Holiday Gift Guide 2021: The Best Facial Moisturizers From Around The World

Discovery is one of the many joys when it comes to traveling, and finding amazing skincare products to fold into your daily routine is certainly no exception.

With cooler temperatures and the harsher winter months upon us, keeping your face looking and feeling fresh is the gift that will keep on glowing all season long and if you’re looking to give the gift of self-care this holiday season, it doesn’t hurt to take a look at the ingredients before making a commitment.

“Because your skin absorbs much of what you put on it, you want to think of your skincare products as food for your skin,” Sarah Villafranco, CEO + Founder of Colorado based natural skincare company Osmia Organics told Forbes. “Using natural and organic skin care is similar to eating natural and organic food. It contains the ingredients that nourish and benefit your skin, and omits the junk ingredients your skin doesn’t want or need.”

When it comes to skincare, there’s no time like the present to step up your game and get some great Black Friday deals and discounts in the process.

From a silky Japanese purple rice moisturizer to a facial cream from Amsterdam that uses tulip nectar and a multipurpose antioxidant that’s been crafted with EVOO from Italy, these moisturizers from around the world will get you glowing just in time for the holidays. The best part, no passport required.

Finland

Best For: Brightening and hydrating

Using hand-picked botanicals found in Finland, Lumene’s Nordic-C [Valo] Glow Boost Essence Serum is a super concentrated, miracle boosting serum for hydrated, brighter-looking skin. With an energizing technology that combines berry extract from antioxidant-rich Wild Arctic Cloudberry and Vitamin C and Pure Arctic Spring Water, this delightful-smelling serum works to promote the appearance of youthful-looking skin that feels plumper, smoother and looks more radiant for that ‘Arctic Luminescence’ you never knew you needed and won’t want to live without.

Target, $24.99

Japan

Best For: Plumping hydration and glow

Made using a mix of Japanese purple rice and botanicals, Japanese brand Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Moisturizer continues to be one of Sephora’s best-selling facial products for a reason. Packed with hydrating antioxidants for a happy, healthy and oh so delicious looking glow, this lightweight moisturizer is an absolute dream for normal or dry skin. Just in time for the holidays, Tatcha’s Purify, Treat & Hydrate trio comes wrapped in a traditional Japanese furoshiki cloth and is an excellent ready made gift option to keep your skin glowing all winter long.

Sephora, $68

Colorado – USA

Best For: Sensitive, reactive or normal skin

Based in Carbondale, Colorado Osmia Organics is beloved for their plant based, doctor-formulated natural skin care products. Made using hydrating organic aloe leaf juice, softening apricot kernel oil, moisturizing kukui oil and rosa damascena flower oil, Osmia just launched an updated version their Purely Simple Face Cream and it’s a wonderful foundation for a healthy daily skincare routine that’s not only incredibly effective but truly a delight to use. Take their handy Skin Quiz to get a sense for what you might need for your skin care needs, and check out some of the Gift Sets if you’re looking to give the gift of happy, healthy looking skin.

Osmia Organic’s, $62

Greece

Best For: Dry, dull or uneven skin

For a Mediterranean glow up, Korres’ Santorini Grape Velvet Skin Drink is formulated with ‘Assyrtiko’ grapes native to the Greek Islands that help soften, smooth and tone. Known for their natural and homeopathic-based products, if you’re looking to give the gift of Greek skincare, Sephora’s Grecian Glow Skincare Rituals includes a Greek Yoghurt foaming cleanser, Santorini Grape Extract and night brightening wild rose visible glow for $38.

Dermstore, $48

Iceland

Best For: Skin aging, firming and optimizing skin health

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is known for its geothermal energy and collagen-enhancing properties like silica and micro-algae, and now you can experience this miracle moisturizer wherever you are with their new BL+ The Serum. Containing active ingredients that work to hydrate and promote collagen production, the results will leave your skin feeling stronger, firmer and so deeply hydrated you’ll feel like you’ve just been treated to a day at the Blue lagoon. Just in time for Black Friday, you can find deals up to 20% off on select items.

Blue Lagoon Skincare, $180.00

Netherlands

Best For: Soothing, nourishing & hydrating

Tulips are synonymous with the Netherlands, and using a proprietary recipe that includes tulip extract and other earth-sourced botanicals, Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Moisturizing Nectar’s hydrating facial ointment-to-serum hydrator will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth all season long. Shop now to get great deals and discounts along with some great looking gift sets.

Bloomeffects, $52

Korea

Best For: Dry skin and anti-aging

Korean skincare seems to brand Sulwhasoo have long been known for their holistic and innovative skincare products, and using a blend of five precious Korean herbs, their best-selling First Care Activating Serum helps to balance your skin while improving the look of hydration, brightness, radiance, and visible wrinkles. A great way to sample some of their top-rated products, available now at Sephora, the Bestsellers Trial Kit includes a cleansing foam, serum, balancing water and cream that will get you glowing in no time.

Sephora, $89

Italy

Best for: Hydrating and boosting

Made with estate grown EVOO that’s been distilled with enzymes, Italian brand Beauty Thinkers Antioxidant Moisturizer is as delightful as it is nourishing. The science based beauty brand from Umbria is a relative new kid on the block and promises to deliver a powerful, yet lightweight plant-based punch.

Beauty Thinkers, $113

Israel

Best For: Wrinkle reducing, soothing

Loaded with 21-minerals from the Dead Sea, Ahava’s Dead Sea Crystal Osmoter is one of Israeli brand’s best-selling products. Known for its soothing, wrinkle reducing capabilities, Ahava has a number of holiday gift sets and skincare collections that make for the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone looking to give the gift of soft and nourished skin.

Ulta, $53.20