Is Scandinavian skincare as cool as Nordic noir?

Scandinavian dramas. Love. Scandinavian decoration. Love. Scandinavian vacation. Really love. But since i am going through a british winter, i thought i would look into scandi skincare. Plus, I’m going to the Abba Voyage concert (does that count as another reason to explore the wealth of cleansers, oils, and serums now available that bring Nordic nous to your vanity?).

‘Scandinavia’ generally refers to Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and products that come from these countries tend to share common characteristics: minimalism; natural ingredients native to or inspired by the Scandinavian countryside (think berries); deep cleaning; energetic moisturizers to counteract the cold; and sustainability.

Foreo is a Swedish brand that specializes in high-tech devices with designs that blend form with function. Its new Luna 4 series features a cleansing and firming massager in one (£269). A sort of ‘brush’ made from ultra-soft, super-hygienic silicone, it uses transdermal sonic pulsations to help remove 99 percent of dirt, oil and makeup residue, exfoliate and prep skin for products, and provide a Deeper clean in 60 seconds than simply using your hands to apply the cleaner.

With multiple cleansing modes plus five massage patterns, from deep tissue to shiatsu, it’s like a spa in the palm of your hand and I adore its scrupulous cleanliness. Since it’s a hefty investment, it’s worth taking a look at Foreo’s previous Luna models and travel sizes. Use it with Foreo’s cleaner (£41.99) or your own (just make sure it’s not grainy or silicone or clay based, as these can damage the device).

Another way to clean comes courtesy of Green People’s Nordic Roots, a fabulously functional natural and organic line that draws on founder Charlotte Vøhtz’s Danish upbringing and includes ingredients from the region. Their Cranberry Micellar Foam (£20) contains micelles, molecules that remove dirt and makeup from skin and pores, combined with sustainable apple cellular water to boost elasticity and antioxidant-rich cranberry. She leaves skin feeling like it’s been splashed in a mountain stream. Even her eco-friendly outer boxes are made from Storch, which, as she’s asking, is 25 percent grass and requires less energy to produce.

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Speaking of mountain freshness, facial mists are finding favor as a method of delivering active ingredients in a fast-absorbing format (the layer of serum or oil on top helps lock in moisture). Marina Miracle’s Flower Berry Essence (£30), which acts as a toner and moisturizer, is particularly effective. With hyaluronic acid, a probiotic ferment to reinforce the skin’s barrier, and cucumber, elderflower, raspberry and strawberry, it soothes but provides
in the glow

Made in Norway in small batches, the brand is the brainchild of Marina Engervik, who suffered from childhood eczema and teenage acne, which inspired her to create plant-based skincare products and study probiotic formulas. She’s a whiz with oils, a popular way to moisturize right now, known to protect skin in harsh weather conditions and help balance sebum production. Unusually fluid, Marina Miracle’s Herbal Face Oil (£36) is super smoothing with a non-skincare scent.
typical, rather, authentically natural.

In terms of that Nordic simplicity, skincare doesn’t come down any further than at Fjor, a brand that so far only has a genderless hero serum for all skin types (£97). It features a hydrolytic enzyme, developed by a Swedish biotech company, that acts like a protective film, helping to create a prosperous balance of supportive microorganisms, while moisturizing, reducing redness, and protecting against pollution.

All the good things. Now for the bad… to see some Scandinavian crime.

Read last week’s column: The Best Lip Balms to Banish Winter’s Dry Lips