Seasonal Skincare : The Winter Edit
Maintain your summer glow and protect your skin from the changing environment with the help of today's roundup - a tried and tested compilation of the best that the beauty world has to offer us by way of rich, soothing, nourishing EVERYTHING.
Because when the seasons change, so should your skincare routine.
A lighter, buttery version of the cult favourite, the Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser* is ideal for those mid-winter mornings where your only skincare goals are moisture and nourishment. This thick balm instantly melts when warmed between the fingers and provides an indulgent start to your day with a complex blend of plant oils and fruit extracts which decongests, exfoliates, and tones skin in one simple step.
For the ultimate daytime skin treat, Sisley's Confort Extreme Day Cream* provides a protective layer of moisture and nourishment which reinforces the skin's natural defences. Enriched with extracts of Arnica and Echinacea, this rich, creamy formula soothes even the driest of skin types, leaving tight skin feeling instantly soft and relaxed. I find this the perfect base for makeup - it leaves my skin soft but devoid of a greasy film, and prevents my foundation from clinging to the dry areas of my face.
As soon as the temperatures start to drop, a cleansing oil makes it into my skincare routine. My favourite? The DHC Pore Cleansing Oil*. With a thick consistency more akin to a serum than an oil, this will leave your skin feeling insanely soft and smooth - removing the last traces of your makeup and deep-cleansing your pores whilst pampering your skin with it's rich cocktail of hydrating and anti-oxidising botanical oils.
In order to boost the effects of your serums, oils, and moisturisers, seek products with a high hyaluronic acid count. Eve Lom's Intense Hydration Serum* locks moisture into the skin for long-lasting ultra-effective hydration - expect skin to be smoother, brighter, and softer than ever. A miracle product if you have especially dry skin, pair this with a rich serum and thick moisturiser and you'll see results before the first snow falls.
Skincare treats from Nars are always going to have hero status in my books, and their Restorative Night Treatment* renders no disappointment. A thick gel which transforms into a light, velvety oil upon application, this indulgent wonder-product smoothes and hydrates dull, dehydrated complexions. Apply generously and expect silky soft skin and a luminous glow come morning.
Sarah Chapman's Skinesis Overnight Facial* is a worldwide bestseller, an indulgent blend of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and essential oils which plumps and boosts the complexion whilst you sleep. It's rich, luxe, and so so major. Love at first use. Aside from providing an instant injection of moisture, daily use will inspire a luminous dewy glow in the driest and dullest complexions. Use by night, and take the time to massage in this silky oil in order to calm damaged, pigmented, and uneven skin. And most importantly, believe the hype.
I am very rarely enamoured of a particular night cream, and am equally incredibly unfussy with my choices - my requirements seek only something which provides an intensive layer of moisture without a greasy film. I recently struck gold however with the discovery of Radical's Restorative Moisturiser* - an ultra-light but uber hydrating cream which cools and soothes my skin upon application, and leaves it feeling super soft and hydrated come morning. Could this be The One?
In the winter months my sensitive skin becomes particularly fussy, and VERY easily aggravated. I keep exfoliation (particularly of the manual kind) to a minimum, and use only Murad's AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser twice a week pre-mask. It contains only a few exfoliating particles so doesn't aggravate my skin, but works super effectively via its inclusion of chemical exfoliants (glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids). Minimal effort, profound effects.
Aesop's Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque may be clay-based and deeply cleansing, but IS aimed at dry and sensitive skin types, so meets all of the requirements of your winter home facial. A do-it-all gem if ever there was one, expect skin to feel smooth, calm, and refreshed without a hint of the dry, tight feeling characteristic of most clay-based products. Easy-peasy skincare.
If my skin is looking at all dull and lacklustre, or I'm suffering from particularly dry and dehydrated then the Origins Drinkup Intensive Overnight Mask is guaranteed to feature on the evening's skincare agenda. It's effects are almost instantaneous, and quite something given that this fairly priced tube can be easily found in high-street giant Boots. Having just perused through the year's skincare diaries I've realised that this mask is something of an annual favourite - it seems to tick the boxes required of skincare of every season, and I rarely go a week without applying it at least once. If you buy one thing this season, let it be this.
What are your winter skincare essentials?
G x
To stay updated on future posts you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Bloglovin.
*PR sample