Top Ten Skin Tamers

Alex's Picks

If you’re like me, you’ve had skincare concerns most of your life. It can be a long battle figuring out the perfect routine, believe me! Everyone’s skin is different, but I’ve picked my personal holy grail products that keep my skin glowing, acne-free, and healthy! Our skin is the largest organ of the body . . . so might as well take care of it, right?

Sephora

SkinFix Barrier+ Foaming Clay Cleanser

Cleansers are the main heroes of skincare junkies everywhere. Especially when you find one that vibes with your skin.

My absolute favourite cleanser comes from a Halifax based company. Barrier+ is a rose-coloured dream that contains Canadian Glacial Clay & Brazilian Kaolin Volcanic Clay, detoxifies and removes excess oil and dirt from the face. On another positive note, this product is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and comes in recyclable packaging. Um, yes please!

This can be purchased from Sephora!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner

People will debate until they’re blue in the face whether toning the skin is necessary.

I believe toning is a perfect way to prep the canvas (i.e.: your face) and your skin will thank you! I adore the texture, subtle smell, and fresh feeling the Ultra Repair Toner offers. With oat milk, colloidal oatmeal, wild oats, honey, and hyaluronic acid (a moisturizing ingredient), this toner will calm the angriest of skin.

Find this and more First Aid Beauty products at Sephora.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Brace yourself for The Ordinary, a powerhouse brand hailing from Toronto.

The Ordinary creates clinically tested products with a jaw-droppingly affordable skincare line. My obsession for them started with the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum. It’s a high-strength vitamin and mineral formula that absorbs quickly into the skin which helps brighten the complexion while reducing congestion.

Find this one at Sephora.

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 42

Prolonged sun exposure can cause a whole plethora of problems for the skin, so do yourself a favour and always, always, ALWAYS wear sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF.

Shiseido is an innovative brand that combines technology and art into skincare. The Urban Environment Face Sunscreen is just that, an elegant, beautifully designed product that works! This water and sweat-resistant formula protects against UVA and UVB rays without leaving a white cast.

Head on down to Sephora for this beauty!

Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin

Everyone wants something that will zap those pesky zits but won’t irritate your skin.

Out of Trouble is just that! A calming, creamy, thick mask that feels cool to the touch with absorbent zinc oxide and sulfur to treat acne. Calming camphor is added to give the mask a crisp smell. I use this religiously on my easily irritated skin as it’s both safe for sensitive skin and oh-so soothing.

This would go on after you cleanse and can be found at Sephora.

Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask

Give your skin a gentle workout while you sleep.

This hydrating mask will gently exfoliate by sloughing off dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores, rough texture, and acne. All the while, renewing skin so that healthier cells can generate. Plus it smells AH-MAH-ZING. This can be put on as a last step before bed.

Find this wonderful pink goo and other Glow Recipe products at Sephora.

Shoppers Drug Mart

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

Start your routine off right by removing any makeup that you’ve been rocking throughout the day.

Micellar water will absorb impurities like dirt and makeup residue. The product is gentle on sensitive skin but must be rinsed off after using it.

You can find Bioderma Micellar Water at Shoppers Drug Mart.

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Night Lotion

In the evening, I would recommend using the dermatologist-approved Night Lotion by CeraVe, found at Shoppers Drug Mart. While not a luxury brand, this product will make your skin feel luxuriously healthy as it contains Hyaluronic Acid & 3 Ceramides, ingredients that are essential for well-adjusted skin.

Simple, efficient, and affordable. What could be better!?

Lush

Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask

This mask is a favourite among my friends – and for good reason!

Boost your skin with this antioxidant-rich blueberry infused treat while soothing irritated skin into a happy state. Made in Canada, it’s cruelty-free and vegan.

This best selling, sweet treat can be picked up at Lush.

The Body Shop

The Spa of the World Brazilian Cupuaçu Scrub-in-Oil

After a hard day’s work, don’t forget to treat your body to some TLC, too.

The Spa of the World Brazilian Cupuaçu Scrub-in-Oil is a luxurious body exfoliator, with a texture like no other. Indulge in a mini spa treatment at home that will smooth and exfoliate using fine salt crystals, all while moisturizing with Brazilian cupuaçu nut.

Snag this nourishing body scrub from The Body Shop.

Alexandria

Guest Services Supervisor

Alexandria is an illustrator who has a bit of an obsession with internet culture, her pets, and Starbucks.

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