Winter is undoubtedly the worst season for taking its toll on your skin. The combination of cold winds and central heating can wreak havoc on the best of complexions, so I’ve pulled together a selection of my favourite products on the market at the moment to help ease the burden of sensitive, inflamed or dry winter skin and get you glowing again in time for party season!
A good cleanser that doesn’t dry out the skin is a winter essential. Vitage’s Revitalising Daily Cleanser (£24 for 200ml, for stockists call 0845 555 2121) is a water soluble gel that changes into a luxurious foam with the addition of water that effectively removes daily impurities and traces of make up, leaving skin clean and soft without feeling tight as foaming cleansers often can. Containing the powerful multi-functional anti-oxidant Organic Maté and a potent cocktail of antioxidant vitamins to help repair and prevent environmental skin damage, it’s great at protecting against the elements. Yes to Blueberries’ Age Refresh Smoothing Daily Cleanser (£12.99 for 127g, www.victoriahealth.com) naturally blend anti-oxidant rich fruits with ingredients to help fight the signs of aging; blueberries contain Vitamin C and anthocyanins to help fight the formation of free radicals that can damage skin’s microstructure, coconut oil leaves skin feeling soft and smooth after cleansing, apple is rich in powerful polyphenol antioxidants and natural alpha hydroxy acids – helping to refresh and brighten the skin’s surface – and lemon peel is a naturally derived cleanser to help sweep away dirt and grime while smoothing and brightening the skin.
Keeping skin well moisturised is crucial in winter, which is where Liz Earle’s Superskin Moisturiser comes in (£12.75 for 15ml or £34.50 for 50ml, available at John Lewis). Intensely replenishing, it’s specially formulated to help mature or very dry skin look and feel rejuvenated. The rich, fragrance-free moisturizer contains a powerful blend of high quality naturally active ingredients to smooth, plump and replenish for healthy, youthful looking skin. Cranberry seed oil, borage oil and rosehip oil as well as pomegranate fruit extract and vitamin E all help prevent from environmental damage, prevent moisture loss and improve skin elasticity. For a more luxurious touch, BeautyLab’s CR1 Moisturiser (£40 for 30ml, www.beautylabshop.com) is a deeply hydrating moisturiser containing anti-aging collagen tripeptide microspheres to stimulate collagen and reduce the signs of wrinkles. Uniquely blended with Liquid Diamond for thermal electromagnetic properties and Ruby to promote cell energy and healing, the CR1 Moisturiers leaves skin with a lustrous radiant luminosity, while neroli and camomile provide a silky smooth finish to the skin.
To make the most of your moisturiser, apply over SkinCeuticals’ Hydrating B5 Gel (£59 for 30ml, for stockists call www.nakedhealth.co.uk) ). A moisture-enhancing fluid with high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, the body’s natural hydrator and vitamin B5, known to help with tissue repair, Hydrating B5 replenishes nutrients the skin needs to feel smoother and appear younger. Use 3-5 drops on cleansed skin before moisturizing to maximise the benefits of your daily moisturiser.
It’s the time of year where common skin complaints might need an extra special helping hand to calm down. SkinMedica’s Redness Relief Calmplex (£64 for 45g, for stockists visit www.skinbrands.co.uk) is clinically proven to reduce skin redness whilst rehydrating and nourishing the skin – the ingredients directly act on Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a major contributing factor for visible redness and pigmentation. Key ingredients include niacinamide, squalene and jojoba oil to help improve the skin’s barrier function for added protections against the harsh winter environment, help reduce sebum production so skin stays blemish free and provide a deep moisturisation and calming anti-inflammatory properties.
For extremely dry or damaged skin, Essential Care’s Organic Ultra Rich (£8.50 for 50g or £18.00 for 175g, available from www.essential-care) was originally formulated as an emollient for eczema and psoriasis, but this nourishing blend is a must for any dry and sensitive skin conditions on the face or body. Absorbed deep into the skin layers to rehydrate and support the protective skin barrier without blocking the pores as petroleum oils do, the balm is created with totally natural ingredients including organic olive oil, organic coconut oil, organic shea butter, St John's Wort and beeswax.
Of course the face isn’t the only thing that suffers in the cold. Not forgetting superb skincare for the body, Elemis’s Tranquil Touch Body Polish (£20 for 150ml, available at www.timetospa.co.uk) from the new Sp@Home range contains natural rice exfoliator to gently sweep away impurities and soften the skin. Cupuacu butter smoothes and conditions, whilst essential oils of patchouli, madarin and ginger help enhance your mood. If your budget won’t quite stretch to Elemis, try Rose & Co. Apothecary’s Rose & Patchouli Body Polish (£12 for 200g www.rose-apothecary.co.uk> is a smoothing, non-drying body scrub with a blend of sugar and salt suspended in sunflower oil, cocoa butter, beeswax and vitamin E. It leaves the skin beautifully soft and scented with an exotic blend of rose and patchouli oils. Follow with the Rose & Patchouli Body Butter (£10 for 130g), a rich aromatic body butter containing natural oils and butters to soothe and nourish dry skin. For ultra sensitive skin, Amakai Skincare’s Pure Body Sauce (£20 for 150ml www.amakaiskincare.com>) contains nothing but filtered spring water, Gold label coconut oil, grade A shea butter and their certified organic plant based preservative system.
And last but by no means least, for dry hands and chapped lips my go-to products of the moment come courtesy of Sisley. The Confort Extrême Mains Hand Cream with Harpagophytum (£58.50, available at Harrods & Harvey Nichols) is a complete hand care product combining hydration, nutrition, repair and protection. Its unique combination of botanical extracts with nourishing and repairing (Shea Butter and Sunflower Oil) and moisturizing properties (Guava and Carrot Extracts) instantly soothes and lastingly protects. Non-greasy, non-sticky, it’s easily absorbed and leaves hands feeling super soft and replenished. The Nutritive Lip Balm (£39.50) formula is rich in soothing, emollient and protective lipids which provide lips with moisture and protection. The melting texture is naturally coloured by its own ingredients and leaves the lips feeling comfortable and supple. A combination of oils (hazelnut, plum kernel, sunflower), shea butter and kokum butter helps to re-hydrate and plump the lips as well as repair and restore lipid levels for an instantly kissable pout!
Love Laurel x
