13 Self Heating Beauty Products To Keep You Warm

Horrible news: our one day of temperate fall appears to be over and winter is hot on its heels. Not literally — "hot" is basically wishful thinking now temperatures will dip and the cold will become inescapable. And with a definite chill in the air, it's time to get down to business. The best offense is a good defense, which is a very soccer coach way to say "grab your wallets, get to the Internet and start scouting the new beauty technology that promises to make it better." Self-heating beauty products that come in the form of masks, cleansers, creams, and lotions are a real thing. And you need some of them in your life.

Truly one of science's greatest achievements, IMO, self-heating technology appears to have been around for the past few years, but only recently has it really crept into our hearts and Sephoras. Supposedly, the formulas use heat to do things like "open the pores and rid the skin of impurities, excess sebum, and makeup," as the description for the Sephora cleanser listed below claims. While things like steam and hot washcloths do soften the barrier of the skin, according to FutureDerm, they're not necessarily magic cures for purging your pores.

Regardless, that's besides the point here — this is about temporary relief in the face of chilliness, and with ingredients like arginine, ginger and vanilla butyl ether, which help increase blood flow, they definitely do that. Throw one of them in your bag (face washing at the office, the new frontier) or stock up for at-home relief before your building's heat kicks on.

1. A Warming Cleanser

SEPHORA COLLECTION Ultimate Warming Cleanser, $18, Sephora

Sephora's Warming Cleanser is currently listed as "only a few left" in stock, the surest sign of groupmind. Always nice to know you're not alone — with a warm feel and maple sap extract to dissolve makeup and excess oil, the cleanser is sauna-soothing as it gets the job done.

2. When Hot Water Isn't Enough

Origins Warm Down™ Warming Lava Scrub to Detox and Smooth, $35, Sephora

Origins' Lava Scrub saves the day. It's intended to relax muscles and detox skin post-workout, but I'm here to say: no workout necessary.

3. A Relaxing Eye Treatment

KAO Megurhythm Steam Hot Eye Mask, $15, Amazon

Kao Megurhythm's Steam Hot Eye Mask looks a little frightening at first, but with 151 great reviews on Amazon, they can't all be wrong. A quick fix when a hot washcloth is too much effort or too far away from your bed, the masks are great for those with dry eyes or the weight of the world on their shoulders. Multiple reviewers mention almost falling asleep with them on.

4. A High-Tech Heating Solution

UThermic Coldscreen Cold Weather Protection, $23, Uthermic

Fully funded via Indiegogo, U°THERMIC created Coldscreen to fight the elements with an extra, chemical layer of warmth. Like sunscreen, but for cold — as the name implies.

5. A Vintage Katy Perry-Style Facial

Caolion Premium Hot & Cool Pore Pack Duo, $32, Amazon

Korean brand Caolion's duo claims the steam pack purges impurities and exfoliates dead skin, while the original tightens up pores and and calms skin. No scientific bonus to humming "Hot N Cold" as you use it, but it can't hurt morale.

6. A Warming Clay Mask

The Body Shop's Mineral & Ginger Warming Massage Clay Mask, $18, The Body Shop

This mask warms on contact with wet skin, with go-to kaolin clay to suck grime out of pores while the quick dose of heat relaxes skin.

7. A Toasty Anti-Blackhead Cleanser

BIORÉ Complexion Clearing Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser, $6, Amazon

Biore's cleanser puts acne on blast with "pore-opening heat" to" remove problem-causing dirt and impurities." Charcoal packs an added punch, as it's rumored to grab onto oil and lift it out of skin, according to Women's Health.

8. Seeing Red (Ointment)

Tiger Balm Red, $9, Amazon

A hot spin on the traditional Tiger Balm, this salve combines old-school packaging with an ointment that's always been the go-to for muscle relaxation. Add in the warming aspect, and it'll get you through any damp fall day.

9. Scrub Your Way Warm

St. Ives Warming Scrub (2-pack), $10, Amazon

A new spin on the line known for their OG apricot product, this guy relies on sugar, jojoba and Vitamin E-rich sunflower oil to cleanse skin. Relaxed pores, relaxed self, right?

10. A Vitamin-Packed Powerhouse

Somme Institute Boost Warming Mask, $40, Amazon

Somme Institute's mask isn't kidding around. With vitamins A, C, E, B3 and B5, plus pumpkin enzymes and "minerals," the treatment leaves skin warm and refreshed.

11. A Medical-Grade Solution

ProNeema Hand and Body Lotion, Raspberry & Mint, $15, ProNeema

Created to increase blood flow in those suffering from diabetes or to help with Raynaud's syndrome, where some areas of the body feel numb or cold, the line is packed with moisturizing Neem and Arginine to increase warmth. Not the most aesthetically appealing packaging, but it means business.

12. Tread Gingerly

Innisfree Ginger Oil Warming Mask, $16, Amazon

Tapping into ginger's anti-inflammatory and energizing properties, this mask exfoliates dirt and dead skin cells while warming you up for a few minutes.

13. A Hair Nourishing Self-Starter

L'ORÉAL Oleo Therapy Self-Heating Hot Oil Intense Repair Treatment, $13, Ulta

This self-heating hair treatment is like a head massage in an ampoule, or as close as I'm going to get before I can coax my roommate into her masseuse career. Benefits include way shinier, healthy-looking hair.

Images: Courtesy Brands