Deep winter products beauty experts trust to work

There's winter and then there's Canadian winter. It can be a bone chilling, slipping and sliding, nose hair freezing, winter not-so wonderland. And there's no hiding from the fact that winter brings a particular set of beauty woes: dull and dry, scale-like skin, lips that crack with every smile and hair on the brink of breakage.

If you're looking to do your best to skip that winter mess, here are some products that just may help — tried and tested products from Canadian beauty experts.

Face

Samantha Jane, beauty and lifestyle content creator

As someone with combo/oily skin I've always been afraid of oils, but more recently I learned you can be oily and dehydrated. I've been loving this oil because it's still light and doesn't feel heavy on my skin. 

Squalane Oil, $17.99, Indeed Laboratories

Bahar Niramwalla, on-air beauty expert

This oil is perfect for ending off your nighttime winter skincare routine, as it contains a potent amount of Vitamin C, which, when used at night, can stay in the skin and do the brightening-work while you snooze. Now that is what I call beauty sleep.

The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil, $9.90, Sephora

Anna and Angelica of Satin & Skin, beauty influencers

Preventing dryness is key during the harsh winter weather, but one area that may need a little extra care is the eye [area]. This product's lightweight formula provides soothing hydration. Thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and caffeine, our eye area is less puffy, and dark circles diminished.

Minéral 89 Eyes, $34.95, Vichy

Souzan Michael Galway, beauty writer

When winter hits, I rely on face oils to lock in my water-based moisturizers. The extra layer does wonders for dry skin. I love the squalane and marula oils from The Ordinary. They're super affordable, so you can reapply all day long and not worry about breaking the bank. 

The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil, $9.90, The Ordinary

Caitlin Kenny, beauty and style writer

My lips get crazy dry in the winter, and very few balms can sufficiently soothe them. But one of my trusty saviours comes from a brand I first discovered backstage at New York Fashion Week: Omorovizca, a Hungarian skincare company. Its perfecting lip balm is packed with shea butter and eucalyptus oil, and leaves my lips with a nice sheen.

Omorovizca Perfecting Lip Balm, $61.69, Nordstrom

Amrit Singh, registered cosmetic acupuncturist

I love this face mist by 5yina because they formulate one for each season. The Quiescent Hydrolat Face Mist has hawthorn berry which is loaded with antioxidants, Douglas fir distillate to balance your skin's pH (and yes you can use this mist as a toner too!), and frankincense which is so calming for skin. 

5yina Quiescent Hydrolat Face Mist, $8, Green Philosophy

Body

Mishal Cazmi, beauty writer, editor, and founder of 100 ML

[This lotion] has never failed me during a Canadian winter. With key ingredients like 10 per cent urea and ceramides, it moisturizes cracked, flaky skin and super dry areas, and keeps skin smooth and supple. It absorbs quickly, leaves no greasy residue and moisturizes immediately so that you never have to re-apply or baste yourself in it for it to actually work. And while I appreciate a nice scent, I like that this is fragrance-free. It's extremely no-frills, but incredibly effective.

Eucerin Complete Repair Intensive Lotion, $19.97, Walmart

Samantha Jane, beauty and lifestyle content creator

Affordable and effective, everything I love! This is perfect for forgotten winter feet, and without being too cliche, it's really a 'pedicure in a bottle'. I put it on every night before bed and I wake up to super smooth and hydrated feet. When summer finally comes along you won't have too much work to do to get your feet sandal ready!  

Cake Cakewalk Pretty Foot Cream, $7.99, Shoppers Drug Mart

Bahar Niramwalla, on-air beauty expert

Body lotion has to be a multifaceted magician this time of year and I love the 10balm because it does so much. It's soothing and calming to dry, itchy areas. It's nourishing and hydrating thanks to the long list of extracts and oils in it, and it absorbs quickly and disappears with no greasy film left behind. 

10balm Body Lotion, $22.99, Indeed Laboratories

Truc Nguyen, writer and fashion stylist

One of my favourite creams is Weleda's Skin Food Original, which feels great on the skin and smells lovely thanks to a blend of lavender, rosemary and sweet orange essential oils. It comes in two sizes, and the smaller tube (which can be recycled through a partnership with TerraCycle), and even fits into the pocket of my parka, for days when I am purse-free.

Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra Rich Cream,$17.29, Well.ca

Hair

Bahar Niramwalla, on-air beauty expert

My naturally curly hair takes a beating all year, so when winter comes, it's fragile and breaking off mid-shaft. This mask helps [deliver] a boost of vitamins and biotin, to help reinforce the hair.

L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert B6+Biotin Anti-Breakage Inforcer Masque, $41.64, Walmart

Valerie of HairliciousInc.com, hair influencer  

Miracle indeed! This intense, deep-penetrating conditioner will transform dry, damaged, unmanageable hair into soft silky tresses with just one use. I love it because it's super thick and rich in consistency, which is perfect for the dry winter months. It will have your hair feeling like butter, melting away tangles and increasing moisture all at once. 

tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask, $27.99, Walmart

Janet Jackson, hairstylist and on-air beauty expert

Dry and brittle hair can eventually lead to hair breakage — or loss! My all time favourite shampoo and conditioner to restore your hair [damage] from the dry and cold weather is Maui Moisture's Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter shampoo and conditioner. Aloe is the base ingredient, it's free from silicones, parabens, sulfated-surfactants and more to help you achieve perfectly moisturized hair and great shine. I recommend it for children as well.

Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner, $11.49 ea, Shoppers Drug Mart

Nneka Elliott (@nnekaelliott) is a lifestyle blogger, host and actor. She shares her adventures with hair, skincare and makeup in her pursuit of a gutsy life. nnekaelliott.com