Edition’s Daisy Dickinson and writer of Not the Nine to Five shares her tips on winter skincare
Festive celebrations are well and truly over. We ate, we drank, and we were very merry – all great, but it does nothing for our skin (or our waistlines!). You know the drill, January is here and it’s time to make resolutions, but rather than stressing over when you’re going to finally take up that gym membership, why not start with some simple TLC – treating your winter-whipped skin to some extra nourishment.
Just like your wardrobe and make-up, you should also reassess your skincare routine with the change in season, and consider how to care for the ill effects of winter wind and chills. Upping your hydration is the first step, and there are some beautiful products out there to help you.
Clean and Calm
Winter can make normal skin sensitive and dry, so look for a gentle cleanser to keep your skin happy. Head to Lush in the Lion Yard and ask about their skincare range. Ultrabland (£7.50, Lush) is a simple and effective creamy cleanser made with almond oil, rose water, beeswax and honey. It easily removes all traces of dirt and make-up, without stripping away your skin’s natural defences.
Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Hot Cloth Cleanser (£22.50, Marks & Spencer) is a hardworking all-in-one for gently but effectively removing dirt and make-up. Made with soothing ingredients, it’s ideal for those a little sensitive.
Yes Chef
If you’re a keen cook, take a look around your kitchen to see what you can whip together to satisfy your skin’s hunger. Mix together sugar and oil, with a little of your favourite cleanser, and smooth over your face gently exfoliating away tired skin, or mash up bananas, oats and honey for a nourishing face mask. Use manuka honey for its antibacterial and healing properties.
Remember Angela Langford from Masterchef? You may not know that Angela also has a self-named skincare company offering natural skin treats. New to the collection is Rest & Regenerate (£39, angelalangford.com), a nourishing night balm made with avocado, macadamia and pumpkin. Smooth this on before bed and you’ll wake up to happy skin!
Hyper Hydrated
Skin looks better in the summer as we tend to drink more, exercise more and generally live more healthily. Come winter it’s easy to slip into a less-than-ideal routine, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, but also replacing lost hydration by upping your moisturising hit. Voya’s new Pearlesque (£52, voya.ie) is an ultra-nourishing facial moisturiser containing rose of Jericho and algae extract with a scent of sweet orange essential oil.
If you’re braving the cold, head to Space.NK on Green Street and introduce yourself to the Oskia range. The Restoration Oil (£60, Space.NK) does what it says on the tin and is packed with delicate ingredients to help MOT your skin and boost vitality. Add a couple of drops to clean skin to improve elasticity and hydration for a healthy, radiant complexion. For extra soothing power, try the Oskia Renaissance Mask (£48.50, Space.NK) which carries calming rose and camomile.
I’m a huge Murad fan; any skin complaints have always been answered for me with a quick trip to the counter in John Lewis in the Grand Arcade. A favourite product is the Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture (£64, John Lewis). Perfect for winter, this ultra-rich, unscented cream can be used morning and night. It’s intense enough to offer eight hours of moisture, without leaving skin greasy. For those getting more sun exposure, try the Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (£39, John Lewis) which contains powerful antioxidants to protect the skin from aging and radical damage.
Eyes Wide
They say eyes are the windows to your soul, so make sure they’re in tip-top condition with a decent eye cream. Pop along to Debenhams in the Grafton Centre and pick up a pot of Clinique All About Eyes (£26.50, Debenhams) . This lightweight gel formula is a godsend for keeping dryness away, but if those late nights have got the better of you give Skinshop’s Dry Eye Concealer (£11.95, skinshop.co.uk) a go. Dare I say it but this actually replaces my cult favourite YSL Touché Éclat for its effectiveness in covering a multitude of skin sins; bags, veins, dryness and redness are all covered while also being calmed and treated with an illuminating hint.
How to Apply Eye Cream
When you’re tired the body produces cortisol which increases the volume of blood in your body and can cause increased darkness under the eyes. To help drain this away tap your eye cream under your eyes without rubbing and roll your index finger from side to side across the area, working from inner to outer eye.
Take Control
Don’t know where to start? Skyn Iceland offers a Winter Rehab Kit (£40, Marks & Spencers) which is your first aid for winter worries. Made up of the most comforting and nourishing formulas, the products are designed to hydrate, replenish, and revitalise skin stressed by harsh winter weather and includes face wash, cream cleanser, Arctic elixir serum, firming eye gels and an Icelandic Relief Eye Pen.
For those looking to achieve spa results at home, the hand-held PMD Personal Microderm (£150, personalmicroderm.co.uk) delivers incredible skin-purifying results similar to microdermabrasion treatments offered in spas, and for sensitive skin, the most effective at-home treatment I’ve found that doesn’t irritate is Murad’s Intensive-C Radiance Peel (£49.50, John Lewis), a fruity cream product that makes skin look brighter immediately after use.
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