From Kiehl’s to Korres: 11 of the Best New Skincare Products

Welcome to your monthly skincare update—I've got so many exciting products to show you this time around! 

As usual, I edited down all the launches that crossed my desk to bring you the ones that are REALLY worth checking out, including:

• New moisturizers with mostly-natural ingredients
• Healthy cleansing cloths
• High-zinc sunscreen at the drugstore
• A Lotion P50 alternative
• Better thermal water mist
• And more!

Here's your guide to the latest and greatest in skincare…

Kiehl's Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream

For a while there, I thought mainstream brands had completely abandoned the idea of making natural products. But not all hope is lost—Kiehl's has just launched a 99.6 percent natural moisturizer! 

The Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream is a unique lightweight cream with an ingredients list we can all understand, for once. No silicones, no mineral oil and mostly botanicals instead of strange chemical compounds. The star is Manuka honey, which gives it an almost gooey texture. (Although it's not sticky and dries down beautifully.) It even looks honey-ish, since it's tan instead of white!

This isn't really an anti-aging cream but more of a “healthy skin” cream that hydrates and helps to strengthen the skin barrier. The ingredients list is not perfect, but MUCH better than the vast majority creams I've seen, making this an excellent option if you're searching for a new moisturizer. I'm really impressed!

Where to buy:Nordstrom, Saks, Hudson's Bay

Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Undecane, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tridecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Shea Butter, Mel Extract/Honey Extract, Mica, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Cera Alba/Beeswax, Tocopherol, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Bulnesia Sarmientoi Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Pelargonium Graveolens, Flower Oil, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Farnesol, Linalool, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Smoothie Priming Moisturiser

With a name like Greek Yoghurt Smoothie, how could you not be intrigued by the latest product from Korres? This is a lightweight cream-gel that packs 26 percent Greek yogurt proteins—which they say will strengthen and repair skin tissues, just like protein in your diet.

It also doubles as a primer under makeup, and a silicone-free one at that! I love that it leaves skin feeling hydrated and smooth, without any oily residue or the typical silicone “slip.”

Overall, this formula is 94.7 percent natural, so it's quite a rare find. Like the Kiehl's, there a few things I wish weren't in here (high phenoxyethanol, which might be irritating, and the sunflower oil, which is prone to oxidation). But it would most certainly be better for your skin than the typical silicone-heavy moisturizers and primers!

Where to buy:Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart

Ingredients: Water, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-glucan Oligosaccharide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Betaine, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Lauroyl Lysine, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-aquae Extract, Arginine, Bioflavonoids, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Cellulose Gum, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance/parfum, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus, Lactose, Maltodextrin, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Whey Protein, Yogurt Powder.

Consonant Come Clean Anytime Natural Cleansing Cloths

Cleansing cloths usually have questionable ingredients (including too much fragrance) and leave a weird film on your face. Am I right? But finally, there's a healthy option thanks to my beloved Consonant.

The Come Clean Anytime Natural Cleansing Cloths are totally skin-friendly. They're 100 percent natural and made from biodegradable bamboo. The surfactant, coco betaine, is gentle and won't strip your skin. I tested these with waterproof eyeliner and they got it off right away, although you might need to use two wipes (or cleanse twice) if you're wearing a full face of water-resistant makeup.

These leave my face feeling clean and refreshed, without any tightness. If you need a good wipe for the gym or travel, I can't recommend these enough!

Where to buy:Sephora

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coco Betaine, Niacinamide, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Limonene, Citric Acid.

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face SPF 50

If you've taken Better Skin in 7, then you know what I think about most mineral sunscreens on the market. They suck. That's because they don't contain adequate amounts of zinc oxide (or none at all!) to protect you from aging UVA rays. Titanium dioxide can only shield you from burning UVB rays.

So I'm thrilled to see that Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face SPF 50 has 21 percent zinc oxide! This will give you all the protection you need against both types of UV. To my knowledge, it's the only high-zinc formula available at the drugstore. 

The downside is that it does contain quite a bit of silicone, however, it is oil-free. I'm still recommending it because it's so affordable and widely available, without any the health risks of chemical sunscreens. Hooray!

Where to buy: Amazon.com, Ulta, drugstores

Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide/Oxyde de zinc (21.6%). Inactive ingredients: Acrylates/Dimethicone Coplymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone/Bis-Vinyldimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Colloidal Oatmeal, Dimethicone, Ethyl Methicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water (eau).

Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro creme

Do you remember the Éminence cream with jojoba beads I was showing you last month? Well, you can't really see them in this photo, but Chanel's new Hydra Beauty Micro creme is based on the same idea, but with camellia oil instead.

Basically, the oil is suspended in tiny droplets in the formula, which only melt on contact with the skin. Camellia oil is a pretty good oil (mostly oleic acid, which is monounsaturated) and transforms this cream-gel into a more hydrating treatment. 

None of us expect natural from Chanel, so yes, there is fragrance, silicone and colour in here, although they're further down the list compared to most creams I see. That's why I think this is a pretty good option if you're into luxury skincare! It's like you're getting the benefits of a rich cream but in an ultra-lightweight texture.

Where to buy: Nordstrom, Saks, Hudson's Bay

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Alcohol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Isodecane, Jojoba Esters, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Nylon-6, Phenoxyethanol, Dextrin Palmitate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Amodimeticone, Sodium Citrate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Denatonium Benzoate, Citric Acid, CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), CI 77510 (Ferric Ferrocynanide)

Burt's Bees Gentle Foaming Cleanser

Here's a super-affordable cleansing option if you've got skin that's on the oilier side. Burt's Bees Gentle Foaming Cleanser is sulfate-free and 98.9 percent natural… just what I love in a cleanser!

The texture of the foam is deceivingly airy, because upon wet skin, it feels creamier. This cleans well, and is easy to rinse away. But do steer clear if you have normal, dry or sensitive skin, as this would probably be a little drying for you. (They should probably get rid of the word “nourishment” on the label.) 

Where to buy:Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Ulta

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Lonicera Japonica(Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Calendula O Cinalis Flower Extract, Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Royal jelly, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Sodium chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium phytate, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated palm Glycerides Citrate, Lecithin, Ascorbyl palmitate, Fragrance (Natural Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool.

Alumier MD Bright & Clear Solution

Lately, I've noticed that brands are taking a cue from Lotion 50 and coming up with their own versions of the sought-after exfoliating toner. Alumier MD's Bright & Clear Solution is one of the better alternatives I've seen!

This, too, has lactic acid, yeast extract and glycerin, so it's going to gently brighten and refine your skin texture. It also has the bonus of vitamin C and lime extract (the latter is apparently a source of alpha-hydroxy acids).

The texture is clear and watery, and the application method is the same—twice a day on bare skin, under moisturizer. This is a professional formulation, suitable for all skin types, and would likely give you similar results to the cult favourite!

Where to buy: Alumier MD, spas

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Yeast Extract, Soy Amino Acids, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol.

NeoStrata Brightening Peel Solution

Here in Canada, NeoStrata offers the next best thing to getting a chemical peel at the dermatologist's office. Case in point: the new Brightening Peel Solution, which contains a 25 percent exfoliating complex.

There's 10 percent glycolic acid; 10 percent gluconolactone (a polyhydroxy acid, which is like an AHA but gentler); 5 percent papaya enzyme; and 2 percent “Genowhite” (a peptide that lightens dark spots). Quite a unique and powerful combination of ingredients!

You're meant to leave it on for 20 minutes, one to three times a week, to even out skin tone and improve dullness. They also have a new Anti-Aging Peel with the same ingredients except for a different peptide. If you've been spending money on professional peels, this would be a good at-home alternative!

Where to buy: Drugstores

Ingredients: Aqua, Alcohol Denat, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Papain, Calcium Pantothenate, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Urea, Magnesium lactacte, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Lactate, Serine, Alanine, Proline, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Triethanolamine, Acetyl glycyl beta-alanine Stearyl Stearate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Jojoba Esters, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Octoxynol-9, Mentha Piperita Oil, Fragrance/Parfum.

Attitude Natural Soothing Body Cream Daily Moisturizer

If you only go natural with one item in your beauty routine, it should be your body lotion. Since it's covering such a large surface area, and we tend to apply generous amounts of product, there's a higher chance of absorbing problematic ingredients compared to, say, face cream.

Attitude Natural Soothing Body Cream Daily Moisturizer is one of your best bets, and especially good for sensitive skin or eczema because it has 2 percent colloidal oatmeal. (It's also got the National Eczema Association's seal of approval.) 

It's fragrance-free, with healthy oils like shea butter and coconut oil, and has a rich but non-greasy texture. Love!

Where to buy: Amazon.com, drugstores, health food stores

Ingredients: Aqua/water/eau, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, polyglyceryl-3 dicitrate / stearate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, avena sativa kernel flour (colloidal oatmeal / avoine), glyceryl stearate, avena sativa (oat) kernel oil, stearyl alcohol, levulinic acid, triethyl citrate, sodium levulinate, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, raspberry ketone, biosaccharide gum-1, allyl caproate.

Uriage Eau Thermale

French pharmacy brand Uriage has just landed in Canada, and their star product is the Eau Thermale. This is a thermal water mist that comes from the French Alps, and like all thermal waters, it helps soothe, hydrate and refresh the skin.

What's different compared to all the other face mists we could already get? Well, there's some data on their website showing how it compares to a “control” thermal water. Uriage achieved 32 percent more hydrated skin within one hour, compared to only 15 percent for the control brand. 

I understand it's also the only isotonic thermal water, which means it has the same mineral concentration as our cells and blood. Other thermal mists are hypertonic, which is why they can be dehydrating. If that could be a problem for you, get this one instead!

Where to buy:Amazon.com, drugstores

Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), Nitrogen

Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Peel-Off Mask

Finally, we have the Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Peel-Off Mask. Gosh, there's just something so satisfying about peeling stuff off your face! If you like doing that, this might be a fun product for you. 

It's a charcoal-based mask that is specifically for acne-prone skin, and made with 97 percent natural ingredients. What I like most about it is the applicator, which allows you to brush it on instead of getting your fingers all messy. If you want the mask to peel off easily, make sure to apply it fairly thickly. 

The charcoal might have a small effect on excess oil, but I think the main thing this does is take away dead skin. Your face does feel really soft afterwards. However, I wouldn't use it if you are sensitive or have open acne sores, as the peeling part could hurt you and even take off delicate skin! Also, don't expect it to take away blackheads—for that you're better off with a BHA product like the ones from COSRX or Paula's Choice.

Where to buy:Amazon.com, Ulta, drugstores

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Ethyl Alcohol, Algin, Charcoal Powder, Magnesium Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Lactobacillus Ferment, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Calcium Sulfate, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Extract, Tetrasodium Pyrophosophate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, Butylphenyl Methylpropanal.

Conclusion

We're in a really good moment for skincare, wouldn't you agree? I know many of these products are going to become staple recommendations, since I'm always on the lookout for safe creams, face wipes, sunscreens and more. So you should expect see them on this website again! In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you think of this batch of products…

What's your favourite new skincare product lately?

1. Kiehl's Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream | 2. Korres Greek Yoghurt Smoothie Priming Moisturiser | 3. Consonant Come Clean Anytime Natural Cleansing Cloths | 4. Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face SPF 50 | 5. Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro creme | 6. Burt's Bees Gentle Foaming Cleanser | 7. Alumier MD Bright & Clear Solution | 8. NeoStrata Brightening Peel Solution | 9. Attitude Natural Soothing Body Cream Daily Moisturizer | 10. Eau Thermale | 11. Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Peel-Off Mask