Huiles & Baumes Alpine SOS Balm

Why It's Good:

This balm may be full of moisturizing plant oils, but it's lightweight and far from greasy, making it the perfect skin-soother for dry patches anywhere on the body (even the face).

Why It's Green:

All Huiles & Baumes skincare products are 100% natural and plant-based, paraben- and preservative-free, and made with certified organic ingredients whenever possible. The Alpine SOS Balm, like many of the brand's products, is also packaged in an eco-friendly, recyclable glass jar.

Where To Get It:

http://www.huiles-baumes.com
To purchase SOS balm, $42, directly, click here. Update: They ran out, so to place an order until they re-stock, please call (212) 941-4222.

A Serious Winter Skin Saver

Cold and flu season always does a number on my body—the sinus pain, the rib-rattling cough, the exhaustion. Long after I've tossed my last tissue, though, it's my nose that still bears the signs of every sneeze. A nose so red it would make Rudolph jealous is only part of the problem, as the skin that surrounds the area is also sore and chapped and often stays that way for weeks, no matter how much moisturizer I slather on. But I recently found salvation in an all-natural salve. A few days into my most recent holiday cold, I began dabbing Huiles & Baumes Alpine SOS Balm on my nose. To my surprise, the redness and irritation disappeared pretty much exactly when my stuffiness did, and the dry patches that usually pop up near my nose during a cold were almost non-existent. As a bonus, the balm's subtle camphor scent even helped clear up some of my congestion. The ointment contains anti-inflammatory arnica, which has been used medicinally to treat muscle soreness and pain for hundreds of years, as well as several other plant oils known to help reduce redness and ease pain. But it’s the balm's jojoba essential oil and shea butter that hydrate and protect parched skin—and which have been keeping my perennially dry knuckles, elbows and knees looking soft and flake-free. Just a little bit goes a long way, so the large jar should last me through the winter and well into allergy season, too. Sure, it may not cure the common cold, but it can certainly help you suffer through one a bit more beautifully.—Megan O'Neill