Get ready to glow
If you think spring cleaning is just for your house, think again. Sure, perhaps your skin doesn't need quite so deep a clean as your bathroom, kitchen and wardrobe, but after a winter spent mostly at home — possibly drinking a fair bit and eating plenty of baked goods — your dermis could use a seasonal reset. What's new on the skin care circuit? From the latest creams and lotions to the greatest masks and spot treatments,
Rebecca Tay presents five treats for your face this spring.
HOT TOPIC
“Funner flare-ups” is the tagline for Topicals, a new brand launched by two women of colour who were tired of not seeing themselves represented on TV and in magazines. Their products come in squeeze tubes packed with ingredients that target common skin problems, and make no mistake, they're super cool and fun, but they definitely work. This Like Butter mask is a thick formula whipped with botanicals to combat dryness, redness and dullness to get your skin smooth … like butter.
Sephora, sephora.com | $41
GET THE GLOW
Love her or hate her, Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle empire Goop just keeps on growing and, truth be told, we can't find fault with its ready-towear collections or its skin care. The latest launch is Goopglow Glow Lotion, an all-day moisturizer that contains a spirulina enzyme, vitamin C, kakadu plum, sugar-derived squalene and Brazilian curupay extract to leave skin fresh, silky, smooth and glowing. Goop, goop.com | $75
BUDGET BUY
Keep calm and carry on? If that's been your mantra over the last year, well, good on you. If not, chances are that you and your skin are both in need of a little calm-down session. Enter Honest Beauty's brand new Calming Skin Range, four dermatologist-approved, vegan products designed for sensitive skin and to help you transition between the seasons. Our pick: this Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer, which has a microform of hyaluronic acid for added moisture retention.
Shoppers Drug Mart, shoppersdrugmart.ca | $39.99
SIMPLYSUBLIME
Canadian brand Lise Watier is a beauty editor go-to for colour cosmetics and skin care that doesn't break the bank. Its Sublimessence line of products are a particular favourite, and this new High Firming Lifting Serum is guaranteed to be popular thanks to the fact that it contains bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol. Apply before moisturizing and after just one month, expect to see smoother skin and reduced fine lines and wrinkles.
Lise Watier, lisewatier.com | $76
SPLURGEWORTHY SKIN
If the pandemic has made you look and feel like you've aged a decade in just a year, you might want to try Amorepacific's Time Response Skin Reserve Crème. It's a rich, anti-aging balm made from the brand's highest grade, most concentrated green tea; apply a small amount to your skin and feel it melt into a lightweight, luscious protective layer that helps improve elasticity, hydration and skin tone and plumps and smooths fine lines and wrinkles.
Holt Renfrew, holtrenfrew.com | $550