7 Made-in-Vancouver Remedies for Dry Winter Skin

Welcome to the Season of the Chap. These weird arctic winds have done our skin no favours these past few months, but luckily, there’s a whole world of Vancouver-based skincare brands out there to counteract the red, the itchy, and the dry. Pair one of these locally made creams, masks or serums with your coziest waterproof jacket and you’ll be ready to weather whatever winter throws at you from here.

The Rose Company Vanilla Cocoa Lip Balm

The plant-based vanilla cocoa lip balm has been a staple in our beauty kits since it slid into our lives via the Made in Vancouver Awards last summer. Simple, clean, effective. ($20) 

Hermit Goods Hydrating Body Oil

Oil up and chill out with Hermit’s blend of quick-absorbing lavender and eucalyptus oils, made in small batches and super-charged with vitamin E for head-to-toe hydration. ($28) The brand’s salt soaks make for a perfect end-of-a-cold day bath, too.

East 29th Verse Lotion Mist

Somehow, it’s a mist, but it’s also a lotion. We’re not sure of the physics at play here, but the fact is, it firms, brightens, improves hydration and protects the skin’s moisture barrier with a few pumps. No further questions. ($56)

Okoko Cosmetiques Émeraude Multi-Purpose Soothing Balm

If the gorgeous emerald hue wasn’t enough to make you believe this is a magic potion, the healing effects of the mango butter and acai oil in this concoction (from Okoko, a past Made in Vancouver Beauty award winner) will do the trick. Fans call it “luscious” and praise how it leaves them with “soft, dewy skin.” ($90)

READ MORE: Okoko Cosmetiques Opens the City’s First Green Beauty Retail Hub

Loa Skin Botanical Beauty Elixir

It’s a great daily infusion of lightweight moisture, but Loa Skin’s signature potion will also reduce irritation, breakouts and redness thanks to an infusion of 15 botanicals (including echinacea) and a hefty dose of dryness-fighting omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. ($59)

Midnight Paloma Everything Balm

It looks like icing, and honestly, kind of smells like it too. (Hello, blood orange, vanilla, grapefruit and lime.) But the hyper-rich cocoa butter treatment is just the remedy for thirsty skin. Slather it on hands, body, face and anywhere that needs a moisture boost. ($44)

READ MORE: Q&A with the Founder of Midnight Paloma on the Clean Beauty Movement

The Other Skincare Company Cleansers

Everything from OSC is formulated with phyto-nutrients intended to restore the skin’s barrier function. In other words: they’ve taken care of the science so you can focus on choosing between the Plant Voodoo clarifying concentrate or the Keep Calm oil balancing cleanser. (From $19) 

READ MORE: The Finalists of the 2021 Made in Vancouver Awards Beauty Category