How to Make Your Skin Glow, Even When it’s -23 Outside

I know, I know… I’m Canadian. That doesn’t change the fact that I absolutely despise winter; I chalk this up to my dearest Mom and her family immigrating from sun-soaked Morocco – it’s in my genetics to eat tagines, drink mint tea, steam and soak in rose petals, and detest the snow. As much as I adore Moroccan rituals (and food!) and resist Canadian climate, I’ve had to conform to bulky layers, watching TV wrapped in blankets, taco style, and (the worst part of all) succumbing to a dull, lacklustre complexion.

More than my core temperature, my skin suffers from winter the most. The dry outside air intermittently blasted with even direr indoor-heated air wreaks havoc, not to mention the icy blasts of relentlessly cruel winds abusing my skin, too. If it weren’t for these few miracle potions, my face would protest in the form of dry, sallow, uneven skin. Thankfully, I can keep a tiny bit of Moroccan glow in my complexion with these top picks…

GLAMGLOW Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment GLAMGLOW makes a number of mud masks – a tingling, exfoliating treatment; a super-deep cleaning treatment; and an eye-brightening mask – all adored and praised by the entire population of Hollywood. Since its arrival in Canada, the entire collection has reveled in immense success, so it’s no surprise their ultra-hydrating, energy-boosting, smoothing and glow-inducing mask would be any different for us thirsty-skinned Canuks.

Nude Skincare ProGenius Treatment Oil Any beauty junkie worth her lipsticks knows oils have been gaining popularity over the past few seasons, cropping up in cleansers, serums and treatments. Face oils are the new superstar skin ingredient, and for good reason. In any season, face oils are an amazing step for skincare as they’re specially designed to let the good stuff sink in while magnetically drawing the bad stuff out. Nude Skincare’s adaptation combines 10 supremely beneficial plant oils that leave your skin impeccably smoothed and hydrated and feels ah-maz-ing to use, especially in the winter months.

Clarisonic Aria There are few products and devices that gain permanent status in my routine, as I love trying new stuff and am constantly rotating everything in my regime. The Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush, though, has made permanent status thanks to its skin-perfecting results. Gently buffing away dead skin cells and leaving skin fresh, clean, glowing and prepped for any product to follow, nothing reveals smoother, softer skin than this little wonder brush.

Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer Call me biased, but there are few better-for-your-skin ingredients than argan oil. It also has a delicious way of sinking in really nicely and never sits on top of the skin. While most tinted moisturizers have a tricky way of either disappearing entirely, wearing off in weird, patchy patterns, or not providing enough coverage, Josie Maran’s argan oil-spiked formula beautifully transforms skin all day, providing an even tone and luminosity, and when removed at the end of the day, skin is soft and moisturized.

Glow by Dr. Brandt Ruby Crystal Retinol Hyracrème C’mon, who doesn’t want to smooth and improve skin tone with micronized ruby crystals? Skincare expert Dr. Brandt bottled his in-office ruby laser treatment, and the results are similarly dramatic with use. Radiant, glowing skin replaces skin issues, and the crème is also formulated with illuminators to help you fake it till you make it.