This winter is playing absolute havoc with my skin; the combination of terrible weather, drying winds and hydration-zapping central heating is a nightmare. Add to that the fact that at the ripe age of 30 I now appear to not only be getting wrinkles, but also seem to have regressed back to the zitty blemish-ridden skin of my teenage years, and my sorry little face is a disaster zone.
While the road to skin recovery may be a long and winding one, I've found a good crop of hero products which I've come to rely on in recent weeks to get me through the grey days in the hope that come spring I might have my old face back.
After taking of my make up with my failsafe Clarins Water Comfort One-Step Cleanser with peach Essential Water (£20 www.clarins.co.uk) - which dissolves everything in one fell swoop - a decent cleanser is always the best place to start. This one might have taken me years to discover, but it's worth the wait. The Eve Lom Cleanser (£55 for 100ml www.evelom.com) was described by Vogue as ‘probably the best cleanser in the world' - a title which is certainly justified. The balm, with its signature blend of four aromatic plant oils, is massaged into dry skin before the supplied 100% cotton muslin cloth is rinsed in hot water and placed on the face for a few seconds to open the pores, before gently wiping off the product. Repeated three times, it results in a seriously thorough cleanse and gentle exfoliation, removing all traces of dirt without stripping the skin. The result is instantly more glowing, radiant skin which continues improving with use.
When it comes to scrubbing, I personally dislike those with the little manmade beads - they never really feel like they're doing anything. My all-time favourite face scrub has to be Sisley's Gentle Facial Buffing Cream (www.sisley-paris.com), which produces amazing results even on delicate skin, but at £55 it's a pricey special treat. A more affordable alternative is the brilliant Boots Botanics Radiant Youth Microdermabrasion Polish (£7.99 www.boots.com. Developed with active plant extracts approved by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, its wet-sand texture really gets down and dirty with flaky skin and blocked pores, leaving skin totally refined and super soft.
Beauty editors have long been advocating the use of facial oils as part of one's daily routine; contrary to popular belief they don't actually make skin greasier. Though not quite necessarily qualifying in that category, the Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules (£63 www.timetospa.co.uk have certainly improved my winter-ravaged skin. Use one pink rose capsule in the morning to stimulate micro circulation and vitality, followed in the evening with one green lavender capsule to repair the skin and encourage a peaceful night's sleep, and they will help to renew skin's elasticity and youthfulness.
I've recently been introduced to MyChelle, a beauty brand from the USA which is sure to make waves over here. I have a sneaking suspicions the MyChelle Dermaceuticals Hydrating Cactus Mask (£21 www.naturismo.com) is going to become a bathroom favourite. Prickly pear cactus and blue agave extract help reduce redness and irritation, soothe sensitive skin and protect the skin from environmental stress while lavender oil provides antiseptic benefits and promotes healing.
A richly indulgent night cream is a winter skincare must-have and my current favourite has to be the deeply nutritious Make a Difference Night Cream by Origins (£34.50 www.origins.co.uk). Perfect for replenishing moisture levels while you sleep, the ultra-hydrating formula helps lock in surface moisture and support skin’s natural nighttime self-repair ability. It pretty much does what it says on the tin. I love it.
Love Laurel x
