With Stoic Beauty, Dr. Jolanta Wodzinska has developed a unique range of products serving sensitive skin with complex issues: rosacea, excess dryness, acne prone skin. She also has worked to elevate classic skincare staples to a new standard: the water-safe standard. All end their journey from nature back to nature by way of our water systems. Stoic Beauty is committed to deep environmental stewardship by only formulating with ingredients that biodegrade safely in water.

Dr. Wodzinska carefully creates formulations with curated ingredients that are water safe, nourish the skin, and have a minimal footprint on the environment. Stoic Beauty’s approach to the ingredients used in their skincare is “if there is any doubt – it’s out”. There are no parabens, no oxybenzone and octinoxate, no triclosan , no synthetic fragrances, no PEGs , no silicones or petroleum-based by-products in any Stoic Beauty product.  As Dr. Wodzinska explains “We took it upon ourselves to research and create a database of over 800+ cosmetic ingredients and follow accredited bodies such as ECOCERT as guides. What we found is that there is no regulatory body that focuses on the water-safety of cosmetic products.”  Jolanta and Maria describe their decision to enter the beauty field as “meeting the moment.” “We seek not to create products following trends but those that solve skincare needs with science and artistry. Our water-safe products do not bioaccumulate in marine life and biodegrade safely in our water systems meeting you in the moment.”

Stoic Beauty makes their commitment to water safe products clear with their mission statement “We’re a mother-daughter brand committed to science backed formulation, and all things beautiful: for ourselves, our communities & our water systems.” Dr. Jolanta Wodzinska, an MIT trained organic chemist with over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and her daughter, Artistic Director Maria Wodzinska, brought their passion for creating and a desire to combine their unique talents and perspectives to the beauty space when they founded Stoic Beauty in 2020. Stoic Beauty was born from this synergy of  Artistry, Chemistry, Intelligence, Intuition, Labour and Play. 

The following are recommended products that are perfect for keeping your skin looking fresh during colder temperatures.

Stoic Beauty’s newest product is Chryso Regenerating Serum,. a luxurious, overnight skincare treatment that is powered by three potent ingredients: Bakuchiol, Ceramides, and Frankincense Essential Oil. Colder weather means looking for products that deliver luxury, clarity and serenity. To use, simply apply a few drops of the serum to clean, dry skin before bedtime. Gently massage into the face and neck until fully absorbed. For best results, use nightly.”

Bakuchiol: A plant-based retinol alternative that helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while sealing in hydration. Vitamin A derived retinol is used in a skincare routine to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but can often cause irritation, redness, and flaking.  Like retinol, bakuchiol works by promoting cell turnover but is non disrupting to the skin.  Traditionally, bakuchiol has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Ceramides: When you decide to add ceramides to your skincare routine , you are giving your skin the building blocks it needs to look its best. Ceramides help to restore the skin’s natural barrier. Ceramides are lipids that are naturally found in the skin, but their levels decline as we age. This can lead to dryness, redness, and a loss of elasticity. Stoic Beauty includes ceramides III, IIIB and VI (2.5%), cholesterol (0.5%), free fatty acids & phytosphingosine (1%) in our Regenerative Night Serum to help replenish your skin’s natural supply.

Frankincense Essential Oil: Historically, Frankincense essential oil has been prized for its ability to calm and soothe the mind and body and is valued for its anti-inflammatory and cell regeneration properties which help to even out skin tone and texture, add elasticity to the skin, minimize wrinkles and fine lines and reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes. Often referred to as “Liquid Gold” and part of Cleopatra’s legendary beauty ritual, this skin care ingredient is an ancient royal favorite. Frankincense Essential Oil smells amazing and also helps to reduce the appearance of scars and combat hyperpigmentation. Shown to have “tissue remodeling” properties, Frankincense Essential Oil helps your skin to heal and look its best. A restful night’s sleep and daily use of Chryso Regenerating Serum are sure to give the skin a beautiful glow for the upcoming Holiday season.

Stoic Beauty is adding to their existing Clear Water Staples range of body butters, bath salts, premium bath/body oils, premium face oils and face cleansers with the all new  Clear Water Cosmeceuticals Line that draws from Dr. Wodzinska’s years of industry experience to formulate and produce effective hybrid products (cosmetic products that have similar if not better results than pharmaceutical or steroid based products). These Innovative products are manufactured and distributed from their lab in Mississauga, Ontario.

Through their Clear Water Cosmeceuticals range of creams and oils the Stoic Beauty’s founders started by solving a real problem in their own family, Rosacea.  Stoic Beauty’s hero product, Harmonia Balancing Cream with its golden chamomile base, has been effective in helping so many to reduce symptoms of inflammation, irritation, and scaling that are associated with Rosacea. Formulated with two high-potency oils, Argan & Seabuckthorn oil, to soothe even the most sensitive skin, reduce redness, dryness and skin irritation.

Designed to pair with the Harmonia Balancing Night cream, and optimize its calming and moisturizing benefits, is the Apokathario Exfoliating Serum featuring nature’s best sources of Alpha Hydroxy Acids & Beta Hydroxy Acids, including Canadian Willow Herb, Green Tea, Cucumber, Sugar Maple and Feverfew Extracts. This gel serum is carefully formulated to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin types without any stinging or tingling. Just clean, cooling, and moisturizing.

The Clear Cosmeceutical range from Stoic Beauty also includes Eos Morning Mist  made with Co-Enzyme Q10 for skin barrier repair and protection, with gentle AHA/PHAs, providing  light exfoliation prior to morning moisturizer and SPF. EOS can be power coupled with Agathos Blueberry, Plum, Rosehip Face Oil  from Stoic Beauty’s  Clear Water Staples range.  Natural sources of vitamins A, C, and E encourage collagen production and quicken skin cell turnover while delivering antioxidants to slow photo-aging and sun damage. Made with natural Plum Kernel Oil with a “dry”, non-greasy feel,  Agathos can be used morning or evening as a night time moisturizer or as a primer before make-up application.

As time and wisdom map your lines of experience, anoint yourself with Agathos Face Oil. Strength and suppleness are delivered to your skin in this lightweight oil that honours your lines. This face oil is blended for mature skin using powerful, natural ingredients to praise your resilience and fortify your skin for years to come. Natural sources of vitamins A, C, and E encourage collagen production and quicken skin cell turnover while delivering antioxidants to slow photo-ageing and sun damage. This non-greasy oil moisturizes, preserves, and protects. 

Introduce stillness and relief to your day and find calm with Apathea Face Oil. Blended with natural, anti-inflammatory plant oils to bring you back to centre. Omega fatty acids soothe and strengthen your skin while vitamins A and E helps to improve skin’s cell function and accelerate healing. Nine oils combine to help reduce redness and rosacea in this non-greasy face oil. This minimal formula is blended to calm skin and find balance, naturally.

Harness your skin’s inner strength with this gentle and supportive Ataraxia Face Oil for sensitive skin. Blended with the most sensitive skin types in mind, this face oil soothes and enhances the integrity and function of your skin’s natural defence. This formulation holds vitamins A, C and E to help boost immunity, fight free radicals, and stimulates cell growth. Providing anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm irritation and reduce sensitivity while omega fatty acids help improve skin resilience and build your skin’s moisture barrier. This is a lightweight oil, free of any unnecessary synthetic ingredients and fragrance.This face oil supports the strength and function of your skin allowing the unnecessary to fade away.

Harmonia: Balancing Cream is great for solving Rosacea symptoms. As you rest, your skin is restored and revitalized. Formulated to soothe redness, hyperpigmentation, and even skin tone.  Harnessing the power of Golden Chamomile, Harmonia is formulated to soothe even the most sensitive skin. Effective at reducing redness, dryness and skin irritation. Featuring two high-potency oils, Argan & Seabuckthorn oil, this night cream has a rich texture yet silky smooth finish. Use daily in the evening after cleansing and any serum application.

Apokathario: Natural Chemical Exfoliant. There is nothing like the feeling of a deep clean. Your skin deserves the very best natural exfoliation. The formulation features nature’s best sources of Alpha Hydroxy Acids & Beta Hydroxy Acids. Featuring Canadian Willow Herb, Green Tea, Cucumber, Sugar Maple and Feverfew Extracts. This gel serum is formulated to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin types. No, you won’t feel any stinging or tingling. Just clean, cooling, moisturizing.

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.