Winter is the ideal time to hibernate and test out a new skincare line. Here are three exceptional options to explore on these chilly days.
When you walk into House of Florent in Hudson, New York it has the vibe of an elite skincare gallery. Florent’s remarkable emulsions and exfoliants rest atop Italianate pedestals and local tree branches are transformed into sculptures.
Founded by Mary Ahern, the Florent Botanical Skincare line features a unique proprietary preservation system that eliminates the need for synthetic preservatives. How do they do that? It’s an innovative probiotic preservation system that maintains the life of the product just as it supports your own skin’s well being.
I tried the Botanical Emulsions for Morning and Evening along with the Botanical Exfoliant. (Florent’s signature black jars add a nostalgic elegance to your vanity, which is a lovely extra.) After using the products my skin felt nourished as if it had eaten the healthiest yet still most delicious foods. My skin drunk in the emulsion fast and the lack of synthetics is noticeable. The beeswax in the Evening Emulsion creates a breathability that sets skin’s cellular function up for success and the botanicals promote renewal and repair as you sleep. The botanical extracts in the Morning Emulsion focus on antioxidant properties to help the free radicals and UV that you encounter during the day.
There’s an authenticity to Florent Botanical Skincare that’s uncommon. They have a freshness to them as if each bottle or jar has been mixed just for you. The Botanical Exfoliant contains a lactic acid, naturally produced by probiotics, which helps to dissolve and remove the dead cells that build up on skin over a day. Meanwhile clays, honey, and wild-harvested thyme gently cleanse your skin by drawing out toxins and impurities. Don’t sleep on Florent Botanical Skincare it’s like no other I’ve tried. Your skin will be glad you indulged in this unparalleled and efficacious system.
Maybe it’s my Irish heritage or love of moody rocky coastlines but I had a feeling I’d love cMoss Beauty’s line of skincare products. And I did. Nutrient-rich cMoss Beauty products showcase ethically harvested Irish Sea Moss (Chondrus Crispus) aka “the collagen of the sea” and advanced skincare technology. cMoss Beauty combines the formidable powers of sea and science. In addition, all cMoss products have their proprietary ISM Complex. What’s that? ISM Complex contains Irish Sea Moss, Amethyst extract, rose water, caffeine, vegetables ceramides, hyaluronic acid and, vitamins A, C and E.
The Sea Moss bundle is the perfect intro to harnessing cMoss’s beauty benefits like a mermaid. It includes the Energizing Face+ Mood Mist, Sea Deep Cream Gel, and Pressed Serum Concentrate.
The Sea Moss Infused Energizing Face+Mood Mist is a winner. One spritz leaves your face feeling soft and hydrated like you’ve taken a walk along the beautiful West Coast of Ireland. Its mix of Irish Sea moss, caffeine, and sage that’s been infused with Amethyst is genuinely refreshing in the dry rooms of winter and will be soothing for the hot summer days ahead. It helps you fight dryness and puffiness while serving up a quick blast of radiance. This isn’t one of those wimpy watery mists that leaves you feeling like: “Hey, I spent all that money on a water mister?!” This dynamic seaweed mister leaves skin feeling lush.
Sea Moss Infused Sea Deep Cream Gel is touted as a collagen boosting moisturizer, because Irish Sea Moss with all its mineral and vitamin rich materials supports and strengthens the skin barrier. Add in alpha hydroxy acids to boost skin turnover and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and plump the skin. To top that all off, cMoss is a clean food for the skin and leaves out nasty ingredients like drying alcohol, talc, phthalates, parabens, and mineral oil. I found the sea weed colored gel hydrating and it absorbs in quickly. Plus, the coolness of the gel texture has a refreshing water-like quality when you apply it.
Sea Moss Infused Pressed Serum Concentrate gives your skin a wealth of benefits. It’s a powerhouse serum that’s lightweight and velvety. It gets to work quickly improving skin tone and texture. Key ingredients hyaluronic acid and retinol support a more youthful appearance. Plus, the serum perfectly complements their cream gel. I found the two steps to be a simple and sustainable routine. Most importantly, the serum left my skin feeling firm instead of with the stiffness I’ve found in some other serums.
It makes sense that Anokha Skincare was founded by board certified plastic surgeon Nina S. Naidu, MD FACS, since the brand thoughtfully explains its skincare philosophy via layers and science. Plus, all Anokha products are manufactured in small batches by hand with ongoing and rigorous testing to ensure safety and efficacy. Anokha combines the latest science with compassionate skincare.
I tried the Rosehip Replenishing Balm that was created as a scar treatment for Dr. Naidu’s plastic surgery patients. The first impression you get is the lovely soft fragrance of rose hips. But this balm also boasts rich mango butter combined with botanical oils and herbal extracts like sea buckthorn, Centella asiatica, and healing arnica. This balm is a boon for winter weary skin or rough patches. I found the best way to apply was to warm a bit of the balm in my palms and then work into the skin. It’s very nourishing and the more I used it the better my skin looked. This is a gem of a product. The elegant glass jar looks like it would be very much at home in a Park Avenue doctor’s office—the kind that looks more like a spa than a checkup spot.
Anokha’s philosophy focuses on making intentional choices for the skincare that you need versus a multistep process that could overwhelm. So if you’re mindfully looking for a new eye cream, checkout Anokha’s new Tsubaki & Bakuchiol Eye Crème. Tsubaki is the Japanese name for Camelia Japonica flower and the oil derived from its seeds. In Japan, this flower is a symbol of beauty and longevity, which is certainly good for the delicate under eye area.
Anokha’s hardworking blend contains lush murumuru butter, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and bakuchiol, which is a retinol alternative. It’s a rich substantive cream but it absorbs seamlessly into your skin. I found it to be very gentle with an amazing delicate scent. It felt quite beneficial in fighting my fine lines. Fight the good fight with the best ingredients and expertise right?!
