The change in season is well and truly upon us, and just like I rotate my wardrobe, I also give my skincare routine a bit of a mix up. My skincare needs change dramatically; instead of being concerned with oiliness, I’m focused on reducing dryness. For me, winter skin is all about hydration. So I wanted to share a round up of some of my favourite skincare products which I reach for as soon as the temperatures drop, to get my skin winter ready.
MOISTURISERS
Avene Hydrance Optimale Aqua Gel-Creme
As much as I love to test out and try new skincare products, a huge focus for me this year has been consistency. I suffer from dermatitis and if I’m not careful, I can be prone to flare ups. Perhaps one of my favourite finds of the year however, has to be this gel creme moisturizer from Avene which pretty quickly cemented its spot in my everyday skincare routine. Because it’s a gel creme it has a cooling feel to it, that sinks into your complexion immediately without leaving any greasy residue on your skin. I like to reach for this morning and night, as it has a lightweight and bouncy texture, and layers well under makeup. Formulated using Avène Thermal Spring Water – which is known for its soothing and anti-irritant properties – its also hypo-allergenic and paraben-free.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
This has to be one of my favourite skincare purchases of the last 12 months; I decided to take the plunge and splurge on a little Elemis skincare during our late honeymoon in the Maldives, and haven’t been disappointed yet. I initially bought this with the intent of using it as a night time moisturiser, but it’s proven to be lightweight enough to wear daily – even during the summer months. This contains a unique algae called padina pavonica, which has properties that improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin. This feels absolutely divine on the skin, and leaves it looking fresh and plump!
Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator(also here)
It’s a pretty bold claim: a moisturiser that keeps your skin hydrated for 72 hours post-application, even after you’ve cleansed your face, but that’s just what Clinique have managed to achieve with their latest update to their Moisture Surge range. I was a huge fan of the original Moisture Surge Moisturiser. With a gel consistency, it has a lightweight jelly-like feel to it, which is more substantial to the touch than the gel-creme from Avene, for comparison. It soaks into the skin effortlessly and gives a huge hit of hydration without making my complexion feel the slightest bit oily.
La Mer Moisturising Soft Lotion
If you’re looking for a splurge-worthy moisturiser then I don’t think you need to look much further than The Moisturising Soft Lotion from La Mer. It might cost a pretty penny, but it’s well worth it. It’s perfect for sensitive skin and it’s one of the most intensely hydrating creams I’ve tried. Unlike the ‘soft cream’, the lotion has a thinner consistency which I personally prefer – I find that anything too rich can be a bit too heavy for my skin and break me out a little. It’s been formulated with La Mer’s iconic nutrient-rich Miracle Broth™, which penetrates the skin to replenishes moisture to even the driest complexions, leaving your skin feeling supple and smooth. When I have this on rotation I’ll use it on its own, as opposed to pairing it up with serums or oils as I find the combination can be a bit too rich for my skin, and the soft lotion works enough skincare magic on its own.
Pur Attitude Advanced Cell Renewal Night Creme
This is an intensely nourishing night cream, perfect for if you have dehydrated skin, or find you need a big boost of moisture during the colder months. It’s specially formulated with Hyaluronix, a complex trio of different molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid which time-releases those nourishing factors deep within the deeper layers of your skin. This cream is also packed with bio-advanced peptides which work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and Acetyle Hexapeptide-3 which has been proven to help fight against signs of aging.
OILS & SERUMS
Go-To Face Hero
Winter skin is all about hydration, hydration, hydration, and the Face Hero from Go-To Skincare is one of those skincare saviours that truly packs a punch. Loaded with 10 concentrated plant and nut oils (including almond oil, jojoba oil and rosehip oil), it’s rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, plus it has anti-inflammatory properties. I like to apply this at night time underneath my night creme, and before serums if I’m having a ‘loaded’ skincare evening. It leaves my skin with a beautiful glow, and feeling hydrated and plump. Plus, it smells amazing.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
An absolute cult classic, and for good reason, Estee Lauder’s ANR is a product that I keep in my year round beauty stash. The formula has a lightweight texture to it which battles against the three ‘D’s’: dryness, dullness and dehydration. It’s loaded with hyaluronic acid and other active ingredients like algae extract, plus it’s oil-free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making it perfect for all skin types. And it’s not just for evenings, either. For an additional anti-aging boost, I’ll apply a generous dose across my face and décolletage in the morning too.
Avene Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum (also here)
This is another product I’ve been reaching for a lot as of late; it’s feels gentle on the skin, leaves my complexion feeling supple and soft (thanks to the plant-based glycerin), plus it’s perfect for use both morning and night. I like to apply two pumps all over my face and décolletage for an added layer of long-lasted hydration.
Lancome Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Serum
I was recently given the opportunity to pu this serum to the test, and became instantly hooked. For a high end skincare product, this doesn’t fall flat. The packaging is luxurious, and the product feels like a luxury to apply to my skin. This is one I like to reach for both morning and night – the formula is silky smooth, and it quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving my complexion feeling hydrated and supple. It targets the 10 key signs of youthful-looking skin: texture, resiliency, elasticity, firmness, sagginess, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance and even skin tone. And boy, is it effective. This helped to relieve some textural issues I had across my cheeks as a side effect of another beauty product I was testing out, and gave my complexion a beautiful radiance to it.
Resibo Smoothing Face Serum
Just like my wardrobe, I like my skincare to be hardworking too, and the Resibo Smoothing Face Serum ticks all the boxes. It’s one of those wonder products that comes with a whole hoarde of benefits. It’s loaded with natural ingredients such as Marula oil which is a natural antioxidant; Butterfly lavender extract which prevents facial lines and smoothes the skin; and vegetable squalane to prevent moisture loss and restore smoothness to name a few. I tend to apply heavier serums and oils at night, and this is no exception. I’ll apply 3-4 drops all across my face, which feels incredibly nourishing and gives my complexion a glow from within.
Vis Viva Retinyl & Frankincense Restorative Oil Serum
As important as it is to nourish your skin, enhancing the natural barrier protection of your complexion is just as important. Again, this is another one of those skincare superstars; in addition to adding nourishment and hydration to your skin, it’s loaded with natural antioxidants, vitamins and botanicals. The two hero ingredients in the Vis Viva Restorative Oil Serum are Frankincense resin, which evens out skin tone and adds a luminous glow to the complexion, and Retinyl Palmitate, which as a natural form of Vit A improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Glossier Super Bounce
A good hyalauronic acid is a must for me during the winter months; my oily/combination skin feels a little lacklustre, so I’m always after an extra helping of hydration for my complexion. Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, and works deep within the skin’s layers to boost moisture levels. The one that I’ve currently got on my beauty counter is Glossier’s Super Bounce, a concentrated serum with the added bonus of Vitamin B5, to boost your skin’s elasticity. It has a nice silky formula which is incredibly potent, so you only need to reach for this once a day. Personally I like to add it to my morning routine to combat the effects of air conditioning at the office.
OVERNIGHT MASKS
Aveda Tulasara Wedding Masque
A pretty common thread throughout my skincare heroes is that I like to go for products that are primarily naturally derived – I find that they’re just gentler on my eczema-prone skin. The Tulasara Wedding Masque from Aveda is 97% derived from plants, non-petroleum minerals or water, and it’s fragranced with certified organic jasmine, camomile, grapefruit and plant essences. In addition to having some fantastic healing and moisturising properties, it also contains salicylic acid, which reduces the appearance of blemishes over time (effectively nourishing and combatting acne at the same time!). The most critical time for our skin’s natural repair process is while we’re sleeping, and this overnight mask has so many benefits: it supports the natural repair process, brightens and evens out skin tone, and adds an instant radiance to your complexion – tried and tested! Despite how creamy and rich this feels on application, it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. I apply a generous layer of this before bed on those days when my skin is particularly thirsty and looks seriously lacklustre, for perkier skin and a natural glow to my complexion.
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask (also here)
I’m a pretty big fan of Clinique’s Moisture Surge collection, though if I had to pick a favourite, it’d have to be the Overnight Mask. This overnight mask leaves your skin feeling plump and glowy; it essentially feels like it’s giving your complexion a big drink, and is one of my go-to hero products when my skin is on the dehydrated side. I apply a generous layer all over my face approximately 30 minutes before going to sleep, to give the product an opportunity to start sinking in before my head hits the pillow.
