SEASONAL SKINCARE : THE WINTER EDIT

With the onset of winter the elements plays havoc upon our skin, and our complexions pay the price for the harsh cold and dry air with the tell-tale signs of flakiness, dehydration, and inflammation. We can all benefit from a skincare upgrade tailored to combat the results of the weather’s worst upon our skin during the cold months ahead; so as you get set to do battle with winter warfare [short-tempered Christmas-shoppers, black ice, and broken boilers] invest in a skincare artillery to fight back against parched, flaky, sallow skin this winter.

EVE LOM Morning Time Cleanser*

Bringing hope to those who typically wake up on a winter morning with a lacklustre complexion, Eve Lom’s Morning Time Cleanser acts like a mini facial to take the sallowness out of skin and replace it with a healthy, fresh-faced glow. Like the original cleanser, this indulgent balm contains antiseptic clove oil, softening chamomile, and toning hops oil, as well as eucalyptus to draw away toxins. The result? Skin is left fresh, clean, and balanced. In addition, the formula also harnesses the brightening powers of carrot oil and papaya fruit enzymes, this cleanser is all about radiance.

MALIN+GOETZ Replenishing Facial Cream*

A nutrient-rich, restorative face cream that sits well under makeup is hard to find, but Malin+Goetz have modernised the premise of the age old basic essential moisturiser with their amino acid-based Replenishing Face Cream. Rich in nutrients and botanical extracts, this goes above and beyond in delivering intensive hydration alongside a potent cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants that repair and protect an imbalanced complexion. I typically reach for this on mornings when my skin is in need of rescue from the elements - it offers instant relief thanks to a comforting cocooning sensation, and the grease-free texture primes skin perfectly for foundation application.

CHANTECAILLE Healing Emulsion*

The formula camouflages redness, soothes irritation and brightens pigmentation to deliver that longed-for calm, even-toned complexion. It also contains extracts of hydrating white lily; jasmine to condition skin and stimulate cell renewal; and Cellusoothe TCM, which acts as a free-radical fighter and eliminates toxins. Like all Chantecaille products, the texture is a revelation, too, penetrating skin at lightening speed. Results are so convincing that you may even be persuaded to ditch your concealer. Forever.

OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel*

No winter skincare regime is complete without a luxuriously indulgent cleanser; come the colder months our complexions require a product that aims to do far more than just cleanse. This gel-to-oil formula melts into the skin to remove makeup and impurities whilst delivering a potent blend of vitamins and enzymes, which gently exfoliate, fortify, and hydrate. Notably, this season’s most serious skincare pick-me-up, Vitamin A, acts like an instant illuminator, revealing bright, clear skin that feels overwhelmingly soft and supple. Think of this cleanser as a one-stop method to restoring your summer glow.

SISLEY Black Rose Precious Facial Oil*

Typically overshadowed and outsmarted by facial serums, oils have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. This lightweight, non-greasy formula contains a concentration of ten active ingredients, all chosen for their nourishing properties, which sink easily into the skin - leaving it soft, moisturised, and radiant. This was an instant hit for me [and my dehydrated complexion] for its ability to restore balance and vitality to my dull winter skin - you know you’re onto a winner when that post-facial glow is visible after a single use.

SJAL Intense Hydration Creme*

I’ve become fixated with the premise that healthy skin comes from hydrated skin. Designed to repair damage inflicted by the environment, this multi-tasking formula is dictated by a call to tackle the main concerns of winter skincare - reducing redness, replenishing moisture levels, and improving elasticity whilst allowing skin to breath. The deliciously buttery formula contains five unique complexes, each chosen for its ability to tackle the biggest issues associated with winter skin. The results are truly revolutionary.

AĒSOP Blue Chamomile Hydrating Mask*

A classic case of winter face [dull, lacklustre, redness-prone skin], calls for hydration masks do more than just boost moisture levels. The latest launch from Aēsop offers multiple benefits, depending how long you are free to surrender your skin. A 10-minute application offers intense hydration and refreshment, with numerous hydrating ingredients working to improve the water reserves in your skin. Leave on for 30 minutes for a deep cleanse as clarifying rosemary and witch hazel kick in, or choose to leave it on overnight (the gel-like texture melts into the skin) to experience instantly visible results come sunrise thanks to extracts of bisabolol and ginger, which brighten the entire face.

SISLEY Gentle Facial Buffing Cream*

Thanks to Sisley, you no longer have to subject yourself to harsh scrubs to obtain smooth, silkily-textured skin and be rid of winter’s inevitable dry patches. Gentle exfoliating particles are suspended within a luxurious soufflé-like cream, which carefully buffs skin to polished perfection, enhancing the its ability to absorb consequently applied ingredients. Designed to be left on the face to set before removal, the formula also contains kaolin extract, which lifts away sebum, impurities and dead skin cells, before allowing soothing matricaria to provide a boost of hydration.

THALGO Hyaluronic Eye Patches*

Multi-tasking skincare reached new heights when sheet masks flooded the beauty market via South Korea; these days, they come attuned to almost every area of the face [and indeed, body]. Designed with busy schedules in mind, these eye masks are a lifesaver when time is a luxury for most women. Hyaluronic acid has long been a staple ingredient in the best hydrators; beloved for its ability to attract up to 100 times its weight in water to the skin’s surface, it dramatically plumps and brightens a dehydrated complexion. These pads contain a particularly potent strain of Marine Hyaluronic Acid, which visibly reduces the appearance of fatigued eyes. I keep them in the fridge for an instantly gratifying boost of soothing refreshment.

What are your winter skincare staples?