La Roche Posay | Glitter Geek

Gaaah! It must be spring! My sinuses are clogged, and my eyes, ears and throat are so itchy. Right now it’s so important to have the proper skincare so that I won’t look like a red hot mess. A good skincare regimen, as you know, starts with cleansing.

allergy season skincare 1

In the evening, shu uemura ultime8 sublime beauty cleansing oil ($98 for 450ml online and at Holt Renfrew) takes off almost all my makeup in 30 seconds. The oil is so soothing and effective, and it’s been a staple in my bathroom since fall last year. As you can see, it is well loved. I then do a milk cleanser: Holistic Vanity Damage Care Rejuvenating Rosewater Cleanser ($30 for 100ml online and in Pure + simple spas). It’s so gentle and takes off the last bits of makeup while also soothing skin with rosewater and tamanu oil. All other cleansers really irritate my skin right now, so I really appreciate the soothing feeling I get from this rosewater cleanser. In the shower, I am nothing without Live Clean (baby) Soothing Relief Foaming Wash ($6.99 for 265ml at Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstores, Real Atlantic Superstores, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix and Walmart). I am obsessed with the soft baby smell of the entire line, so much so that I’m convinced that I am, in fact, just a giant baby. Also deserving of an honourable mention is Live Clean (baby) & Mommy Bath and Massage Oil ($6.99 for 126ml), which is enriched with lavender, chamomile and aloe that feels incredibly moisturizing on the skin. The entire Live Clean (baby) line is of course petroleum-, paraben- and phthalate-free, because you wouldn’t want that stuff on your baby, am I right?

allergy season skincare 2

Every time the founders of Pure + simple come out with a new line, I do a little happy dance. Minimalist Face Lift Serum ($99.95 online and in Pure + simple spas) is from their latest anti-aging skincare line, and it is fantastic! It is a liquid, much like Pure + simple collagen elastin serum, and I use it to give my moisturizers a boost. This regenerates damaged skin with Vitamin F (linoleic acid, linolenic acid) as well as reduces inflammation and sensitivity. There are two moisturizers that have been saving my sensitive skin since the winter. First, SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer ($78 for 50ml, in dispensing doctors, medical spas and high-end spas. List of locations at www.skinceuticals.com/canada) is actually made to prevent redness associated with rosacea. This alcohol-, fragrance-, paraben- and silicone-free formula is gentle and hydrates nicely without any stinging, which is usually a problem for me this time of year. Also, I bought La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra ($31 for 40ml online, and in pharmacies) at the drugstore when my skin was really at its worst in the winter. I still use it now during allergies season, because like the SkinCeuticals, I don’t get any stinging from this and it thoroughly hydrates my skin without being too greasy or heavy for daytime. In the evening, my eyelids become pretty raw from constantly rubbing all day, and Bobbi Brown EXTRA Eye Repair Cream (CDN $80 / US $69 for 15ml online, Sephora and Holt Renfrew) is heaven sent, you guys. This is a heavy, greasy balm so I wouldn’t recommend it under makeup, but for nighttime it is perfect. Again, it’s important to point out that I experience no stinging from this product.

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? How do you switch up your skincare regimen for the season?

As a follow up to my Cold Weather Skincare, Face Edition, here are my favourites for body skincare for this winter. So much to love here, you guys.

Glitter Geek Cold Weather Skincare: Body Edition

For All Over The Body

Smith Farms Honeysuckle Hair and Body Oil ($16.00 for 103 ml, online) is a glorious oil for after a shower or bath. My itchy flaky legs become wonderfully soft and smooth with one use of this oil. It locks in the moisture with its several oils (organic sweet almond oil, organic jojoba oil, organic sunflower oil) and leaves you smelling like a baby (honeysuckle essential oil). A bonus: Smith Farms is Canadian! They are located in the Quebec/Ontario border, and they make safe all-natural products locally.

For Hands + Every Other Body Part That’s Itchy and Irritated

For me, Winter brings burning red eczema. I have to be careful of soaps (nothing too foamy) and detergents (I wear gloves when washing dishes). As for products…

I use La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP ($33 for 400ml, in pharmacies) on the onset of an eczema flare-up, and that’s usually the end of the story. It is described as a lipid replenishing body balm, and made specificially for extremely dry, itchy skin. It is a thick balm that forms a barrier on my hands and instantly soothes any irritation.

Throughout the day, I keep my hands moisturized with Biotherm Biomains Anti-Aging Moisturizing Hand Cream ($29.50 for 100 ml, in Sephora, The Bay, Sears and Shoppers Drugmart) on my desk side. I’m so pleased to say that this silky hand cream has faded my summer sun spots and overall has made my hands look younger. Yes, this is my first experience with anti-aging creams and yes, this really works!

For Cold Feet (Literally, not Figuratively)

Is anyone else sick of peppermint foot creams? I don’t know about you, but if it’s the middle of winter, the last thing I want to put on my feet is a cooling minty cream. Thank goodness there’s Curel Foot Therapy Cream ($3.99 for 100 ml, in mass market retailers). Its slightly nutty scent is comforting, but more importantly its thick texture works well on dry, cracked heels. It contains shea butter, coconut milk and vitamin E to help provide a moisture barrier in the driest of months.

What are your winter must-haves for the body? Have you tried the products I mentioned here? How did you like them?