’s Global Face Serum (3). This stuff is quite rich, so I don’t foresee myself using this in the peak of summer, but it’s the perfect way to protect my skin from the freezing elements. Of course, my eyes get some TLC in the form of Evan Healy’s Chamomile Eye Cream (4). I was initially worried that this simple little cream couldn’t stand up to the sub-zero temps, but happily I’ve been proven wrong. Perhaps I should be thanking the magical sounding Himalayan Sea Buckthorn?

And for the grand finale – a hefty dose of Dr. Alkaitis Nourishing Treatment Oil (5). Even after all this time, I still think it’s the perfect facial oil for whatever mother nature throws at us. I love that everything in Dr. Alkaitis’ skincare line is food grade, so I have complete peace of mind when using his products. Best of all, this facial oil is extremely moisturizing but doesn’t induce any breakouts or cause any unwanted oiliness in the middle of my day.

Ironically, this is probably also useful for those of you who are dealing with a crazy drought. Climate change is a bitch.