Soothing, healing, uber moisturizing – there is always room for a new balm formula in my stash. Or in the car. And in the travel case. Night table. Bag. You never know when you’ll need a multi-purpose emergency fixer. Over the last few months, three particular finds have completely blown me away. Even more good news: they’re clean, green, natural, and non-toxic. That’s so Gwyneth.
Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream
While visiting my sister-in-law in Larkspur, CA last Thanksgiving, a drive by the stunning International Orange spa was mandatory. A man on a mission, I picked up a few travel essentials including the Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream that everyone I know absolutely adores. Now, I know why. First of all, my introduction to this brand could not have been any more perfect. The Vital Balm is flawless.
This distinctive Josh Rosebrook masterpiece provides cocoon like protection with a surprisingly airy, almost whipped texture. Nourishing and anti-inflammatory, it contains Indian Senna Seed Extract (botanical hyaluronic acid), Mango and Shea Butters, Calendula, and Tumeric, among other plant extracts. With a frosty hue and elegant herbal aroma, it projects eco-luxury on every level. Slightly too rich for daily use on my combination skin, it kept my dull complexion radiant on miserably cold days and during air travel. $45 (0.75 oz) thedetoxmarket.com
8 Faces Boundless Solid Oil
This natural does-it-all blend is pure decadence in a jar. Warmed up in your fingertips, it liquifies into an oil and can be used in 3457 ways. Think removing makeup, addressing your most frustrating dry patches, taming flyaway hair – you name it. Featuring Amla Fruit Extract, a super-berry incredibly rich in skin brightening Vitamin C, the 8 Faces Boundless Solid Oil makes a great treatment moisturizer if you’re looking to fade sun or acne related hyperpigmentation.
For those of you wondering how I made my combination skin crave this rich balm-to-oil texture: it makes a fantastic follow up to any exfoliating peel pad or prescription Retinol, especially during the cold winter months. Unexpected, and I’m sure, weather related the dryness around my eyes also disappeared after only a single application. The gorgeous (and completely natural) aroma is brought to you by grapefruit, lavender, and bergamot. $88 (50ml) goop.com
Dr. Rogers RESTORE Healing Balm
It’s equally important to stock the crafty Dr. Rogers solution in your travel bag as it is in your medicine cabinet. A genius, 100% plant based replacement for any petrolatum ointment (like Aquaphor or Glossier’s balm dot com), this healing blend of just three ingredients helps with eczema, burns, cuts, flaky skin, unruly eyebrows, and more. Surprisingly non-greasy and non-sticky, it is as user friendly as it is portable.
Gentle enough to use on a baby’s skin, the Dr. Rogers salve achieves household must-have status. You may start with the pocket size .5 oz tube but I predict the 8 oz. tub will soon be in your near future. How do I enjoy it? Dabbed on cuticles before bed, worn overnight under a pair of socks, as a brow tamer, and as an occlusive treatment to any irritation to the skin. It’s genius in its simplicity and most importantly, it delivers. $30 (.5 oz) dermstore.com, beautyheroes.com
Ingredients below:
