Stay Moisturized This Winter with GC’s Favorite Face Oils

For as long as I can remember I have been obsessed with skin. Maybe that has to do with coming from a family of all women and a mother who was dedicated to homeopathic remedies. Jean Nate, Clinique, Mario Basdscu – I’ve been through them all with the dedication of a true face-oil seeker. But then I met a woman named Pratima and I was introduced to some very useful knowledge about the benefits of using face oil to moisturize. I’m devoted to Pratima‘s oils, even though I continue to experiment – a true researcher never stops their pursuit, despite having an incredible standby option.

“I use various face oils at different times of the year, when traveling, to hide the ill-effects of a late night, or to perk up my skin mid-afternoon.”

I use various face oils at different times of the year, when traveling, to hide the ill-effects of a late night, or to perk up my skin mid-afternoon. Winter, however, is the best time to invest in a quality face oil, as the colder temperatures and harsh winds make it a very “drying” season– regardless of whether or not you practice Ayurveda. It’s no surprise that I’m not the only skin junkie at Garden Collage– it is one of the many threads that link our team. So, in honor of this winter wonderland we call January, we pulled from our staff’s collective knowledge and put together a list of our favorite face oils. We went back to our medicine cabinets and tried out algae, borage, red raspberry, avocado, carrot, and sunflower oils, looking to find products derived from the plethora of plants on this earth. Here are some of our time-tested favorites.

Marie Veronique Face Oil

Love love the oil from Marie Veronique. It’s deeply hydrating and full of unusual oils, like tomato seed and broccoli seed oil along side olives and sunflower.

Avocado, Rosehip, and Plum Oil (Cold-Pressed)

We use cold-pressed avocado oil,rose hip oil, and plum oilduring the East Coast winters and if we’re going anywhere with a high altitude. The high omega count in each of these oils make them ideal for restoring deep moisture reserves.

Odacite’s Pomegranate Oil

Pomegranate oil from Odacite— Full disclosure, I am a life long fan of the pomegranate for growing, eating, juicing so I am biased, but this oil is one of my favorites because it is full of Vitamin C  which is imperative for good skin. I use this in the morning.

Pratima’s Nourishing Oil

The nourishing oil at Pratima is my go-to staple for face oils. I really have used it for years, and I sort of panic if I don’t have a full bottle on the beauty tray in my bathroom.

May Lindstrom’s Youth Dew Oil

We love the youth dew oil for its ability to really perk up dry skin. Plus: this smells amazing!

Laurel Face Oil

I have just started using a new oil by Laurel that I picked up at a terrific little holistic center in Brooklyn. Red Raspberry and evening primrose oil packed with my new obsession, nettle and elder flower oils. It is proving to be fabulous.