12 Beauty and Skin Care Items You Need This Winter

Winter is coming, and we’ve rounded up essentials for the season ahead

Cold air, hot air, dry skin, pallid skin—it’s reassuring to know that in many ways this is just another winter with the same winter beauty issues we’ve always had. What’s really changed is that our options continually improve, year over year. The products available to us now are amazingly effective and delightful to use, even for the mundane like hand soap.

Here are our skin care and makeup products to get you all prepped…

1. Abeille Royale Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil by Guerlain, $75

This is such a comforting oil to massage onto the face at the end of the day. And for those wearing face masks for extended hours, this is an effective way to melt away excess sebum that gets trapped under that warm, steamy mask—the perfect conditions for clogging pores. And, of course, this is will dissolve sunscreen and makeup without a fight, even your mascara.
Available online

2. Roll-On Aromatherapy by Lotus Aroma, $19.99

Blended aromatherapy formulas take all the guess work out of how to use these powerful botanical essences. Having them in a roll-on makes them even more convenient. Lotus Aroma offers three special blends targeted for three specific issues: insomnia, headaches and stress. The classic places to massage in these oils are at the temples, at the base of the neck, inside the wrists or soles of feet. But during these COVID times, also try rolling a generous amount onto freshly washed palms, then cupping them over your nose and breathing in deeply. Or, try rolling on a small amount into the inside of your mask to make it a much more enjoyable (and therapeutic) experience.
Available online

3. Pré-Cleanse Régénérant by Kérastase, $50

If you have an itchy head that’s both flaky and oily, ask yourself, “When was the last time I cleaned my scalp?” No, shampoo doesn’t count because it’s designed to clean hair, not skin. Just like you wouldn’t use shampoo to wash your face, your scalp deserves a product designed especially for it. This pre-cleanse removes flaky skin, tones the scalp, unclogs pores and deeply cleans both scalp and roots. And don’t be alarmed the first time you use it: this pre-cleanse contains charcoal so the gel is a deep, rich black. But it rinses out easily and is infused with the signature Chronologiste scent of tea rose and woodsy musk.
Available online

4. Fir Needle and Pear Candle by Homecoming-2, $28

We’re all staying indoors more than usual, so invest in making your space smell incredible with this seasonal fragrance. Made from natural soy wax and cotton wicks, Homecoming-2 candles are hand-poured in Vancouver and scented with premium essential oils. Fir Needle and Pear will bring notes of juniper, cedar and winter citrus into your home, a deeply comforting and nostalgic blend.
Available online

5. Eyes to Mesmerise in Sunset Rose and Copper Sunrise by Charlotte Tilbury, $36

During these masked times, it’s all about the eyes, so let them light up with these two new limited edition shades from Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes to Mesmerise cream shadow line. Charlotte actually grew up in Ibiza, which is where she first developed an obsession with sunsets. Her goal with this launch was to bottle sunlight in these pots, to bring warmth and glow to the eyes during grey, winter months. Sunset Rose is a shimmering dusky rose and Copper Sunrise is a metallic pinky copper. For a soft natural look, simply pat onto lids with a fingertip, blending out the edges. For a more intense look, use a soft blending brush to sweep onto lids, brushing excess along the lower lashline. This lightweight formula will lock onto lids without creasing or smudging.
Available online

6. Beauty Sleep Mask by Lush, starting at $16.95 

Since launching in October, Beauty Sleep has become Lush’s top selling face mask. It’s the newest product to join their wildly popular “Sleepy” franchise. The texture is rich and luscious, the scent is what sweet dreams must smell like and, to top it all off, it leaves your skin beautifully smooth, hydrated and polished. Use this in the evening and allow yourself to breathe in its intoxicating scent, which will melt away anxiety and leave you in a blissful state, ready for a good night’s rest.
Available online

7. Therapeutic Hand Cream by CeraVe, $13.99

Ever since skincare guru Hyram Yarbro announced his love for CeraVe on TikTok, the brand hasn’t been able to keep their products in stock, as hoards of his fans keep emptying shelves (which has become its own TikTok trend). Their hand cream is formulated with three essential ceramides (like their classic cream), hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, to soothe, nourish and protect hands through another long winter and countless hand washings.
Available online

8. Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum by Elizabeth Arden, $100

This is the latest formulation to join Elizabeth Arden’s revolutionary ceramide capsule collection. Each biodegradable, single-dose capsule delivers the freshest serum for maximum efficacy. During these dry, cold winter months, skin needs extra moisture and protection. Each capsule addresses both of these issues by delivering hyaluronic acid (to draw in moisture) and ceramides (to strengthen skin) to plump, firm and intensely hydrate the skin.
Available online

9. Nourishing Repair Body Butter by Goop, $75

In the words of Goop, this is a “supercream” designed to “supercharge your skin with the ultimate concentration of active botanical extracts, oils, nutrients and butters to keep skin nourished, smooth, firm, even-toned and glowing.” And it does not disappoint.

The luxuriously rich and creamy body butter feels like an emollient blanket protecting the skin while providing extended-release hydration. As we enter the winter months, you’ll wish you could bathe in this. It’s formulated with nourishing butters and nutrient-rich botanical extracts, including bacuri butter (packed with minerals and amino acids), caviar lime extract (a natural source of AHA to promote skin exfoliation and prolong hydration) and mulberry leaf complex (to increase cell turnover and brighten skin). And if smoother, firmer, softer skin alone wasn’t enough, the naturally-derived scent is a tangerine sandalwood fit for the finest (home) spa.

As with all Goop products, this is formulated without parabens, petroleums, phthalates, SLS, silicones, artificial dyes or artificial fragrances, and never tested on animals.
Available online

10. Seasonal Hand Soaps by Live Clean, $4.99

Make hand washing less of a chore and more of a treat with these fun, festive scents from Live Clean. This season, they’ve introduced five new winter variations that will warm up any home. Made in Canada and enriched with vitamin E and certified organic botanicals derived from lavender, chamomile and rosemary, these gentle, SLS-free formulas will clean without overstripping. The liquid hand soap is available in three holiday-inspired scents: Gingerbread Latté, Holly Berry and Vanilla Peppermint. And for those who prefer a foaming formula: Frosted Apple and Fresh Snow.
Available online

11. Regenerating Serum with Prickly Pear Oil by Christophe Robin, $68

Even if you think you don’t need to pamper your hair right now because it’s always up in a ponytail, the friction of a tight elastic or the constant playing with your ends as you fidget through yet another video chat causes a lot of stress on your hair. This serum is the latest product in Christophe Robin’s Regenerating line, with prickly pear oil, and—considering how lightweight it is—it’s incredible how deeply nourishing it leaves your hair. Prickly pear seed oil is one of the richest vegetal sources of omegas and amino acids, helping hair feel stronger. The texture is like a lotion, so it’s cushiony and comforting, and adds softness and shine while healing damaged hair and taming frizz and split ends. And when you’re finally ready to start heat styling again, this also acts as a heat protectant up to 440°F (230°C).

This serum is composed of 94 percent natural-origin ingredients and is free of silicones, sulfates, SLS and SLES, parabens, phthalates and mineral oil. It’s also vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
Available online

12. Tone Perfection Serum by Olay, $44.99

This is a brand new serum from Olay, formulated with powerful vitamin B3 (niacinamide), and vitamin C. Perfect for all skin types, especially this time of year when our skin’s moisture barrier needs a little help. It will also reduce the appearance of pores, fade the sun damage that got past your sunscreen this summer and regenerate skin’s surface to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The formula contains no fragrances, parabens, phthalates, mineral oils or synthetic dyes.
Available online