Oil-Infused Products Banish Winter Blues
This is the time of year when I continually reproach myself — between restorative sips of glühwein — for not having the sense of either a black bear or a migratory bird to escape the miseries of winter by either hibernating in a cozy cave or flying south to warmer climes.
Between the lack of vitamin D and the drying winter air, it can be a challenge to maintain one’s looks during the seemingly endless, bitter months of late winter. Fortunately, there are new products that are infused with nourishing oils that can save your skin and hair from the ravages of winter.
Face
To avoid stripping your face of its natural protective oils, eschew harsh cleansers and try an oil cleanser such as Ginger Chi Purifying Face Oil Cleanser, which contains camellia seed oil — a beautifying oil traditionally used in East Asia — and ginger root oil, to purify and revive your skin. Ginger is known for its warming properties, just what one needs this time of year.
One of the best things you can do to heal dry skin is to add a facial treatment oil to your regimen, and one of the best new products to try is Juara Radiance Vitality Skin Oil. The Juara skin care line was inspired by ancient Balinese beauty rituals, and this elixir features a concentrated blend of 12 exotic oils and botanicals: candlenut, coconut, macadamia, jojoba, avocado, turmeric and rice bran oils to nourish the epidermis and fight wrinkles.
Marula oil from southern Africa is currently one of the hottest ingredients in skin care. Extracted from a delicious fruit favored by primates (both human and non-human) and elephants, this delicacy provides four times the vitamin C of an orange! Its high essential fatty acid and antioxidant content make it indispensable in boosting collagen production and preserving the skin’s lipid balance. My favorites: Alapure Marula Oil and African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil, both of which are infused with gorgeous-smelling essential oils.
Don’t neglect your eyes and lips, as both of these areas are highly susceptible to extreme dryness. Moisturize the delicate skin around your eyes with Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment. Enriched with Amazonian maracuja fruit, mango and coconut oils, this cream will brighten and hydrate the eye area.
Replenish your pout with Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil; its featherlight gel texture soothes and enhances with oils of Mirabelle plum, hazelnut and jojoba. This innovative product relieves parched lips while adding a subtle hint of color.
Look for makeup that’s oil-infused, like Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Powder Foundation, which imparts a natural-looking finish while keeping your skin dewy and smooth with a healthy dose of argan oil. RMS “Un” Cover-up conceals imperfections, protects and moisturizes the complexion with coconut and cocoa oils.
Body
Hot baths, though comforting during winter’s bleak months, can quickly dry out your skin. But fear not, Annmarie Gianni Skincare Coconut Body Oil has come to the rescue with its rich, aromatic mixture of coconut, grape seed, rice bran, aloe vera oils and antioxidant-rich botanicals that include milk thistle, gotu cola and rooibus.
Nails
If your brittle, splitting nails are driving you to distraction, I suggest you try Ciaté Knight in Shining Armor, an overnight nail treatment mask that penetrates and moisturizes the nails with marula oil and urea. Simply apply, leave on overnight and wash off in the morning to reveal brighter, revitalized nails.
Hair
Good hair days can be few and far between during winter, but you can rescue your desiccated locks by using an oil-infused shampoo, such as Lush Big Shampoo. This unique shampoo rejuvenates limp locks with an infusion of sea salt, avocado butter and coconut oil. For deep conditioning and superb shine, treat your hair to Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, a luxurious, fragrant blend of jasmine, sandalwood, edelweiss, cassis and argan oils.
A native Washingtonian, Beauty Blogger Lia Phipps is an interior designer with an irrepressible, life-long fascination with health and beauty. When she is not selecting fabrics and paint colors for clients, she occupies herself with trying new products and dispensing beauty advice to friends, acquaintances and anyone who is willing to listen to “Tips from Phipps”.