Stark Skincare

SOLSTICE Ceramide Barrier Balm Serum

Name: SOLSTICE Ceramide Barrier Balm Serum
Brand: Stark Skincare
Price: 68.0 CAD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (26 reviews)

Moisturizer made for -30°C windchill.

$68.00

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Scent Solstice Scented Solstice Unscented

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One-time purchase

Keep your daily ritual fully stocked! Subscribe and save:

Deliver every 4 months, 10% off
Deliver every 2 months, 15% off

Auto-renews, skip or cancel anytime.

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In stock

free shipping: orders over $125. $10 flat rate for orders under $125.

Made in Canada

Key Functions: Soothing, Hydrating, Moisturizing, Protecting, Repairing, and Nourishing.

Best for: Sensitive, Dry, All skin types, Cold / Dry Weather, Transitional Seasons, and Mature

Some Key Ingredients: Ceramides

60 ml

Product Description

Skin Barrier Protection Balm for Environmental Defense

2026 Beauty Shortlist Awards: Winner for Best Balm for Dry Skin and Best Winter Balm
Creates a protective barrier against harsh environmental conditions while deeply moisturizing skin
Features Tremella and Shiitake mushrooms for hydration and skin defense
Contains ceramides to strengthen the skin's natural barrier
Soothes sensitive skin with anti-irritant bisabolol

Botanical Skincare Resilience in a jar

Solstice is a protective beauty balm serum/cream/balm hybrid that combines nourishing lipids and skin loving oils with targeted barrier-strengthening ingredients. The distinctive blue, creamy balm creates a protective layer on skin exposed to harsh environmental conditions while delivering soothing benefits.

Snow Mushroom and Edelweiss Skincare

Tremella (aka snow mushroom) acts as a natural skin humectant similar to hyaluronic acid while providing photo-protective and barrier-strengthening properties. Shiitake mushroom contributes B vitamins that soothe and protect skin. Complementing these fungal extracts are ceramides, which serve as essential building blocks for the skin's acid mantle, supporting optimal function even in challenging conditions.

The balm also includes bisabolol derived from chamomile, known for its anti-irritant, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties—especially beneficial for sensitive skin. Alpine-sourced Edelweiss extract contributes additional barrier support while offering protection against pollutants. Glycerin, a reliable humectant, maintains hydration levels. The buttery-soft formula creates a protective veil over the skin without feeling heavy, making it suitable as a final skincare step during harsh weather or as an overnight treatment.

SCENTED VERSION: The herbal aroma includes notes of yarrow, vetiver, and geranium adds a sensory dimension to application.
Also available in unscented (no essential oils, does have a naturally slightly nutty/cocoa scent)

Ingredients INCI

Ingredients INCI:

Garcinia indica (Kokum) Butter, Theobroma cacao (organic cocoa) butter, Mangifera indica seed butter, Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter, Glycine soja (non-GMO) butter, Jojoba Esters, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Camellia sinensis (organic green tea) seed oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate (and) Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil, Propanediol (and) Tremella Fuciformis (Snow Mushroom) Extract, Propanediol (and) Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake Mushroom) Extract, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuacu) Seed Butter, Ceramide NP, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Soy Lecithin, Phycocyanin, Leontopodium Alpinum (Edelweiss) Extract, Tocopherol (non-GMO vit. E), pure essential oils including yarrow.

Shipping:

Ships from Ottawa, Canada on Monday and/or Wednesday and/or Friday.
Shipping fees: $10 flat-rate shipping in North America.
Free Shipping: In Canada & USA for orders over $125.
Ships completely tariff-free to the USA (no surprise fees!)
International: No surface shipping. Please choose a tracked method if available. Customs & Duties depend on your country.

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Solstice ceramide barrier balm serum by Stark Skincare — protective barrier balm with ceramides and mushroom extract for extreme cold and dryness

Moisturizer made for -30°C windchill.

Using this Cream

Experience it

Our striking blue beauty balm transforms upon contact with warm fingertips into a silky, rich facial oil serum that glides across the skin, creating a protective barrier even in extreme weather. Bright geranium notes settle into earthy vetiver and therapeutic yarrow. Also available in Unscented with no essential oils. The balm absorbs gradually yet completely, leaving behind a healthy sheen that makes skin appear refreshed and fortified, with rough or irritated patches visibly calmed and hydration levels noticeably increased with continued use.

How to Use it

Massage a pea-sized amount onto slightly damp skin to lock in hydration while creating a protective overnight barrier against trans-epidermal water loss. During harsh winter months or in low-humidity environments, layer SOLSTICE over serums or lighter weight products (such as EQUINOX or CITY) before heading outdoors to shield skin from wind, cold, and pollution—allowing the mushroom extracts and ceramides to maintain barrier integrity throughout the day. For travelers facing airplane cabin dryness or those battling seasonal sensitivity, use SOLSTICE as a targeted treatment on areas prone to irritation or dehydration, reapplying as needed to maintain skin comfort and resilience against changing environmental conditions.

Why You Need it

SOLSTICE functions as your skin's environmental bodyguard, creating a shield against harsh weather, pollution, and artificial climate control while simultaneously delivering therapeutic ingredients that repair existing damage to your skin barrier. Unlike traditional heavy occlusives that simply sit on the surface, this facial moisturizer actively communicates with your skin through biomimetic ceramides and mushroom extracts that strengthen your skin's natural defense mechanisms, making it progressively more resilient with continued use.

Boreal Plants for skin strength 🖤 Clinically Proven Actives 🖤 Cruelty- Free 🖤 small batch freshness 🖤 Vegan formulas 🖤 no synthetic fragrance 🖤 No synthetic colours 🖤 in-house formulas 🖤 Boreal Plants for skin strength 🖤 Clinically Proven Actives 🖤 Cruelty- Free 🖤 small batch freshness 🖤 Vegan formulas 🖤 no synthetic fragrance 🖤 No synthetic colours 🖤 in-house formulas 🖤

Key Ingredients in SOLSTICE Ceramide Barrier Balm Serum

Snow Mushroom (Tremella Fuciformis) Extract

Holds up to 500 times its weight in water, outperforming hyaluronic acid in some studies. The smaller particle size means deeper penetration and longer-lasting hydration. Used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for exactly this reason.

Ceramide Complex

Ceramides are the essential lipids naturally found in your skin that help maintain its protective barrier and retain moisture. Our ceramide complex mimics your skin's natural structure to replenish and restore what time and environmental factors deplete. This powerhouse ingredient strengthens your skin's defense system, preventing moisture loss while protecting against irritants and pollution. By reinforcing the skin's natural barrier, ceramides help reduce sensitivity, dryness, and visible signs of aging—leaving skin looking healthier, plumper, and more resilient.

Bisabolol

Bisabolol is a soothing skincare ingredient derived from chamomile (though most cosmetic-grade bisabolol is now synthesized to match). It's known for calming redness and irritation, and it's gentle enough for sensitive skin. It also has mild antimicrobial properties and can help other ingredients absorb better.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you protect your skin in extreme cold weather?

Skin in extreme cold needs two things simultaneously: deep hydration and a physical barrier against wind and moisture loss. The most effective approach is layering — a hydrating serum like Equinox first to deliver humectants, then a barrier balm like Solstice on top to seal everything in and protect against windchill. Avoid hot showers which strip the barrier further, and apply your final barrier layer while skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture before heading outside.

What's the difference between a moisturizer and a barrier balm?

A moisturizer primarily delivers water or humectants to the skin's surface. A barrier balm goes further — it replenishes the structural lipids that hold skin cells together and prevent moisture from escaping in the first place. Think of it as the difference between filling a leaky bucket and fixing the hole. Solstice is formulated as a balm-serum hybrid, meaning it combines treatment-level actives like ceramides and mushroom extracts with the occlusive protection of a balm — making it more than a moisturizer but lighter than a traditional heavy balm.

What is snow mushroom and what does it do for skin?

Snow mushroom, or Tremella fuciformis, is a fungal extract that holds up to 500 times its weight in water — outperforming hyaluronic acid in some studies. Its particles are smaller than hyaluronic acid, allowing deeper penetration and longer-lasting hydration. Used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, it also provides photo-protective and barrier-strengthening benefits. Solstice uses Tremella alongside shiitake mushroom extract, which contributes B vitamins that soothe and protect stressed skin.

What does a skin barrier balm do?

A barrier balm reinforces your skin's outermost protective layer — the acid mantle — by replenishing the lipids and ceramides it loses to environmental stress, over-cleansing, and aging. Unlike a regular moisturizer that adds hydration to the surface, a barrier balm works structurally, filling the gaps between skin cells to reduce water loss and block irritants. Solstice combines ceramides, snow mushroom, and a blend of plant butters to do both simultaneously — hydrating and sealing in one step.

Why does skin get so dry in winter?

Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, so every breath of winter wind pulls hydration from your skin. Indoor heating compounds the problem by creating artificially dry air that accelerates trans-epidermal water loss. For those in genuinely cold climates — think -20°C or lower — this cycle strips the skin barrier faster than most moisturizers can replace it. Solstice was formulated specifically for this condition, using ceramides and snow mushroom extract to reinforce the barrier against extreme cold and wind rather than just sitting on top of it.

5 stars: 26 (100%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Beautifully crafted, hydrates skin need a bigger

Beautifully crafted, hydrates skin need a bigger Jar!

Wow!!!

First impression oh my....I think I am addicted to this scent. I am starting to apply this daily to protect my skin from the change of season and heated office and the cold that is starting to come. No breakouts from this and a little goes a long way. I look forward to using it, it if I could I'd use it all over I would. Another amazing product, Jess perfects all of her products! Thank you!! :)

It is perfect.

From the colour to the scent to the lasting moisture and protection, I love this product. Recently, I applied it before a 10k trail run and I was thrilled with how my skin felt even after the workout in cold & windy temperatures. It is perfect.

Better barrier care

I got this for my partner, who hates skincare but needs some kind of comforting, semi-occlusive balm for his grumpy, rosacea-y face. Scents bug him and plain Vaseline and Aquaphor type stuff was *too* occlusive. (Made his face "hot," also bad for laundry.) The unscented version of this has been a real boon. It's quite expensive compared to the drugstore alternatives, but 1) it has further skincare benefits, 2) it's more ecologically sound, and 3) most important, he actually ENJOYS using it. And I'd rather buy from a small business, anyway. Now I have to keep him in pricey blue face balm forever, but I do not mind at all. <3 Thanks, Stark.

Absolutely LOVE

I was hesitant to order products from Stark because my barrier was already compromised and I didn't know if the botanicals would irritate my skin more. I've used other brands with botanical heavy ingredients and that led to more irritation, burning, stinging, dermatitis, etc. I am so happy that I had no reaction to this product and that it feels so deeply nourishing and healing. Living in dry Alberta with harsh winters has my skin drinking this balm up. Thank you Jess, excited to try more from you!

Just what my skin needs...

Just what my skin needs to protect my skin for a good walk on a cold Canadian day!

Luscious, deep moisture

Solstice is a salve in every sense of the word. I purchased with hopes of increased hydration in the transition to winter weather, and this balm delivers in spades. A little goes a long way: I use it on along my hairline, down my neck/chest, and on my face's driest points — including around my nose, which is my favourite place to apply because I get to enjoy the incredible scent. The vibrant colour makes an already-divine product feel even more luxe. No notes!

A new favourite.

I am a long time Stark user and very loyal to Aurora balm and City oil, but Solstice is a new top contender. I use it mixed with a serum overnight when i want deeper hydration or just rub some into my skin before going outside when the winter weather is harsh. It does not irritate or breakout my dry sensitive skin and prevents tightness or flaking from sub zero weather.

My favorite product from stark

This is my favorite balm from stark. I've been using Jess's products for a decade and this is definitely my fave product. It feels like a barrier against my skin and the world. I work in construction and have a horse on a hobby farm and swim in the ocean daily. My face gets paint, dust, hay, sea water on it alllll day every day and this balm keeps my skin nice and hydrated even against all these weird elements I encounter.

This sublime comfort balm is aptly named ! It is just so beautiful in every way. I have been using it as my last skincare step to seal everything in, now that we’ve entered Winter in my part if the world. It’s a very interesting balm in that it is super hydrating yet ligtweight and easy to spread across the face (just warm it up between your fingers for extra smooth spreading :)
Also blue is my favourite colour and I love opening up that beautiful jar each night and marvelling at its beauty.

The ingredients are fantastic too as usual and I was particularly excited to use a product with Tremella Fuciformis as I’d been reading up about it and hearing about it online for internal use but this is the first time I’ve seen it in skincare.

Honestly, I am so impressed. I have used Stark skincare in the past but being from Australia shipping deterred me a little from continued purchase but it won’t anymore!

Thank you Diana!

Honestly, I am so impressed. I have used Stark skincare in the past but being from Australia shipping deterred me a little from continued purchase but it won’t anymore!

Thank you Diana!

Love It

Amazing product, I found this in my sister's skincare routine. My kids were so happy to find the little goodies shipped with my skincare. Thank you Jess for making their day! <3

Great for dry skin

I love Solstice! I was using a moisturizer at the end of last year, and my skin still felt really dry afterward. But with this balm, my skin feels hydrated. It's a beautiful, vibrant blue color, and I love the scent. I always want to have a jar of this in my routine.

Obsessed with Solstice

Long time user of Aurora but solstice might be taking its place. It’s so soothing! And I’ve been using us as a protective barrier when I’m out in winter wind and as a slug over retinol cream before bed. My winter skin loves it. Aurora is still my go-to for a deep cleanse and hydrating mask, but solstice is what I use when I need soothing and protection.

Lovely texture

Soft putty texture (in a good way) in the jar, immediate melts down in my hand to apply smoothly

My FAVOURITE face balm!!

I'm truly obsessed with this product. The quality of the balm is impeccable, it's so soft and moisturizing and it smells lovely. This is a staple in my daily skincare routine and I can't go a day without it. Jess is a genius!

Lovely dense cream

I use this when my skin is super dry or gonna be super dried out.

Savoring

The fragrance that every product I receive from Stark is so blissful and complimentary that I use them sparingly so as to save them forever. Solstice is another of my new favorites. When I use it, I feel I am taking better care of myself. Thank you

Love it!

It arrived just in time for a -22C week and made such a difference! Instead of feeling my face dry up while waiting for transit, it felt like I had a nice moisture shield protecting my face. It didn't feel heavy fat all either! I am so impressed with Solstice!

Comfort

This balm is just perfect. It took a bit of trial and error for me to find how best to work with it. Putting it on damp skin was a game-changer: I use mist, serum, cream/oil, more mist, Solstice. For me, it takes a bit to settle over everything, but it’s still my preferred use. It doesn’t fully sink in for a bit, but I love its cushiony feel and I wake up to skin that feels and looks happy and calm (and yummy? I don’t why that adjective comes to mind, but it does, consistently, when I use Solstice!). On very dry winter days, I use it in the morning, too, and the slight tack that it leaves makes a fantastic primer for my SPF and makeup.

Incredibly moisturizing

I wake up the next morning and have never had softer skin and applies like a dream!

Winter skin saviour

Let Solstice warm up in your hand and it becomes a serum that can be layered with other products. Apply it full strength as a moisturizer or even slug it on at night and let your skin benefit from an overnight solstice mask. It just soaks in and voilà, insta-glow in the morning! I have used Solstice in all of these ways since it’s launch with only positive results !

Lovin Solstice...

Winter is finally here.Lovin Solstice...keeps my skin hydrated and incredibly soft. Very happy with my choice .

This is so soothing

This is a lovely, creamy serum balm that is super soothing and moisturizing

perfect for dry winter cheeks

I love the smell! I've used this on my son's cheeks, too. I have to hide it now because he asks for it. :)

Must have for dry, irritated skin!

I’ve been using Stark products for several years but have found my skin to be irritated, chapped and dry lately (especially during winter). The Solstice Comfort Balm Serum is exactly what my skin was craving. I put this on last and find it really helps soothe and smooth the dry patches on my face.

SOLSTICE Ceramide Barrier Balm Serum