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Last winter was one of the worst the mid-west has ever experienced.  With frigid temperatures consistently below 30°F and who can forget that oh-so-lovely polar vortex, many mid-westerners were left making plans for winter abodes in warmer climates.  I was planning a lovely estate in Napa valley with a view of my newly acquired winery which would of course be paid for by the millions I consistently win playing Monopoly deal.  Though I was often bundled up from head-to-toe (imagine Randy from A Christmas Story in that oh-so-chic red puffer coat), my skin found no solace from the array of products and concoctions I religiously applied each day.  Desperate for some relief, I ran to my favorite skin care isle at my local health food store.  I unleashed an avalanche of questions on the poor, unsuspecting sales associate seeking the most moisture rich products for my desperately parched skin.  After spending approximately 30 minutes exploring my options, considering cost, ingredients and reviews found on my phone, I reluctantly landed on Weleda Skin Food.

You may be wondering why I said “reluctantly”.  Although I was familiar with the Weleda brand from beauty mags and online reviews, I had no prior experience with any of the products from the brand.  Furthermore, Skin Food was not displayed along with facial products.  It was rather displayed with body care, leaving me to believe that this product would not be suitable for the often delicate skin on the face.  Despite my concerns, I picked up the product knowing that my skin could no longer bear any interactions with the harsh elements.  I began to use the product immediately.  In my desperate state, I slathered a sizable amount of the product on my face and proceeded about my day.  Once I finally made my way past a mirror a few hours later, I was none too pleased with the oil slick gleaming back at me.  In my horror, I immediately denounced the product, not taking a moment to consider that the offending results were my own doing, and not a flaw of the product.

And so continued my search for a nourishing and moisturizing cream to provide my skin with some much-needed comfort.  Though I found some suitable options, none of them met my criteria in order to be a lasting fixture in my winter skin care regimen (these include: cost-effective, natural or organic ingredients and consumer approval).  To sooth my parched, dehydrated skin, I once again reached for the Weleda Skin Food, remembering that before it produced an oil slick on my face, it did provide me with the much-needed moisture and relief I was seeking.  This time, I read a few online reviews regarding use and found that a light application and massage are all I need to make this product work for my skin.  And wouldn’t you know it, actually heeding the advice of other (and reading the instructions for a product) actually leads to the best results possible.  Not only did it provide me with the much-needed relief I was in search of, but it quickly absorbed and did not leave me looking like a human disco ball.  Needless to say, I was quite pleased with the product.  Although I no longer reach for it as a daily moisturizer, I do dab it on my skin in conjunction with my usual skin care regimen when the cold weather creeps in and my skin begins to act a fool.  This product has beamed to the top of my skin care must have and beauty favorites list for its nourishing properties using clean ingredients.

A few things to keep in mind:

1) This product is very rich, very thick and very creamy so a little goes a long way.

2) Allow for the product to sink into your skin with a gentle message before applying makeup unless you like your foundation to slide off right away.

3) Though this is a moisture and nutrient rich product meant for rough and dry skin patches (elbows, knees), it’s is suitable as a facial moisturizer for all skin types when used accordingly.