20 Great Skincare and Beauty Products to Refresh for the New Year

With the new year still fresh, it’s a no-brainer of a time to revamp the self-care regime.

Discovering a new skincare or beauty product can be game-changing in the confidence and overall wellness departments. We’ve gotten our hands many as of late, and can help you to put those Sephora gift cards to good use.

From newly-launched items to cult-favourites we’ve only recently discovered, here are 20 rejuvenating products to refresh for the new year.

 

Keys Soulcare Be Luminous Skin Exfoliating Powder with Lactic Acid

Superstar singer Alicia Keys is also a skincare entrepreneur. The water-activated Be Luminous Skin Exfoliating Powder offers a gentle facial exfoliation before it transforms into a refreshing foam that cleanses and illuminates the skin with hojicha powder, lactic acid, mung beans, and oats.

Neostrata 15% Vitamin C + PHA Serum

New in 2022, Neostrata launched the 15% Vitamin C + PHA Serum. The mid-priced brightening serum delivers that dewy glow – even in the depths of a Canadian winter. Powered by pure 15% Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), this serum targets the look of dark spots, skin discoloration, and texture.

Vivier QuinteSerum

On the higher end of the price spectrum serum-wise, Vivier launched its quickly-popular QuinteSerum last summer. The celebrated innovation is jam-packed with skin-improving goodness, including 15% Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and five peptides that work in combination to bring a youthful collagen boost.

Province + Apothecary Invigorating and Balancing Toner

Plant-based Canadian skincare brand Province + Apothecary offers an invigorating burst of natural refreshment with its spray-on toner. The floral essence-based Province + Apothecary Invigorating and Balancing Toner re-balances PH levels and recently saw the addition of gluconic acid to smooth skin’s texture and reduce the appearance of aging.

Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Spray

With winter escapes to the sun in store, the Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Spray makes for an appreciated suitcase addition. Although the goal is to avoid sunburns, in the event you do get one (or miss a spot) the vitamin E-enriched aloe spray soothes and rehydrates the skin to ease the pain of burns and peeling – and smells like vacation in the process.

Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask
Harsh winter weather doesn’t do many of us any favours in hair-wise – especially if you have thin, fine hair. The rich and creamy, argon oil-infused Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask brings hair back to life by hydrating and enriching it, while supporting its texture and manageability.

Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer

The best-selling Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer is a new(ish) makeup bag addition. Part of Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive line, the product is earth-friendly and all-natural. Creamy yet lightweight, the balm bronzer has a natural velvet finish and easily melts into the skin for a sun-kissed glow – even if it’s the dead of winter.

Clinique Take the Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm

Just launched in early January, Clinique’s new Take the Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm has become a quick end-of-day staple. The product is a new iteration of the cult favourite OG Take The Day Off makeup remover, with the addition of Japanese charcoal for added cleansing benefits. The solid-to-oil formula detoxifies pores and thoroughly cleanses skin, so you can use it as step one of your cleansing routine or on its own.

Youth to the People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream

Another product that’s become a quick go-to from Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive Line is the Polypeptide-121 Future Cream from Youth to the People, a company adored by the internet and beauty influencers alike. Launched last year, the weightless, plant protein-packed moisturizer strengthens the skin and reduces the appearance of aging.

Boscia Probiotic Exfoliating Powder for Face and Scalp

Last August, Boscia launched its Probiotic Exfoliating Powder for Face and Scalp. The water-activated exfoliating powder helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and soothes inflammation on the face and often-neglected scalp. It’s super-charged with probiotics and a niacinamide blend to cleanse while fortifying the skin’s moisture barrier to relieve, soothe, and balance.

Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream

If your body has seen better days on the firmness front, Canadian brand Caudalie can help with its new Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream. Powered by a blend of grape polyphenols and iris extract, the whipped body cream firms, lifts, and tightens skin on the stomach, butt, chest, and arms while delivering a dose of moisturizer.

HAIRGOD Heatless Hair Wrap  

Toronto-based company Lashgod’s HAIRGOD mulberry silk-coated foam wire Heatless Hair Wrap is a must have for the perfect curls every day – minus the heat damage. This revolutionary heatless hair wrap imitates the brand’s famous in-house styling. The simple hair wrap is applied in five minutes or less and it can sit for an hour or up to 12 hours.

Skin Republic Spot Clear Salicylic Acid Patch

Skin Republic offers a solution to pesky pimples that won’t break the bank with their Spot Clear Salicylic Acid Patch. The transparent hydrocolloid circles adhere to the pimple, drawing out oil and gunk while blasting it with a continuous dose of breakout-banishing ingredients. There’s no gimmick; Hydrocolloid dressings are used in medicine for their ability to enhance wound healing.

Cela Glacier Clay Mask

In 2022 Canadian skincare company Cela – a staple at Toronto’s beloved Hammam Spa – launched its Glacier Collection. The rejuvenating Glacier Clay Mask is developed using glacial oceanic mineral water and contains hydrating and skin-nourishing minerals naturally found in the ocean and sourced from the coast of British Columbia.

RoC Derm Correxion Contour Cream

The RoC Derm Correxion Contour Cream, one of the latest and greatest products from the brand, works magic to contour the face, neck, and jawline. The cream also fights the signs of aging by offering a dose of hydration to the skin, reducing horizontal lines in the neck, and lifting the face and neck.

Evio Lip-Spo Gloss

If you’re in the market for a new lip gloss, Evio’s Lip-Spo Gloss has become a quick go-to. The ultra-moisturizing gloss leaves lips soft and glossy, but not sticky (it’s a fine art). Available in five flirty colours, the gloss features a doe foot applicator.

Watier Sublimessence High Brightening Vitamin C Serum

Last summer, Canadian beauty brand Watier launched their Sublimessence High Brightening Vitamin C Serum. Packed with antioxidants and natural Canadian ingredients – including 20% stabilized vitamin C – the serum offers a brightening glow while it targets dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Understory Halo Face Mist

Plant-based Canadian skincare company Understory delivers its radiance enhancing face serum via a refreshing face mist. With three forms of vitamin C, manuka honey extract, panthenol, centella, and aloe, the Halo Face Mist works to sooth, hydrate, and protect against pollutants – all while offering a dewy finish.

B. Beautiful Sugar Lip Scrub

Toronto brand B. Beautiful helps bring winter lips back to life with their Sugar Lip Scrub. The vanilla mint-scented sugar exfoliator features a rich balm base and buffs away dryness, flakiness, and chapping. Potent hydrating and nourishing conditioners leave lips softer and smoother (and deliciously kissable).

Soo’AE Supreme Gold Hydrating Mask

Soo’AE offers a quick and affordable fix to a refreshed face with their Supreme Hydrating Mask. Gold helps to achieve a healthy, glowing and youthful looking complexion while licorice root, green tea, schizandra chinensis fruit, and japonica root extracts provide an extra boost of moisture to soothe winter dryness.

Erin Nicole Davis

Erin Nicole Davis

Erin Nicole Davis is a Toronto-based writer and actor. When she’s not writing the day away in a face mask, she’s taking in the city’s vibrant arts scene, doing a red carpet interview or brunching with her leading ladies (at least, in pre-COVID-19 times). Follow Erin: @erinnicoledavis