Although summer isn't technically over, things have already taken a turn for the autumnal in Vancouver. I spent the rainy weekend cleaning and making a big batch of turkey and white bean chili, and when I wasn't #adulting, I was cozied up with blankets and Netflix and countless mugs of hot tea. Skincare-wise, my routine is in flux as I transition from summer to fall. While I still like cool, light products on warmer days, I'm also craving products that are richer in texture, indulgent, soothing, perfect for self-care evenings...or all of the above. Here's what I'm loving lately.
cbeauty Lavender Universal Body Oil ($29.95)
cbeauty's all-natural, all-purpose moisturizer features just two ingredients, virgin coconut oil and lavender for a calming and relaxing scent. Because coconut oil can solidify at colder temperatures, cbeauty recommends warming the heavy blue glass bottle (say, in a mug of hot water while you take a shower) so the product liquefies and can be dispensed through the pump. The oil glides on silkily and absorbs quickly, and the lavender fragrance and upscale packaging make this a luxe upgrade from using run-of-the-mill grocery-store coconut oil as a moisturizer. I was first introduced to the brand at the BeautyMark's Holiday 2016 preview. However, Lazy Girl that I am, the mere extra step of having to warm the coconut oil deterred me from reaching for the product sample for the last two years. Thank goodness the condo has been warm enough recently for the coconut oil to always be at a liquid state.
Bioderma Sensibio Mild Cleansing Foaming Gel (available at London Drugs)
My preferred double-cleanse routine starts with micellar water to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by a mild water-based cleanser to effectively yet gently remove dirt and oil. This new gel-to-foam formula from Bioderma is as mild as they come and exactly the sort of cleanser I like to use in that second step. Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, soap-free, paraben-free. Oh, and how about that pleasing millennial pink hue? My only quibble with the formula is it doesn't foam as much as I'd like, but that's understandable considering it's free of sulfates.
ILIA Cucumber Water Stick ($51)
I purchased the ILIA Cucumber Water stick for my my August trip to Toronto, figuring that the hydrating, cooling-to-the-touch formula would feel great in the humid weather and that the solid twist-up stick form would be travel-friendly. I was right on both counts. Its all-natural formula is silicone-free, it leaves behind the lightest hydrating veil of product, and it doubles as a primer. It goes on thicker than a watery mist or toner, and when re-applied frequently over sunscreen it can get a little tacky and sticky. But it's lovely as a hydrating boost or on its own as a lightweight moisturizer. Just be careful as you're twisting up or using it—the product isn't fastened very securely to the base and can break off and fall out if you're not careful.
Skin Gym Rose Quartz Facial Roller ($28)
I have wanted a rose quartz facial roller for ages, and I finally bought one when Hubs and I were in Bellingham, WA on Labour Day weekend and I stumbled upon the Skin Gym facial rollers at Ulta Beauty. This is more than just a pretty Instagram prop though. The purported benefits of facial rolling are myriad: stimulating collagen production, contouring the face, reducing puffiness, promoting lymphatic drainage, helping serums and oils absorb better. The rose quartz feels cool and soothing on skin even if you don't put the roller in the fridge, although refrigerating it gives the stones an extra chilly oomph. I've been using mine every evening since I got it and I love how pretty it is and how indulgent and spa-like it makes my self-care rituals feel.
Tata Harper Purifying Mask ($85)
For a deep-cleansing clay mask, the Tata Harper Purifying Mask is surprisingly gentle and non-drying, suitable for all skin types. The list of all-natural hero ingredients in this detoxifying treatment is extensive: probiotic lactobacillus cleanses deeply without stripping skin; brown algae firms and lifts; prickly pear seed oil provides a source of vitamin E; white clay cuts through build-up; a blend of arnica montana, calendula, borage, meadowsweet, and alfalfa, all grown on Tata Harper's Vermont farm, deliver soothing benefits as well as vitamins and nutrients. This mask is best applied with a synthetic foundation brush. It doesn't dry down as much as other clay masks I've tried (something which contributes to its overall gentleness), but it leaves a subtle and refreshing tingle and has a pleasant medicinal/botanical scent. The only downside is the pink clay stains easily, so you might want to remove it with something other than a white washcloth. (Can you tell I learned this the hard way?) I've been relying on this mask (as well as my recurring Collective Skincare Tata Harper facial) to counteract any oxidative and pollutant-induced stress caused by summer rays and smoky, smoggy skies.
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